Let’s talk about goal setting. So, we are all familiar with goals and most will have set some goals for their life and/or business. But in most cases simply setting a goal will do little to help you achieve it.
Setting goals is a bit of a skill if you want to set the right goals, ones that guarantee your success.
Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or an experienced one or simply someone with a burning desire to make your dreams a reality, then this is the place for you.
Here I’ll cover the strategies and actionable tips to ensure your goal-setting efforts serve you and your success.
How to set goals and crush them?
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#1 Make sure your goals are in alignment with YOU!
Alignment with your goals is crucial because if something does not feel right about the goal, you are less likely to embrace it with full force.
When might you not be in alignment with your goals?
Well, most commonly it stems from your lack of belief, that the goal is achievable – for you. The way to get around that is to simply break that goal down to as small a task as necessary for you to start feeling energetic about pursuing it.
The other aspect is ensuring your goal does not go against any of your core values. When you do something, that does not match your morals or values, it will feel like you are being chased towards your goal, rather than running towards it.
On the other hand, setting goals, that align with your authentic self will bring clarity and laser focus in your pursuit. You will feel a continuous source of motivation, rather than feeling weight down by your dreams.
Top tip
Listen to that inner voice that screams, “This is what I’m meant to do!” Your goals should ignite that fire within and fill you with excitement and enthusiasm.
#2 Set goals but make them SMART goals.
You might have already come across the SMART goals method. It’s simple, yet effective way to set your goals in the most effective way.
They work because they provide a clear and structured framework for goal setting, which enhances the effectiveness and likelihood of achieving those goals.
Here is the SMART goal framework. Ensure your goals tick all 5 of the points
SMART goals are…
- Specific: A specific goal clearly defines what you want to achieve. It avoids vagueness and provides a detailed description of the desired outcome.
- Measurable: A measurable goal allows you to track your progress and determine whether you’ve achieved it. It involves quantifiable criteria that serve as milestones or benchmarks along the way.
- Achievable: An achievable goal is within your reach and aligned with your resources, skills, and capabilities. It challenges you but remains realistic.
- Relevant: A relevant goal aligns with your overall vision, values, and long-term aspirations. It’s meaningful and contributes to your personal or professional growth.
- Time-Bound: A time-bound goal has a specific deadline or timeframe attached to it. This creates a sense of urgency and helps you prioritize tasks effectively.
#3 Break them down as much as needed.
I have already alluded to this in the first point, but I wanted to illiterate this because it is an important one.
You should absolutely always aim as high as you can with your goals. Never limit the extent of your dreams, because everything that is imaginable to you is also achievable. So let that imagination run wild.
However, big goals can also sometimes feel overwhelming and daunting. This can lead to discouragement in pursuing them because the goals feel further and further from your reach.
Breaking them down into smaller tasks makes them more manageable and less intimidating.
Here are my two top tips to help you along.
Top tip
Breaking them down into smaller tasks makes them more manageable and less intimidating.
Assign realistic deadlines to each subtask or milestone.
Determine the order of importance for each task. Focus on high-impact or time-sensitive tasks first to maximize productivity and results.
#4 Write them down – yes it’s that simple.
I know I know, seems obvious. But there is one very important reason why this is so vital.
When you write down your goals, in essence, you bring them out of your mind and into the physical world.
This in a way makes them more tangible. It sets a far greater expectation to work on them than when they simply remain as a thought because it sets a level of accountability.
The act of writing creates that much-needed sense of commitment, signaling to your brain and the universe that you should get serious about your aspirations.
A way to make the commitment even stronger…
Use Positive Language: Frame your goals in a positive light. Focus on what you want to achieve rather than what you want to avoid. This positive framing boosts your motivation and optimism.
#5 Get clear on what drives you towards the goal.
Identifying what truly drives you will help you build and keep momentum over time.
There will be times along the way when your motivation will dry up. Other areas of your life will suddenly demand more attention and you may find you feel overwhelmed by everything.
Those moments are typically when people begin to quit!
Taking a step back to remind yourself of why you started, is what will help push past those moments and keep going.
But how exactly do you identify what drives you? Here are my top tips.
- Reflect on what energizes you and excites you.
- Ask yourself WHY your goal matter to you and what impact do you want to make.
- Visualize your success and imagine yourself having achieved the goal. Focus on the emotion and joy that comes with it.
#6 Start prioritizing based on best results, not ease.
Ok so, you’ve set your SMART goals and broken them down into smaller fewer overwhelming steps – I bet naturally you will want to go to the easiest tasks first.
That’s the typical response. You justify it, by convincing yourself that those easier tasks will help you build momentum.
But I want you to try and fight the urge.
Instead, analyze your list and pick the tasks that you think will help you achieve the best result right now.
When you prioritize based on results, you ensure that your time, energy, and resources are invested in activities that have the most significant impact on your goals.
Here is a simple framework for you to help you do just that.
- Evaluate the potential impact of each task or activity on your goals.
- Use a priority matrix to categorize tasks based on their urgency and importance. Focus on tasks that are both important and time-sensitive.
