Goal Setting
Are your goals set solely for your business, or do you make personal targets too?
For 2015, I’ve set three goals: two personal and one for the business. What do they all have in common? I’ll need support from those around me to achieve them!
As an ‘old school sales person,’ I’ve always understood the value of goal setting, breaking them down into actionable steps and mapping out how to achieve them. But until recently, I didn’t quite realise how much I rely on others to enable my success.
Of course, achieving any goal requires willpower, grit and determination. It’s down to you to put in the massive effort needed to hit each milestone. But having support and encouragement from the people around you can make a huge difference—it doesn’t lessen the effort you need to make, but it certainly helps keep you on track.
At The Last Hurdle, we talk about goals, plans and targets all the time. Yet it’s easy to forget that not everyone is accustomed to this way of working. So, here are a few tips to help you set, plan and achieve your own goals:
What is Your Goal?
Where do you want to get to? It may sound simple, but without a clear idea of what you want to achieve, how can you possibly get there? Your goal needs to be something that matters to you—something that truly excites and motivates you. It’s much harder to work towards a goal if it’s what someone else wants for you, rather than what you genuinely want to achieve.
Ask yourself: is this goal important to you? If so, you’ll find you have much more drive to achieve it.
“Goals must be believable. If you don’t believe you can achieve a goal, you won’t pay the price for it.”
— Tom Hopkins
You’ve Gotta Have a Plan, Stan
Simply wanting to achieve something isn’t enough. Even the simplest goals require planning! You don’t need a complicated, multi-layered strategy—simple is often best. Here’s an easy method to start with:
- Take a sheet of paper and write your goal at the top.
- Write your current situation at the bottom.
- Now, fill in the steps between where you are now and where you want to be.
Each step is a milestone on the way to your goal. You may need to adjust as you progress—life loves to throw challenges our way! But having a clear map helps you stay on course.
Give Yourself Realistic Timescales
Open-ended goals with no timescales create no sense of urgency. Set realistic deadlines for each step. And don’t let anyone else dictate what’s realistic—only you know what’s achievable based on your circumstances.
If something unexpected happens (and it will), adjust your plan. Flexibility is key.
“A goal is a dream with a deadline.”
— Napoleon Hill
Make Sure You Have the Right Tools
The best carpenter in the world can’t build a table without the right tools and the same applies to achieving your goals. Make sure you have everything you need—whether that’s a skilled team, a CRM system, enough budget or simply encouragement from your support network.
Create a list of necessary resources and ensure you’re fully equipped to succeed.
Document Your Goal
Out of sight, out of mind. Keep your goal front and centre by documenting it in a way you’ll see every day. A visual reminder—whether it’s a post it note, a mind map or a vision board—helps keep you focused on the bigger picture, even when you’re deep in the day-to-day grind.
Having a clear visual reference will remind you of why you’re working so hard and push you to keep going.
Motivation – Plan Your Rewards
What keeps you motivated? Achieving each step? Money? A holiday? Even something as simple as a celebratory dinner with your family can be enough to keep you on track. Plan your rewards for hitting each milestone—it’ll help keep you going when things get tough.
“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing—that’s why we recommend it daily.”
— Zig Ziglar
Remember, motivation is fleeting. Keep yourself motivated with small rewards along the way and never forget to celebrate progress!
Don’t Get Discouraged
There will be times when things don’t go according to plan. You’ll encounter setbacks. But don’t let that discourage you. Don’t give up. Don’t allow excuses to creep in. If you’ve missed a deadline or haven’t hit a target, don’t beat yourself up. Simply adjust, refocus and move forward.
The key is to be realistic. Don’t put unnecessary pressure on yourself or those around you. And most importantly, keep going—how much do you really want to achieve this goal?
Celebrate Each Win
Achieving a goal takes time, effort and resilience. Celebrate each small win along the way—it’s important to acknowledge progress. At The Last Hurdle, we have a Snoopy Dance to mark our wins! Whether it’s a small step or a major milestone, give yourself that proverbial pat on the back.
If you have a team supporting you, make sure they share in the celebrations too. After all, they’ve contributed to your success.
What’s the Worst That Can Happen?
Before you set your goal, ask yourself: what’s the worst that can happen? You try your hardest and don’t reach it? Even if you don’t get all the way, you’ll have made progress. And one thing is certain—if you don’t try, you won’t succeed.
Goal setting isn’t just for the start of the year. It’s a continual process that helps you achieve your dreams. Keep refining, adjusting and moving forward.
Just like dogs, goal setting is for life—not just for Christmas or New Year!
