Posts Tagged ‘goals’

MPG isn’t an acronym for miles per gallon.  No, not this time.

It stands for My Phenomenal Goals!

My Phenomenal Goals are displayed in my office where I can see them, reflect on them and check them off in celebratory fashion when I’ve reached them.

The end of the year is fast approaching and now is the time to start thinking about what your 2011 goals are going to be.

Here’s some tips to help formulate your best goals for 2011:

1.  Sit down and revisit the goals you had for 2010. Review the questions below.  Your answers will help you create your goals for 2011.

• What goals did I reach in 2010?
• What stood in the way of me reaching any of my goals?
• What do I need to put in place this year to make sure I reach my goals in 2011?

2.  Sit down and formulate your goals for 2011. Haven’t developed any?  Well get cracking on that task.  Think about these questions to get you started:

• What’s working in my business?
• What’s not?
• What action(s) would take me closer to my commitments in the next 90 days?
• What opportunities exist right now?
• What new strategy(ies) could I implement so I can reach these goals?

3.  Determine if your goals are realistic given where you are currently and your action steps. For example, consider how you plan on bringing in revenue for the year, what program, services, or products are you launching in 2011 and what marketing strategies are you planning on implementing in the year?

3.  Next revise your goals or the plan to achieve them or maybe both so that they are in total alignment with your vision…oh, and make sure they are doable. I like to tell my clients that when developing goals you need to feel the friction between too hard and too easy…that place in between.  When you find it, that is where your goal should be.

You must take the RIGHT action in the RIGHT way at the RIGHT time while keeping a clear and positive mindset about what you want to achieve.  This combination will catapult you forward to your goals and nothing else!

Want to make sure that you are formulating the RIGHT goals, at the RIGHT time, in the RIGHT order?  Call me at 978-794-4991 or email me at maureen@daretobephenomenal.com for a strategy session to see if I can help you formulate the right plan!  It’s a simple, easy and cost effective way to make sure you are on the right track!

I wish, I want, I commit. How do you start a goal statement?  Do you wish it will happen, want it to happen or commit to making it happen?

The language that you use and the feeling associated with that what you say has a big impact on your ability to reach your goals.

Take for example, if you wish that you could make $100,000 in a year chances are you won’t because you are only wishing for it to happen and there isn’t much effort behind wishing.  In essence, all it takes is sitting there and hoping that the money will fall from the sky into your lap.  Even though we learned that wishing makes dreams come true, I’m here to tell you it only happens in fairy tales.

Wanting is a bit better.  When you want something, like wanting to make a $100,000 in a year, you are willing to put a bit more effort in achieving it than the person who is still sitting around and wishing for the money.  But wanting still lacks something critical.  It lacks that powerful energy that moves us from wanting to really making it happen.  It lacks YOUR commitment.

Saying, “I commit to making $100,000 in a year means that you are taking your responsibility in achieving this goal seriously.  Think of it this way…when you make a commitment to your children to take them to the zoo you know that if you don’t you will really be letting them down.  You know that you have made a promise to them and that your integrity is on the line if you don’t follow through.  The same thinking applies to achieving your goals.

Now alot of self help guru’s will tell you that you must keep your commitment and I agree, but we all know that for some reason or the other often times we break our commitments.  Usually it’s because we don’t have the personal resources to ensure we maintain integrity in our commitments.  Does this sound familiar?

Here are a couple of tips to help you maintain those commitments so that you CAN reach your goals:

1.  Don’t Rationalize – When you break your next commitment (and I hope that you don’t) don’t rationalize your behavior.  In essence, rationalizing is acceptance of what you know in your heart and soul to be wrong.  Every time that you rationalize, and therefore justify your behavior it makes it less likely that you will keep your commitments in the future.  With every rationalization you lower your standard of an acceptable life and make it harder and harder to keep commitment in the future.

Instead, acknowledge that you didn’t keep the commitment, think of ways that you can ensure you don’t break your commitment in the future.  Figure out why you broke the commitment in the first place and learn from this experience.

2.  Come Up With a Plan – Figuring out why you break your commitments is a very important step in gaining the resources that you need to keep them in the future.   Brainstorm all the reasons why you failed in keeping your commitment and then develop a new strategy so that you don’t repeat the mistake.  This helps to give you a plan for your future and increases your chance of success.

