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From Idea List To Goal Achiever: How To Set A Realistic Goal To Grow Your Small Business


 

Article Summary

This series is designed to help you finally take action on your ideas and turn inspiration into results. We'll ditch the overwhelm and focus on a simple, actionable plan to get your goal progress started and FINISHED in just 6 weeks!


Part 1: Declaring Your Goal

Part 2: Creating A Project Plan

Part 3: Implementation + How To Get Back On Track When You're Thrown Off

Part 4: Implementation + Lack Of Motivation Strategies

Part 5: Implementation + Prioritization & Time Management Strategies

Part 6: Celebrating & Reflecting On Lessons Learned


Takeaways

  • Having too many ideas can make you feel stuck and overwhelmed.

  • To focus on one goal or project, make a list of all your ideas and choose one to prioritize.

  • Check your capacity and willingness to pursue the goal before committing to it.

  • Put the other ideas on a shelf to revisit later.


If you'd like to save time and amplify your results, check out the Goal Toolkit that includes templates, checklists and tools that will support this process.

Use code: PODCAST to save 20%!



 

**This was also a podcast episode (episode #249). If you'd like to listen to this conversation, use the link below.



Ep. 249 - [Summer Series Part 1] How To Set A Realistic Goal When You Have Lots Of Ideas/Possibilities


 

Celebrate Ideas!


Let's face it, you're not lacking ideas. You have them all the time and you're likely getting new ideas from podcast episodes, books and conversations all the time. One week you want to start a podcast. The next week you feel like you need to go all in on Instagram. The next you think Pinterest is the answer. Ideas aren't your problem, prioritizing one idea is the problem.


To be clear you don't have to choose one thing forever but instead you need to choose one idea for now to give it your attention. By doing this you'll make more progress and move faster but if you have your attention split between many different projects, you'll always feel like you're busy but not making progress. Release the guilt of all the "shoulds" and commit to one project for the next few weeks.



How To Choose One Goal From A List Of Possibilities Of Business Growth


Step 1: Make a list of ALL of your ideas


Step 2: Notice one you're most excited about. If they are truly all equal, look at your list and see which idea is actually possible in the next few weeks?


Step 3: Ask yourself if you have the capacity and willingness to stay focused and committed to this goal for the next few weeks


Step 4: Put all the other ideas on your "idea shelf"



Image of a shelf with a plant on it

How To Check Your Capacity When Setting A Goal In Your Small Business


By my definition your capacity is made up of your: time, energy, resources, skills/knowledge.


  • Do you have the time to dedicate to this goal?

  • Do you have the energy for this goal?

  • Do you have the resources for this goal (finances, tools, etc.)?

  • Do you have the skills/knowledge to accomplish this goal?


If the answer is "yes", then you have the capacity. If the answer is "no" to any of these it's time to re-evaluate the goal. You may simply need to redefine your goal/project. (ex: 5 Week Goal - To conduct research in order to create my holiday offering)


How To Check Your Willingness When Setting A Goal In Your Small Business


By my definition your willingness is your commitment to the project, no matter what comes your way. Chances are you'll have to sacrifice something in order to stay focused on this goal/project.


  • Ask yourself why this goal truly matters to you

  • Then make a list of things you may have to sacrifice to achieve your goal

  • Ask yourself if you're willing to make that sacrifice in the next few weeks


If the answer is "yes" then you've got your goal. If the answer is "no" be proud that you're being honest with yourself and set a different goal that you're willing to focus on. By doing this you're much more likely to follow through and achieve your goal.



Take Away Message / Action


Follow the steps outlined in this episode:


  • Make a list of all your ideas

  • Choose one based on preference and/or time

  • Run it through the capacity and willingness filter

  • Declare your 5 week goal

  • Place all other ideas on the "shelf" where you can come to them after the 5 weeks


Until next time give yourself permission to focus on one project at a time and grace along the way. I'll talk to you soon.


Resources:



Ep. 249 - [Summer Series Part 1] How To Set A Realistic Goal When You Have Lots Of Ideas/Possibilities


 

Let's Work Together!


Image of book: Why Not You? An Accidental Entrepreneur's Guide To Success

I'm on a mission to help eradicate the feeling of failure when it comes to goal achievement.


If you'd like support as you pursue your business goals, let's work together. Use the link below to see my current options.





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