Like any good recipe, there are specific ingredients required in setting goals to ensure a great result. There are four key goal ingredients:
1. THE WHAT
Knowing what you want to do, accomplish or have
2. THE WHERE
The specific measurable outcome
3. THE WHEN
The time factor
4. THE NOW
Acting as if it is happening now
Let’s say your goal is to increase your Internet sales in 2011.
If you walk around saying: “I want to increase my Internet sales” that’s just a wish, it’s not a goal. That statement doesn’t contain the four key goal ingredients and you’re less likely to actually achieve the goal. Increase your odds of success by using all four key ingredients.
Try something like this instead:
Improved Goal Statement:
“I increase my web sales in 2011 by having at least one meeting per week with a client or prospect to specifically discuss internet marketing beginning January 10, 2011.”
The statement above contains the four key ingredients…
THE WHAT:
Increase your Internet sales by increasing your meetings about the Internet
What you want to accomplish
THE WHERE:
“…at least one meeting per week…”
A specific measurable outcome
THE WHEN:
“…beginning January 10, 2011.”
A definitive time factor
THE NOW:
“I increase…”
Stated as if it is already happening (not “I want to increase…”)
- What would happen if each of you identified and refined 3-5 goal statements just like this for 2011?
- How much more likely would you be to achieve those goals (and your budget!) in 2011?
Let your brain percolate over the holidays on how to specifically apply this method to achieving your own goals in the new year.
Adapted from the Sharpenz newsletter (12/22/2010)
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