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Guard Your Goals

"Confusion of goals and perfection of means seems, in my opinion, to characterize our age. "
  --- Albert Einstein

Yes, it is that time of year again already. The time when a lot of people begin considering New Year's resolutions and setting new goals. If you've been reading our newsletter for some time, and we know you read each and every one, then you know that we are big on goal-setting and using goals in your business as benchmarks for your success. Setting goals is not as scary as some make it out to be. The key is to keep two things in mind: First, set goals that are just beyond your reach, as you see it right now. Second, set goals that are achievable. Sound confusing? Let me explain.

"Learn from the past, set vivid, detailed goals for the future, and live in the only moment of time over which you have any control: now."
  --- Denis Waitley

When you set goals that are just a little bit out of reach, you give yourself room to stretch. You are not setting goals that are easily attainable, but those that cause you to push a little more, to sweat a little more, and to give more of yourself in order to reach that goal.

"I've worked too hard and too long to let anything stand in the way of my goals. I will not let my teammates down and I will not let myself down."
  --- Mia Hamm

The second key of setting goals that are achievable means that if you are not in shape, have never played basketball, are less than five feet tall, then it would not be advisable to set a goal to become a professional NBA player. It may be a bit difficult to reach that goal. However, if you are a sign shop owner and you see an opportunity on another part of town for expansion, setting a one-year or five-year goal of opening a second shop, it may be more attainable.

Setting goals can be stressful, but it should be just the opposite. Setting goals should help to relieve stress in your business. They offer another tool for directing your business down the course you've chosen and spelled out in your Mission and Vision Statements.

"Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment."
  --- Jim Rohn

The first step in creating goals is to put them in writing. The act of putting your goals in writing is actually a magic trick. When you write down your goals and review them weekly or even daily, your mind begins forming ways to achieve those goals--- even when you are sleeping. Written goals provide a connection between your creation of the goals and making those goals a reality.

"Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success."
  --- Pablo Picasso

Setting goals is simply smart business. In importance, it ranks right up there with paying the light bill, making payroll, and closing sales. Goals can be set in January through December and revised along the way. The start date is not as significant as making it a point to actually do it, and do it regularly. Once you begin the habit of setting goals, you will wish you had started it long ago. If you haven't set goals before, set at least one this week and go after it with laser-like focus until you reach it. You will be glad that you did it.