No matter what your view is on New Year's resolutions—last week I related part of an interview I saw with Suze Orman on the topic—the best way to success is to set achievable, realistic goals.
Every business, no matter what its size, should have an annual strategic plan for the next year, which lists what its aims and objectives are.
"The clearer your goals are, the easier it will be to achieve them. The more specific your goal, the more attainable it becomes. So get detailed when creating your business goals. Think about what you really want to achieve and then list out all the specifics," says Jennifer Davey, founder of JJS Coaching in Philadelphia.
"Create milestones which allow you to recognize and celebrate your smaller successes and achievements. When you do this, you don't get discouraged and stop taking action. Instead, you're inspired and follow through taking all the actions you need to achieve your goal."
She was addressing her comments specifically to small business owners and self-employed professionals.
"Setting New Year's goals for a solo professional's business is easier said than done. Once clients start calling and deadlines loom, those wishful goals soon get lost in the daily grind of completing the tasks at hand," says Terri Zwierzynski, CEO and founder of Solo-E.com, an online resource for solo entrepreneurs and self-employed professionals.
Among their hints:
• Choose meaningful goals. "Remember that the purpose of goal setting is to move us forward and spur positive change," said Zwierzynski. "If your goal isn't worthwhile, why achieve it?"
• Make your goals specific and measurable. "It's not enough to say, 'I want to get more clients,'" explained Davey. "Create goals that have very specific results, get as detailed as possible."
• Create a plan. "Break your goals down into small steps or milestones," she continued. "Steps and milestones will serve as signs that you are on the right road, keep you motivated, taking action and help propel you forward. Ultimately it will help you cross that goal off your New Year's list."