3.  Try Again – Now that you have rid yourself of rationalization and have a plan on how to not fail at your commitments in the future, it’s time to try again.  You have new tools at your disposal and you can keep your commitments as you retrain your brain into moving closer and closer to your goal.

Use the “commit” language when developing your goals and commit to keeping your commitments and you will see a vastly different business a year from now.

If you are a women business owner struggling to reach the financial freedom that you desire you’ve probably toyed with the idea of investing in a coaching program.

I can only imagine what you have said to yourself as you have contemplated making this investment.  Maybe you have said things like, “I’m not sure I can afford it” or “I don’t know if this program will help me.”  Whatever you have said to yourself I want you to consider something very important:  making a financial commitment will move you forward.

The best way to break the pattern you are in, the “stuck” place is to make a financial commitment to your goals.  When you have money invested in you and the future success of your business you have a very good reason to get off the dime and start taking action. Every single dollar you invest IS the reason!

For many entrepreneurs, myself included, I invest in coaching, training, and mentoring services to help me achieve my goals.  Something very extraordinary happens when you invest in yourself…you are more committed than ever to get your money’s worth.

How do you know which program to choose or which coach to pick from?  If you want to get your money’s worth (and frankly, who doesn’t) invest in a coach who’s fee is outside of your comfort zone. Reaching beyond your comfort zone is critical to stepping up in your business and ending the endless cycle of frustration.

Everyone’s comfort zone will be different.  For some $100 will be a huge stretch and for others $5,000 will be a stretch.  No matter which number is a stretch for you, make the commitment to invest in yourself. If you don’t, who will?

Lots and lots of people are talking about setting goals and making the most of 2010…including me!  But don’t let all the talk of goal setting throw you off track from what is really important about this process.  It’s about making sure that you are doing the right things at the right time and in the right order.  It’s about being as productive as you can be with your time, talent and energy!  Here are seven “must implement right away strategies” so that you can stop feeling exhausted and start moving your business forward!

Throw Away The Old To Do List

You heard me right!  Get rid of the old to do list because it’s missing a critical element – an end time.  Simple fix isn’t it?  The problem and the solution are simple.  Most entrepreneur to-do-lists have the start time but no end time built into them.  By scheduling in the due date or end time it helps you get focused and completing the project by that specified date.  Without it, it can stay on that list and never get crossed off and that my friends is just plain inefficient.

Create A Schedule and Stick to It

I keep a schedule and I rarely let anything bump the time that I have allocated in my schedule for things that MUST happen like writing, creating new programs and services and marketing tasks.  So here is what you must do:  create a schedule and purposefully plan out your top priorities for the day and then don’t allow anything to come between you and your schedule.

This schedule should include things that you must do each day until you have established a routine and even then I wouldn’t take it off your schedule.  I schedule everything this way I don’t miss anything important.  My schedule is tied to my 90 goals that I have established and these two systems allow me to accomplish a great deal each day, month, quarter and year.

Whatever system you develop make sure that it works for you and allows to continually move your business forward.

Time:  Once It’s Gone, It’s Gone

Time is something that once it’s gone you can’t get it back.  That’s why it is so important to always be conscientious with your time and how you spend it.  For those moments when you have not scheduled your time according to your plan ask yourself this question:  What is the most effective use of my time right now? Think about it and then use your time wisely knowing that you are using your time effectively, efficiently and on the tasks that are guaranteed to reach your goals.

Post Your Goals

I have my three year plan posted right in front of my desk where I can always refer to it!  It is a constant reminder to me of why I am doing what I am doing and great a great motivator!  Additionally, I have my vision board where I can see all the things that I am working towards…the new car, the beach front property, etc.  Seeing the reason behind doing what you’re doing is a great subconscious motivator for you to get the job done so you can proudly say, “I reached my goal.”

How Much Are You Worth?

Do you know the answer to that question?  If not I suggest you do the following exercise.  If you want to make $50,000 next year and assuming you will work 8 hours each day, then you know that each hour you work has a value of $25.61 and every minute is worth $0.427. Double it if you want to make $100,000 next year.  The reverse if that for every hour that you waste and let’s say you waste one hour a day each week you are losing $6,658.60 on a $50,000 income and double that on a $100,000 income.  My point:  wasted, unfocused time is a loss of revenue…and a big one at that.

