Setting 60-Day Goals

Near the end of a year, we start to reflect on goals we did or didn't achieve – and what our goals could be for next year.

Don't worry - this isn't about setting next year’s goals. But why not take a look at what you still want to accomplish this year. Remember, it’s not over ‘til it’s over.

For most of us, making plans is part of our routine. We clarify where we want to go. We set goals to reach our destination. We outline the strategies we’ll take to meet our goals. We put feet to words and get the job done. But what happens when we don’t get the job done?

Some of us accept “failure”, give up, and decide that if we don’t set goals we won’t have to think about what we didn’t accomplish – the ostrich effect. The rest of us forgive ourselves, look at how much we actually did achieve, and revamp our goals to move on.

With a little more than two months left in 2004, the following steps will help you set some 60-day goals and reach them. For a free tool to help you through the process go to www.smartstrategiesinc.com/tools/reachingsmartgoals.doc .

1. Choose 3 goals you want to achieve in 60 days
These can be personal or professional goals but remember to make them:
• Specific (not broad or vague),
• Measurable (how will I know I achieved it),
• Achievable (is it possible),
• Realistic (is it practical),
• Timely (when will I complete it).

SMART Tip: Each goal should make you a little uneasy – yet excited. But don’t set yourself up for failure by choosing goals you know you can’t reach in the allotted 60 days. It’s not about, “I should, could or might want to reach this goal.” It’s about, “I really want to reach this goal.”

Examples:
• Close $100,000 of business by December 19th
• Complete all Christmas gift shopping by December 1st

2. Determine what steps or strategies you need to take to reach each goal
Here’s where it’s easy to get carried away and caught up in analysis paralysis. For example, each strategy could have its own set of steps. But, at this point, the key is simplicity. Planning should be fun and energizing not tedious and depressing.

Example: If your goal is to achieve sales of $100,000 by December 19th then your strategies might be:
• Make X calls per day
• Submit X proposals per week
• Close X clients per month

3. Set start dates and target dates for each goal and strategy
This step is important for two reasons. One – so you can balance your time between working on your goals and strategies and still enjoy the rest of your life. Two, it’s a great guide or set of milestones to help keep you accountable to yourself over the 60-day process.

Example: If you want to launch a new product or campaign, you know that you need to start certain steps and complete them before moving on to the next activity which will allow you to launch on time.

I’ve found that this mini-goal-setting process helps me think about what’s still possible within the current year, gives me a kick in the right direction, and stimulates ideas for next year. When the time comes to sit down and clarify my goals for 2005, I’ll be ready. In the meantime, my focus is on finishing 2004 with a bang.

Two more SMART Tips –
• Block time in your calendar to make those sales calls or meet with clients or whatever you have identified as your steps
• Share your goals with someone who will encourage you and help keep you accountable to what you say you want to achieve. If you could use a non-biased and experienced coach, email me at coach@smartstrategiesinc.com (there you have it – my shameless self promotion).

To download your free "Reaching SMART Goals" go to www.smartstrategiesinc.com/tools/reachingsmartgoals.doc

Have a great month.

Ann Griffiths

SMART Strategies works with people in business to help them gain clarity, grow beyond obstacles and self-imposed limitations, and succeed in achieving the results they want. To explore how you can get the results you want in your personal and business life, email Ann at coach@smartstrategiesinc.com