Bite-Size Chunks of Wisdom

December 2020

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goal achievement

What makes one business thrive while another flounders with goal achievement? What qualities and characteristics are common among goal achievers?  And, what draws individuals to embrace a framework for achieving their goals? 

These are the type of questions that keep me awake at night — that and did the neighbors cat make it home okay. 

To find out, I went where we all go to solve the mysteries of the planet. Google. 

My search for “qualities and characteristics of a goal achiever” was revealing. In that, it provided no further insight into the workings of the goal achiever mind. 

 

Most of what showed up in my google search were ‘how to’ set goals. Included in my findings were the characteristics of a good goal-setting system. Think SMART which has been done to death.

Given that, I decided to do a bit of deep dive into my own experience. (I do run a goal achievement mastermind, after all.)

The Goal Achiever Vs. Goal Achievement

After two decades of guiding business owners along their growth journey, this is what I can tell you…

The most successful – and by that I mean those most likely to achieve their goals – have shared qualities. 

They have a goal setting mindset likely developed at a young age. 

They are forward thinking with aspirations for their business. Their enterprise is more than a day-job replacement. 

They crave focus and clarity. Those are non-negotiable for their performance.  

Baked into their DNA is a commitment to life-long learning. If they miss the mark, the re-evaluate, revise, and reboot their plans. 

They dislike vagueness, overwhelm, and chaos.

They expect the best of — and from — themselves. They have great pride in the quality of their work

A deep-seated optimism keeps their eyes focused on the horizon. 

They are much more gifted and talented than they recognize in themselves. It’s likely what keeps them humble.

They know how to lighten up, have fun, and laugh — mostly at themselves. 

So, achieving goals is about the essence of the individual. The goal achievement framework is a tool used to achieve the outcomes. 

An artist has a favorite brush.  My landscaper has his versatile Hori Hori knife. The goal-achieving entrepreneurs tool for performance is the goal achievement framework.

Ask any entrepreneur about annual business planning for their business and you’ll immediately be met with eye rolls. If we’re honest, it’s one of the few pieces of business ownership most entrepreneurs would rather avoid. Yet, it’s likely one of the most important pieces of business development as you head into a new year.

Your annual business evaluation and planning adventure (I do encourage you to see it as an adventure.) sets the tone and direction for the upcoming year. Done thoughtfully, it provides insight into trends that may impact your business and changes to consider in the year ahead.

It’s the perfect business reboot!

end-of-year assessment

End-of-Year Assessment & Planning: A Big Deal Vs. a Big Ordeal

Whatever you do, avoid making it a big ordeal. Any project that “feels” big and unyielding tends to be avoided for as long as possible. And, we all know what happens with delaying action…

Additionally, make sure your plans for the year ahead are based on facts and data rather than conjecture.

1. Set your intention for your assessment/planning adventure. Just like “going to Grandma’s for Thanksgiving” gives us a framework for preparation, establishing an objective equips you to achieve your desired outcome.

2. Schedule planning time and location. I don’t know about you but talking about doing something doesn’t get it done. Blocking time on your calendar certainly does increase the likelihood of it happening — especially if treated with the same respect you would any important meeting.

If you need an uninterrupted, undisturbed assessment/planning experience, consider finding a nice Airbnb away from the office.

3. Pack your bags. With your intention set, consider the information you’ll need to gather in advance of your assessment/planning time.

4. Dig in. This can certainly be easier said than done. For that reason, we created this handy, dandy year-end business assessment and planning worksheet for you.

Finally, I’d like to leave you with two additional points:

  • remain as objective as possible during the assessment phase to ensure you’re evaluating business results properly, and
  • refrain from too much detailed planning for the third and fourth quarters of the year. As quickly as business is evolving, you want to remain as agile as possible.

Although you may have to pinch your nose to get through your business appraisal, your ability to think clearly and act boldly in the new year makes it worthwhile.

For a free copy of our end-of-year assessment, log into Eureka. Not only will you find the Think Clearly. Act Boldly. End-of-Year Assessment, you’ll also find some intriguing conversations around planning. 

Core Business Assessment

Testimonial

Brooke Billingsley

Vice President
Perception Strategies

Synnovatia is a strategic coaching firm that is detailed and knowledgeable about business. i have a small business that grew from $150K to $750K because of the goal setting and resources that Synnovatia provided. It saves me years of learning on my own.

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