Delegate and Follow Up

There are some tasks that I really hate doing and then there are tasks that I like to do but understand is not a good use of my time.  Whether its tasks you hate or ones you love remember that delegating is an effective tool and strategy when trying to make the most of the time that YOU have.

But along with effective delegation is also the responsibility to follow up and not leave issues hanging out there with no resolution.  Make sure you check in to make sure things stay on track and according to schedule.

Celebrate Your Success

Each time I reach a goal and complete a project I do a little celebration dance!  I know it sounds corny and who knows what I look like when I do my “dance of joy”, but I love to celebrate my wins and success and you should too.  Find a system that feels right for you even if it simply jotting down on paper in a journal.

Keeping on track and focused can be a daunting task if you don’t have a system.  Follow these simple tips here to make it simple and easy.   And remember, time cannot be replaced.  Once it’s gone, it’s gone so use it wisely.

I recently had a consultation with a women business owner who wanted to move her business from frustrating 5-figures and into the 6-figure mark.  She was pretty clear in her money goal and seemed very determined to make it happen. I had to ask myself…

Is it Doable?

Absolutely!

Is it doable with the plan she had?

Absolutely not.

So many business owners create good solid goals and then take haphazard action, constantly led astray by another bright idea or strategy that someone dangles in front of them.  Or possibly they sit back and think that by “using” the Law of Attraction it will miraculously be delivered to them…plop right into their lap.

Here is the truth:

You must take the RIGHT action in the RIGHT way at the RIGHT time while keeping a clear and positive mindset about what you want to achieve.  This combination will catapult you forward to your goals and nothing else!

Sound tough?  Well imagine having to go and work for someone else again in a JOB…ugh the very thought makes me cringe!  You have already invested time, resources and your sanity to making your business work.  So how do you make it happen and stick to the plan you developed?

My Coaches Request:

1.  Sit down and revisit your goals for 2010. Haven’t developed any?  Well get cracking on that task.  Review the questions below.  Your answers will help you create your goals for 2010.

• What’s working in my business?
• What’s not?
• What action(s) would take me closer to my commitments in the next 90 days?
• What opportunities exist right now?
• What new strategy(ies) could I implement so I can reach these goals?

2.  Determine if your goals are realistic given where you are currently and your action steps. For example, consider how you plan on bringing in revenue for the year, what program, services, or products are you launching in 2010 and what marketing strategies are you planning on implementing in the year?

3.  Next revise your goals or the plan to achieve them or maybe both so that they are in total alignment with your vision…oh, and make sure they are doable. I like to tell my clients that when developing goals you need to feel the friction between too hard and too easy…that place in between.  When you find it, that is where your goal should be.

4.  Take action right now!

Want to make sure that you are formulating the RIGHT goals, at the RIGHT time, in the RIGHT order?  Call me at 978-794-4991 or email me at maureen@daretobephenomenal.com for a strategy session to see if I can help you formulate the right plan!  It’s a simple, easy and cost effective way to make sure you are on the right track!

Once upon a time you dreamed of a carefree life as an entrepreneur.  You saw the vision of a business where you would satisfy all your clients needs, make tons of money and live the lifestyle of freedom and joy…..wait a second, stop the presses…the reality is hauntingly different.

Now don’t get mad or upset.  I know that you are working your tail off sometimes 12-14 hours per day to turn that dream into a reality.  You eat, sleep (when you do) and think about your business 7 days a week with little return on the investment and a ton of anger to show for it.  But let’s take a step back and really look at what it takes to turn that hobby into a business so you CAN have the business you always dreamed of.

Today Is That Day

Right now in this moment you have a wonderful opportunity to closely examine what it takes to have a successful business.  Here are five action items that you can implement right now so that you can make the transition from a hobby to a business:

1.     Develop a Business and Marketing Plan

When you decide to start a new hobby you don’t need to sit down and write out what you’re going to do and how you are going to do it; you just go out and get your supplies, set up a card table in the basement or spare room and start.  If this sounds like how you started your business, let me explain why this was a BIG mistake.

You want to be successful don’t you?  How will you know if you are?  By writing out your business plan you are taking the necessary steps to plan out your course of action; to identify the goals that indicate you are on the right track.  Without the plan how will you know that you are making the necessary gains in your business that you desire?

