Organizing New Goals

By Cyndi Seidler

One can measure their own worth by their purpose. Take in mind that doing something toward a good cause enhances our ability and drive to carry out any activity directed at that purpose. That driving force is reflected in our purpose toward an aim.

When we place an intention toward something and then take steps along that path, we will arrive at our goal. That’s the way it works.

Keeping that in mind, the first thing we must determine is a goal. Do you want to increase your client base by quadrupling the number from the previous year? Do you want to get sales revenue to reach "x" number of dollars by year-end?

Whatever goals you set, write them down. Now look at why you’ve set this goal. Is it to expand your business to the next level? Maybe you want to go public? Is it that you want to afford more vacation and leisure time? Reach financial independence?

If your purpose is a worthwhile one, anything you do along this line will keep you on track toward your goal. So, now we’ll need to put this goal into effect by, first, outlining a plan on how you are going to achieve it. But, let’s not leave it there, by any means.

For a plan to work, we’ll then need to determine what activities must be done.

For example, if we’re going to increase our client base, the plan might be to beef up the sales force, get out more promotion, possibly even implement a referral program. One of the actions to carry this plan out might then include a many number of things, like hire more sales people, acquire more mailing lists for direct mail promotion,etc. Get the idea?

Keep in mind that each action will most likely include a series of project tasks in which to carry out the activity. It is best to keep project files where all related paper can be kept on the project activity.

The only time I see goals not being met is when the person or team looses sight of the goal and purpose. The actions, thereby, don’t get done. Incomplete projects sit and become ignored or forgotten among a list of other duties and responsibilities.

The other reason goals are not met is because target deadlines are not set in which to achieve certain activities by. Time is not managed to include the importance of attaining the goals set forth and eventually the goal resides "on the back burner." A person or team can stay focused on the goal by establishing a time reference attached to a date that the project is to be completed by. This also provides a great sense of accomplishment toward attaining the goal.

A good thing to do in organizing our goals is to measure our progress along it. I’ve seen various ways one can measure progress and, as we put a number on a scale or graph, we’ll easily see how we’re doing. For example, picture a thermometer and at the top we have our goal of 200 new clients and at the bottom we have a number on the scale starting at one. Target dates are marked next to numbers of twenties. By filling in the numbers as new clients are obtained, we can see how close we are in reaching the goal and if we’re meeting the target dates in which to accomplish it as scheduled. It’s our countdown to success!

You say you want to do something? Then, act on it by setting a goal, establishing its purpose, and writing a plan to accomplish it. Carry out the project activities of the plan with target dates they are to be completed by and then monitor your progress toward the goal. And, if the purpose is a good one, you won’t go astray!

Copyright © 1999 Cyndi Seidler.  All Rights Reserved.

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