Business Coaching: Setting Goals

Goals vs Objectives:

Short term goals are stepping stones. They are necessary for the preparation of long term goals. It might be getting a license for the practice you choose, or getting an MBA in Finance, or buying and selling smaller properties until you build your reserves and step up to independence.

Long range goals incorporate the information that you have collected through self-discovery and investigation. This can take some time to accomplish. Long-range goal examples might be – open a private practice, or become the CFO of a large company, or become an independent real estate investor or developer.

Short-term objectives are actions that help you use the knowledge you’ve gained through self-discovery and investigation. These will help you integrate your knowledge into the initial steps towards your goals. These might be choosing your major, working as an intern, or becoming a volunteer.

Intermediate objectives are the assembling of the necessary paraphernalia that will help you achieve short-term and long-range career goals. These might include your education, building a portfolio of completed projects, developing good writing, interviewing, and listening skills.

These might also include ordering your business cards, stationery, preparing your signs, writing your marketing outline, mapping your territory, etc.

Long-term objectives include your team, your network, your personal contacts, your mentor, etc. This will also include sending your letters and postcards, and posting your ads.

Setting Achievable Goals

Now that you are aware of the differences between goals and objectives, it’s time to make some specific decisions. Keep in mind: goals that are consistent with your lifestyle, values, and interests, will be much easier to achieve!

What can you do right now, that will help you reach your goals? Make this very specific! Realistically, what do you feel you can accomplish in the next week? What about the next month? Goals will help direct you to where you want to be, in your time frame.

Setting career goals is not scary when they are broken down into little chunks. These chunks should include short-term, intermediate, and long term objectives.

The following seven tips will help you set reasonable goals and assist you in achieving them.

Be Precise and Concrete. The more specific you can be, the easier it will be to achieve your goals. Plan everything in smaller steps and specify exactly what you will do in each of the four occupation development quadrants (Self-discovery, Investigation, Decision-making, and Implementation), and when you must take each step.

Specific goals might include setting the number of calls you’ll make each day, how many leads you’ll convert to customers this month, or the dollar amount you’ll reach by the end of this year.

Envision. Close your eyes, picture yourself taking action to meet your goal, and then see your complete reaction when you reach it. Live with your goal. How does it feel? If it feels right, it probably is right.

Write Your Goals Down. And carry a copy with you to look at daily. This will bring your goals into reality and will greatly increase your chances of achieving them.

Goals must be set into Time Frames. Set deadlines and revise the deadlines as necessary to stay on track. Goals are never set in stone. Build steps into your time frames and write these steps into your calendar and "to do" list.

If you miss one deadline date, don’t let it get the best of you. If missing deadlines becomes your reality, you’re probably setting unrealistic goals, or you’re not really participating.

Build a Strong Support System. Tell your family, friends, and your mentor of your goals, and ask for support.

Make Your Goals Personal. What will be my benefit upon reaching this goal? Turn every action item into something you want to do for your own satisfaction!

Evaluate with a Coach. Track each success and each stumbling block. Allow yourself credit and positive feedback. Realize which goals you aren't reaching and ask yourself why and how this happened. Have your plans changed? Do your present plans still fit your goals?