So many business women hate marketing but I am sorry ladies it is necessary to develop a marketing plan.  Pick two or three marketing activities and make the commitment to do them consistently.  The activities can range from attending at least one networking event each week to writing a newsletter.  No matter what activities you choose, do them consistently to see results.

2.    You Act Like You Are In Business

There are a couple of really important issues that fall under this heading of “acting like you are in business”.  The first I would like to point out is you have a business email that is tied to your website or domain name.  For example, maureen@daretobephenomenal.com instead of using a generic email address such as yourname@gmail.com. See the difference?  In the first example you know I have a legitimate business, the other, well you’re not so sure.

Second issue is you have branded yourself.  You have a distinct look and feel.  When you brand yourself with colors, taglines and logos you begin to stand out in the crowd.  All of your marketing material must have a cohesive look and feel to them, if they don’t, begin to work towards branding yourself.

Finally, you are treating your personal and business financial accounts as separate; you are not mixing your money.  If you are not doing this now, please go and seek the help of a quick books expert or bookkeeper who can help you separate your accounts so that you clearly know what you are spending and taking in on your business.

3.    Show Me The Money

Here is the plain hard truth…if you are not making any money than you have a hobby and not a business.  Your business needs to be making money or at least be on its way to profitability.  You can’t continue to live on your savings account forever,  and racking up credit card debt to run a business is extremely risky particularly if you own your own home.  Your business won’t survive for very long if you can’t bring in clients and turn a profit.

4.    You Have A Support Team

Part of the trap that many business owners fall into, is they spend many hours a week working in their business instead of on their business.  They do tasks that would be better done by someone else.  You have special talents and skills that bring in the revenue for your business.  If you are spending your time cleaning the house, managing the books,  or managing your data base then you have less time to go out and procure clients.  Find a VA, housecleaner or personal assistant to help you; learn to delegate!

5.    Learn, Learn, Learn

As I mentioned in my opening article, investing in yourself is the biggest gift you can give yourself.  I have two coaches and belong to a mastermind program with a different group of people.  I made a commitment to myself that if I wanted to make my business successful I knew I would have to make the time and monetary sacrifice to make it happen.  If you are struggling with your business or know deep in your soul that all you have is a hobby, I encourage you to consider hiring a coach, mentor or joining a mastermind so that you can turn that hobby into a thriving business.

My challenge to you this week is to take a good, hard look at your business and pick one area to work and improve on.  Make a goal and outline the steps that are necessary for you to achieve success.

Today’s business success strategy is about goal setting.

Do you know where you want to be next year, month or week?  How will you know if you have achieved what you are aiming for?  What are you focused on each that day that consistently moves you toward the goals you have for your business?

If you can’t answer these questions its because you don’t really know the goal!  Goals need to be written down and referred to often.  When you take the time to write out your goals you are making a commitment to yourself and your business.  Goals are what keeps you focused when times get demanding and when you start to loose your way.  It’s a reminder about what you are trying to accomplish.

Check out my free report at www.daretobephenomenal.com to learn some additional tips about goal setting.  By following these simple tips, you can start planning and goal setting with an eye on the future  success of your business!

” The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it.”  ~  W. M. Lewis

I came across this quote the other day and it struck me right in the center of my being. So often I hear people say things such as…my life will be perfect when I loose those 20lbs. When I get that promotion and have more money coming in I can really start enjoying life. If only I didn’t have all these medical problems my life would be great!

Of course, I am often puzzled by these statements. I spent my entire childhood listening to my aunt vocalize how she was waiting for something “better” to come along so that she could start living. The sad truth is that she wasted her whole life waiting for something “out there” to make her life worthwhile. I often reflect on this fact and feel tremendous sadness for her.

The truth is that many of us waste our precious energy talking, wishing and hoping for a better life. But the fact is that we have the power to create whatever life we want for ourselves. We can choose to keep wishing or we can get into action and begin to work towards that which we desire.

Are you waiting for something better to come along so that you can start living your life? If so, I challenge you right now, to stop and write down your goals. What can you do today to bring you one step closer to that which you desire? What can you do this week, month and year to bring to fruition the dream you have in your heart? I invite you to step into action and feel the power of a life fulfilled.