The Power of Goal Setting

The Power of Goal Setting

The Power of Goal Setting

We all have goals, dreams and visions of what we want to accomplish, achieve or attain in life and business. What transforms those goals, dreams and visions into reality is the willingness to chart the course, take the specific actions and stay committed to making them real. Size doesn’t matter in setting goals; they can be small to significant. What matters most is that you take the time to define them.

Successful business owners set goals and use this power tool in their businesses. Without goals, you have no defined purpose and nothing to strive toward. Are you a big goal setter but a small goal getter? Do you love to dream, plan, create and set big goals but fall flat when it comes to turning them into reality?

People who deeply want to succeed in business, set goals and take action. They don’t just talk about their goals; they take action to make sure the goals become a reality. Their goals become more important than any excuses they could ever make. No excuse is good enough for them. The moment they resort to that negative behavior—making excuses—they shut the process down because making excuses stops the momentum. The evidence is compelling that goal setting works! Without goals, you find yourself wishing and hoping things will happen. Instead of dreaming, take action and make the goals happen.

Goals can be tricky things.  They definitely motivate, but only for a while.  If you really want to be successful at sales, you must learn to be motivated by the process of goal setting.  A process that is monitored and modified strategically throughout the year.

Goal setting is the cause and success is the effect. Knowing what you want, having a clear path to get there and taking action is the only way to expand your success.  The flip side of goal setting is waiting for a stroke of luck, crossing your fingers and hoping next year will be different.  That’s a risky business strategy that guarantees failure.

Goal setting is a positive, powerful practice when it ignites your enthusiasm and provides a clear direction. When practiced poorly, goal setting has a serious downside which can undermine your success. Poor goal setting makes people cynical, wastes their time and fosters confusion about where to concentrate actions and energy.

Goals act like stepping-stones on your path: each one a signal to guide you where to step next on your journey to success. Goals are milestones to the exciting end result. They must be present in every business plan and become a regular part of ongoing daily operations.

Mark Twain said, “Plan for the future, because that is where you are going to spend the rest of your life.”

Your plan of attack might change throughout the year, but you’ll feel a whole lot better if you have guideposts, activities, and accomplishments to help you along the way.

You can’t set goals and go about your life expecting they’ll magically manifest into reality. Otherwise, all you have is a dream. Dreams are great, but without the action behind the dream, they’re only fantasies. For dreams to come true, you’ll have to get your fingers dirty and be a willing participant in the action. Solid goals are achieved with hard work and dedication.  Remember, a goal is a dream with a deadline.