[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”1rem||||false|false”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]As the world attempts to get back to business, creating realistic goals will help drive you and your team to success. It is probable that the previous goals you had set are no longer attainable nor relevant. Don’t let this frustrate you. The world has evolved and so has your business. Your goals should too.
A powerful mindset is key. Success is achievable for whatever you put your mind to. You must believe that before moving forward. Setting goals for yourself and your team will cultivate leadership qualities that will allow you to become more proactive in your strategy rather than reacting to the world around you.
If you didn’t already have goals set, now is an even better time to create some and put them into action. But how can your newly opened store set realistic goals under so much uncertainty? We’ve got you.
Is your goal SMART?
Goals rely on the business atmosphere, therefore goals can change and evolve over time. Keeping this in mind, know the foundation for creating a realistic and “smart” goal.
So what are “SMART” Goals? SMART stands for: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-based. The specificity and relevancy allow you to communicate a clear purpose, while the goal being measurable and time-based holds you accountable. Your goals attainability guarantees that the goal can be achieved. The point of the acronym is to communicate that a good goal has to hold all of those characteristics.
For example, it is less effective to state that your goal is to “increase sales” rather than saying that you “want to increase sales by 10% by November”. The later holds the characteristics of a “SMART” goal. So when planning your goal, don’t cut corners on this step.
What is realistic?
It is understandable that you want to be ambitious and exaggerate your goals however, that is commonly why the infamous new year resolutions never get accomplished. The key is to find your sweet spot of challenging yourself but remaining realistic. If your goal is not realistic, you will feel unsatisfied and ultimately your business will suffer.
When establishing your goal it is necessary to prove it’s feasibility. By asking yourself “what is needed to complete the goal” and determining whether you have it or not, you bring yourself into a more realistic headspace. Assessing your current reality will also give you a clear understanding of the why behind your goal and the steps that will be necessary to achieve it.
Now that you have your goal, write it down, and get it into action.
Action
You can set a million goals but if you lack massive action, you will never accomplish them. The following actionable tips will guarantee your success.
- When you are working towards your goals, each action you take must be in alignment with the success of that goal, therefore it is helpful to establish habits that will benefit you in the process. Dr. Maxwell Maltz established that it takes 21 days of repeating an action to form a habit. This action-strategy provides a good beginning for putting action to your words.
- Creating an action plan for your goals is a proactive step towards accomplishment. When creating an action plan be brutally honest with yourself and establish the obstacles you will face, map out your daily actions, and schedule benchmarks to measure the process of your success.
- We all have goals, which is exactly the reason this tip works. Find yourself an “accountability buddy”, someone who will challenge you and keep you accountable when obstacles hit hard or you need a reason to keep pushing. Knowing that you and your accountability partner are helping each other reach for your goals will create a sense of accomplishment already.
- Lastly, work on visualizing your success. If you want to make your goals a reality, act as if they already are. The law of attraction offers the idea that what you put out into the world and manifest for yourself will become a reality. Placing yourself in the position of working hard as if you have already achieved the goal will establish the confidence and drive to make it a reality.
Now that you’re motivated, you have “S.M.A.R.T.” goals and a massive action plan, go out there and create your new reality. Everyone is calling it a “New World” for a reason![/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
