The Goals of Business Past, Present and Future…

As we approach the end of 2015, this would be an ideal time to begin to take stock, reflect on the past year and begin the process of setting in place the goals, plans and strategies for 2016. By doing so will you increase the chances of keeping the ghosts of your business past from revisiting you in 2016!

The Goals of Busines

Past…

To move forward towards greater growth and productivity in 2016 it will be wise to firstly ‘reflect’ on the past year and take learning from your experiences.

Reflection calls for a spirit of openness and honesty in order to take the learning from your yesterday so as to further develop and improve your tomorrow. Be mindful to steer clear from the practice of ‘introspection’; this is the thought behaviour of harsh self-judgement and negative criticism. Engaging in this practice is rarely helpful and serves only to decrease self-confidence, self-belief and clarity.

Here are just some questions you and your teams could ask and reflect on.

1. What have I learned from the past year about my business and myself?
2. What areas have I developed / improved on?
3. What challenges have helped me to achieve my set 2015 Goals?

There are many other types of questions you could ask that will be relevant for you and your teams. Whichever ones you choose, do so with the purpose of understanding, growth and development.

The Goals of Business Present…

Before setting your future goals and plans for the forthcoming year, it will be important to become aware of what your present situation is right NOW. The more present you become, the less stress will you experience, thus, being better able in developing  a more positive and focused approach to the achievement of your 2016 goals.

Here are just some ‘Present Moment Planning’ exercises…

1. At various times throughout your day try to become mindful and grateful of what you presently have in your life right now.

1. Bring to mind those challenges which you have experienced over the past year. Ask yourself how have you grown and become more resilient and determined through them?

1. Take some quiet time each day and become more aware and appreciative of what you have achieved to this point in your life. Try to let go of stress and past experiences that no longer serve you.

Know that the more ‘present and appreciative’ we are, the more focused and motivated we become?

The Goals of Business Future…

When setting goals there are a few necessary guidelines I suggest you could follow if you don’t want the ghosts of your business past to visit you during 2016!

When setting your 2016 personal and professional goals it will be important to do so with a positive mental attitude and self-belief.

The following seven principles and strategies are provided to help you achieve your business and personal goals over the next year, and beyond.

1. Be Clear and Definite! Know Exactly What Your Goals Actually Are!

Without diluting the importance of this principle in anyway, we are now heading into a time where our children become the methodical experts in knowing exactly what it is they want. It truly is worth the time and effort to come to know what it is you exactly want for your business and life – try to be as detailed as possible.

1. Believe You Can Achieve What You Want to Achieve.

This second principle is intrinsically linked to the first. You must develop the self-belief and faith that you will achieve what it is that you want to achieve. A good question to ask here is: ‘If it was impossible to fail, what do I really want to achieve in 2016?’

1. Set a Time-line.

The subconscious mind needs to be given clarity and focus. We inform our subconscious mind through our conscious thoughts. We are the sum of our thoughts. To have time-lines by which we want to achieve a goal will provide focus, direction and help in the motivation towards achieving your desired outcome. Can you imagine if you made an appointment with a client but did not specify a time, what will the result be?

1. Get Emotionally Involved with Your Goal.

If you only get involved in the visualisation of your goal or goals on a cognitive level and not on an emotional level, then your goals will remain just an idea in your head. We have to become emotionally involved with our goals and ‘feel’ the experience of having already reached the goal. The more emotionally involved you become with your goal the greater the likelihood will be of you achieving it.

1. Plan and Organise.

Now that you are clear about what it is you want and you are involved in your goal emotionally, now is the time to set in place the strategies in how to achieve what it is you want to achieve. Develop a list or ainstorm the things you need to do, the people who can help you and the resources you will need in order to execute your plan. Time/activity management is a must. Organising your day, week, month and quarter will be necessary. Doing this will keep you focused, provide bench marks to evaluate from and keep you on your desired path.

1. Take Action

Throughout my years of coaching and training in the financial services industry, I have found that one of the greatest hindrances towards achieving or improving results comes down to this one factor; not taking action, or, being too slow to do so. Too many wait to have all the plans in place and all the necessary knowledge acquired to achieve their goal. However, in truth, it will often be necessary to take action sooner rather than later and sometimes immediately. While it is important to have plans firmly in place, it is equally important to have the courage to take the first step without always knowing the next one.

1. Express Gratitude For Your Desired Achieved Goal.

Gratitude enhances reciprocity. I visited a financial adviser during the year and I noticed on the wall of the waiting area were scores of thank you cards. I began to read some; they all obviously expressed gratitude for the work this adviser had performed and many wrote at length how much the adviser had helped them with their financial issues and personal support. After meeting with the adviser I was truly inspired by the level of gratitude the adviser expressed towards all areas of their life. It was clear to me that the attitude of gratitude which the adviser portrayed was a great personal and business asset of theirs. Being grateful for what we do, what we have and who we are will be core to any setting, planning and achieving of our goals.

Conclusion:

Over the next days and weeks life is going to become very busy at many different levels. Be sure to take some time to yourself, reflect with gratitude on the past year, become aware of the present moment and look towards the future with belief, expectation and gratitude.

Source: The credit for this article goes to Mr. Andrew Considine
www.AndrewConsidine.com