Being a business owner is freeing but also time-consuming. We can make our own schedules and work with and spend time with the people we choose. However, there are some downfalls. One such downfall is being able to keep focused on seeing the bigger picture and creating new goals and steps to achieve said goals for your business. Lucky for you, this post talks has a list of tips to make your business goals a success.
Table of contents
Questions to Ask To Determine a Goal
A business owner can not make an achievable goal without asking these questions.
Am I looking to establish a goal that is short-term (less than 1 year) or long-term (more than 1 year)? Or will it be a goal that is for 5 years or 10 years? These goals have task groups that must be completed to achieve the long-term goal.
Is this an overarching goal that is not directly related to my day-to-day activities? An overarching goal is a more abstract goal: in 5 years, I will have an office in a corporate park with three employees.
Is the goal measurable? Measuring a goal will help you determine how you are making progress toward achieving it.
What does the goal cost to my business and my life? Will my goal sacrifice some other task or activity? If we need to change something to fit in the tasks to accomplish another goal, will this subtraction of tasks make it better or worse for the business or my life?
Is this goal selfish? Will it be an issue for others when implemented? Does it only satisfy my wants and not the business needs?
There are plenty more questions you can ask. Spend a little time determining your reasons behind creating a new goal. It doesn’t have to be so structured. It just has to be real to achieve and not a wish.
Create Specific Goals (S.M.A.R.T.)
Goals can easily be created in a variety of areas of your business. But are the goals you want to create SMART goals? Below is the definition for each part of a S.M.A.R.T. goal that I described on my time management post on Sabrina’s Organizing blog.
S – Specific – You need to provide a specific goal. Be as specific as possible. This allows you to see the result in your mind’s eye before you achieve the goal.
M – Measurable – A measurable goal allows you to track your progress. You will need to make smaller goals that are included in the larger goal so that you can measure your progress.
A – Attainable – Your attainable goals need to be achievable, depending on your situation and your timeframe. The best goal is just out of reach.
R – Relevant – It should be a goal that you can relate to and have a purpose for achieving it.
T – Timely – It needs to be practical, and deadlines must be established.
Small Business Areas to make business goals a success
To help make successful SMART goals for your business, get specific and direct on the target and provide a variety of steps to achieve the goal. Below are the areas you may want to create goals in your business.
- Advertising/Marketing goals – i.e. increase social media engagement by 10% by the end of this year.
- Sales goals – i.e. increase my clients (Affiliate Link) by 3 people by the end of this year.
- Financial goals – i.e. save $xxx.xx by the end of this year.
- HR goals – i.e. establish a 401K plan for me and my staff by years end.
- Overarching business goals – i.e. Streamline the business process for easier completion of tasks by January.
How to Use W.R.A.P.S. when Writing the Steps for a Goal
Below are specific steps you need to take to help you visualize and see all the steps needed to achieve a goal. It’s not just about SMART goal setting. This takes it to the next level but helps you see the possibilities that you want to achieve and the ways to help it achieve.
To make useful goal steps, remember the word W.R.A.P.S.
- Write down each area’s goals. Determine their purpose. Then, ensure you are clear on your reason for making this goal.
- Reread them and share them with a trusted person to get their option. Then, modify them if the other person gives you helpful feedback.
- Add as much detail as possible to help you clearly understand your goals. Visualize your goals. Even see yourself succeeding in these aims. What would you be doing?
- Post the goals on your wall and refer to them every few months to remind you of the big picture. Add a reminder appointment to your calendar each month or quarter to review the goals and see the progress.
- Steps: Write down the steps to achieve your goals, including a complete by-date. Write one goal per piece of paper. Then, take action!
Be flexible
While creating these specific steps is helpful, being flexible through the process just a bit without getting off track can speed up achieving the goal. If you have a goal and have established 90% of all the steps involved in achieving said goal, and something happens that makes a particular step easier to do and saves you time, modifying that step to incorporate the easier task will speed up the goal achievement.
Making your business goals a success will help you clear your mind and create a visual image of what you want and how to achieve it. I hope this post helps you see the importance of doing goals for your business and how to go about creating those goals.
How can I help you? Did you ever need someone to be your sounding board, accountability coach(not certified), or someone who can advise you on a more effective system or process in your business? Did you need to bring your goals in the sky down to practical steps and processes to achieve said goals? Did you need someone to keep you motivated to move forward with your goals? I can help! It’s like having your virtual Chief Operating Officer (COO) at your fingertips! Learn more.
Please note these are affiliate links through Amazon, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn affiliate fees if you decide to make a purchase.
Below are some additional articles to help you from other experts.
7 Key SMART Goals To Achieve Business Success by Brian Tracy
How To Write Business Objectives (With Examples) from Indeed.com
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