| I am a firm believer in goal setting. Each year I | | | | kids, or refusing to work weekends. This |
| write a detailed Goal Plan and post it next to my | | | | commitment pays huge dividends. |
| desk. Having clear intentions and specific goals | | | | Personal Time |
| keeps me focused. Some people do this at the | | | | Can you remember the last time you took a day |
| start of a new year, while others use their | | | | off to do something you love? We all need to |
| birthday as the annual launching board. It doesn't | | | | recharge our batteries; this is essential to high |
| really matter when you create your plan, as long | | | | performance at work. Commit to taking several |
| as you get it done. | | | | long weekends during the year, take that |
| When you take a goal out of your head and | | | | vacation you have been thinking about, read |
| commit it to paper, something magical happens. | | | | several books each month, participate in golf |
| Not only does it solidify your commitment to | | | | outings, visit the spa, or schedule a monthly lunch |
| achieving the goal, but it is the first step in moving | | | | with a friend. Figure out what best fills your |
| closer to the target. Better yet, set goals that | | | | personal tank and make it a priority. |
| feel a little bit out of reach. These are the best | | | | Health Commitments |
| kind because they push you beyond your limits. | | | | You've heard it before-without your health, you |
| And while some goals may take longer to achieve | | | | risk losing everything that matters. Decide what a |
| than planned, with persistence you have no choice | | | | healthy lifestyle means for you, whether it is |
| but to move closer to them, bit by bit. | | | | visiting the gym four mornings per week, taking |
| Each year I review my progress and inevitably | | | | walks mid-day, dropping a bad habit, getting your |
| find that I achieved and even surpassed many of | | | | insomnia under control or cutting out sugar. When |
| the items on my list. Throughout the year I keep | | | | you commit to taking care of yourself, everything |
| a list of accomplishments as an additional way to | | | | else in your life will benefit. |
| measure progress and stay on track. Sometimes | | | | Material Goals |
| goals change along the way, and that's okay. | | | | Setting goals to acquire material possessions, |
| They are almost always replaced by something | | | | especially things that you frequently daydream |
| bigger and better. | | | | about, can provide tremendous motivation. Items |
| To get started, write a bulleted list of goals you | | | | might include a new car, major home |
| plan to achieve in the coming year. Following are | | | | improvements, or an indulgent vacation to an |
| some items to include in your Goal Plan as you | | | | exotic destination. Identify items from your |
| embark on creating your best year yet. | | | | ultimate wish list and figure out what it will take to |
| Overall Revenue | | | | acquire them. |
| I don't know of any business owner who wants | | | | Charitable Giving |
| to earn less money year over year. The point of | | | | One of the most rewarding ways to enjoy |
| a revenue goal is to reach for greatness-to pick a | | | | success is by giving back to others. Pick a |
| number that seems slightly unrealistic as incentive | | | | favorite cause or two and donate your time or |
| to find ways to reach that number. | | | | money. You might even decide to sponsor |
| Detailed Revenue Streams | | | | fundraising events or include your children in |
| Most businesses have multiple revenue streams | | | | related activities. Charitable giving comes back to |
| based on products, services, internet income and | | | | you in some unexpected and powerful ways and |
| other factors. Consider setting goals for each of | | | | deserves to be part of your vision. |
| your revenue streams. Some may be shifting | | | | Strategic Business Goals |
| with the economy and some may show more | | | | This is the category for everything else |
| promise than others. Detailing specific revenue | | | | business-related that you want to achieve. Maybe |
| goals can be a fantastic way to prioritize where | | | | that includes hiring more help, forming new |
| your attention should be spent in the coming year. | | | | strategic alliances, launching a new blog, getting |
| New Products and Services You Will Launch | | | | major media exposure, or stepping up your |
| As you detail your revenue streams, factor in | | | | internet marketing activities. From small changes |
| new products or services you plan to launch. | | | | to big shifts and everything in between, take the |
| Companies don't grow by staying idle. They | | | | step to making your strategic goals a reality by |
| innovate and launch bigger, better products and | | | | adding them to your list. |
| services that lead to business growth. | | | | Review, Achieve, Repeat! |
| Time Management | | | | Once your Goal Plan is complete, post it next to |
| Most entrepreneurs struggle with time | | | | your desk or somewhere that you can review it |
| management. Identify ways that you can get a | | | | regularly. Be sure to track your progress. You |
| better grasp on time by cutting back on | | | | might create a spreadsheet to list your |
| commitments that no longer make sense, | | | | accomplishments or start a journal where you jot |
| minimizing the amount of time you spend on | | | | down successes and develop strategies for |
| e-mail or delegating more of your workload to an | | | | meeting the goals on your list. |
| employee or virtual assistant. | | | | Make a habit of recreating your list each year and |
| Family Time | | | | keep your previous lists in a folder where you can |
| Achieving success in business won't matter if your | | | | review them. As the years pass by, it can be |
| personal life is failing-and at the end of the day | | | | tremendously rewarding to have a record of your |
| you can't hug your business! Commit to spending | | | | journey. You will inevitably see the progress you |
| more time with your family whether that means | | | | have made in all aspects of your life and over |
| being home for dinner six nights per week, | | | | time, this exercise will become one you look |
| carving out one-on-one time with your spouse or | | | | forward to each year. |