A SMART Goal Can Make A Big Difference

Want to hear something scary? There are only 23 days left in 2009. If you haven't started setting goals for 2010 yet, this is the time to do it!

One thing that can really help you achieve your goals is to remember the acronym SMART while you set your goals. This will help you set goals that are:

Specific - A specific goal is just that - specific. There is a big difference between the goal of "I want to make more money in my business" and "I will earn an extra $500 in my business during January 2010 versus January 2009."

Measurable - In the above example, the first goal was not very measurable. The second goal was VERY measurable. It will be very easy to tell if you earned an extra $500 in January 2010. You will know on February 1 if you met your goal.

Attainable - If your goal is not attainable, you will be setting yourself up for failure. When that happens, you will likely be discouraged and will not try to achieve other goals. Don't let that cycle begin. Create goals that are a stretch to achieve, but not so far out of reach that you would never be able to reach them.

Realistic - If you have never designed a website, it would be very unrealistic to set a goal of creating a great-looking, professional site for your business in the next 3 days. Create realistic goals that you really do see yourself achieving.

Timely - Give each of your goals a deadline! I once heard someone say "A goal without a deadline is a wish." Such a true statement! (I wish I could remember where I head that, in order to give that person credit).

During my Indie Biz Chicks Twitter Party last night (I hold #indiebizchat each Monday from 9 - 10pm Eastern), we chatted about goal setting and biz planning. One of the things that many people said they had a problem with was accountability. Without having someone to be accountable to, it can be very easy to forget your goals.

An easy solution is to hold weekly accountability meetings with some business friends. Each week, you can tell each other what you'd like to accomplish and then report back the next week. This is also a great way to get feedback and support on your business activities.

To learn more about my Twitter Parties, click here.

Comments

[Diane Danielson/CEO, Downtown Women's Club]

Love this. It's a very good compliment to the "KISS" rule: Keep it Simple, Stupid!