Don't Just Set the Goal, Create a Plan
As an entrepreneur, it’s easy to lose the forest for the trees. This means you get so caught up in day-to-day tasks that you forget the vision driving your work. Passion and motivation are essential for success. When times get tough, you can lean on these tools to push yourself forward.
One way to channel your passion when your task list gets overwhelming is to set goals. This isn’t as easy as it seems, and effective goal-setting is often a balancing act. Your goals need to be actionable and realistic, and they need to push you while still being achievable. By following these steps, you’ll be on track to set goals and develop a plan for success.
Set SMART Goals
Your first step is to set your goals. Each goal is a big-picture vision for the future, and they should give you a framework for action so you can develop plans to achieve them. Use the acronym SMART when you are writing down your goals:
Specific: What achievements do you hope to reach or milestones do you want to pass?
Measurable: What metrics will you track to prove that you succeeded?
Attainable: Are your goals realistic?
Relevant: How are your goals related to your business and passions?
Time-bound: When do you hope to achieve your goals?
Too often entrepreneurs say their main goal is to grow their business. While this goal is relevant, it’s not specific, measurable, or time-bound. Better goals would be to double your client base this year or increase your revenue by 50%. With these goals in mind, you can develop plans to work toward them.
Break Large Goals Into Smaller Milestones
Once you have your goal in mind, you can start developing plans to turn your vision into reality. One way to do this is to set smaller milestones that help you reach a larger goal.
For example, doubling your client base might seem overwhelming, but it’s easier to think about adding a certain number of clients each month over a year. When you divide your goal by 12 months, it’s much more attainable.
Also, a large goal can loom over you and feel unattainable. You can take pressure off yourself by thinking of your goal as a pile of blocks. Stack one block at a time until you have built a tall castle.
Brainstorm Tasks That Support Your Plans
Every goal requires a plan to help you succeed, and every plan is made up of a series of steps to execute it. Look at the first milestone you want to hit and consider the task that would help you achieve it.
For example, you might plan to attend two networking events each month to reach new clients or set aside part of your budget to work with a marketing agency.
This process will tell you whether you have set SMART goals. If you can’t create a plan to execute them and develop tasks to follow the plan, you might want to return to the drawing board and make sure your goals are specific, measurable, and timely.
Prepare to Make Mistakes—We All Do!
While you are making plans, know that it’s okay to fail. We all hit roadblocks on our journeys to success. The first thing to do is give up perfectionism. Expecting to hit your goals perfectly every time will add to your stress and anxiety. You shouldn’t beat yourself up just because you made a mistake or didn’t get the outcome you wanted.
Instead, try healthy striving. This is a process where you push yourself to do better and celebrate both your victories and your failures. Every mistake is a lesson for how you can do better the next time.
Try the Good, Better, Best Method
One process to try as you create plans to achieve your goals is the Good, Better, Best method. Start by setting a Good Goal, which is simple and should be easy to hit. Even if you only reach this level, you made it to a milestone and have achieved growth.
Next, set a Better Goal. This one is more challenging and should push you out of your comfort zone.
Finally, set a Best Goal. This one is the hardest to attain and you might not reach it, but it’s still possible. This goal is your ideal vision for the future, and it’s something that’s worth all the blood, sweat, and tears it takes to achieve!
Think of the phrase, “Shoot for the moon, because even if you miss, you'll land among the stars,” when setting these goals, and remember: success doesn’t have to be a pass/fail situation. It can be a spectrum with different levels of achievement.
Build Your Support System
One of the best ways to reach your goals is to work with a team of like-minded entrepreneurs who want to see you succeed. At Sweet Sleep Academy, we offer courses, coaching, and mentorship services to help you turn your goals into plans. Whether you are just starting out or want to take your business to the next level, our team of experts is here to support you.
Focus on your goals and develop plans and tasks to achieve them. Even on your most stressful days, you can tap into this vision for the future and let your goals motivate you. Plus, you will have a team of people eager to help you.
Contact us today to book an hourly session or package, and start learning how you can move your business forward with SMART goals and consistent success.
