Do you have a goal?

This week I introduced a new product into our venue. It has been a goal of mine for a full two(2) years.

Initially I wanted to introduce it early in 2020. However, as news of COVID hit the airwaves, Businesses were forced to shut down and the only interest of products were PPE, I knew I just had to place my goal on the back burner.

The thing with goals though, you don’t give them up just because you didn’t reach your targeted deadline.

If the goal is important enough to you, you keep persevering.

GOAL – wikipedia states…A goal is the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result

It doesn’t state……to be done in a certain time frame – although setting deadlines is important.

In looking back at this year, I’ve noticed not much new has actually happened. In fact, we lost many of our goal setting venues.

• My goal is to visit two(2) trade shows
• My goal is to look for a new products
• My goal is to meet so an so
• My goal is to increase sales by xyz

It’s difficult to reach a goal when so much is out of our control….or is it?

Goal setting is an action. Sure, it begins with a thought or an ambition. However, the actual “goal setting” is an action.

In order to take your thought or ambition and turn it into something tangible, is to write it down. Put it on paper, design the plan and make it happen.

Part of success IS setting goals. Without goals it is easy to lose focus and direction.

To accomplish your goals however, is to know how to set them.

STEP 1 – Set goals that are motivating

We have to set goals which are passionate to us.

To make sure that our goal is motivating, we must write down why it’s valuable and why it’s important  Ask yourself, “If I were to share my goal with others, what would my 30 second commercial be to convince them it was a worthwhile goal?” 

My goal for 2020 was to introduce a CBD product for pedicures. It was motivating to me because I know and believe in the benefits which, I am excited to share with my clients.

STEP 2 – Set smart goals

This truly is a topic all on it’s own, however Smart goals are;

• Specific.
• Measurable.
• Attainable.
• Relevant.
• Time Bound.

STEP 3 – Set goals in writing

Understand, physical act of writing down a goal makes it real and tangible.

When you write your goals, write in the present tense.

• I reached $50,000 in sales by December 31st, 2020 NOT I hope to reach $50,000 in sales by 2020

Keep your goals motivating. “I will” instead of “I hope too”

One of the things I do is I change my computer password every January 1st. My password incorporates the $$$ amount I “plan”  or “will”  reach by the end of the year. It is my yearly goal.

STEP 4 – Make an action plan

In my opinion, this is the most important step AND it’s the most missed.

WRITE IT DOWN

Not just the goal. What are the steps you will take to attain that goal?

I can think all I want that I’m going to increase my sales by xyz. How am I going to do that?

When it came to my goal of introducing my new brand, my steps looked like this;

• Research – I needed to know all about cannibas and what it’s benefits were. I needed to know the different ways it was processed and why one way may be better than the other. I needed to know the health benefits and if there were any contraindications. 
• Testing – I needed to see the products, test the products, use the products. This not just included myself, also others who I trust to give me true feedback.
• Marketing – How would I get it from my shelves to my clients and what could my clients do in order to generate a new revenue stream of income.
• Etc. etc. My list goes on and on. It’s a process. 

Once I was done with my list, I could then start checking off as I went along. Having a check list and marking off what you have done, not only keeps your goals on track, it keeps you motivated as you begin to see results.

STEP 4 – Stick with it

Goal setting is much more than simply stating you want something to happen. You have to clearly define exactly what you want and understand why you want it the first place,.  The odds of success are considerably reduced unless you have the answers to those questions.

By following the Five(5) Golden Rules of Goal Setting you are able to set goals with confidence and enjoy the satisfaction that comes along with knowing you achieved what you set out to do.

I can remember the very first time I sat in a conference which was all about goal setting.

The instructor had us write on a piece of paper how much money we wanted to make in one(1) month.

We were to then take that piece of paper and place it in our wallet.

That piece of paper is still in my wallet, yet the $$$ amount goes up each time I reach my stated goal.

As we finish out 2020 and venture into 2021, more than ever the feeling of uncertainty is present. We can’t control what is happening around us however, we can control what is happening within us.