Goals of Business Past, Present and Future…
As we approach the end of 2015, this would be an ideal time to begin to take stock, reflect on the past year and begin the process of setting in place the goals, plans and strategies for 2016. By doing so will you increase the chances of keeping the ghosts of your business past from revisiting you in 2016!
The Goals of Business Past…
As you begin to move forward into 2016, it will be wise to firstly take some time to ‘reflect’ on the past year and become aware of what you have learned through your experiences.
Here are just some questions you and your teams could ask and reflect on.
- What have I learned from the past year about myself and my business?
- What areas have I developed / improved on?
- What challenges have helped me to achieve what I have achieved in 2015?
There are many other types of critical questions you could ask that will be relevant for you and your teams. Whichever ones you choose, ensure they are with the purpose of understanding, growth and development.
The Goals of Business Present…
Before setting your future goals and plans for the forthcoming year, become aware of what your present situation is right NOW. There are two things you really need to know…
- Where you are right now…And
- Where you want to go!
The more present you are, the less stressed you will be and the better able you will become in developing a positive and focused approach to the achievement of your 2016 goals.
Here are just some ‘Present Moment Planning’ exercises…
- Become mindful and grateful for what you presently have in your life right now.
- Where in your life are you challenged right now – How can this challenge help you to become stronger, more resilient and achieve what you truly desire for your life?
- What strengths and skills do you have now that you didn’t have this time last year?
The Goals of Business Future…
When setting goals there are a few necessary guidelines I suggest you could follow if you don’t want the ghosts of your business past to visit you during 2016!
When setting your 2016 personal and professional goals it will be important to do so with a positive mental attitude and self-belief.
The following seven principles and strategies are provided to help you achieve your business and personal goals over the next year, and beyond.
- Be Clear and Definite! Know Exactly What Your Goal/s Actually Are!
We are now into a time where our children have become experts in knowing exactly what it is they want. Now is the time for you to know what it is you exactly want for your business and life for 2016 and beyond – try to be as detailed as possible.
- Believe You Can Achieve What You Want to Achieve.
Developing the self-belief and faith that you will achieve what it is that you want to achieve is core to all success! A great question to ask here is: ‘If it was impossible to fail, what would I really want to achieve in 2016?’
- Set a Time-line.
The subconscious mind needs to be given clarity and focus. We inform our subconscious mind through our conscious thoughts. We are the sum of our thoughts. To have time-lines by which we want to achieve a goal will provide focus, direction and help in the motivation towards achieving your desired outcome. Can you imagine if you made an appointment with someone, a client for example, but did not specify a time to meet, what will the result be?
- Get Emotionally Involved with Your Goal.
If you only get involved in the visualisation of your goal or goals on a cognitive level and not on an emotional level, then your goals will remain just an idea in your head. We have to become emotionally involved with our goals and ‘feel’ the experience of having already reached our desired goal. The more emotionally involved you become with your goal the greater the chance will be of you achieving it.
- Plan and Organise.
Now that you are clear about what it is you want, develop a list or brainstorm the things you need to do, the people who can help you and the resources you will need in order to execute your plan. Time/activity management is a must. Organising your day, week, month and quarter will be necessary. Doing this will keep you focused, provide bench marks to evaluate from and keep you on your desired path.
- Take Action
Throughout my years of coaching one of the greatest hindrances towards achieving results comes down to this one factor; not taking action with definiteness! Too many wait to have all the plans in place and all the necessary knowledge acquired to achieve their goal. While it is important to have plans firmly in place, it is equally important to have the courage to take the first step without always knowing the next one.
- Express Gratitude For Your Desired Achieved Goal.
Gratitude enhances reciprocity. Being grateful for what we do, what we have and who we are is core to any setting, planning and achieving of goals.
I heard a saying once; ‘Success follows the heart’…
When we bless and thank life, life returns the favour!
Conclusion:
Over the next days and weeks be sure to take some time to yourself, reflect with gratitude on the past year, become aware of the present moment and look towards the future with belief, expectation and gratitude.
Wishing you and yours
Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year
Andrew