Have you ever thought about selling teaching resources on Teachers Pay Teachers or Teachers Notebook but don’t know where to start? Let’s talk about Business Goals. That's right, a business goal. What is a business goal you may ask? The goal plan is a detailed outline of how you are going to get your business going and making a profit as quickly as possible. If you were asked to describe a goal, could you do that in less than 10 words? Let me help you. A goal is a dream that is written down. To make it even more to the point, the goal must be SMART. If you were to say your goal is to earn $20,000 in a year selling online digital products, that is a dream and to make it a goal you should write it down and how you are going to achieve that goal. The following is a guide to help you realize your goals.
I said your goals must be SMART. What that means is that each goal should be:
Specific. What will the goal accomplish? Why and how will it be accomplished?
Measurable. How will you measure if your goal has been reached?
Achievable. Is it possible? Do I have the necessary knowledge and resource to accomplish the goal? Can I meet the goal without defeating myself?
Results. What is the result of the goal? (Not the activities leading up to the result.)
Time sensitive. What is the established completion date? Does this date create a reasonable
sense of urgency?
Using the above goal of earning $20,000 in a year of digital online sales is a fantastic goal. Here is an example of what the SMART goal would look like.
Specific
By September 1st of 2018 I will have earned $20,000 in sales. These earning will allow me to pay off my mortgage. I will work use social media marketing to achieve these sales.
This is the What, Why and How part.
Example is "By September 1st of 2018 I will have earned $20,000 in sales" = what
"These earning will allow me to pay off my mortgage" = why
"I will use social medial marketing strategies to achieve these sales." = how
Measurable
The goal should be measurable so that you have tangible proof of your accomplished goal. The entire goal statement is a measure for the project. In our goal example a monthly measurement can be used to ensure the goal is on track to be met.
This is the measurable part of the goal
Example is “I will have earned $20,000 by September 1st 2018
Achievable
Your goal should be achievable; they should stretch you slightly so you feel challenged and still defined enough so that it can be reached. To achieve your goal, you must have the necessary knowledge and resources to achieve the goal. Most any goal can be met when you plan your steps wisely and establish a time frame that will allow you to carry out those steps. As you go through the plan and carry out the steps you can achieve the goal that may have seemed impossible when you begin. Note that if a goal is impossible to achieve you may not even want to try. Achievable goals can motivate you. Impossible goals can frustrate and demoralize.
This is the possible part of the goal. Here you will need the knowledge and skills to achieve the goal.
Example is “I will have earned $20,000 by September 1st 2018”
For you to achieve this goal you should have the basic knowledge of creating digital products and a good working knowledge of social media marketing. You should also have a strong discipline of time management.
Results – focused
Goals should measure outcomes, not activities. The result of our goal is to earn $20,000 by September 1st 2018. Remember that doing busy work is different than doing productive work. The individual activities and actions that occur in order to make the goal a reality is important but keep in mind that your goal is result focused not a busy work activity focused.
This is the results part of the goal.
Example is “I will have earned $20,000 by September 1st 2018”
This part of the goal results can be seen monthly in your earnings statements.
Time Sensitive
Your goal should be linked to a reasonable time frame that will create a practical sense of urgency or results in tension between the current reality and the completion of your goal. Without the tension or urgency your goal is unlikely to produce the outcome you want.
This is the urgency or when part of the goal.
Example is “I will have earned $20,000 by September 1st 2018”
The date of September 1st 2018 is the Time Sensitive part of your goal.
The writing of S.M.A.R.T. goals is very important for accomplishing individual goals. Your goal is what you want it to be. There is no reason to compare or measure your goal with someone else’s goal. Remember you only should be better today than you were yesterday. I hope this helps you with growing and succeeding in your business.
Attached is a S.M.A.R.T.
Goal Questionnaire. Please use it to help with setting your goals and making those dreams come to profit for yourself.
