Sunday, December 06, 2009

Goal Setting for 2010

Not everyone had a stellar year in 2009. Let me say though, if you survived in 2009 without filing bankruptcy, losing your home, or other setback, then congratulations! I think the US will rebound in 2010. And your business can too!

Here's how:

First, review 2009. Give yourself credit for the highlights. Examine the unsuccessful items to see what you can learn. (Lessons are good.)

Second, set Goals for 2010. Not just the WHAT, which provides the direction, but also the WHY. Without the WHY you won't be motivated to achieve the goal. Many focus on the HOW, but that comes later.

Setting the Goal should be done based on stretching yourself. If you increased revenue by 10% in 2009, then making a goal of 10% in 2010 might not be enough of a stretch. (Then again, it might be).

The key to a Goal is that it will guide you to where you want to be. It is Strategy. It is part of a Plan. Someone said that a goal is a wish that has been written down and dated. When you write it down and place a date on it (when you want to achieve it by), you are being Intentional. And your subconscious will begin to work on meeting that goal right away.

Jim Collins wrote about BHAG's - big, hairy audacious goals. Two best examples of BHAG's:

Lee Iaccoca saying, "We are going to turn this company around!" when he took over at Chrysler. He had a clear goal, a plan of action and strong conviction. And his company followed him.

JFK proclaiming, "I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth. No single space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind, or more important for the long-range exploration of space; and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish." [text or video]. It galvanized the nation.

Jim Rohn was a pioneer in personal development who passed away yesterday. This is what he said about Goal Setting:

"I've often said the major reason for setting a goal is for what it makes of you to accomplish it. What it makes of you will always be the far greater value than what you get. That is why goals are so powerful - they are part of the fabric that makes up our lives. And goal-setting is where we create our goals.

"Goal-setting is powerful, partly because it provides focus. It shapes our dreams. It gives us the ability to hone in on the exact actions we need to perform to achieve everything we desire in life. Goals are GREAT because they cause us to stretch and grow in ways that we never have before. In order to reach our goals we must become better. We must change and grow.

"Also, goals provide long-term vision in our lives. We all need lots of powerful, long-range goals to help us get past short-term obstacles. Life is designed in such a way that we look long-term and live short-term. We dream for the future and live in the present. Unfortunately, the present can produce many difficult obstacles. But fortunately, the more powerful our goals (because they are inspiring and believable) the more we will be able to act on them in the short-term and guarantee that they will actually come to pass!"

The one system you can find online to do goal setting is S.M.A.R.T. which stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-sensitive. Another way is to make an appointment with our office to spend 45 minutes planning out your goals for 2010. Call today .. 813-963-5884.

UPDATE!

See this post for slides and mp3!

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