How to properly set a goal

Setting goals can be a daunting task for anyone. I know when I first started ProForce I wrote down big 1-year goals, 3-year goals, 5-year goals, and 10-year goals. Anyone who runs a business knows that when you are first starting your biggest goal is just to be operating still at those mile markers. But instead I wrote out lofty goals being the optimist that I am.

I will say the first few years I sucked at writing goals! I would either make them impossible to reach or would reach them in a shorter period of time than expected. I remember this past year when we moved into our new Milford space, I had a good two-week period where I couldn’t see what was next. This really scared me as for the past five years I had always had a clear vision and goals to lead me. Now I had nothing and had to dive deep into what I really wanted out of the business.

That last line is the most important line I can every share with a business owner “what I really wanted out of the business”. This is why goals are important and it is why I would tell everyone to set at least three professional goals or business goals, and then at least three personal goals. What I like to do is cross check my business and personal goals and make sure they are aligned. What I mean is you can’t say I want to add $100,000 in revenue and say personally I want to spend more time with my family. Now maybe you can, but for most adding revenue will typically mean spending more time at work not at home. Now you could always put your personal goal first, and then strive to add $100,000 in revenue.

The fact is most of us will set business goals and not personal and when push comes to shove, we will shove the personal goals aside to achieve the business goals. It’s not a bad thing and it’s why you are likely a business owner. However, to avoid the burn out and make your business sustainable you need to set and achieve personal goals as well.