One of the first things I do with each client is seeking to understand their goals. For me, this is defining the target we are trying to hit together. I’ve learned that many clients have general goals but haven’t drilled down to find clarity or create a specific workable plan to achieve their goals.
Goal setting is a place where many people have confused what they actually want with what they should want. Please take out your written goals and ask yourself how committed you are to meeting them. Great goals are exciting to you. They motivate you to want to work on them. They are headed in the direction that feels good to you and they balance inspiration with reality.
“Should” goals don’t ever get any traction because you really don’t want to do them. If you have “should” goals, replace them with things you actually want to accomplish.
Most importantly, goals need to be drilled down into something you can DO. Setting a goal and hanging it on the wall misses some of the steps that need to be taken and is unlikely to bring the goal to reality.
Let’s start with a common goal and together we’ll walk through what I mean.
Goal: Double our revenue.
From this goal, do you know what to do today or tomorrow to take action on the goal? No, it isn’t an actionable goal yet. That doesn’t mean it isn’t a good starting point, it just means there is more work to do.
Goal: Double our revenue by adding at least 10 new customers per month while still helping our existing customers.
From this goal, do you know what to do today or tomorrow to take action on the goal? Probably not because just “getting 10 new customers” isn’t specific enough for you to know exactly what to do to make that happen.
Goal: Double our revenue by (1) asking all of our existing customers for referrals and (2) calling on at least 20 new businesses each week. This should result in 10 new customers per month.
From this goal, do you know what to do today or tomorrow to take action on the goal? You know what to do regarding new customers but have lost keeping up with existing customers.
Goal: Double our revenue by (1) taking good care of our existing customers, (2) asking all of our existing customers for referrals, and (3) calling on at least 20 new businesses each week. This should result in 10 new customers per month.
Now you have something that is specific for the week. The next step is to drill down what to do each day. The more specific you are, the more likely you are to take action and the more progress you’ll make towards your goal.
Now it is your turn. Take the time to write down your goals and drill down enough so you know exactly what to do each day to meet them.
Charlise Latour a business coach and owner of Accelerate Your Success. She works with each client to determine what their goals are and create a plan so they can achieve them. She is actively involved in Dancing & Singing With The King which raises money to promote dance education including working with local schools to offer dance classes during the school day. This is a natural fit as she is an avid ballroom dancer.
