Goal planning season is upon us. As small business owners, we know that planning is incredibly important when it comes to running and growing a business. So every year at the end of the year (or beginning depending on how much vacation time you need at the end of the year) we get out our planners and decide where we’re going next. So here are some tips to help you out this planning season:
Do This…
There are a ton of great goal planning habits, and honestly different people plan in different ways. But when it comes down to it, here are my top three tips:
Be Specific
When it comes to goal planning, you want to be as specific as possible. That means “growing your social media” is out, and growing your Instagram account by five percent each month is in. Not only that, but you want to know why that goal is on your list. If you want to increase your Instagram following so more people listen to your podcast, then say that.
Quantify It
On the same note, you need to be able to quantify your goal. In the example before I said, “by five percent each month” that is quantifying your goal. We quantify our goals because then we can measure them and see how successful they are and know when we achieve them.
Be Realistic
To achieve your goals, they also need to be realistic. That means that, unless you know you can do it, you shouldn’t have any wild goals on your list. Unrealistic goals are unlikely (but not impossible) to be achieved, and goals that aren’t achieved tend to be demotivating.
Don’t Do This…
I like to believe that there is no correct way to goal plan but there are incorrect ways to do. While there is a lot that you can do, there are a few things you should avoid doing.
Don’t Go Too Easy On Yourself
While I mentioned being realistic about your goals, you don’t want to sent them too low either. You know your potential and you need to find the sweet spot between realism and what you know you can do. When it comes to goal planning, it’s important to push yourself. That’s how you grow.
Don’t Leave Your Goals Open-Ended
One incredibly important thing to keep in mind when it comes to goal planning is making sure you don’t leave your goals too open-ended. Timelines help you make sure that you stay on track to accomplish your goals. Without them, it’s really easy to push your goals out further and further until they become things of the past.
Do you have any goal planning tips? Share them in the comments below!
Looking For More Posts On Goal Planning?
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Tae started out as a journalist before following the money into the corporate world. But it turns out that the grass isn’t always greener and now you can find her spending most of her time writing about all the things she loves. Namely, money, travel and business with a hefty dose of self-deprecating humor. She is a podcast fanatic, blogging aficionado and loves to find new ways to turn passions into cold hard cash!