How To Prioritize Your Business Goals
We're all aware that goal setting and achievement is a sizzling topic in business and personal development. Quarterly, annual, and ten-year goals are the foundation of conversations around creating a "why" and serving a mission within your company. We know, we get it.
But if setting big, lofty goals gets you as utterly elated as it does me, you might find yourself, after a glass of wine and a notebook full of business goals, puzzled as to how you're supposed to decide which goal to tackle first. They're all so appealing!
First, the question to end all goal questions. Should you have to choose? I think you may know the answer to this, but the truth hurts my friends.
As women, the compulsion that many of us have to do it all and be it all at all times doesn't just disappear after a 10-minute meditation or a few hours listening to Glennon Doyle's "Untamed" on Audible (I've thoroughly enjoyed that book at least three times, by the way).
You know what I'm about to say, don't you?
Studies have shown that a singular, laser focus on a particular goal at any given time will produce faster, more compelling results than chipping away endlessly at multiple goals at any given time.
Scattered focus will create scattered results.
The name of the game, at least in 2022, is to choose one goal and kick ass at it until it's complete. And then, as Jay-Z would say, it's on to the next one.
So, my ever-ambitious reader, what is your number one business goal right now? Can you identify it right away? If not, keep reading.
I will, until the day I die, be a goal-setting gal. But what good is a goal if you feel confused about it? We can't let the happiness we feel by setting the goal, dreaming about it, and visualizing it, make us believe that somehow spinning multiple goal-filled plates is more effective than just spinning one, really, really well.
Nevertheless, treading water is every entrepreneur's nightmare, and I don't want that for you. Focusing on one goal at a time, achieving it, and then moving on to the next goal will provide you with quicker results, more confidence, clearer lessons, and the best, most juicy part - achieving it. Whatever that goal may be; the one million dollar mark, the 50k followers, the PR spot.
And now, a short but very relevant personal story:
From the day I was born, I've been a bit over-ambitious. According to any loved one you ask, I've consistently bitten off more than I could chew in virtually every aspect of my life. I still find myself creating a mess of a project to put it all back together - my way, obviously. Drastic before and afters are my drugs of choice; I can't help it.
That mentality of always having a list of projects has gotten me into trouble (see me; overwhelmed and confused). I desperately wanted to reject the idea of only having one goal at a time. Where's the overwhelm in that? Ha-ha.
But interestingly enough, I have crystal clarity regarding my client's goals. If they tell me they want to generate $3.5 million in revenue next year, I have no qualms about creating a strategy to get them there. It's just math (well, math and execution). I have no limiting beliefs about what they can or can't achieve; I simply believe we will get there.
That crystal-clear thinking I have for my client's goals is what I want you to have for yourself and your business. Laser focus on one goal at one time until you achieve it.
Simple Steps For Prioritizing Your Business Goals Right Now:
1.| Create a list of the top 10-15 goals you want to achieve in your business within the next five years.
Please don't be shy; big goals are my favorite. You'll see why soon.
2.| Use a prioritization grid.
Get the Free Printable Grid Here. I use this for everything.
Create a chart with four squares.
In the two columns, label the left side Urgent. Label the right side Non-Urgent.
Label the top row High Impact. Label the bottom row Low Impact.
Taking your list of 10-15 business goals, put each in one of the four squares according to their impact and urgency. Pro-tip: When considering the level of impact, I return to a brand's mission statement. Is completing this goal going to make an impact on our mission? If yes, HIGH. If no, LOW.
3.|. Create a new list on a new, blank note or sheet.
Start by listing the goals in the Urgent/High Impact box first. This box should be the top left square. If you have more than one, prioritize these in order of what will get you out of bed in the morning/excitement factor.
Next, list the high impact and low urgency goals (top right square). Again, if there are multiple in this square, prioritize by the level of personal excitement.
Next move to urgent/low impact (bottom right square).
Eliminate any low-impact, non-urgent goals.
Voila! You should have a prioritized list of goals.
4.| The fun part: Make it happen.
Take the first goal, number one on your list, and break it down into measurable mini-goals (Five years, three years, one year, six months, three months, one month, and weekly). Task manage down to the smallest increments possible.
Schedule all your tasks. Don't skip the step. I'm serious. It’s the most important part.
Execute.
Now that you have your big, lofty, priority one business goal (yay!) and a detailed plan to achieve it, I want to cheer you on. Shoot me an email at hello@youremailgirl.com and let’s be accountability partners.
The domino effect of achieving this one goal will carry over to the next and the one after that, and before you know it, you will be one of the most confident, driven individuals you know. We love a goal-getter at Email Girl!
Don't forget: scattered focus will create scattered results. Honing in on one prioritized goal at a time will provide faster, more measurable results - and then you can move on to the next goal on the list.