Goal Setting

I love December!  Unlike many in retail, it is a month for me to wind down, look back on the year. It is time to decide what it is I want to achieve and set my goals for the next 12 months. It’s my goal setting month.

But I am now comfortable with starting something new at any time of the year.  I know it feels like starting a diet on a Thursday (Who does that? Aren’t diets meant to start on Mondays?), but I know that things change over a year and I need to reassess at any and other times of the year.

Money

I always start with looking at how much I have earned and then work out how much I want to earn (physically have in my bank account this time next year).  I know money isn’t everything, but money pays bills, puts a roof over my head and food on the table.  Money also enables me to travel, which I adore. It gives me an opportunity to be generous – to contribute to communities I feel passionately about and where I can make a difference.  The more I earn, the more I can give.  So, for me, money is at the top of my list of goals.

I start with the end in mind – how much do I want to earn in the next period, and then work out how many services I need to deliver, courses I need to sell and products I need to ship, to reach that goal.  Breaking it down into weeks and days, makes it so much more achievable.

Training

Human beings survive because we have educated ourselves and then adapted to the circumstances.  Without continued training and education, I know I will be left behind.  It is arrogant of me to presume that I know everything there is to know about my industry. It is in such a changeable world.

I am thus putting time aside for me to learn more about my industry, or niche, and improve some skills. This can happen at workshops, online training, or maybe in a short course offered locally. But this is essential for me to grow as a person and grow my business. I will have to do some research about what training I need. Then I need to set aside the time and the money for this to happen.

Outsourcing

We are all good at something – and that’s the business we might find ourselves in.  We bake cakes or make videos, or we sell products, or teach, or we are good at building website.  Whatever it is, THAT is what makes the money in our business. But there is so much more to a business – the paperwork, the correspondence, the systems, the sourcing of goods, the marketing. And for us to do all these things, means we are taking time away from the activity that will generate the money.  As we are not good at all these tasks, they take us double the time – taking even more away from our money earning opportunities.

This coming year I am going to outsource some of the tasks that I know someone else will do better and more efficiently.  I need to spend some time working out what these tasks are, so I can make the right decisions for my business. It is also important to look at what I can afford.  But, from all those who outsource, they have found they make more money, almost immediately, because they can be more focused and productive.  So, even if I start with outsourcing only one hour a week, I can push this up as I have the money to do so.

Mastermind

A Master Mind, is a group of individuals who are experts in their fields, who are inspirational, giving and able to support each other, and hold each other accountable.  Thanks to technology, Master Mind members can be anywhere in the world.  In a group like this, I would be able to share, grow and get the guidance needed to take my business to the next level.

Having a regular check-in with a group who can give me a ‘kick’ when I need it, and that I can use to bounce ideas off, is something I feel I need at this point, or I will not move forward.

Collaborations

Humans cannot survive in isolation. We need the collective, the skills and passions from those around us, to flourish.  Many believe, if they collaborate, they are halving their profit ‘cake’.  But in fact, collaborations lead to a lot more ‘cakes’ and thus a lot more profit.  By finding partners, even in just small projects, or with one of my products or services, means I will increase my reach, my customer base and my income.  I will also be decreasing risk, reducing stress and workload.

I identify projects I am working on, or ideas I have, and find other businesses, which align with my values. This could even be in guest blogging such as my ‘What Business Lessons I Got from Baking’ which I submitted to Instinctive Living. If they come ‘on board’ they can help make our profit ‘cakes’ multiply.

Remove and Reduce

There is so much in my work space, that is not needed. I have piles of books, a broken chair, old printer cartridges – all piling up. I also have folders on your computer not organised. All these items clutter my environment, and studies have shown that this impacts negatively on productivity.  A clear work space leads to a clear mind, and so much more can be done when there is less ‘rubbish’ in our heads.

The last week of this year is set aside to clear out the office space, tidy the filing cabinet and sort out my computers and hard drives.

Tie Loose Ends

I am really very good at starting things and so very bad at developing them or finishing them off.  I subsequently have an office that is full of items that I am no longer working with or on, and piles of paperwork I have not got to, or half-started projects.  Setting aside time to ‘tie these loose ends’ means I might even make a few pounds I wasn’t expecting. It also means I can complete the circles I have left open – which is not good for peace of mind either.

Letting Go

Finally, this is the scariest!  Letting go of something I have spent money on, I have grown and nurtured is very difficult.  But, it might also be holding me back from much greater things.  By being unattached, and not emotional about it, I can ‘hit delete’ on elements of the business that might be taking my time away from those activities and projects that really make me money.

There are projects I have been running for a while, that might be generating a small amount, or nothing at all. I  need to lose the sentiment, and get on with moving forward.  These projects are draining me, and limiting me, so time to take action.

Morning Routine

Creating a routine to start your day, is important to get me fully awake and productive. It also provides a framework to get those little, but important things done (which I generally push aside) before I start work.

I found inspiration in Hal Elrod’s Miracle Morning – The 6 Habits That Will Transform Your Life Before 8AM.  I have adapted it to suit my own circumstances. This means that every morning I am getting a few minutes to calm my brain (simple breathing exercise), get some vigorous exercise (I skip, go for a short brisk walk or use the stepper), I am being creative (I am working on a novel I started on Nanowrimo in 2018) and I feel inspired (by reading a business or self-help book). I start the day with energy, inspiration and excitement.

Time Slots

Finally, I plan my goals in monthly and weekly slots.  This gives me instant focus and instead of me just ‘working on’ my business every day, I am productive. I get to tick tasks off every day and every week.  But more importantly, I add in non-negotiable slots of time to log off the computer, switch off the phone, and spend time doing what I love. These include being with my partner, gardening, cooking, baking, exploring the region, reading and meeting up with friends. And these slots I am fully committed to – I will not budge, at all.

I am always really excited about goal setting and re-evaluating my business, my purpose and planning for even better things. And getting my goals set before Christmas takes so much of the load off, and I am able to remove myself completely and enjoy the festivities.

Here’s to the next chapter being filled with happiness, success and only great things, following your own path.

My Goal Setting short course is now available on Content College