Archive for December, 2011

7 Simple Steps to Get Your Year in Gear!

The New Year is approaching and you may be thinking of New Year’s resolutions. Stop now! Instead, start thinking about where you are now and where you want to be – then set measurable and achievable goals to get you on track and keep you on track.

Plan – then take action to make it happen

Don’t you find that during the year you can get so caught up working in the business that you lose your way and end up on a rough track or road that is harder to travel?

Written goals provide you clarity of direction that set you and your business up for success – it’s your commitment to take action to make things happen. By taking time out to plan your route you are giving yourself the power of choice about your journey. Some call it a business plan, a business vision. Call it what you like as it is your route to success. It is a series of goals to get you where you want to be.

Make more time!

You may know where you want to go but without taking time out to make a written plan or map of how to get there, you are losing valuable time, a commodity that all business owners just want more of!

So when you have the odd hour over Christmas, don’t think new year resolutions – think positive measurable goals and take time to get your thoughts on paper so you are back to work with the focus you need to get the results you want.

Follow these 7 steps in writing down your goals to help you make more time, get you on track and keep you on track for business growth.

• Think about what you really want from your business?
  

  Be clear on the lifestyle you want to have so that your business fits into your life rather than your life fitting around your business. Make sure you are working to your own measures of success and not what others expect from you.

• Live by your values and work to your strengths to gain the work life harmony you want
  

  Get the balance that is right for you and that is congruent with your values. If fun, growth, security and love for your family are all values you live by, make sure you don’t set goals that contravene them. Be aware of your strengths and play to them, you will be happier in what you do and you will be setting yourself up for success.

• Write your goals in the positive
  

  For example, ‘stop procrastinating over sales calls’ becomes, ‘ make x number of sales calls per day’. The power of the written word cannot be overstated, and writing them in the positive gives your subconscious something to act upon. It needs to know what to do to move forward  – not what not to do.

• Write your goals in the present –
  

  Visualise yourself fulfilling your goals just as athletes see themselves winning their race and standing on the podium. It builds your confidence that you are already doing it – it’s a done deal!

• Make goals you can track
  

  You will need to know how far you have travelled,  and if you need to take a detour to reach your chosen destination. Remember if you want a different result, you will need to do something differently so make sure you monitor your progress to maintain control.

• Step out of your comfort zone and step into your stretch zone.
  

  Whilst making sure your goals are achievable, make sure you are maximising your potential to stimulate personal and business growth.

• Review your written goals regularly
  

  Share them with those who will encourage and support your efforts.  It will help you keep on track and make them happen.