Setting Targets And Goals For The Year Ahead

Many of us use the New Year as an opportunity to focus on what’s important for the year ahead. We make plans and resolutions but however well intended these might be, they can often fall by the wayside just weeks into the New Year. The reason for this often lies in the fact that most people don’t set specific goals and targets for the year ahead, and neither do they plan and measure their progress. Unless a process is in place a goal is likely to remain a wish, therefore it is vital that the steps below are followed and executed in order to achieve your goals :

1. Know The Vision

Write the vision and keep it simple. When it comes to setting goals, it’s important that they possess clarity and vision and when this is applied, they are far more likely to be achieved. Know your goals – for example, a personal goal might be to get into better shape. A business goal might be to increase profits. The goals need to be clear with an end-point and a goal-setter runs with the end in mind.

2. Create A Breakdown

The vision is clear but now it’s time to break it down into specific steps. Getting into shape is great but there needs to be a measurable goal. If it takes 40 minutes to complete a 5K run, then to measure progress a goal of completing the same run in 20 minutes could be a target by the end of the year. For a business looking to increase profits, a breakdown takes it to a more specific level. A goal of a 60% increase in profits is measurable, definitive and clear.

3. Create A Timeline

Time moves fast so it’s important to create a timeline of events. There’s no sense being halfway through the year without half the goals being completed. Short and long-term target points for each goal will help things to stay on-track. For the person running the 5K, a long-term goal of running the distance quicker is great. However, a short-term goal might involve going to the gym three days a week to increase stamina, and this is equally as important for the overall goal. For the business owner, a long-term goal of increased profits is excellent. A short-term goal could equate to hiring an expert salesperson within the next month.

Whilst setting goals is all good and well, achieving them is another story. The most important thing to remember is that everything must be performance driven – never leave goals to chance or circumstances. And finally, it’s essential to focus on what can be done to improve the overall picture with what is available right now. Keep these points in mind and goals will invariably transform into achievements!