Setting and Achieving Goals

By: Bob De Contreras

The Anatomy and Psychology of Goal Setting

Achievement and accomplishment are among the most satisfying pleasures in any business venture. Getting your first customer, acquiring financing for your business, beating the competition to market with a new product, and reaping the rewards of a successfully exit are just some of the things that give delight and define success.

Achievements and accomplishments do not happen accidentally. They are the result of clearly defined goals acted upon until completion. You first determine what you will or will not become or accomplish, and then it’s up to you to make it happen.

Being successful is directly proportional to your ability to set goals and make them happen.

The Anatomy of Goal Management

A goal is a specific, measurable and time-bound end, toward which you direct specific effort until achieved. Your goal may be, “to reach a revenue goal by the end of the year.” Stating your goal as “what” you will achieve has to be followed by the question “why?” Knowing why provides purpose and meaning. Connect the “what” and the “why.” Deadlines represent commitment, enforce accountability, force action and create a sense of urgency. Then planning is your road map for making it happen. Without a plan, the decisions you make have no context for determining if you are advancing or retreating.

Planning has benefits that include:                   

Promoting focus                                                This helps you maintain a singleness of purpose, like a roadmap to success.

Evaluating activities                                          Provides a means of determining which activities really help you advance.

Providing performance standards                    Remember that what gets measured will achieve measurable success.

Revealing obstacles and roadblocks              Foreseeing the road ahead reduces errors in judgment.

Stimulating insights and ideas                          With clear thought, relevant insights and ideas will emerge and help you advance.

Saving you time and resources in execution    The fewer errors you make makes your chances for success proportionately greater.

Offering an exit plan                                          Disregarding the exit plan means your business has no conclusion in your life.

The Golden Rule of Goal Setting

The golden rule of goal setting is “Everything Counts!” The expression “don’t sweat the small stuff” is not true! Everything counts! Everything you do, every decision you make, every thought you entertain has a direction that serves as an advance or retreat in the pursuit of your goals.

Although there are times that you have to retreat before you can advance, the only direction worth moving is forward. Before making a decision, ask yourself, “Does this support or detract from advancing?”

Your weapons of choice for advancing are what I call “weapons of mass production (WMP):”              

Thought          The first tool of business people is to be able to see the whole picture and being the expert of your vision. This is your roadmap.   

Words             “Sticks and stones may hurt my bones, but words will never hurt me” is not true. The words you use can hurt you big time. This is your fuel.       

Actions           “Do what I say, not what I do” does not work, “actions speak louder than words, and will be what people follow.” This is the engine that will get you there. The weapons that force you into retreating I call “weapons of mass destruction”                     

Fear                Having the knowledge, commitment, and a mentor will mitigate fear.      

Anger             If this is your first reaction to adversity, your business relationships may be in severe trouble.       

Lying              Lack of integrity is instant failure. Hold your integrity at all costs, it will pay big dividends.         

Worrying        Having a healthy paranoia about your business is fine, but worry without a purpose is destructive.            

Apathy           You must care and be passionate about your goals in order to make it through the ups and downs of your business.    

Excuses          The buck stops with you, and there are no other excuses worth debating; you make all the choices.          

Self-Pity         Decisions are right or wrong, and making them with the best judgment at the time they are made is all you can ask for.            

Lazy               Business owners cannot be lazy people; they have the hardest job in the world and are the source of all success.           

Sarcasm         Leading with a sense of humor is a good thing, but falling into a pit of cynicism and sarcasm will cripple a company.           

Overcoming the Reasons for Business Retreat      

#1 Conflicting Values                  Values and philosophies (what we say) + policies and practices (what we do) = results and perceptions (what we get). To insure greater results, there must be similarities, consistency and constancy among your values, thoughts, words and actions! This is WMP in action.

#2 Actions Without Planning     Success is based on how well you deal with adversities. Taking the right action to deal with adversity is a guessing game without a plan. Have a solid plan and make rational choices that advance your business.

#3 Denial of Reality                    There is only one reality. Progress, growth, and maturity begins with accepting the truth and facing the realities of your business head-on? Keep your focus and rationality?

#4 The Diffusion of Energy      Goal diffusion = Schizophrenic focus. A schizophrenic focus prevents your business from being what it really should be! Unlimited options and choices are perhaps the greatest threat to focus as they create indecision, dilute your efforts, and lead to mediocrity.

#5 Lack of Purposeful Activity   Activity without purpose drains energy and reduces performance. Resist the thousands of opportunities that confront you that won’t help you advance. Stop and ask yourself, “Will this activity advance my business towards its goals?” If not, don’t do it.

Don’t think bigger; be focused. “Why” should be the foundation of “what.” Personal integrity means maintaining a commitment to your commitment. It’s about setting a goal and keeping your promise to achieve it. From your plan “Make Everything Count!”

Brought to you by:                                                         [BACK]

            Bob De Contreras                                                  
            Rich Kramarik