Did you make a New Year’s Eve resolution?
Do you remember what it was?
Have you started working towards it?
Have you written it down and been serious about accomplishing what you resolved to do?
If not, I fully understand why.
Resolutions are weak and if you look up the word “Resolution” on Wikipedia, it doesn’t have a strong definition.
Wikipedia defines the word resolution in the context of “New Year’s Eve” as follows:
New Year’s Resolution, a commitment that an individual makes on New Year’s Day.
However, if you research the word Target, Wikipedia provides a much stronger definition:
A goal is a desired result that a person or a system envisions, plans for, and commits to achieving a desired personal or organizational endpoint in some sort of assumed development. Many people strive to achieve goals in a finite amount of time by setting deadlines.
It is more or less similar to purpose or goal, the anticipated result that guides the reaction, or an end, which is an object, be it a physical object or an abstract object, that has intrinsic value.
Personally, I would prefer to set goals, whether in my personal or business life. I am committed to striving for excellence in all that I do and if you want to be successful, I encourage you to set goals for 2014. And just a note… the old adage is true. By failing to plan, you are planning to fail. It’s January 9th and if you haven’t started then you’re 9 days behind in your chance to start reaching your goals…so what are you waiting for?
Here are 4 tips to help you start setting goals for 2014:
1. Make them specific – Don’t just list that you want to increase your company’s revenue. Determine each aspect of your income that you need and want. How much money do you need to pay your bills each month? Do you want to buy new furniture or go on vacation? Maybe you want to buy that convertible you’ve been dreaming about. Write it all down and don’t leave out a small detail. By being specific, you are stating what you want for your business income.
2. Think BIG – Don’t settle for less than what you really want from your business! Think big and set the goals you really dream of. Do you want to be a thought leader in your industry? Write down all your thoughts about what it would take to be a thought leader… speaking events, paid appearances, and “packed to the brim” training events. Shut down your inner “Nellie Negative” and think BIG. If you can’t imagine it, then you can’t achieve it.
3. Write them down – I can’t stress this enough. Write your goals in detail. If you want a sports car, write it down… how fast it goes, what color it is, how it turns when you come into a corner at 65 miles per hour. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… if you can’t imagine it, then you can’t do it. Writing down your goals makes them real and attainable.
4. Set deadlines: This one is easy. Set deadlines for mini goals that lead up to your bigger goal, and have a deadline for your ultimate goal. Add them to your calendar and stay up to date. You have to do this for yourself and only you can do it. Check in weekly or monthly… do what helps you stay on track and keep your goal in mind. It’s harder to imagine that you’re making progress toward your goal(s) when you check in weekly or monthly and don’t see the progress you really want.
Remember: goals are the framework for your success; without them, it has no structure. Create the structure and you will achieve your goals for 2014.