Have you ever noticed how difficult it is to stick to a New Year’s Resolution once you set it? It’s so commonplace to poke fun at ourselves for forgetting to stick to our goals, but how do we actually stick to them? And what about career-based goals that have the potential to influence the expectations and efforts of clients or an entire company? Why is goal setting important for both you and your clients, and how can you make sure you are setting goals that are attainable? Most successful people have their own unique methods of setting and striving toward their goals, but the great news is that the basics of goal setting are easier than you think. There are even specific criteria designed for business-minded people to help guide you in setting a goal that is attainable and easy to reach.
Starting Small
The truth is that you are already an expert goal-setter—you just need to set more goals on a larger scale. Why is goal setting important, even on a smaller scale? You may not even realize that you already set small goals for yourself as you progress throughout your work day. Your work schedule, deadline list, and chore to-do list are full of goals that you know you can achieve. You may find that it’s easier to accomplish goals once you write them down. This not only forces you to hold yourself accountable, but it also allows you that moment of satisfaction when you can cross an item off your list.
If your current method of organizing your goals isn’t working for you, try switching it up. Are you currently tracking your goals on a planner or a spare sheet of paper? Try using a more efficient online planner or goal-tracking app. On the other hand, if tracking all your goals online sounds a bit overwhelming, try writing your main goals for the next few months on a piece of paper and placing it on a bulletin board or somewhere else easily visible.
Once you know your favorite method for setting smaller, personal goals, you can use the same method for setting goals on a larger scale. Understand the difference between short-term and long-term goals, both of which are slightly different from your daily goals and tasks.
Business-Minded SMART Goals
There is a business-minded model for setting goals known as SMART goals. SMART goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. Whether your goal is short-term or long-term, make sure you give yourself a deadline for completion in order to meet the time-bound category. Just as your boss gives you a deadline for an assignment due at the end of the week, give yourself a deadline for a promotion or growth opportunity. Make sure your short-term goals are relevant to your long-term goals, and that every short-term goal you achieve contributes to that future you’re envisioning. Tell yourself you’ll be promoted by the end of next year or you will receive 10,000 new clients in the next two years, and set short-term goals that will help you get there.
Numbers and dates can help quantify your goals and make them fall into the specific category. Numbers and dates also help make goals measurable since they can easily be sorted into graphs and charts. Not only does this show clients and coworkers that you’re making progress, but it also helps keep you motivated as you watch your own success.
Finally, make sure your goal is attainable based on your current budget and expertise. If you have just started a new business, don’t expect to gain 10,000 followers in one month. Set a goal that you know you can achieve without overspending or exhausting yourself, and steadily increase the intensity of those goals once you learn more and earn more.
In the meantime, think about what you can do to make those goals even easier to achieve next time. Do you need to take a class to improve your knowledge of social media or business lingo? Do you need to meet with a knowledgeable coworker and ask for advice? How can you maximize your next ad campaign so you can budget accordingly? Don’t be afraid to ask for advice in achieving your goals. Consult experts who have the know-how and experience you need.
But Why is Goal Setting Important?
If you’re satisfied where you are in life and in your career, that’s great! It can still help to set goals, even on a smaller scale. Even if you’re in a career and workplace that suits you, work can quickly become monotonous without measurable and observable progress and growth. Your company and career should exist to make you feel happy and more fulfilled, not vice versa. Setting goals for yourself can push you through those slow periods, keeping you motivated and excited about the days ahead. Your career should be designed to fit your life—your life should not be designed to fit your career. Why is goal setting important? Because it makes you happy, and that’s what really matters.
