Goal-setting for 2010, Part 3: 10 Tips for Success

Creative Commons License

This week we are setting goals for 2010… woohoooo!  On Tuesday, we defined 5 goals we want to accomplish in 2010 and yesterday, we set strategies to ensure that these goals are SMART.  Today I’m going to give you some tips in setting and accomplishing goals.  I’m also going to bring in some tips given to us by other wedding pros.  And, I’m going to ask you to share your tips too!

10 Tips for Goal-setting Success

1. Write them down
   This may seem pretty basic, but if you don’t write down your goals, they may as well not exist.  You may have them in your head, but the tangible reminder of them is very powerful.  The exercise of defining your goals and determining SMART strategies is key to making them actually happen.
2. Print them out and post them in your office
   This is a great tip from Annette Warnick, owner of Swanky Tables.  She says, “This keeps me on track and focused. I also like to revisit them regularly, along with my business plan, to tweek where needed.”  The visual reminder is useful in keeping your greater goals in mind when your daily tasks can often clutter your time and energy.
3. Cut your 5 goals into a series of small baby-steps
   Some of your goals may be HUGE.  In the process of writing them down, this can be exciting.  But, when you actually get into the nitty-gritty, it can become overwhelming.  I’m a huge fan of making lists out of my goals.  I disect each goal into 5-30 steps – a to-do list of sorts.  I then allot a time frame for each step.  If I’ve given myself 14 steps and my deadline is 6 months, I break this down into weekly or monthly tasks.  This ensures that I’m actually ACTIVELY WORKING towards the goal.  Whitney Elizabeth, Wedding Photographer, uses the Mac Program called “Things“.  This powerful software allows you to create long-term goals and lists.  It’s a very comprehensive way to organize your to-dos.
4. Get a buddy
   Oooooo… I love the idea of having a GOAL BUDDY!  This is someone who you check in with from time to time to see how each other is doing with accomplishing their goals.  Make sure it is scheduled frequent enough that there is consistency and accountability.  It can be challenging being self-employed because ultimately no one know if I’ve missed a self-imposed deadline.  But, if I have a buddy, he or she knows!  It keeps me honest.  It also gives you someone with which to share your progress and successes.
5. Get a rival
   My  brother and I had a challenge last year.  The first of us to lose 10% of our weight would buy the other dinner.  I won!  (Paul, I’d still like to cash in on my dinner at Delfina.)  He was actually an unlikely partner for this because he lives in San Francisco and I was in Seattle at the time.  And, even though we are siblings, we don’t usually have competitions of this sort.  We would email each Monday with our weights.  It was a long battle, but it was a fun one.  Friendly competition can help you accomplish a goal.  Just remember to play nice and fair.
6. Keep a journal
   I love this tip from Jasmine Star, Photographer.  She says, “The best advice I have is to keep a journal of your goals, so you have something to keep you accountable to what you want to achieve.”  Jasmine uses her journal not only in looking forward by setting the goals but also to look backward to see how much she’s accomplished.  In my own business I often feel that I have so far to go and so much to do, but when I sit back and look at what I’ve done in 5.5 years I get really excited and proud.  The journal is a GREAT way to reflect on this.  It is also helpful in working through some of the challenges in accomplishing your dreams.
7. Reassess and restrategize
   It’s OK to tweek your goals from time to time.  In fact, constantly updating your goals will ensure that they happen.  You may learn that in the update of your website, you are looking 43 steps instead of what you initially thought was only 14.  This is OK.  Make the changes.  Do it right.  Don’t be discouraged.  Get back on the horse.
8. Be realistic with timing
   When Paul and I did our weight-loss challenge we both thought we would be done in 6 months.  We each fell off the wagon a few times, but 18 months later we were each at goal, or close to it.  What is more important: that we missed our deadline at 6 months, or that we hit goal at 18 months?  I say reaching the goal is more important than the timing of it.  Of course, there are time critical deadlines, and you want to ensure that you do things in a timely fashion.  (A website update that takes 2 years will be obsolete by the time it is complete.)  But, the message here is that a) you need to be realistic about how long a project might take, and b) if you realize the project will take longer than initially estimated, assuming it is reasonable, keep at it.
9. Reward yourself
   When you reach a goal, or when you hit a milestone, reward yourself.  In fact, incorporating this reward into your goal sheet can be very motivating.  A unique reward is even more powerful, so be creative.  Possible rewards for hitting milestones can be something like a pedicure, while reaching that goal could be a day at the spa.
10. Set more goals
    Don’t get too comfy… what else do you wanna do?  How do you want to rock the world?  Make a date each December to set more goals.

Sooooo… what are your goal-setting tips?  Post a comment below and share with our readers!