Goal setting - What are you waiting for?

I've come to the conclusion that goal setting is a lot like dieting.  You can only put it off for so long before it takes on a life of it's own.

Let's face it... If we want our businesses to succeed, we are going to have to come up with a plan. If not, we are going to continue to limp along.  And... research has shown that we will be more successful if we have a plan with measurable goals.  Measurable is the key word here.

But don't just take it from me.  Check out what Ray Silverstein has to say about it.

When you engage in true goal setting, you define your objectives in pragmatic, measurable terms. You also need to identify the resources, time and funds you'll need to invest to attain them. That's how you develop action plans. Once you know where you want to go, the next step is to figure out how you'll get there and how much you're willing to spend on the trip.

Use the SMART System
When it comes to goal setting, the SMART system is simple, down-to-earth and gets the job done. Each goal must be defined so that it meets the following criteria:

S – Specific
M – Measurable
A – Achievable
R – Realistic
T – Timely

Specific, achievable and realistic--Make sure your goals are concrete, concise and attainable. Instead of, "I want to make a lot more money this year," specify "I want to increase my revenues by X percent (a realistic amount) by the end of the year."

Measurable--Frame your goals in such a way so you can measure your progress. For example, plan on measuring monthly or quarterly revenues against last year's figures--something you should be doing anyway.

Timely--Give yourself a reasonable time frame for achieving your goal. Then break it down into smaller, short-term increments. Realistically, you may not achieve that X percent increase early in the year, but you can  toward it. Divide your goal percent increase into monthly or quarterly increments that allows you to build on your momentum. This produces measurable, attainable and short-term goals to pursue.

Record your goals and action plans on paper. Whether you write them down or type them, the very act of recording them will help you flesh out your ideas. Once your plans are complete, you'll have a detailed roadmap with directions to follow. 

Review your goals and plans regularly. Make a monthly appointment with yourself if that's what it takes. This will help keep you on track as time unfolds.

Also, beware of "BHAGs"--big, hairy, audacious goals. Super-ambitious goals are great when it comes to long-range planning and decision making, but they don't lend themselves to goal setting. Focus on attainable goals that you can realistically reach within the year.

It's easy to make resolutions, but it's hard to make them come true. No wonder some entrepreneurs make the same resolutions every year, without ever achieving them. Don't let yourself fall into that group. This year, resolve to set SMART goals and action plans.

How does this translate into your business?  Well, I own Fun Car Tattoos which sells magnets for your car. I would like to increase my sales.  Duh! Who wouldn't?

But the thing I need to do now is to set some measurable goals to make it happen.  Let's use the SMART system and see how it can help my business.

How's this for a goal?  I would like to expand my business of selling dog paw car magnets by finding 5 catalogs to carry my product by February 1, 2009.

Is this goal specific? measurable? achievable? realistic? timely?  I think it is!  Now all I have to do is make it happen!  Tune in on February 1st next year and I'll let you know how I did!
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Ray Silverstein is the "Sales" columnist at Entrepreneur.com and president and founder of PRO: President’s Resource Organization, a network of advisory boards for small-business owners.