| Goal setting is equal parts art and science. Many | | | | year, it’s not realistic to say, I’m going to win the |
| people create goals that simply don’t work. If | | | | lottery this year, because you have no control over |
| you’re in business, you don’t have the luxury of | | | | whether you will win the lottery or not. However you |
| creating goals that don’t work. You need to work | | | | might say, I’m going to increase my sales efforts |
| effectively and you need goals you help you do it. | | | | by cold calling 10 people each day, which is something |
| Here is a great way to create good goals that | | | | you can take action on yourself. |
| work… that keep you on track. They’re called | | | | * Realistic: Goals that are actually achievable are |
| SMART goals and the acronym SMART will help you | | | | much better and far more motivating. You’ll feel |
| to remember the things that each goal needs to be: | | | | better about yourself when you do hit goals than if |
| * Specific: Your goal needs to be stated in a way | | | | constantly shoot for them and fall short. Realistic goals |
| that is clearly defined. Saying, I should work more, is not | | | | should not be so easy that you hit them every single |
| a goal that will be kept. However, saying, I am going to | | | | time but should not be so hard that you never reach |
| work a total of 8 hours each day, is a goal that is | | | | them at all. |
| much clearer and specific. | | | | * Time-oriented: Similar to the measurable attribute, |
| * Measurable: This is closely related to the above | | | | your goal should have a timeframe for you to |
| attribute except that it also includes a way to make | | | | accomplish it in. Deadlines help people achieve their |
| sure you are on track. A goal setting that says, I want | | | | goals. If you anchor your goal to a time, you’ll be |
| to make more money, isn’t measurable. However, | | | | able to watch your progress. |
| a goal that says, I want to earn $6000/month, is a far | | | | You can remember this with the acronym, SMART, so |
| more measurable goal. It’s easy to see, at the end | | | | that when you are goal setting, you can create better |
| of the month, whether or not you achieved it. | | | | goals for yourself. This is a popular goal-setting |
| * Actionable: This means that your goal should be | | | | acronym in business, although occasionally the words |
| something that you need to do yourself in order to | | | | are changed slightly to reflect the needs of the |
| accomplish it. If you want to increase your income this | | | | business. |