Many business start-up kits or consultants will tell you one of the first steps to starting a business is to define your business goals. Your goals may differ from the goals of another individual, for example; some people want freedom to do what they want to do, whenever they want, and without having to report to someone else. For others, the goal might be financial security. For another, flexibility or creativity might be their goal.
Regardless, setting goals is an important part of choosing a business that is right for you. Logically, if your business does not meet your personal goals, you probably will not be happy or get any sort of satisfaction from trying to make your business a success. Sooner or later you would stop putting forth effort needed to make the business concept successful. Here are a few qualities to keep in mind when you are setting your goals and searching for the business that is right for you.
1. Be specific. You have a much better chance of achieving a goal if it is specific. For example, "getting rich" is not a specific goal. "Earn $8,000 per month" is a specific goal.
2. Be optimistic. Keep your goals positive and optimistic. This will help to fire up your energy and enthusiasm to work towards and maintain the goal. For example, "pay the bills" is not an inspiring goal. However, "be debt-free within 18 months" is much more positive and achievable.
3. Be realistic. Look at your current income and where you want to be. If you have never earned $100,000 a month or year, then that may not be a realistic goal for you to set as you start your business. Begin with small steps and then, perhaps, increase your monthly income goal by 25 percent. Once your first goal is met, set a new goal until you gradually reach your larger, long-term goal.
4. Think short- and long-term. Whether you are looking at income, or in terms of growth, marketing or product development, you should have both short- and long-term goals. Short-term goals are those that may be attainable in a period of weeks to a year. Long-term goals can be those that you want to reach in three, five, ten, or even twenty years. Long-term goals should be substantially greater than short-term goals, but still realistic.
Writing your goals down will serve you well and be a constant reminder for you as you focus on your new business. Periodically review your goals and make adjustments where necessary so that you are always working towards something that is attainable. If you discover that a goal is too broad, or too difficult to reach, try breaking it down into smaller pieces.
These qualities are very simple concepts that you can apply. By defining specific, optimistic and realistic goals for both the short- and long-term focus you will be able to be energized and to develop a "go for it" attitude that will help you to achieve the goals in a timeframe that is best suited to your needs and business.
Publishing Rights: You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your website, free of charge, as long as the author's information and web link are included at the bottom of the article and the article is not changed, modified or altered in any way. The web link should be active when the article is reprinted on a web site or in an email. The author would appreciate an email indicating you wish to post this article to a website, and the link to where it is posted.
Copyright 2005, Michele Webb. All Rights Reserved.
The author owns her own website and is a member of a number of organizations for women Netpreneurs and business owners and lives in Las Vegas, Nevada USA with her two dogs. You can contact Michele at news@ebooksnstuff.com or visit her website at: news@ebooksnstuff.com
green cleaning service Park Ridge ..Although North Americans were the dominant population on the Internet,... Read More
This week I coached a wonderfully lovely woman I'll call... Read More
Imagine an office without a desk, or lights, a computer,... Read More
"I don't need a business plan."Neither did Alice in Wonderland."Would... Read More
ACTION PLANNING: Action Planning is a process to develop strategies... Read More
"Bozo" ? A clown with a forlorn look, always finding... Read More
Note to Rite Aid and CVS: It's not about the... Read More
In 1997, David Steele was making the transition from a... Read More
Franchised companies often require what some believe to be excessive... Read More
Every business experiences slower periods. For some, they sell more... Read More
The first step in starting a restaurant is proper planning.... Read More
Many companies are reluctant to dive into outsourcing ocean because... Read More
I recently took an organizational behavior class where my professor... Read More
Many very successful business owners may never have had a... Read More
Twice a year, Bill Gates goes to a remote island... Read More
Growing your own small business can be one of the... Read More
Cassy was an employee of a nonprofit who had been... Read More
One of the quintessential parts to any business is your... Read More
If you own the mid-size business and actively work in... Read More
Many of Ohio's downtown areas are in need of upgrading... Read More
Why cut costs now? Efforts are multiplying to cut costs... Read More
American Eagle Outfitters and Wet Seal Stores have issued statements... Read More
We all agree Strategic Planning is a critical part of... Read More
We have been spending many hours surveying the market for... Read More
These may sound like no brainers, but you'd be surprised.... Read More
emergency cleaning services Morton Grove ..Many very successful business owners may never have had a... Read More
Many of Ohio's downtown areas are in need of upgrading... Read More
There's nothing automatic about corporate growth, particularly in the information... Read More
This week I coached a wonderfully lovely woman I'll call... Read More
A piano tuner recently moved to Buffalo, NY, and would... Read More
Remember Chux? The disposable diaper that took the market by... Read More
If you own the mid-size business and actively work in... Read More
Many business start-up kits or consultants will tell you one... Read More
Building a dynamic small business is a constantly evolving, increasingly... Read More
The new check cashing instant clearing will take some time... Read More
Businesses tend to avoid doing their annual business plan thinking... Read More
GETTING STARTED WITH SUCCESSION PLANNING: PART IA survey of 4,300... Read More
In today's rapidly changing and highly competitive markets, many privately... Read More
Is there really anything as a problem? Does chaos or... Read More
How important is a vision statement to your company or... Read More
The decision to sell, or not to sell your business... Read More
Have you been in a "brainstorming" session where each person... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains fits horizontal markets clientele and in case... Read More
A strategic alliance is when two or more businesses join... Read More
Franchised companies often require what some believe to be excessive... Read More
If you're a solo professional like I am, you know... Read More
Writing a business plan is no easy task, sure you... Read More
A menu is the foundation of any restaurant; Guests will... Read More
"Bozo" ? A clown with a forlorn look, always finding... Read More
Entrepreneurs often give little if any consideration to their computer... Read More
Strategic Planning |