Small Business Articles from Make-it-Fly®

How to Set Goals You Will ACHIEVE
By Victoria Munro

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Many entrepreneurs live frenetically busy lives, taking little time to stop and plan where they really want to take their lives. Under the daily pressures of running a successful business, goals often fall by the wayside unachieved, but setting and reaching our goals will allow us to create the life we really want. Goals help us achieve what our hearts knows is right.

Use the following steps to set goals, even big “impossible” ones, and achieve them.

Assess the Big Picture
Take Time to Reflect
Set aside some time to consider what you really want in life. Ask yourself: What gives me the most fulfillment? What have been my greatest accomplishments? What do I enjoy doing most? As you do this make notes.

Without the answers to these questions, you could achieve a goal only to find that, though it seemed like a good idea at the time, it's not what you really want for your life.

If your goal is not a little overwhelming and scary, maybe it's not big enough and you need to think again.

Clearly Document Your Destination
Define your big life goal and write it down. This takes time and effort. It can also be unnerving – somehow, committing a goal to paper opens up the possibility that you could fail to reach it. Writing it down will increase your chances of achieving it. When you achieve your goal, imagine how you will feel. How will you spend your time each day? What will it look like? Cut out a picture and post it where you’ll see it often. Vision is a powerful motivator.

Have the End in Mind from the Start
Think about where you want to be three years from today. Create a clear, detailed picture in your mind of what your life will be like. Then, look back from there to the present, and ask yourself, “In order to achieve this, where will I need to be and what will I need to have in place two years, then one year from now?” Working backwards, establish yearly, monthly and weekly targets to get you there. Breaking your large goal down into smaller goals will spur you on in the right direction, keep you on track and help you to avoid derailing distractions along the way.

Imagine What it Will Cost You
If you have set a worthwhile goal for your life, it will take some serious effort and persistence to achieve it—there will be a price tag, and it’s important to decide before you get started if you’re willing to pay that price.

Remember, when we decide to do something, by default we also choose not to do something else.

Identify any obstacles that may prevent or hinder you from achieving this goal, and develop strategies to overcome them.

Eyes on the Goal!
Today, we face constant distractions. We are bombarded daily with thousands of marketing messages – all vying for our attention. We have more freedom and opportunities than previous generations – we have countless wonderful possibilities right at our fingertips! It takes discipline to stay focused and on track. Anticipating areas that could cause distractions and being prepared to avoid them can help. For example, when I research a topic on the Internet, I know I could easily get off track and spend an hour or more exploring all sorts of interesting topics, and have fun doing it. I have to make a conscious effort to stay focused.

ReView Your Goal Often
Take time out to review your goals at least monthly. In light of where you are now, perhaps with new knowledge and experience you’ve recently gained, look again at your main goal, see if it needs tweaking and check where you are now in relation to it. Seeing your progress like this is encouraging. Also, be sure to reward yourself at every milestone reached along the way.

Easier With a Buddy
So seek out someone you can be really honest with and ask him or her to hold you accountable to do what you’ve committed to do. Request he or she accept no excuses. Perhaps ask someone who is eager to achieve their goals and reciprocate – hold each other accountable.

(710 words)

© 2005-2007 Victoria Munro.

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About the Author: Victoria Munro is co-founder (along with husband Dave Block) of Make-it-Fly® LLC, a company dedicated to creating success for small-business owners through creatively designed programs and tools. Victoria has started and run nine different businesses. To receive FREE business success articles with tips to help you with your business, sign up for their award-winning ezine, “In-Flight Refueling,” at: www.Make-it-Fly.com, and receive a free copy of the eBook, Get More Done in Less Time: 101 Quick and Easy Time Tactics & Tips.

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