What needs to be different for you in the next few weeks? And if the circumstances are different, what changes for you?
How will your personal life and business be different?
These are a few of the questions I ask my coaching clients as we work towards planning their quarterly business goals…and 2nd half of the year. I start with these questions to open a dialogue and discussion about what’s really possible for them (with the right focus and action).
“The secret to success is knowing what you want to create in your life and knowing how to create it.”
As you look at your results from the first half of the year, what did you accomplish? Where did you come close? Where did you miss the mark entirely?
Here’s the thing…we’ve all been there. But what starts to separate average performers from high-performing entrepreneurs is the ability to be self-aware and honest about where you are, get clarity on the path forward, and course correct if needed.
Realistically….how do we make sure we’re on the right path?
Did You Know….
The data suggests that less than 20% of the population actually sets meaningful and challenging goals. And less than half of those people actually write them down with actionable plans. So if you just get this far (setting & writing down your goals), you are 40% more likely to hit your goals just by this simple execution.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE MAKER?
The act of goal setting is identifying something that you want to accomplish. But the act of goal achievement is planning, taking action, and executing to reach that goal. And this is where the shift needs to occur.
Most people spend the majority of their time on goal setting. But the real secret to success is found in spending 90% of your time on goal achievement. This is what separates high-performers from the rest of the pack. It separates the dreamers from the achievers. And this is where I focus with coaching clients.
WHAT ARE THE OBSTACLES & BARRIERS?
Why is it so difficult to make progress against the very goals we say we want? What stands in the way?
HOW MIGHT WE SOLVE THIS DIFFERENTLY?
Create a personal connection between your long-term vision and your goals. Set an aspirational long-term vision at least 3 years out. Decide what you must do in the next 12 months to kick-start your progress. Now, create your 90-Day goals. Identify the goals or outcomes you must deliver in the next 90 days to be on track. Planning in 90-day increments (or quarterly) gives us a greater sense of urgency. There is less procrastination. The timeline is shorter. We don’t fall back on the assumption that we have more time and can put it off.
Set goals that actually matter to you. Is your goal aligned with where you are in your life and business…right now? Or is it an expired goal that is no longer relevant? Are you copying someone else’s goal because it sounds good or do you think that’s what you “should” be doing? Is it a goal that you’re ready for? Or are there other goals that precede it that you need to focus on first? Make sure you are developing SMART(ER) goals (specific, measurable, actionable, relevant, time-bound, exciting, and a little risky to get us out of our comfort zone). Get specific and include concrete success measures.
Get intentional if you want to succeed. To be intentional means we plan our days and set targets. We don’t rely on chance. We develop a concrete plan of action. Outline the tasks and actions for each goal. Capture when they need to be completed and with what level of frequency (1x, weekly, daily). Create a weekly plan that enables you to focus on, execute, and make progress against them consistently. And then get granular by calling out what needs to be done on a daily basis.
Track your progress against the tasks and actions you just identified. The golden rule is if you are completing ~80% or more of your tasks, you have a high likelihood of reaching your goal.
“I have a weekly accountability tracker that I use with clients that standardizes the process and gives them a week-at-glance view of their progress. It has taken clients from sporadic execution to “best-in-class” with stand-out results.”
Get an accountability partner or buddy. When we are accountable to someone other than ourselves, it is harder to stop in the middle of the process or give up. Even if we face challenges, the knowledge that there is someone else rooting for us can be the difference between staying motivated and giving up.
Schedule weekly check-ins to review your progress and determine what’s working, NOT working, and where you need to adjust. I recommend conducting your review at the same time each week to create a habit and routine.
Just remember these two things…..
“It’s all in the execution. Focus on progress NOT perfection.”
Achieving our goals is crucial to realizing the personal and business aspirations we have for ourselves. It’s a process that you can master to improve your chances of success.
“When we don’t get intentional or plan, we are ultimately settling for what we get… instead of planning for what we desire.”
How many weeks do you have left in the quarter or year to achieve your goals?
What needs to be different for you in the next few weeks? And if the circumstances are different, what changes for you?
How will your personal life and business be different?
Where do you need a breakthrough? And what is your plan?
