• Tweet
• 

Where would you like your business to be in 15 years?

If you’re like many small business owners responding with something like, “Um…” then we need to have a little chat.

It may be hard to justify making time for something as theoretical as goals, especially when more immediate business operations are constantly begging for your attention.

If you’re not the goal setting type, it could all seem like just a bunch of hullabaloo. The thought of creating goals may conjure up images of teddy bears holding hands and singing Kumbaya, but it isn’t just a bunch of hype. And to prove it I’m going to give you 4 ways that creating specific, emotional, deadline oriented goals can ACTUALLY contribute to business success.

Clarity of Purpose

Think back to the time you realized you wanted to start your own business. Now imagine how much your present business differs from that initial revelation.

The same transformation happens with goals. You may have a goal that seems reasonable, but over time must be altered and adapted. By having a goal written down, you can come back to it and update it. This will allow you to stay focused on what your goal is and why it’s important.

Serious Fuel

By taking the time to write down goals, you’re making an emotional connection with what you really want out of life. This emotional anchor acts as serious motivation for you to achieve your goals, especially when times get tough.

Focus

As a small business owner you’re being pulled in about 6,000 different directions at once. With constantly so much to do, it can be easy to stray away from your ultimate business goal.

But with set goals in place, you can look back and ask yourself, “Am I helping to achieve my ultimate business goal?” You may come to find that your time can be better utilized within your business.

Accountability

Having goals are important, but results are essential for business growth. There are a few things you can do to help deliver:

• Get An Accountability Partner – This is someone who will be honest with you, and call you out if you stray away from achieving your goals.
• Spread The Word – Tell as many people as possible. If you do, it’ll be harder (maybe even a little embarrassing) to just give up on your goals.
• Make It Visible – Write your goal(s) down on a piece of paper and put it where you’ll see it everyday as a constant reminder of what you really want.