Why do people not set goals?
- They have a lack of belief and are skeptical about their abilities
- They have previously set goals that were not right for them in the end
- They have been stung by multiple disappointments in the past
- They fear failure and do not like to be outside their comfort zone
- They want things now and are not willing to wait long term
Although these can all sound reasonably plausible, you should not let these reasons get in the way of your success next year. Taking responsibility and being accountable for your business is pivotal for success. If you plan on muddling along blind, you'll never truly have control.
Carrots, sticks and goals
The age old carrot and stick should not be considered a long term option in our eyes because either the carrot has to keep getting bigger and bigger to incentivise people to move towards it, or the stick has to keep going which will (inevitably) wear everybody out. This is why we would encourage SMARTER goal setting - it has been proven to fire up internal motivators, making employee performance more about them.
Top tips on how to set great goals in 2020!
1. Grab a notepad and write them down. As tempting as it is to keep them all in your head, they can often end up getting forgotten. When goals are not met, it can feel far too easy to let yourself off the hook or to lose enthusiasm altogether.
2. They need to be SMARTER. This stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-Bound, Enjoyable and Rewarding. We feel it can be rather easy to ignore the enjoyable and rewarding aspects of goal setting from time to time, especially if a lot is at stake. This is why, when setting goals, it is important to make them fun as well as productive - otherwise what is the point?
3. Making sure you are setting both short-term and long-term goals is really important. In terms of a short term goal, this can really be anything you can accomplish within the space of a year. A long term goal would be more around the 2 to 3 year mark. Both types of goals are really important as most short term goals tend to play a vital part in achieving those set further on in the distance.
4. Get personal and remember, you are a human being not a robot. The goals you set should be about you and your business. We often find it tends to be very British to not spend time on ourselves, due to the fear of it coming across selfish. However, this is simply not the case - at Sandler, we consider November, December and January to be some of the most pivotal months to knuckle down with both personal and professional development.
5. Remember to be patient, many things can happen over the space of a year or two - you may find plans and directions change and adapt over time. Although it is important to stick to specific goals set, it is also important for them to be adaptable. A great way to ensure you and your business remains on the correct path is to regularly assess your goal progression with your overall business plan to ensure they still match up.
So remember, make sure you have your business goals clearly written down either in your notepad or on your mobile phone. Follow the steps above and keep a close eye on your progress throughout the new year. If you have any questions, do feel free to get in touch with us, our seasoned business experts specialise in delivering a proven methodology = success!
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