\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n What\u2019s the secret to achieving massive success in your business goals?<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n You started this business because you simply love what you do! You\u2019re a passionate, heart-centered entrepreneur who was born for this. And you\u2019re ready to have a thriving business that doesn\u2019t just kinda, sorta pay the bills, but empowers you to live your dreams. To expand your business, to give back, to host events, to launch more products, to have a storefront, and everything else you dream of for your empire.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n So, how do you make this year the year you level up your business?<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n When you think about your business one year from now, what do you envision? How has it grown? Ask yourself these goal-setting questions<\/a> and more.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Now, take a step back and determine what\u2019s the #1 business goal that has made this all possible?<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n As entrepreneurs, we\u2019re part dreamers\u2014and with each year\u2014it\u2019s easy to set way too many goals and objectives. You want to achieve all the things.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n But realistically, you have only so much time, money, and energy. Reflect upon what\u2019s produced the best results for you last year and what hasn\u2019t. For example, using a client management software for small businesses<\/a> can help you streamline your business and achieve more than you thought possible. You need to focus on what\u2019s working! And stop doing what isn\u2019t.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Speaking of results, you need to be crystal clear on what outcomes you want. Not just more<\/em> customers, more<\/em> sales, more<\/em> money, but also how much<\/em>, how you\u2019ll reach it<\/em>, and why your business needs this<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Stay focused, figure out what your non-negotiable and long-term goal is, include a quantitative amount, put a number on it, and add in a deadline too.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Write down the one goal you will achieve, no matter what! You can even create a goal map<\/a> to see how your goal relates to individual business initiatives.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Got it? Okay good, write it down.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n With your main goal clearly outlined, you\u2019re going to break it down into specific strategies. You\u2019re basically figuring out the how<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n This is the most important part! Don\u2019t just set big, long-term goals and walk away, you need to make them achievable and manageable by outlining a strategic plan.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Here\u2019s the thing, you want to outline strategies that have either worked for you in the past or you\u2019ve learned from fellow entrepreneurs and business owners, reputable sources like Rising Tide, or your business coach. Creating measurable goals and objectives and a clear business strategy will help you achieve success.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Stop doing anything that isn\u2019t producing results. Yes, I know that\u2019s hard to stop, but you need to focus and double down on what\u2019s working.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n If hosting booths at local fairs are not leading to any sales, stop signing up for them.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Your next step is to outline three or four strategies. To help you break it down, think about the four seasons or quarters of the year and choose a business strategy for each.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Here\u2019s an example. \u201cThis year, I will increase my online course sales to $100,000, by running Facebook ads, hosting bi-weekly joint venture Masterclasses, creating a free course, and writing weekly blog posts.\u201d<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Now it\u2019s your turn.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Now we need to break it down even more by outlining the actions for each business strategy.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n It\u2019s not enough to know the strategies for growing your business, you need the exact steps. Oftentimes, our brain freaks out when a goal is still too big. To avoid overwhelm and procrastination, let\u2019s make it even easier to get started.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n What are the step-by-step actions required for each strategy? Think about to-dos (one-time<\/em> tasks) and habits (repetitive tasks that you do daily, weekly, or even monthly) when determining your steps. Creating short-term goals is the best way to achieve your long-term goal.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n For example, to collaborate with other entrepreneurs for webinars, you\u2019d need to:<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Suddenly you realize that a lot goes into one seemingly simple business strategy. And this all takes up so much time! (But more on this in our next step).<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n And that\u2019s not all! Some of your strategies will be best implemented by forming new habits or repetitive actions.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Continuing with my example above, your habits could be:<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Now, brainstorm all the action steps for each of your strategies.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n You need to master your time! And that starts by creating a schedule and booking it into your daily planner or digital calendar.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Don\u2019t just say you\u2019ll work on X, Y, and Z in February and A, B, and C in March, determine exactly when you\u2019ll do the steps and complete them by. Then schedule it.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Time management<\/a> is a struggle for many independent business owners, but you cannot afford to waste time when you are on the clock. You need to deliver your service in a timely manner and have the ability to solve problems that arise as they come up. When you have a planned schedule, you also have extra time to deal with unforeseen issues that might come up.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Setting measurable goals is one of the best ways to ensure that you are designating your time correctly. Determining your success based on the metrics you set for yourself ensures that you prioritize the tasks that are most important and set aside the time you need to get them done.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n By designating your time and having a set plan, you\u2019ll reach your goal that much quicker!<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Get started with your first quarter business strategy, and set a date and time to work on each action step.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n For example, you could schedule weekly outreach every Tuesday from 10 am \u2013 to 11 am. Or posting on social media from Monday to Friday from 2 pm \u2013 2:30 pm.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Here\u2019s a pro tip<\/em>: Don\u2019t just create this schedule and forget about it. Set reminders, as well as mark yourself as unavailable during these task times. Use tools like HoneyBook meeting scheduler<\/a>, Trello, Asana, iCal, or Google Calendar.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Get in the habit of writing out what you need to do each day of the week. Put it on your desk so you know and there\u2019s no overwhelm or confusion any day!<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Listen, it\u2019s so important you commit right now to doing something that brings you closer to your goal every single day. No matter how small, even if it\u2019s just for five minutes, do it!<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Staying committed and building momentum is what\u2019s going to enable you to slay your goals no matter how you feel.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n That\u2019s where building a habit of taking action comes in. Train yourself to get it done, right away, with no excuses. Don\u2019t give yourself the chance to get distracted or procrastinate.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n For your final step, I want you to get started on this year\u2019s business goals right now! You\u2019re feeling motivated, so take action today! You\u2019ll be sending more online invoices<\/a> than ever before.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n I\u2019d love to tell you that this is all it takes. That in just one year, you\u2019ll set business goals and achieve all of them.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n But here\u2019s the really good news, you don\u2019t need to!<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n As Bill Gates famously said, \u201cMost people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.\u201d<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Goal setting for your business<\/h2>\r\n
Step 1: Decide what your #1 goal is<\/h3>\r\n
For example, \u201cThis year, I will double my income from wedding photography to $60,000 by September.\u201d Or \u201cThis year I will sell 100 custom invitations.\u201d<\/blockquote>\r\n
Step 2: Divide your business goal into strategies<\/h3>\r\n
For example, instead of being on every social media platform, focus on the one that provides the most leads or sales.<\/blockquote>\r\n
Step 3: Determine your actions<\/h3>\r\n
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Step 4: Designate your time<\/h3>\r\n
It\u2019s your turn, look at your list of steps and strategies from above and pull out your yearly planner or calendar.<\/blockquote>\r\n
Step 5: Dedicate yourself daily<\/h3>\r\n
Even if you don\u2019t achieve your goal in its entirety, take the win! Goal setting is a process and you need to continually review and adjust throughout the year. <\/strong><\/blockquote>\r\n