It’s almost January! Can you believe it? Seems like only yesterday I was setting goals for 2011 and now it’s time to see how I did and do it big for 2012.
For those who don’t have time to do the deep analytics and research to create those great strategic goals we see in all the text books, here are a few practical tips:
Focus. Look at Me, I Said FOCUS!
Many of us over reach with our goals and try to do way too many things. It’s ok to set big goals, but when you pick too many, it’s easy to lose focus on what’s really important. It’s easy to make a goal out of everything that comes to mind, but much more difficult to pick only the most important and set everything else aside.
It’s Great to Measure, But Don’t Make That the Focus
Any consultant worth their weight in sand will tell you that your goals have to measurable. I certainly don’t disagree, but don’t set a great strategy aside because you can’t figure out how to measure it or because it is just to hard to measure. As small business owners we have the privilege of evaluating our own performance, and we usually do it without a ton of numbers. For instance, this year I want to do more with web site. I’m not sure exactly what that means yet, but I know it’s important. Eventually, I will measure by revenue produced or traffic, but for now I have a gut feel for what I want and my goal is to “Make my web site a significant contributor to the Sigma College business model”.
Keep Them in Front of You
In one conversation at a Small Business Roundtable discussion last January someone recommended putting your goals somewhere where you will see them every day – it will help you focus (see number 1:-)) I’ll add something to that, find someone to share your goals with, someone who will help remind you, challenge you and encourage you!
Keep it Positive
Setting goals and then accomplishing them should be an encouragement. Don’t beat yourself up when one falls by the wayside, just reset and move on to the next. I always have a personal goal for my exercise regimen (or lack thereof). I used to get dejected and stop if I couldn’t hit my 5 times per week goal. Then I realized that 2 times per week is better than none! Most of the time the work towards the goal has the real impact, so keep at it.
Do you have any tips for goal setting that have kept you going? Let us know with a comment!
