Now that we're almost two weeks into 2010, have you stuck to your New Year's Resolutions so far? In business, we like to call it goal-setting or strategic planning, and following a plan you set down now can make or break your year. Here is a winning 7-Step Guide to help set your goals, make your goals into plans, and your plans into action. (It was written by Mamie McCullough who is known for helping many sales reps succeed in their independent businesses and realize tremendous success, with credits to See You At the Top by Zig Ziglar.) 1. Identify the Goal: It may sound simple but to identify your goal properly, you need to do two things. One, be specific. "Greater profits" isn't a goal. You must be specific and write down "$500,000 in net profits," for example. Two, state it positively as if it is already fact. In other words, write "we enjoy $500,000 in profits that pays for the expansion." 2. List Your Personal Benefits: Be honest with yourself and write what the benefits will be for you, not others. No matter how much you may want to help other people, it becomes difficult to hold to a goal that you don't have a personal motivation to uphold. 3. Set a Deadline: Then establish a time line to break it down into step-by-step pieces so you aren't overwhelmed. For example, if your goal is to make $500,000 in profits, it breaks down to $41,666k per month, $10,416 per week, and $2083 per day. Doing that gives you a sense of urgency and lets you know your goal every day. 4. Identify Your Obstacles: You can't ignore the things that get in the way of achieving your goals. Rather you have to identify them so you can overcome them. 5. Identify the Skills Required: You don't need to know how to do everything to achieve your goals, but you need to identify what will need to do to get them done. 6. Get the Help You Need: Once you realize you may not have all the skills you need to accomplish your goals, you need to find out who does. Identify the individuals, companies and groups that have the expertise to get you to your goals, and go to them for help. 7. Develop a Step-by-Step Plan of Action: In detail, break down each your identified goals into a detailed action plan. Be very specific, you may need to follow steps 1-6 at each step of your plan. Knowing exactly what you need to do will set you on a successful course to achieving your goals. We at Falcone Creative Design are looking forward to 2010 as being a year of new beginnings. We take pride in helping our clients not only achieve their goals, but exceed them. If you need help navigating the many marketing options available today, look to FCD.We would love to provide you with smart marketing strategies and high-level professional deliverables that will set you apart from your competition. Contact us for a free consultation, and we'll help you make this year the best for your business. Call us at 203-968-9876 or emailCheryl@falconecreativedesign.com. Visit us atwww.falconecreativedesign.com.
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