Goal achievement is powerful for the small business entrepreneur. It fuels and sustains the growth of your business. It moves your small business forward. More importantly, goal achievement energizes the central component in your entrepreneurial success – YOU – the small business entrepreneur.
Yet, ask any small business entrepreneur their business goal and few can answer with any specificity. Why is that? As small business strategists, we’ve discovered that some small business owners have not been taught how to properly set goals. Others who have had little luck in the goal achievement department are discouraged from facing that reality again. In addition, other small business owners find it confusing to set and achieve goals.
Regardless of the reason, the absence of clear goals can certainly take you and your small business on the ride of your life. Plus, without the benefit of the unmistakable direction provided by goals, you can expect your small business to cost more to operate.
When it comes to small business goal achievement, here are a few points to keep in mind:
Do’s of Small Business Goal Achievement
- Do choose a goal for your small business. Growing a small business without a goal is like sailing a ship without a rudder. Your small business will end up wherever changing technology and trends take you.
- Do go for goals that inspire you to action. Nothing is more stimulating than goals that arouse positive emotion.
- Do select small business goals you’re committed to achieving. Wanting to achieve a goal is not enough for you to achieve your goal. Commitment is what makes goal achievement a reality.
- Do realize the goal-setting process. Goal achievement is more than selecting a goal, developing a plan, and writing it down. Understanding the total progression for setting and achieving goals, including the accompanying personal growth, is important to your success.
Don’ts of Small Business Goal Achievement
- Don’t opt for small business goals set by others. It’s easy to get caught up in wanting what others want for you. However, unless your goal belongs to you, the likelihood of achieving it is minimal.
- Don’t set vague goals. Unclear goals, such as “make more money”, can leave you disappointed. Make sure your goals are SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time-sensitive).
- Don’t overanalyze your small business goals. Getting snagged by the ‘what if’s’ of selecting your goals can lead to paralysis. No matter how long you plan or how much you research, it’s impossible to account for all the possible scenarios. Carry out your due diligence, select your goals, work your plan, and adjust your goals as needed.
- Don’t have too many goals. Although that sounds counter-intuitive to goal achievement, having too many targets to hit in your small business makes it’s unlikely you’ll hit any of them. Consider selecting the major goal that will give you the greatest return for your effort.
There really are no secrets when it comes to goal achievement for your small business. Now it’s your turn to develop clear goals and achieve your full potential. What pointers have you found most helpful to achieving your small business goals?
