Planning
Goals & Objectives

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• Goals
  • Many people use the acronym SMART when creating goals, as well as for other project management methods. SMART stands for:
    • Specific
      • Ask yourself if the description of the goal is precise? A plausible goal is very specific and easy to understand. Goals such as "increase amount of clients" or "make more profit" are too vague. Instead, use specific language, such as "add three new clients to portfolio before end of March" or "increase average profit on all jobs by 5% before middle of the year."
    • Measurable
      • Does the goal explain how you'll measure results? A solid goal has a measurable outcome, so that you're able to determine if you've achieved it, and it helps you stay on track. Hence why I used very specific terms, like 5% profit increase or three new clients. This helps spur you on towards your goal, assuming the goal is attainable.
    • Attainable
      • Is the goal possible to achieve, with some effort? If you set far-reaching goals, you may be unable to commit to realizing them; for example, "increase turnover by 1000% within three months" is probably way beyond your current means. However, the goal should require some effort; for instance, "wake up each day before lunchtime" is easily achievable for most people, and so is unworthy goal-wise.
      • A proper goal should stretch you slightly so that you need to be committed, yet should also feel attainable. "Increase client base by at least two per month for next six months" is a goal you'd possibly need to work hard to reach, but is still feasible.
    • Realistic
      • Ask yourself: do you have the power to control the results? You need to feel that you can reach your goals, and that you have an influence on them. Having a goal like "co-workers to be nicer to clients" is, fundamentally, out of your control, even if you are the boss. A better goal would be "run monthly workshops for employees that focus on client service."
    • Timely
      • A concrete goal has a deadline. It may be as limited as the end of next week, or as long as the end of 2009. Deadlines help you manage your time towards achieving goals. Without a deadline, the goal will appear to be unimportant and never happen. Set a realistic deadline, with a suitable time frame.
      • It's a good idea to limit yourself to just a handful of short-term and medium-term goals. Writing an exhaustive list of everything you would like to complete before you leave this earth is a sure way to de-motivate yourself.
  • Think Big [Work Smarter]
    • Step One: Set Ambitious Goals
    • Step Two: Get Your Priorities Straight
    • Step Three: Develop a Strong Strategic Foundation
    • Step Four: Build Business Assets You Can Leverage
    • Step Five: Take Enormous, Focused Action
    • Conclusion: Stop Thinking Small, Once and For All
  • Boost your Business [Work Smarter]
    • Embracing even these ten resolutions for the coming year illustrates the power of goal setting. Many of us wander through life without really considering where we want to be. A good analogy is planning a trip from Point A to Point B. As important as it is that you sort out transport, supplies, timelines, and other elements, the most important tool for the journey is to know how to get there. Unless you have a plan, you'll never arrive at your destination.
      Think of goal setting as the process of drawing the map of your future life. Paint the picture of where you would like to see yourself at the start of 2009, and then write a list of actions that you'll need to undertake to reach this goal. Start with the more obtainable goals, to build your motivation and confidence, and you'll soon find yourself well on your way to your destination.