Can we have a real conversation about the business world we navigate every day? We often hear those buzzwords – “goals” and “objectives” – on repeat. But let's break it down: if we're serious about rocking our businesses, we need to master the art of setting effective goals. These goals are like the secret recipe that turns aspirations into tangible results, whether it's landing more clients, boosting revenue, or making our brand a household name.
Picture this: you've got a target in your sights, and that's your goal. It's not just about jotting it down and forgetting about it. Instead, it's about breaking that goal into smaller, actionable steps. Think of these steps as your roadmap, guiding you toward your ultimate destination.
We all have those lists, right? The ones that start with big ambitions for the year. How's that working out? Spoiler alert: having a solid plan is like having a compass. But it's not just about planning – it's about staying motivated, acknowledging your strengths, and taking small, consistent steps toward your goal every single day. It's like pushing a boulder forward, bit by bit, until it's rolling full steam ahead.
Now, before you dive into goal-setting, let's chat about a few pitfalls to avoid. Here are the top five mistakes to steer clear of as you work toward those business dreams:
1. Making the mistake of not setting a “real” goal.
How many times have you heard someone say, “My goal is to make more money in my business” or “I'd like to get more clients this year,” as a response to someone asking them to lay out their business goals? I'm sure you have heard it lots and have maybe even made similar declarations. However, I'm sorry to break it to you, but this isn't what I'd call a “real” goal. It's pretty vague at best. When I first entered the marketing world–or the business world in general–I learned about SMART goals. These are goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. The very first thing “they” tell you in this acronym is that your goal needs to have some specificity to it.
If the goal is to make more money, what is the specific amount you'd like to make? When do you want to make it? And how can you break that down into smaller chunks? For example: If your goal is to make $70,000 in revenue for the year, how exactly will you make that money? What is the product or service you offer and its price point? How many do you need to sell each month to make that revenue goal? Where will you find those people who will purchase? Being specific about the amount and time frame helps you think about all of the other aspects tied to creating that revenue in your business. With that in mind, you can create a concrete agenda of the steps you'll take to get there.
2. Making the mistake of setting goals without your current capabilities and track record in mind.
Now, this isn't to “rain on anyone's parade”, but it had to be said. We can't just pull goals out of thin air — they have to be relevant and realistic according to where the business is currently.
Look, dreaming big is awesome, no doubt. It's encouraged, for sure. You shouldn't be settling for mediocrity. You should absolutely be envisioning a thriving business that affords you the lifestyle and freedom you crave. You're supposed to visualize all of those digits in your bank account.
But, here's the thing — if you're just getting started or you're having problems with making a consistent income of $2,000-5000 monthly, then you might need a bit of a reality check concerning these six-figure ambitions. Barreling toward a goal of $100,000 in annual income when you haven't even hit the $50K mark is a recipe for let down? Let's just say, it's like trying to sprint before you've even laced up your sneakers.
Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying it's impossible. Not at all. What I'm saying is, let's work those numbers in a way that they add up. Think of it like building a solid foundation for a skyscraper – you start with the basics, and over time, you're standing tall with the best of them. So, yeah, reaching those six figures might not be a quick jog. It might be more like a marathon, spanning a couple of years.
But guess what? That's okay. Rome wasn't built in a day, and success isn't served up on a silver platter. Break those six figures down into bite-sized, reachable chunks. Maybe this year, it's about boosting your revenue by 20%, then 30% the next year, and so on. It's like leveling up in a game – you conquer one level, then move on to the next.
The point is, my friend, dream big, absolutely. But don't let those big dreams blind you to the journey ahead. You've got the skills, the determination, and the smarts to make it happen. So, let's make a pact – we'll chase those six figures, but we'll do it smart, step by step, year by year. You're not just chasing rainbows here; you're building a legacy.
3. Making the mistake of thinking you have to be “Lena the Lone Ranger” and do everything alone.
“Lone Ranger Syndrome” is a sneaky one, and it can creep up on even the most discerning and experienced entrepreneurs. Without even thinking about it, we're quick to put on our cape and “conquer the world” all by ourselves. After all, we create our own reality, right?
This is the thing, though — even superheroes know the value of having good team members by their side. Think Captain America and his crew, The Power Rangers, The X-Men, The A-Team — you get my point. There's an African proverb that states, “If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together.” But that doesn't necessarily translate when it comes to running a successful business.
