7 Steps To Change How You See Business Goals
Everyone wants to achieve their business goals, right? Sounds like an obvious thing. But it’s funny how no matter how much you might want something to happen, it’s not always that easy.
In fact, even the word “goals” can trigger a lot of stress and anxiety. What if you fail? Or you don’t achieve what you wanted to? What happens when your business doesn’t make enough money? What if this, what if that…
It’s easy to drown in the “what ifs” and get so stuck in frustration that you don’t do anything. But obviously you know that this course of inaction won’t help you achieve business goals. (Or any goal, for that matter!)
So what is the answer when you find yourself in stress overload every time you sit down with a pen and paper to plot out your next big business move?
I suggest reframing how you see “business goals” altogether!
This might sound super-simple, but it’s actually REALLY powerful. Why?
Because when you change how you feel about goals, everything else changes too. You just might find achieving them a lot simpler, too. Most of all, you begin to understand what the real goal of “goals” is, and it’s not necessarily about the outcome…
Here are 7 steps to reframe (and help you achieve) your business goals!
Step 1- Redefine what “goals” mean to you
Does even the word “goals” freak you out? If the word itself triggers your stress response, try this:
Reflect on this feeling. What is it about goals that make you push the panic button? Maybe it’s because you’re afraid to fail. Or you feel they’re unattainable anyway, so you don’t even want to try. Or maybe you’re not sure this goal is something you really want.
Once you have an answer, now is the time to redefine “goals.” Here is my definition:
A goal is simply a promise to yourself that you will try.
In other words, you’re promising yourself that you will set this goal, take the steps, and do your best.
Of course, that doesn’t sound like the hustle culture go-getter kind of definition, does it? Some might argue that if you don’t approach goals with a “do or die” attitude, you’re not serious enough about them.
Some argue that if you don’t approach goals with a rigid “do or die” attitude, you aren’t serious enough about them. But let’s be real–how is that grim determination working out for you? Sure, you might achieve things, but how do you feel about the “rewards” of your efforts once you get there?
So try turning the tables on goals. Take the pressure off, and start seeing them as an intention instead of an ultimatum. Then see what happens next!
2-Get clear on your “why”
You’ve probably hears this a LOT before. But if it’s been a while since you’ve checked in with it, now is the time to revisit what REALLY motivates you.
Be real about what you honestly want, and notice your motivation. Then, ask yourself if that drive is enough to keep you going and move you forward.
Once again, it all comes down to WHY you’re doing what your doing. What’s the real reason? Sure, you might believe it’s to “have a successful business” or “make more money.”
I’m inviting you to go even deeper. Go into the WHY behind the why.
For example, you might have a goal of making a certain amount of money or book a certain number of clients each month. But what’s really behind that goal?
Are you setting this goal because you want to feel good about yourself? Or is it more of a soul-based calling that you can’t ignore? Do you want to prove that you’re “good enough?”
Be honest about your motivations, and don’t judge yourself for them. You’re going to learn a lot about yourself in this process! Once you’ve completed this part, it’s time to reassess your goals, and decide which ones you truly want to pursue.
3-Make sure that your goals are yours.
Ever had a moment where you got that thing you were going after and you felt…just OK about it?
Maybe the underwhelm was because that goal wasn’t yours to begin with.
So many of us check the societal boxes and call them goals. The college degree, the marriage, the house, the family, or whatever else. But then you get one or all of them, and you wonder why you’re not jumping for joy. OR, you don’t get any of them, and you wonder what’s wrong with you.
Not that there’s anything wrong with these goals in and of themselves. They’re all wonderful! It’s just that like ANY goal, they may or may not be your goals.
Set goals for what you want rather than what you think you should want. Because if you don’t, one of two things will happen...
You’ll either get what you think you want and it’ll leave you unfulfilled. OR, you won’t get what you want, and wonder why you’re such a failure at life.
Know where your goals are coming from. Then make sure that they’re YOUR goals.
4- Become who you need to be to achieve your goal (don’t skip this step!)
To get something new, you’ve got to become someone new. So to achieve a business goal (or any kind of goal), allow yourself to grow into the person who can both receive and achieve new things.
This is part mindset, part spirituality, and part self-awareness. But it’s essential for moving into a new space and achieving a new goal. (It’s also a part of the picture that many of us overlook!)
5-Set one BIG goal with NO timeline.
I know, it’ doesn’t sound like a SMART goal, right? (Especially the “T” part…)
Most traditional goal-setting includes rigid, non-negotiable end dates. You want to have this by that date, and nothing else will do. That’s the traditional mindset (even with a lot of “manifestation” practices!).
But i invite you to try something completely different. That is, set your ultimate big goal with NO timeline at all!
This follows the reframe we made that goals are intentions instead of mandates.
Make your biggest wish with an open-ended timeline, and relax. The action-taking part will happen in the next step!
6- Set the next best step for your big goal (and take action with what you have NOW).
Now that you have the overall vision, it’s action time. Decide on your next best step, write it down, put it on the calendar, and take action.
Use the resources you have right now. Don’t wait until you have more money, lose more weight, or have more support. No matter what, there is always a small step that you can take TODAY. Take it, and take it now.
Then once the next best step is done, rinse and repeat! Put the next best step on the calendar, and take action.
7- Check in with your goals early and often (and be sure they are still what you want)
Setting goals is not a one-and-done thing. Because goals can change over time. This applies to achieving business goals or ANY kind of goal.
So, you go along with each next best step, check in with yourself. Look at where you are. Then ask yourself if the goal you’re moving toward is still the goal that you want.
Be clear about how you’re measuring your goals, too. Are you assessing your progress based on numbers, metrics, feelings, or a little of everything?
Now, pay close attention to how you feel along the way. If you’re still all-in for your goal and you want to continue pursuing it, great! If your feelings have changed, that’s OK too. In this case it might be time to either correct course, or find a new goal altogether.
Now, here’s the little secret about achieving goals that you might not have even considered before…
Goals aren’t about the goal itself. They’re about embracing the process, not the outcomes.
The ultimate goal of any goal is to open yourself up to new ideas, resources, and conversations. It’s about stepping into a new space and moving into something bigger than who you are right now. It’s owning the future that you want to have, and taking the steps to get there.
Most of all, the ultimate goal is to LOVE yourself more and give yourself more compassion in this space.
Sounds much more exciting than an obligation-filled “to-do” list, doesn’t it? It’s a lot more fun than beating yourself into submission just to “achieve” something.
Best of all, this method is a LOT more successful in the long run!
So here’s the short version of how to set and achieve your business goals
- Redefine what “goals” means
- Get really clear on your “why”
- Make sure your goals are really YOUR goals
- Become who you need to be to achieve your goal
- Set one big goal with NO timeline
- Decide on your next best step and take action
- Check in with your goals along the way
THIS is how to make achieving your business goals an adventure instead of an obligation. Try these steps and watch your goals start happening for you in a brand new way!
So what do you think? Do you feel clearer on how to achieve your business goals (or any goal)?
Leave a comment and share which reframe resonated the most with you, and which one you’re going to take action on next!
Until next time,
Love, light, and MONEY, honey…
Kaylee
P.S. Looking for some guidance on achieving your business finance goals? Let’s chat! Book a FREE 20-minute call with me HERE, and let’s talk about where you are with your money, and where you want to go.