Today, we’re setting business goals that stick. Do you know why most entrepreneurs set business goals they struggle to reach?
This happens for one of two reasons:
*Not taking the right steps to get from idea to implementation.
*Failing during the goal-setting stage.
Let’s focus on the latter of the two for today. If there are holes in the stage where you set business goals, everything following will miss the mark.
The popular goal-setting advice stops short of 5 vital ingredients. So, let’s cook up something different. Something that works.
I’m sharing the step-by-step recipe that helps you set and reach your business goals. Taking time to plan and write your goals increases the chances of you reaching them. This has been proven.
We’ll start with the base (SMART goals) and layer in the other key ingredients that are missing from most goal-setting advice.
The missing ingredients:
- Systems
- Accountability
- Urgency
- Reward
- Reflection and Reset
We’ll add a few sprinkles on top with a bonus ingredient: Midlife goal-setting tips. This is a powerful tip specific to Midlifers (women over 40 & over 50).
I’ve been using this goal-setting recipe for the last 3 years. I notice, that if I’m in a rush and skip any of these steps, I don’t reach my goals. When I don’t skip the steps, I can tell because I get better results.
Let’s get started!
Steps to set business goals that stick
STEP 1: Get SMART
Choose your goal and make it SMART
S Specific (your goal cannot be vague)
M Measurable (you must be able to measure goal progress)
A Achievable (it must be something you can achieve)
R Relevant (does it align with your current business mission and projects?)
T Time-bound (you must attach a timeframe to achieving the goal)
STEP 2: Systems
“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” -James Clear
You must establish a system for each of your goals. A system is what will get you from point A to B to C (and beyond).
What’s a system? A system is a set of interrelated processes. It’s a well-defined repeatable set of steps that help you reach each goal.
For example, if you decide to write a book, how will you reach that goal? You must put systems in place to get you there.
For example, with book writing comes the following systems (I know this because I’ve written a few books):
*Understanding book writing, marketing, and everything else that comes with it (editing, publishing, marketing, etc.).
*Gathering your writing and editing resources.
*Creating a rhythm for your writing.
*Creating systems for editing.
Each of these systems involves many interrelated tasks and steps. Skip a step, and the system gets weak. Skip many steps and the system erodes until you have no system at all (ie you flail around sporadically and don’t make progress with your book.
Do not make the same mistake many business owners do. Do not skip over this step. Take the time time to thoroughly think about what you need to set in place, what you may need to research, who you may need help from, what you need to start doing first, and what fail-safes to put in place.
STEP 3: Accountability
“Accountability is not consequences, it’s ownership.” -Brian Moran in The 12 Week Year
One of the hardest aspects of entrepreneurship (and adulthood as a whole) is holding ourselves accountable to what we say we’re going to do.
We may show up for family, members, friends, jobs, etc. But when it comes to our business…
We procrastinate
We delay
We flounder
We need accountability. Find ways to hold yourself accountable to your goals and the steps you need to take to reach them.
STEP 4: Set business goals with urgency
Have you heard of the 12 Week Year? The bestselling book by Brian Moran invites us to reconceptualize how we think about annual goals. This reframes your mindset and approach.
Instead of planning a full year, condense your goals into 12 weeks. This powerful concept works for several reasons, the main one being urgency.
When we attempt to reach our goals without a sense of urgency, we make excuses and delay our actions. It’s almost 2nd nature.
The solution to this problem is to plan your goals and shorten the time to accomplish them. Your goals still need to be realistic, of course. But challenge yourself to not give yourself a long runway for achieving them.
If you need help with this, check out my Notion template based on several of the concepts in 12 Week Year concept.
STEP 5: Rewards
We love rewards. They give us something to look forward to and renew our drive.
During the goal-setting stage, think of a few ways you can reward yourself when you reach milestones on your goal journey.
STEP 6: Reflection and Reset
Carve out time to reflect on your milestones, what’s working, what isn’t, and what you would do differently going forward. Do not set any more goals before you set aside and take time to reflect.
Part of this is giving yourself breathing room (and REST) so that you can reset.
We are not machines.
Do I need to repeat that?
We are not machines.
Give yourself the time to rest as much as necessary, then (only then) reset and plan your next goals.
Bonus Step: Set business goals with midlife in mind
Because you’re here, there’s a high chance you’re a midlifer. You’re over 40 or over 50. This matters because around that age most women go through physical and emotional changes.
The result?
We often have fluctuating energy levels.
I have not heard ANYONE talk about this before, and I have no idea why.
If your energy levels vary each day, it will be impossible to sustain a rigid routine. You may plow through tons of work on Monday and then on Tuesday feel ready for a nap by 1 pm.
This matters because not every day is created equally. When planning your tasks, determine the required energy and differentiate your tasks appropriately. In the Next 90 Days goal planning system, for every task you create, you also set the energy level. This works because every day, when you’re setting your to-do’s you can select the tasks based on your energy levels throughout the day.
Finally, whether you use a system like my Next 90 Days Goal System or you create your own goals system, implement these steps and you’ll take massive strides towards your goals.
I want this for you.