Collaboration is the necessary fuel you need for your business journey if you want to go both far and fast. When you team up with the right folks, that's when the magic happens. Plus, you get the advantage of having access to different perspectives, diverse skillsets, and high morale created by shared goals. Even more fuel to get you where you're headed!
And here's another thing — your business is not your baby. **insert Kanye shrug here** You might even want to make this your new affirmation and mantra.
I get why we feel that way. Many of us started these businesses out of passion and necessity fed by the desire to have better for our lives. It feels like we literally birthed these ideas. But treating your business as a baby could be the main thing holding you back. You're so protective of it that you are afraid to let anyone in.
Listen, it's not about relinquishing control, it's about amplifying your impact. Delegating tasks isn't a sign of weakness; it's a display of strategic brilliance. You're freeing up your time and energy to focus on what truly lights you up — the things that you're passionate about — while you're letting those who are experts in those delegated tasks “handle it.”
4. Making the mistake of not taking daily action toward your goals.
Here's the tea — we should be making daily strides towards our goals in some way each day. That is truly having a growth mindset.
Taking daily action each day means doing something tangible towards accomplishing your goal. It's not even about doing the same type of thing each day — because we know that's the fastest way to burnout — but it's about at least doing something. It's about moving in the direction of the goal consistently until you finally get there — without giving up (even though you'll probably want to lots of times!).
It's like the meme we often see online with the person continuing to dig, not giving up, so they can retrieve the prize just on the other side. They took steady, consistent action and maintained a positive outlook regardless of their perspective of their current circumstance. And they will soon reap rewards.
Meanwhile, the other person digging gave up right as they were about to be rewarded for their dedication and consistency toward the goal. It's almost as if they no longer saw the point — don't be like them!
Your goals are just like that treasure you're digging for. Each action that you take towards achieving those goals are like the shovels and picks you're using toward unearthing all that bounty. Each step should not only move you closer to the prize, but it should be both strategic and in alignment for you.
So it's not about responding to “all the emails”, doing admin tasks, or burning the midnight oil on things that don't directly make you money or truly move the needle in your business. The most strategic move in this case would be getting the most amazing virtual assistant to free up your time. You're making a smart investment in your business while giving yourself the golden opportunity to go all-in on what truly matters — your next book to open up more speaking gigs, that game-changing course, or that buzz-worthy webinar.
At the end of the day, this isn't just a hobby you're dabbling in. Nah, you're running a full-on business, my friend. It's time to put on your CEO hat and start creating your vision for real. Start mapping out your one-year plan. Where do you want to see your business a year from now? Once you've got that all figured out, then start to reverse-engineer it. Break those big goals into bite-sized nibbles. Think daily action steps – the kind that move you forward, bit by bit. It's like building a puzzle; every piece you put in place brings you closer to the big picture.
5. Making the mistake of comparing yourself to others.
This is something that we all do at one point or another on some level — whether it's viewing folks' “highlights” on social media about their “perfect children” or scrolling through screenshots of endless testimonials posted on your competitors' accounts. But listen up, sis – it's time for a reality check.
Your journey? It's personal. It isn't meant to look like anyone else's. You have your own dreams, sharp skills, and experiences that make you uniquely qualified to do what you do. It might appear like your favorite coach or influencer are flying high while you're feeling stuck on the ground. But the truth is, you're comparing two businesses at two very different stages of development. It's unfair to yourself to think you're supposed to be at the same level in year one as someone who is in year 12.
Remember, you're creating your story, not a carbon copy of someone else's. Your story will contain all the steps that you've personally taken, the challenges that you've overcome, and the people who've poured into you along the way. It doesn't have a thing to do with walking in someone else's shoes, but about sliding on your own stilettoes and BIG steppin' with all the confidence you can muster.
Focus your energy and attention on you – your progress, your growth. As “they” say: Eyes on your own paper! Run your own race and celebrate each win along the way, no matter how small they might seem. And when you find yourself in the comparison trap, hit pause and breathe. Remind yourself that your journey isn't meant to mirror anyone else's. You're the author of your own narrative, and guess what? Your story is unfolding in its own unique and powerful way.
If you're ready to do away with these mistakes and implement some creative tactics for crafting your own path to success, then check out our goal-setting workshop, The Art of Goal-Setting: 5 Creative Strategies for Impacting Change in Your Life & Business. You should be excited to wake up every day and work toward your goals. And if you’re not, then perhaps it's time to remix and revamp some things about how you’re setting your goals. Get all the details and enroll today!