At the start of a new year, many people focus on achieving New Year's resolutions. The excitement picks up as soon as the clock strikes 12! Unfortunately, a lot of resolutions end up falling by the wayside two weeks into the new year. The reason this happens so often lies in the fact that most people don't really understand how to set targets and goals for the year ahead. Sure, it's a good practice for any business owner to make resolutions or consider wishes of what they might like to see in their company in the coming year. However, if the resolution isn't followed by thorough planning and measuring, the goal will stay a wish. There are a few vital steps to take when setting any personal or business goals for the upcoming year. Following these steps will help almost anyone get results.
1. Know The Vision A popular Biblical scripture encourages people to "write the vision and make it plain." When it comes to setting goals, it's very important to possess clarity and vision. When things are plainly written, comprehension and execution are more likely to happen. Know what the goal actually is. For example, a personal goal might be to get into better shape. An obvious goal in most businesses is to increase profits. There needs to be a level of clarity on what needs to be achieved by the end of the year. When there's an endpoint, a goal-setter runs with the end in mind. Put simply, they're more focused and driven to 'do'. 2. Create A Breakdown The vision is clear. That's not the end though. Now, it's time to break down the steps and be a lot more specific. Getting into better shape is great, but there needs to be a measurable goal. If it takes a person 40 minutes to complete a 5K run, a breakdown of getting into better shape could translate into successfully completing a 5K in less than 15 minutes by the end of the year. For a business looking to increase profits, a breakdown takes it to a more specific level. A goal of a 60% increase in profits is measurable, definitive and clear. 3. Create A Timeline It's so important to set a timeline of events. The years fly by so fast. Before long, January turns into June. No sense in getting to June without the goals halfway completed. Set short-term and long-term target points for each goal. For the person running the 5K, a long-term goal of increased stamina is great. A short-term goal might involve getting to the gym three days a week to warm up and run. It may also mean building up the courage to increase the speed on the treadmill a little higher each week. For the business owner, a long-term goal of increased profits is excellent. A short-term goal could equate to hiring an expert salesperson within the next month. While the frenzy of setting goals is in the air, achieving the goals is another story. The most important factor to remember is how everything must be performance-driven. Never leave goals up to circumstances or outcomes. And finally, it's essential to focus on what can be done to improve the situation with what's on the table right now. Keep these points in mind and goals will almost invariably transform into achievements!
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