Well, they really aren't all that different, are they? We all vow each year to try harder to do the things we know we should do - get in better shape, physically, financially, emotionally. As business owners who also are responsible for the success of our business we make similar promises to ourselves to do what we already know has to be done to improve our business. Setting goals is important. That is how you convert great ideas that are dreams into specific, measurable targets. Setting goals is the core from which all things great are accomplished. Read any book on achievement and see the clear constant message: Goals equal Success! It should be noted that there is no small coincidence between the one percent of companies that actually write goals down and the highest achieving, highest income-earning men and women around the world.
Unwritten goals are nothing more than wishes and we know the world is full of people with plenty of wishes. Some studies show that the real reason most people - the ones who bother to set goals - will never achieve them is that they don't write them down but rely on their memory to bring them to light each day. Goals left only to our memories are destined to fade like so many wishes.
This is the opportunity for a clean start, your once a year opening to take on new challenges and achieve amazing results. Like setting personal goals, setting business goals provides us with direction and motivation. Want to make a difference this year? Here are 10 keys to achieving results with your resolutions for the New Year.
1. Put Some Thought into Your Goals
Take your time; make realistic goals, ones that you have considered and you believe can be accomplished. They can be simple goals, not excessive or taking on too much of a burden, but they are goals that are obtainable and will make a positive impact on your company's year.
2. Make It Realistic
Do not set goals that are unreasonable or next to impossible to obtain, you are only setting yourself up to be discouraged and disappointed. Do not set "all or nothing" goals. Set goals that can be achieved in steps or phases, goals that have a chance of being a success. If you want to have scheduled one-on-ones with your cleaning staff members and you have never done this before then start with a goal of once a month. Make a goal that is something simple, something that you can achieve. If by March you determine your initial goal was too easy to achieve, there is nothing in the goal rulebook that prevents you from adjusting your goal to a higher standard, or even declaring a revised whole new goal.
3. Set Firm Goals
Most goals fall into one of two categories, you either want to start doing something new or you want to alter something. The major challenge with both types is they focus on the action of stopping or altering something and typically lack exact specifics. Take for example the goal of wanting to spend more time with your teams. Not only does this goal lack specifics, but it has no positive focus on true accomplishment. It is better to be specific regarding how often you want to meet with your teams or individuals so that the focus is not on the outcome but on the work. This will give you a specific goal, a target, awareness of what you are working towards and what you want to achieve.
4. Set A Timetable
What is the difference between a goal and a dream? A goal is a dream with a deadline. It makes a huge impact on your ability to obtain a goal when you can attach a specific timetable and deadline to achieve your goals. Whatever your goals, you need to acknowledge that, if they are worthwhile goals, it will take time and effort to achieve them. By setting a timetable and a deadline, you will be able to track your progress to achieve the goals you desire.
5. Make A Plan
It makes sense that if you are serious about achieving your goals a little pre-planning might be a worthwhile effort. Spending more time with the cleaning staff is a very common goal for owners. Hasn't that been a goal year after year now? You need to do more than just set that goal; you need to take a serious look at your weekly calendar and schedule time to actually meet with each team or individual. Whatever your goal, take time to assess how much time and effort it will take to ensure success and then schedule the time and make the effort to make your plan deliver your goal.
6. Find Resources
If you are setting a new goal, it stands to reason that it most likely is something you have never accomplished before. So, if this is a new challenge, or something that you have been unable to accomplish in the past, does it not stand to reason that you may need some help to ensure your success? Explore resources to educate yourself on techniques and skills that will assist you in achieving your goals. Utilize educational support centers such as Rags to Riches. (*See number 9 below for Rags to Riches free offer of consult.)
7. Remind Yourself Every Day
Your goals may have been near the top of your list of things to do on January 1, but after a few months, they have a tendency to slowly work their way down the 'things to do list' as we feverishly put out fires each day. In many instances, our goals actually fall off the 'to-do' list. One way to combat this challenge is to create a simple prompt that you will see everyday to remind you of your goals. The easiest thing to do is to write your goals down on a small piece of paper and tape it to your office PC. This way, every morning you will see the note and remind yourself of your 2010 goals. For the really computer savvy individual, you can set up your daily or weekly schedule to give you an auto-reminder of your goals.
8. Don't Give Up
Most companies start the New Year with lot of enthusiasm and energy to ensure their goals will be a success. Then after a while, the excitement goes away and the fires start burning. Not long after you realize you have not sat with a team for 2 months. Don't panic, your commitment to your goal is not destroyed. There is no reason you cannot start up again where you left off. Why wait until next December 31 to re-start the same resolution you made last year? Start it again today. You can start a goal any day you want to.
9. Find A Goal Partner
A great way to ensure success is to find a New Year's goal partner. It may be a business friend, another cleaning service owner or Rags to Riches*. Call around and find someone who is serious about making their New Year's goals a success. Make an agreement to talk at least once a month to discuss your goals, provide updates and to give each other support. Exchange e-mail updates on a weekly basis. Having someone to talk to about your goals and hearing about someone else's goals is a powerful motivator.
(*Rags to Riches will partner with the first 20 respondents to use the code 20FREE in our Online Store under 20-Minute Consultant and ordering one session. We will meet with you on the phone for 20 minutes at no cost and help you set your goals for 2010. Then we will call you at least once a month to see how you are doing with your goals, give you some motivation and keep you focused and on track to attain your goals.)
10. Reward Yourself
Don't forget to reward yourself for achieving success. You have made a significant commitment to bringing about the success of your company and you need to be commended for your initiative and must be rewarded for your effort. Make a decision of what your reward will be, make it something special and, hopefully, lucrative. Do not be afraid to treat yourself to a little reward every month for sticking to your plans to achieve your goals.
Your New Year's goals can be achieved. A year from now, on December 31, you will have two things to celebrate.
First, you have achieved your goals from last year. Something the majority of small businesses never do or even attempt to do.
Second, you now know you have what it takes to accomplish the new goals you will make for next year.
Goals equal success. Since we go to the trouble of having goals because we want to achieve them, an automatic outcome is that we automatically become psychologically motivated, activated and success oriented individuals. Those without goals, more often than not, find themselves directionless relying mostly on things like luck. Of course, goal setting is only the first step. Constant goal review is the activity that ensures goal achievement and success!
Best Wishes for a record setting 2010
