I am sure you have heard numerous times that you need to be setting goals. I too have heard that countless time but never really did it until last year.
At the start of 2010 I wrote out a list of goals that I wanted to achieve that year. After writing them down I set the paper aside on bookcase and pretty much forgot about them and never referred back to them ONCE in 2010.
Well, just a couple days ago I was cleaning up my office and getting rid of the clutter and I came across that piece of paper with my goals for 2010. I was pretty amazed that I had accomplished almost all of them (the several that I did not accomplished were actually goals that no longer applied due to changes I made in my business).
I have read in numerous different books that when you take time to write something down, such as a goal, your mind actually files it away and keeps replaying it in your mind without you consciously thinking about it (if that makes any sense!).
So while I didn’t go back and continually read my goals throughout 2010 to see if I was keeping on track and working towards them, my mind was doing it for me. I personally feel this played a large part in hitting almost all my goals and having my best year ever for my business.
With that being said, I am a big believer in writing down my goals from here forward. I should note that it is actually best to review your goals throughout the year to check your progress, which I will be doing a better job of this year.
I would urge you to take 30 minutes to think about what you want to accomplish this year and write out some goals for 2011.
Tips For Creating Goals For 2011
When you write your goals you want to make sure they are specific, measurable and achievable.
Instead of saying “I want to make a bunch of money with your online business in 2011″ (not measurable and not specific), instead you should say “I want to make $35,000 with my online business in 2011″.
Even better yet, “I want to be making $3,000 a month with my online business within the next 6 months”. The is very specific, measurable and achievable.
But don’t stop there. You should now set goals for how to get to $6,000 a month. Write out what steps you need to take to get to $3,000 a month and give them each a time frame as well.
Here is what it may look like:
I want to be making $3,000 a month from my online business within the next 6 months
-I will create my own information product on how to grow your own organic vegetables and have it completed by the end of January
-I will write my sales letter for my product and have it completed by the end of February
-I will locate and get in touch with 25 website and products owners in this niche and talk with them about promoting my product as an affiliate by the end of March
-I will start a Pay Per Click campaign for my information product on Google and Bing by the end of April
-By the end of June I will be making $3,000 a month from my information product via affiliates and PPC marketing
Writing goals and them assigning step by step tasks to reach those goals is a great way to increase your chances of success and also a great way to stay on task and remain focused. Share you goals with a friend, spouse or family member and let them know that you want them to help keep you accountable for your goals as well.
The 30 minutes it will take to complete this will pay great dividends throughout the year!
