You still have 2 months to accomplish the 2019 business goals you set for yourself!

NOT the ones assigned in an annual review, but your personal business objectives…that might not have anything to do with your current job.  (Don’t worry, we won’t tell your boss).

How do you remember your annual goals?  Do you write and forget them?  Review them on a regular basis?  Or wonder who has time to set longer term goals when each day is so busy?

I think that creating annual objectives gives us a chance to step outside the everyday tasks and plan our next steps.  Also, we can dream a little!

Here are 6 ideas that can help you set and manage your goals:

1. WRITE THEM DOWN!  Hold yourself accountable.
2. Set a “reach” goal. Break it into more manageable steps, so you can see ongoing progress.
3. Ask a colleague, friend or family member discuss your progress on a regular basis.
4.  You can use a tool like Best Self Journal or Commit 30 to help manage your process.  Though the timeframes are shorter, I found that using BSJ taught me how much time it really takes to accomplish some tasks.
5. Reward yourself when you hit a milestone.
6. Modify as needed—remember that these are YOUR goals!

Here were 3 of my 2019 business goals, with their current status:

1. First quarter, re-design my business website. DONE. This took far more time than I estimated. Working with a website designer and input from others were key to its success.  This is a reminder it’s ok to ask others to help reach your goals.   
2. Speak at an industry event. DONE.  I spoke at the AAMP conference in LA earlier this month.  Already working on 2020 events!
3. Find 1-2 more clients with challenging audience development, database, training or digital-related projects. DONE. Project work this year has included vendor sourcing, building a new database, enhancing and growing a database, creating new marketing efforts, delving into email platforms, and compiling internal sales materials.

In hindsight, though a few goals were added that weren’t published, these targets were a bit too simple.  The 2020 plans I started laying are more comprehensive and will hopefully push me even further.

Have you started thinking about your 2020 objectives? 

The journey continues. Cindy