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Out With the Old and In With the Achievable

December 27th, 2011 | General »

So, it's the New Year and you are really going to focus in on your business, right? You swear that the goals you set this year will become a reality (Unlike last year's which were just ridiculous! Who set those goals?). So, what next? If you are writing down goals like "This year I will make two million in profit." when last year you were relieved to near break-even, you may be setting some unrealistic goals and this article isn't for you! However, if you're ready to change all of that and begin to set an achievable set of goals for yourself, continue reading.


Goal setting is the process of deciding what you want to accomplish and devising a plan to achieve the result you desire. You want the goals you create to leave everyone involved in your business with a feeling of pride and accomplishment at the end of the day and ready to face new goals and challenges tomorrow. The goals you set for your business will define your company. What are your goals saying about your business today?


Start with the Man (or Woman) in the Mirror


This is obvious, right? Studies show that until you as the leader of your organization have your priorities, finances and goals managed properly, it is highly unlikely that your business will be able to properly set and achieve goals. 


Look around you. Is your house a disaster? Are your personal accounts a mess?  Start at home and then move on to your business.


Goals Can Be Visionary AND Realistic


Goals don’t need to be boring--your goals should be challenging! You can’t repeat what you did last year, add 10% and call it a new goal. Your goals this year should propel your company into new territories, emphasize and challenge your employees’ strengths so that they know how it feels to reach goals.


However, it is important to make sure they are realistic because if you set unachievable goals that no one can conceivably reach then you’re setting yourself, your business, and every member of your team up for failure. No one likes to feel like a failure and this can deal a serious blow to your organization.


Encourage an atmosphere of idea sharing within your company and rely on the people that are making your business grow now for truly visionary ideas for expansion and growth in the future. You never know what great ideas they may have up their sleeves!


Who is Doing What?


It isn’t enough to simply set achievable goals.  In order to make them happen, everyone involved (including the CEO) should walk away with an action plan of who is doing what by when and understand the consequences if they don’t complete their part. If you truly want your group to buy in to the process, you need to roll out a plan of action designed to make it happen.


Think about designing a simple planning document that lays the plan out graphically and easily with dates.  This way the team can easily refer back to it and even mark it complete when they have accomplished their pieces.


Follow Up and Follow Through


Of course the follow up becomes important too.  Make this document a part of your weekly or monthly conversation to check in on progress.  Whatever you do, do not simply go through the exercise, file this and forget about it until next year (and then re-introduce it)—you will lose credibility and the likelihood of re-energizing your team is slim to none. 


Victory Will Be Yours


"This one step - choosing a goal and sticking to it - changes everything." Scott Reed


Without goals, there is no achievement so say the experts.  So get to work this year and go for it!


We wish you all the best in 2012!  Drop up a line and let us know how your goals are progressing this year: info@getstrategy.com