As the new year rolls closer and closer each and every day now, in practically no time at all, people will relentlessly be creating new unrealistic and unreachable goals and resolutions. You know — the plan to "lose 50 pounds in the time span beginning with New Year’s Day until the first day of February" kind of goals. And we all know what happens — treadmills will be bought, treadmills will be gradually forgotten about, and treadmills will eventually be sold.
Weight loss? Well, this year it was a gain of 2 pounds for the month. So much for that resolution — maybe I’ll just try it again next year. If this all sounds way too familiar, don’t worry. You’re not alone… millions out there are doing the same exact thing!
For this year, why not set a few goals that are realistic, attainable, yet still big and bold? We’ll leave the personal and fitness goal setting advice up to the gurus on those topics — for now, let’s consider goals like building new entrepreneurial and marketing skills and growing your small business.
Here is a remarkably effective method of setting business goals and following through to a most successful outcome:
Step One: Define Your Goals
Brainstorm, write them down, and most importantly, break them down into small steps. For example, rather than saying, "I want to make my first million" as a goal, instead, get really specific. Ask yourself what skills and steps are going to be necessary to get to this overall objective. They might be things like learning to write better sales copy or getting your new website live and online. They could also simply be along the lines of "get up an hour earlier each day to really get that big project the jumpstart it needs." Whatever they are, make a list and write them down.
Step Two: Pick One Goal At A Time.
For all that’s been said about the merits of multi-tasking, one thing certainly holds true — we’re just not wired for it. We function much more clearly and effectively when laser focusing on one ambition at a time. Studies have proven that changing more than one habit at a time is nearly impossible for us to do. We’ve got to keep this in mind if we want to make progress with our goals. One great way to do it is to select and focus on one new goal (small steps) at a time each month. That’s 30 days of focus and persistence towards accomplishment.
Step Three: Hold Yourself Accountable.
First of all, if we don’t track and measure our progress towards reaching goals, we’ll never know where we stand, whether or not we’re making decent progress, or if we’ve ultimately reach the expected ambitions. Review and track your progress each and every day. Also, find an accountability partner — someone to share your goal and your progress with. Keeping the drive required to get there is easier when we know that someone else is watching too.
One goal per month, and twelve goals per year might not sound like much, but when you actually achieve them all and can look back at the end of the year and see the big picture, it’s really quite a remarkable accomplishment!
Until Next Time.
George Chaney
President/CEO
SEO King, Inc.
