Introducing: Super Goal Digger

As we settle into the third week into the 2nd quarter, I find myself frequently referencing the business goals I set for this quarter. Checking things off the list, making updates etc, marveling at my accomplishments........all part of a business owner's regime, right? Well for some, and others--not quite yet.

I've spent the last couple of weeks talking/interviewing/surveying to a lot of business owners. Many whom are new or newer business owners. So so so many of you guys didn't set any goals at all for the year 2018, let alone placing emphasis on each quarter.

Well after several-several-several conversations of this resolve, there was only one thing I could do: I strapped on my Super Goal Digger costume (of course I didn't make that up--I really do have one!),

and........................

"Blamo!" I present to you a top notch post, that sure to help you give birth (or breathe life) into your business goals! I even created a FREE worksheet to help you along the way! Click for FREE WORKSHEET!

Although many factors that account for a successful business, the ability of the business owner to create and obtain goals ranks pretty high on the list!

Coming from a teaching background, it comes quite natural for me to practice SMART goal setting. SMART is an acronym for the 5 elements of a goal: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely.

Business owners need SMART goals to create structure. SMART goals also provide accountability, and allow for a method of tracking. Typically business owners write about 3-5 goals, and allow for a similar amount of objectives. I personally like to keep the number at about 4 annual goals, followed by 3 objectives. However, it’s totally up to the business owner.

Criteria

All SMART goals should have the following criteria:

-Specific: (what exactly do you want to accomplish. Your answer should briefly include the “who what, when, where and how”.

-Measurable: how will you know when you have accomplished your goal?

-Attainable: how can your goal be accomplished?

-Relevant: is it relevant to you? Is it worth working hard to accomplish?

-Timely: by when(or what date) will your goal be accomplished?

A Question from the Audience

-Question: “Won’t we write objectives? Why is a SMART goal needed?

-Answer: Writing a SMART goal brings clarity early in the planning stage. Your SMART goal should be very specific, which will allow you to know right away if you’re on track or not.

Objectives are more like the short term “efforts” or “steps” you will take to meet your goals. It is ideal to know you’re on the right track, before you start writing (or taking) steps.

Although it’s not really stressed, technically, objectives should be SMART as well. Think about it, would it benefit you to have steps in place that are not SMART (i.e. Vague, Immeasurable, Un-achievable, Irrelevant, and untimely?) I think not!

When writing objectives, it is wise to compare them against the SMART checklist. This can be a bit confusing until you get the hang of it, so until them, at least make sure you include specific action steps, and time period for completion.

Time for an Example!

Look at the below example of an original goal, and a revised SMART goal

-Original Goal: I want my home bakery to earn an additional $120,000

-Revised SMART Goal: I want to earn an additional $120,000 in my home bakery by earning an additional 10,000 a month over the next 12 months by creating and selling a new cupcake flavor.

-Now, let’s take my Revised SMART Goal through the checklist:

Is my goal…………….

____X___Specific?: Yes! My revised goal answered the ……

Who? “I”,

What? “earn 120,000”

When? “over the next 12 months”

Where? “in my home bakery”

How? “by creating and selling a new cake flavor”

____X___Measurable: Yes! “$10K a month” is my measurement

___X___ Attainable: Yes! If I lease commercial space and hire a worker

_______ Relevant: No! The high overhead from leasing additional space/workers makes it not worth the required work

___X____Timely: Yes! I’ve given myself a year to complete

In the example, I would need to make my goal relevant, which means back to the drawing board. Something will have to change. It could be the dollar amount earned, or the space I will use to attain the additional money etc.

“I Should’ve Thought This Through”!

Sound familiar? As an entrepreneur, there is nothing worse, than getting halfway through a project/ launch/ event/funnel etc. and hitting a major stumbling block because you did not “think it through” the whole process! Not only do you lose time, but you also loose money! (You know, the opposite reason why we are in business)!

Moral of the Story:

Set SMART goals and/or revisit the goals you’ve set, and make sure they are SMART!

That's About All Folks!

The Super Girl Digger is Owwwwwwt!