- Apply the Pareto Principle, also known as the 80/20 rule, which states that 20% of your efforts yield 80% of the results.
#7 Give yourself the encouragement you need.
You gotta be your own cheerleader because, at the end of the day, it does not matter that others believe in you if you do not believe in yourself.
You will face moments of doubt! But it is important to have a few strategies up your sleeve that help you to quickly get out of the funk you are in and back into full-on bad-ass mode.
What those strategies might be very much depending on you and your interests – just identify your thing.
Here are some of the things that work best for me when I need that little bit of encouragement.
- Affirmations.
- Celebrating the mini wins
- Dancing it out or exercising.
- Creating a vision board.
- Listening to an inspiring podcast.
#8 Track your progress.
One aspect of SMART goals is ensuring the goals are measurable. Why? Because it helps you track your progress.
Apart from helping you better identify what is working and what isn’t, measuring your goals can keep you encouraged and motivated.
As you see the milestones you’ve reached and the goals you’ve accomplished, it reinforces a sense of achievement.
Tips for Effective Progress Tracking:
🚀 Set Milestones: Break down your goals into smaller milestones or checkpoints.
📈 Choose Tracking Methods: Select tracking methods that work best for you.
📝 Track Key Metrics: Identify key metrics or indicators that measure progress towards your goals.
🗓 Set Regular Review Dates: Schedule regular review dates to assess your progress.
📊 Visualize with Charts or Graphs: Create visual representations of your progress using charts or graphs.
#9 Work on a realistic action plan.
Ok, so you’re all set with your well-defined SMART goals. Now comes the crunch time!
It’s time to develop an action plan.
Before you jump in, take a moment to take a brief step back. If you rush into this stage, you might find that the action plan you created is overly ambitious and too overwhelming.
Before you know it, you are getting discouraged, and your action plan goes to…well you know.
So, the real trick is to make that plan super realistic FOR YOU!
It has to work for you, your life, and your timeframe. It is far better to start off slow, than burn out at the halfway point.
So what are the top tips I can give you for creating a realistic action plan:
🔀 You need a roadmap: Once you have identified the specific actions and set deadlines, it’s helpful to create a visual timeline that outlines the sequence of tasks and their corresponding timeframes. This timeline serves as a roadmap!
📝 Adapt and revise: Flexibility is key to a realistic action plan. As you execute your plan, be open to adjustments and revisions based on feedback, new information, or changing circumstances.
#10 Have a contingency plan.
If you’re a type A personality (guilty 🙋♀️ ) this one is especially for you!
So what do we mean by a contingency plan?
A contingency plan is like a safety net for your business or project. It’s a plan you create in advance to tackle any unexpected hurdles or challenges that might come your way. We all know that things don’t always go according to plan, but having a contingency plan helps you stay prepared and keep things running smoothly.
A contingency plan will work for a number of reasons.
- Knowing that you have a contingency plan in place can bring a sense of calm and reassurance. It allows you to feel more in control and prepared for any unexpected challenges that might arise along the way.
- Having a well-thought-out contingency plan boosts your confidence.
- Developing a contingency plan sharpens your problem-solving skills. It encourages you to think creatively and find innovative solutions to potential risks.
#11 Believe you can, and anything is possible.
Anything is possible with self-belief. If you believe that you can, you are halfway there toward success.
Limiting beliefs will show up, at various points along your entrepreneurial journey. Developing strong strategies to turn limiting beliefs into strong self-beliefs is what will help you surpass any perceived limitations, push through the discomforts and fears and embrace the possibilities ahead of you.
Top tip
Actually, one of the best ways to begin developing that self-belief is to practice visualization. This is a slightly different approach when you build a vision for your goals, but it is equally powerful. Here, you want to actually visualize yourself already achieving the goal and living the dream life. Engage your senses and the emotions you’d experience if it was actually true.
This technique works so well because in essence, it strengthens your belief by creating a mental blueprint of what is possible.
#12 Set a reward system.
It’s a simple action but a powerful one because it taps into the very psyche of human behavior.
The human brain thrives on reward!
Think about it, pretty much everything we do that ties into our existence is closely linked to some sort of reward.
By linking your goals and achievement of milestones to a certain reward you will be far more likely to pursue it. When you associate accomplishing goals with enjoyable experiences, you condition your mind to embrace the journey and look forward to future accomplishments.
Not only that, but when you acknowledge your hard work and dedication, you create a positive feedback loop that continues to drive you forward.
#13 Try taking long walks in nature.
When you’re genuinely enjoying yourself, your productivity and creativity soar. Joy brings forth a sense of inspiration and energy that fuels your efforts.
Find creative ways to infuse fun into the tasks and challenges you face. Turn mundane activities into games or opportunities for growth. Challenge yourself to approach each task with a sense of curiosity and playfulness. By reframing your perspective, you’ll discover hidden joys even in the most routine tasks.
On a final note…
Remember, setting and crushing your goals is not just about the destination, but the incredible growth and transformation that happens along the way.
With the right mindset, unwavering belief in yourself, and a strategic approach, you have the power to turn your dreams into reality.