Have you ever taken the time to think about what you and your business will look like?  Where do you see yourself 1 year from today, August of 2010...?  What about 3 years from today, August of 2012...??  Do I even dare to ask you about you and your business in 5 years, August 2014...???  Getting uncomfortable with those future thoughts?  I confess I felt awkward when I began writing the brandUcoaching Inc. business plan and thinking of such future ideas.  The thought of me and my business in five years was intimidating like it is for everyone, but I persisted and followed through on the exercise and am a living proof that such goals and dreams come true! 

 

Such future uncertainty and insecurities associated with our goals is very normal.  Another normal attribute is to not achieve anything that you don't think about or write down with an action plan.  Setting goals before taking any action is the right thing to do for three reasons:

 

1.  It gives you a target to aim for.  All your actions and efforts will be focused on attaining the objective instead of being inefficiently used.

 

2.  It gives you a sense of direction and some vision of where you're going.

 

3.  It motivates you and your business with daily intention, combined with the tradition to celebrate with a reward once you have successfully completed your objective. 

Stephen R. Covey says it best in his book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People..."To begin with the end in mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination.  It means to know where you're going so that you better understand where you are now and so that the steps you take are always in the right direction."

An example of an effective goal might look something like the following:

WHAT:  My goal is to send my database a monthly e-newsletter starting September 01.

WHY:  So that I can stay top of mind with my customers, and provide the value-added personal brand benefits of my experience, product-knowledge, and specialization. 

HOW:  To achieve this, I will begin to collect email addresses of all my current customers and enter them into Microsoft EXCEL.  (Constant Contact database software allows you to upload and email your database with permission-based marketing software by choosing from a variety of themes to customize and brand your message - PS - This e-Newsletter is produced and sent from Constant Contact).  I plan to start with 100 names by September 01, and grow my database to 250 names by December 31, 2009. 

 

By focusing on smaller, short-term goals and achieving success you give yourself the confidence to grow into larger goals.  What one goal can you make this month that will increase your success by next year? 

 

Be Specific. 
Be Measureable. 
Be Attainable. 
Be Realistic. 
Be Timely. 
Be S.M.A.R.T.  with your goals.

Let me help you get started with writing your goals by signing up for my FREE 30-minute personal coaching session.