Do you set yourself business goals to guide you throughout your Year? Your Month? Your Week? Your Day?
At the beginning of the year, you should set out to create goals for that year. These goals should guide your decision making process throughout the year. For example, if you goal is to increase sales by 20%, then you should have quarterly, monthly, and weekly goals that push you toward your goal, whether it is to increase the price or perhaps advertise more to increase the number of people purchasing. Everything needs a purpose, and goals provide that purpose.
The SMART Method
Goals need to be written in a way that provides us with guidance for achieving and knowing when we have achieved them. The SMART method provides not only a way to measure the progress, but it gives us a time limit for achieving them.
Specific: You need to make sure that your goal is clearly stated and fully well-defined. Make sure that you know the who, what where, when, and why.
Measurable: Develop criteria for measuring progress toward your goals. Provide detailed key indicators that help you in deciding if and when you reach your goal. You are going to quantify your goals.
Achievable: Make sure that the goals you create for your business are attainable and achievable by having the skills and resources you need to reach the goal.
Relevant: Make sure that your goals are aligned with the objectives of your business and the capabilities of your business.
Time-bound: Have a deadline in mind for reaching your goal. This will give you a sense of urgency and you will be able to schedule the steps you need to plan in order to achieve your goal.
By following through with these steps, you will be able to reach your goal within the time frame needed. Too often, business goals become like resolutions: You place them down on paper, but you fail to follow through. Growing your home-based business requires that you are always taking action on your goal. Each step is an opportunity for growth. Have a yearly plan and break that down into quarters, months, weeks, and even days. Do one thing a day that will bring your to your ultimate goal. If you have a goal of growing your blog, daily you should be doing something toward that growth (reading, refining, writing). Grow your business without overwhelming yourself.
