Most people start the year strong with ideas of what they want to accomplish. But by January 10th, most people have given up on their resolutions. So much so that this date even has an official name: Quitters Day!
Why?
Well, a typical resolution might sound something like this: “I want to lose weight this year”. Or “I want to grow my business”. But not only are those statements less than inspiring, they’re not very detailed.
How do you plan to do this? Why? What needs to happen – what’s the general plan? What barriers might you encounter and what will you do to move past those barriers?
Resolutions are often:
- Overwhelming or unrealistic.
- Not tied to actionable steps or timelines.
- Focused on external pressures rather than internal motivation.
Which is why I don’t make “resolutions”. Instead, I set goals. SMART(er) goals!
S.M.A.R.T.E.R. goals
You may have heard the acronym S.M.A.R.T. for setting goals already – but do you remember what each letter stands for? I found myself forgetting until I was researching for a presentation and realized that outside of a couple of these letters, different “experts” use different words! No wonder I couldn’t remember what they were since they change depending on who you’re listening to.
Here are the acronym meanings I like to use:
S – Specific
Clearly define what you want to achieve.
M – Measurable
Define how you will track progress and determine success. If possible, use numbers!
Actionable
Use an action verb to describe what you are are going to accomplish.
Realistic
Is this goal achievable given the resources you have or can obtain?
(R could also be Relevant: Aligned with your long-term vision or values.)
Exciting
When you think about your goal, does it make you energized? If not, you may need to adjust your idea.
Risky
If a goal is too easy, it won’t inspire you. Your risk factor should feel somewhere between “discomfort” and “crazy” to keep
I’ve also heard the last two letters as Evaluate (your measurements) and Reward yourself for a job well done!
So instead of “growing my business” for the new year, my goal might sound more like this:
In the first quarter of 2025, I will increase my net revenue by 15%, by offering signing 2 new retainer clients and offering 1 new downloadable resource (PDF).
It’s much more specific, but it’s measurable (15%, 2 clients, and 1 PDF), it shows some actions that need to be done, it’s probably realistic, and time-bound (quarter). I could make it more exciting or risky by increasing those numbers or perhaps making sure the new offer is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.
Not fun enough for you?
Why not make it a game?!
Introducing the Business Bingo board – a creative way to gamify goal-setting!
For your enjoyment, I’ve created this FREE goal-setting bingo board! Fully customizable with a sample bingo board or blank versions of both business and life goals pages, with or without a Free Space in the middle. Choose your tasks/ideas (with over 100 examples!) and aim for a row or column of bingo or blackout!
Set a timeline (monthly, quarterly, annually), and give yourself that additional motivation and structure without feeling overwhelmed!
Get the FREE Bingo board!
What are you waiting for?! I can’t wait to see you knock out those goals!
