Setting goals is never more true, than in a startup. In our fast-paced, high-pressure world, it can seem like everyone is setting goals and resolutions. And while that’s great, what isn’t so great is that so many of those goals go unachieved.
But you don’t have to be a statistic; you can set measurable, achievable goals for yourself quarter after quarter. The key is figuring out how to set goals that actually get achieved.
It’s not as hard as you think!
Knowing the right techniques and tricks will make all the difference in the world.
Here are five tips for setting goals that actually get achieved.
Set SMART goals
In order to set goals that actually get achieved, you’ll need to set SMART goals.
SMART is an acronym that stands for “specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound.” If your goals don’t have all of these components, then they’re probably not goals that will get achieved.
Make sure you write down your goals, and then take a moment to examine each one. Make sure it meets each of these parameters. If it doesn’t, rewrite it. See if you can make it clearer, more precise, and more detailed.
Your goals need to be as clear as possible so that you know exactly what you’re working towards.
Turn your goals into a game
One of the best ways to stay focused on the goals that actually get achieved is to turn them into a game.
You don’t have to turn them into a competition with other people or anything like that. You can turn them into a game in your own mind. You can make it a challenge for yourself to see if you can meet your goals on time.
Make it a game to see if you can get more done in a day than you did yesterday. Turn your goals into something fun and challenging, and they’ll seem less like work and more like a game.
You’ll be less likely to get stressed out, and you’ll have more fun. You’re also more likely to stay focused on the game at hand — which is finishing your goals on time!
Make sure your why is bigger than your what
Goals are important, but so is the motivation behind them. Even if you set SMART goals and you are challenging yourself, you may want to consider what your why is. If your why behind them isn’t strong enough, then those goals could fall short.
Make sure your why is bigger than your what.
Make sure your why is something you feel strongly about. Make sure your why is something that will keep you going even when the going gets tough. Make sure your why is something that will keep you motivated even when other people’s goals have fizzled out. Make sure your why is strong and powerful enough to keep you going when things get tough!
Write it down and make a plan
Another important aspect of goal-setting is writing them down and making a plan. You can’t just set random goals for yourself and expect them to get met. You need to take the time to break down what your goals actually are. You need to sit down and write them out so you can really examine them and make sure they’re the goals you need to be focusing on.
If a goal isn’t helpful, or if it isn’t getting you closer to where you need to be, then you need to toss it out and start over. As you’re writing down your goals and examining them, you’ll also want to look at what comes next. What are the steps you need to take to achieve these goals? What can you do to set yourself up for success?
Don’t be afraid to fail — but also don’t be afraid to succeed!
Even if you think your goals are great, they’re probably not all going to get achieved. That’s just a part of life. You’re not perfect, and neither is your goal-setting process! But that’s okay. That’s normal.
But don’t be afraid to fail.
That’s a big part of goal-setting. You’re going to fail. You’re going to fall short of your goals sometimes, and that’s okay! You’re human! Don’t beat yourself up about it. Just take the lessons you learned from failing, and use them to succeed the next time around!
Don’t be afraid to succeed!
On the other hand, don’t be afraid to succeed. Setting big, audacious goals for yourself isn’t a bad thing. It’s important to challenge yourself with big, lofty dreams. It’s important to step outside your comfort zone and to challenge yourself to do things you’ve never done before. If you don’t set big goals for yourself, then what’s the point? If you don’t set audacious goals for yourself, then what’s the point? Make sure your goals are SMART, turn them into a game, make sure your why is bigger than your what, write them down and make a plan, and don’t be afraid to fail or succeed!
Conclusion
What makes someone successful? Is it talent? Is it luck? Or is there something else? Most people have a vision of their future self. They know what they want to happen in the future, but very few people know how to make it happen.
Many people don't realize that setting goals is a crucial step in creating the future you want.
If you want to succeed, you have to set goals! And if you want your goals to get achieved, then you have to set SMART goals. You also have to turn them into a game, make sure your why is bigger than your what, write them down and make a plan, and don't be afraid to fail or succeed!
