Home Business Owners Goal Setting Plan

Goals Setting Is A System Of Planning

What is a goal?  It is important to understand what a goal is.   Goals define what needs to happen in order for your business to be successful. It is a system of planning that brings results to all businesses, home or otherwise that incorporate them into their written business plan.

Your goals should stretch you slightly.  They should be reachable so you feel you can do it but and but also stretch you to make a real commitment. Goal-setting is the process of deciding on something you want, planning how to get it, and then working towards the objective. Goal-setting is not wishing or dreaming. It is something you progressively work towards. Goal setting is a process and a system of planning that will guide you to your destination.

Goals Must Be Written Down

Goals are written in your business plan in specifics. Written goals are attainable. Mental or not-written down goals are just dreams. Start by jotting down the goals you want to reach and then make a plan on how you will accomplish it. Look at each goal and evaluate it.

Each goal should be written out in detail and include the following criteria in your plan:

S – SPECIFIC

M – MEASURABLE

A – ACHIEVABLE

R – REALISTIC

T – TIME FRAME

Business Goals Need To Be Specific

Use the above guidelines to structure your home business goals and make a plan that will really work.

Is your goal specific?

Example: I will reach earn a commission of $3000 per month. Avoid vague terms like “some” or “a little bit”, or “more”. Be specific! Keep your goals simple, clear and focused.

What are your measurements?

You can’t achieve a quart of happiness. “What gets measured gets done.” However, you CAN achieve a 4 mile jog, get 8 new customers this month or achieve the next sales level. Define your goals in terms of height, weight, dollars, inches, or hours.  Measure your progress periodically until you achieve your goals.

Can you really attain your goal?

If a goal that is important to you it should be included. All of the goals must be attainable though.  Earning $3000 per month starting next week is not attainable if you are currently earning $300 in your home business.  So, be realistic and make your goals attainable.  If it is meaningful, you will develop the attitudes, abilities, skills and financial capacity to reach it so think big!

It is important to be realistic!

A high goal is frequently easier to reach than a low one because people with low goals do not exert much motivation. Earning $300,000 in your  home business company is unrealistic if you just started.  Maybe with time it is possible so your goal setting should include stepping stones. Your goal is probably realistic if you truly believe that it can be accomplished.

Include a time schedule in your goal plan.

When your goal has a time frame it creates a sense of urgency. Time must be measurable, attainable and realistic.

A Home Business Goal Setting Plan Includes

There are many things that should be included in a goal setting plan.  Other things to consider when writing our home business goal setting plan are:

You deserve a reward!

Reward yourself along the way. My favorite reward is a one hour massage at a day spa. That is something I truly enjoy. What kind of a reward would you like when you reach your goals in your home business?

Share your goals.

When you share your goals with family and friends they become easier.  They will support you in your goal setting and also hold you accountable.

When you make your goals achievable and they are CONSISTENT WITH YOUR VALUES they will be easy to attain. One of the biggest reasons people fail to achieve their goals is that they have conflict between their behavior and their values. However, when your values and your goals are in agreement, there is no stopping you! Clarify your values first, then set simple, specific, measurable, tangible, written goals that are consistent with those values. You will achieve them every single time! Use this SMART Goals Home Business Tracking Form.

Have you ever set goals? Would you like to share your goals? Please feel free to share your questions and comments in the comments box below. In my upcoming articles we’ll talk about setting Sales Goals and Team Goals.

Deb’s program The Power UP For Professional Results training program includes an IRS approved home business plan template that establishes realistic goals in a format that protects your home business for the home office deductions. (Game players: See the score sheet for a $20 savings coupon.)

To Your Goal Setting Success!
Merilyn Strange
Avon Leadership/Beauty Trainer