With the approach of the new year it is a common time of reflection and goal-setting for many people. Whether or not you are working this week or simply spending time with family and friends, the approach of the new year will likely be on your mind. While it is good to reflect on goals and decisions throughout the year, this time of year can be an especially potent time of reflection and thought. I find it especially important to write down these reflections and thoughts because it allows you to go back and see patterns, insights and goals that will benefit you. For industry professionals, it is important to set personal and goals for their business with the coming year. Although there is room to learn from 2014, it is important to learn the lessons but move on and apply those insights to 2015. Whether you are an outside sales rep that wants to increase your sales numbers, a receptionist that would like to move up in the company, a warehouse manager that wants to give better service, or a CEO that is making an outline for where his/her company should be by 2016, each of you will benefit from taking the time to reflect on 2014 and set goals for 2015. With that in mind here are techniques to set good goals:
1. The Goal must be attainable: It would be awesome if we could set the goal to earn 10 million dollars next year but if you are only doing 100,000 dollars in sales at this time, that goal is not realistic and will only lead to frustration and disappointment.
2. The Goal must be Specific: Having a goal that doesn't zero in on exactly what you would like to accomplish makes it difficult to set a plan for achieving that goal while also making measurement of progress difficult. For example, if you are a CEO and your goal is to do better in business next year, it is difficult to determine what exactly the outcome you expect is. Does doing better in business mean greater gross profit? better customer retention? less unused material? You see how that statement can be interpreted many ways and must be narrowed down in order to be effective.
3. Don't set too many goals at once: When you overwhelm yourself with goals it becomes impossible to work on, and thus, achieve them all. Make sure to set no more than 5 solid goals for the upcoming year (2-3 would be even better) to start working on come January 1st.
4. Enlist a team of helpers: Even if a goal is an individual one (e.g. making 100,000 next year in commission) it is smart to tell others about your goal. Not only will you be held accountable for working towards the goal, but you will also have people there to assist in any ways they can. Think about it...if you tell the CEO that your goal is to increase your commission to (insert amount here) they probably can offer you helpful advice and will think of you when it comes to potential new accounts or customers.
5. Set mini goals. Having a few major goals to start working on in the New Year is great but science shows that breaking those goals into smaller, easier to achieve, goals will really do wonders for success. Make sure to reward yourself whenever you hit those goals (small or large) because it will continue to keep you going on the path of success!
What are your goals this upcoming year?
1. The Goal must be attainable: It would be awesome if we could set the goal to earn 10 million dollars next year but if you are only doing 100,000 dollars in sales at this time, that goal is not realistic and will only lead to frustration and disappointment.
2. The Goal must be Specific: Having a goal that doesn't zero in on exactly what you would like to accomplish makes it difficult to set a plan for achieving that goal while also making measurement of progress difficult. For example, if you are a CEO and your goal is to do better in business next year, it is difficult to determine what exactly the outcome you expect is. Does doing better in business mean greater gross profit? better customer retention? less unused material? You see how that statement can be interpreted many ways and must be narrowed down in order to be effective.
3. Don't set too many goals at once: When you overwhelm yourself with goals it becomes impossible to work on, and thus, achieve them all. Make sure to set no more than 5 solid goals for the upcoming year (2-3 would be even better) to start working on come January 1st.
4. Enlist a team of helpers: Even if a goal is an individual one (e.g. making 100,000 next year in commission) it is smart to tell others about your goal. Not only will you be held accountable for working towards the goal, but you will also have people there to assist in any ways they can. Think about it...if you tell the CEO that your goal is to increase your commission to (insert amount here) they probably can offer you helpful advice and will think of you when it comes to potential new accounts or customers.
5. Set mini goals. Having a few major goals to start working on in the New Year is great but science shows that breaking those goals into smaller, easier to achieve, goals will really do wonders for success. Make sure to reward yourself whenever you hit those goals (small or large) because it will continue to keep you going on the path of success!
What are your goals this upcoming year?
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