Setting Goals With Time Limits To Be Successful
Setting goals without time limits is the easiest way to give yourself an out if you fail at building your online business.
The word goal is defined by Webster’s dictionary as “the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end.”
How do you know how to get somewhere without know where the end goal is. Think about using a map. You need to know where your destination is so you can determine your path of travel. That some process works for setting your goals.
In order to successfully build your online business, or any business for that matter, you need to set goals and more specifically you need to set goals with time limits.
Think about it for a minute, would you buy a car if the dealership told you they do not know when your car would be delivered? Imagine your dream and thinking to yourself “someday I might get their”. Those are not goals with time limits. You won’t get to where you are going without specific and timed goals.
If you are going to achieve success, you need to place a time limit on it. Having a time limit will force you to take action instead of laying around dreaming “someday I’ll be successful.”
Also, you can’t be afraid to fail. We have discussed it before about “failing forward”. You will be hard pressed to find a successful person that did not fail at some point in their career. Know that failing is required to be successful. I know that sounds kind of scary but it is true.
Check out a previous post about Planning and timelines.
Go set you timed goals today! Start now, get a pen/pencil and paper and start writing some goals with specific time frames. Write them down and post them next to your computer. It’s okay if you do not meet all your goals. Once you have reached either your goal or your time limit, it is time to make new goals with new time limits. Yes, this is a continual process. So again, start today!
What are some of your goals and time frames?
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I have not really set any real short-term goals by week, month or even by quarter. I just set goals for the year. But it does give me something to think about.
Thanks,
JC
[Reply]
Rick Reply:
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:13 pm
@JC,
If you break your goals into smaller increments then they will seem more attainable and give you something to try to achieve more often. If you wait until the end of the year and then realize you did not meet your goals it is too late to do anything about it.
- Rick
[Reply]
Here are some of my goals for 2010:
- Write more posts
- Write better quality posts
- Create a new logo
[Reply]
Rick Reply:
February 25th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
@Brad V,
I would recommend that you determine a posting schedule to help with your first goal. Determine how often you want to post and then stick to it.
You should also set a date when you want to have your logo created by. The accountability of having a set date will help to ensure you get it done.
Good luck.
- Rick
[Reply]
I have a few goals for 2010:
- double my subsciption list
- create an ebook
- become a full time blogger
[Reply]
Rick Reply:
February 25th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
@Tony Stroud,
Thanks for listing your goals.
Try to break your goal of increasing your subscription list into quarterly or even monthly goals. For me this makes some goals seem more attainable.
- Rick
[Reply]
I am hoping to grow my blogs enough that I can leave my day job. I also hope to use it as a platform for a public speaking business.
– Cat
[Reply]
Rick Reply:
February 25th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
@Cathy Parkston,
Thanks for stopping by and posting your 2010 goals.
Your goals will be easier to attain if you can list them with measurable amounts and time frames. For instance, with your first goal of leaving your day job, what dollar amount will you need to make online to leave your day job. Once you have that number, break it down into how much you will need to make each month.
Good luck and I am pulling for you to be able to leave your day JOB.
- Rick
[Reply]