We all have goals, but how do we get there?
There are two types of goal setting people. Those who write down their goals and steps or plans, monitor them, and update as needed. Then there are those who just wing it. Even if you’re the “winger” type, you still have goals. Everyone has goals. We call them bucket lists, to-do lists, or perhaps unwritten short and long-term goals.
I wrote about the psychology of goal setting in a previous blog: https://thewritetouchinc.com/2019/02/12/entrepreneur-success-factor-3-develop-a-process-for-setting-and-monitoring-goals/ and more extensively in my book noted below.
If you do have a system for writing down and monitoring your goals, and it’s working for you, great. No need to read much further . . . unless of course, you’re looking for a tip or two – or maybe you like to challenge your beliefs, systems, etc. once in a while.
If you do not have a system or think goal setting is too much trouble, keep reading (it won’t take long). Maybe you think goals are pass/fail, or it’s just too much work to write everything down. Nope and not really. In fact, writing a goal down will increase your chances of making that goal by, oh . . . a lot.
Simply jotting down a list of goals (digitally or the traditional paper and pen way) is fine for to-do’s and bucket list items. Not enough, however, for those short and long-term goals – personal or business – that require planning and multiple steps. Whether you call them short or long term doesn’t matter. Time frames have different meanings to different folks.
The most important thing about any goal setting process is to follow certain “rules.” The five you most commonly see produce the acronym SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely. I think achievable and realistic are pretty much the same thing. Likewise, to be specific they have to have a measurable component. How else will you know if you achieved the goal? Most experts will tell you they also have to be written. Writing them down creates a “contract” which, in turn, creates a stronger commitment.
Therefore, my 5 rules are: Written, Specific (outcome), Realistic, Timely (date parameter), and must be stated in Positive terms. Sorry, no good acronym.
Writing them down, creating a specific outcome, and being realistic are fairly easy steps. Determining when the goal will be accomplished will get fleshed out by defining the steps to get there (and when those steps can be done). You can also set a target date and work backwards to define the steps.
Putting the goals in a positive frame means defining what you’re going to do – as opposed to what you’re not going to do. Our brains work best at accomplishing something, not so well at stopping something. Breaking a habit, for example, is easier when you tell your subconscious (by writing it out) what you want rather than what you don’t want. “I’m going to stop smoking” doesn’t work as well as “I will be a non-smoker.” In business, you don’t want to set goals to eliminate something (a service plan, staff, product, or branch office). Rather, you would state the replacement or what you’ll have after the elimination – implement a new service, reorganize departments, consolidate operations, e.g.).
Personal goals are pretty easy to write out and monitor. The forms mentioned below will help make that even easier. Entrepreneurs or executives are dealing with many short and long term goals such as launching a new product or service, hiring staff, financial goals, equipment or software upgrades, industry conference plan, marketing campaign, office or territory expansion, to name a few.
A goal setting process doesn’t need to be cumbersome or time intensive. A business owner or executive is, by the very nature of doing business, going to take time for some planning on any of these projects. Start with a simple form – you can download one here (yes, it’s free): https://thewritetouchinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Goal-setting-worksheet.pdf.
For those of you who are more analytical and enjoy the details of goal setting, a good complementary exercise is to test your resolve to achieving a certain goal. Follow that with affirmations as an excellent way to program your subconscious mind. Affirmations are similar to visualization top performing athletes (pro golfers, e.g.) use to create better outcomes. You can add your resolve and affirmations using the simple downloadable form on my website at: https://thewritetouchinc.com/helpingentrepreneurs/tools/ (also free).
If you want to get deeper into the subject, along with more tools and four more topics, check out my book: Beyond the Numbers: 5 Key Factors that Impact an Entrepreneur’s Success. Although the book is aimed at business owners, one reader said “On the whole, the book contains some great advice, not just for entrepreneurs, but for anyone grappling with life in general.“
Thanks for sharing your time and journey. Your comments are always welcome, and please share this information with colleagues, friends, and mates.