If you own a business, you’re probably overwhelmed with your growing to-do list.
You’re always rushing to meet everyone else’s priorities. And when something unexpected comes up, you find time to tackle that, too.
And at the end of the day, you realize you haven’t made any progress on YOUR most critical goals. Again.
It’s easy to lose sight of your goals when you’re stuck in the daily grind.
Even if you dedicate a weekend to work on them, you still feel like you aren’t making any real progress.
Sound familiar? Are you frustrated with your goals because you can’t find the right way to tackle them?
I want to share a strategy that will get you working toward the RIGHT goals. Plus, you’ll stop wasting energy on what doesn’t really matter. And you’ll start getting the results you deserve!
| “Don’t confuse the urgent with the important”. – Preston Ni
Many people try to accomplish their goals by setting aside a day or a weekend to power through and get everything done. But often, this doesn’t work. And it’s easy to end up frustrated.
But if you work on your goals gradually, you’ll start to see great results.
Here’s how to start.
Think about two to three goals you want to achieve.
Let’s break those goals down into actionable steps. What two to three actions can you take on a daily basis to reach those goals?
These steps are your Critical Actions.
Of course, there will be other items on your to-do list. But when you wake up every morning knowing what actions to take, you’ll make steady progress on your goals.
So, how do you identify your Critical Actions?
If you have annual goals, try breaking them down into quarterly or monthly goals. It’ll be easier to identify the Critical Actions you need to take on a daily basis to achieve them.
Some Critical Actions will stay the same throughout the year. These need to be a cornerstone in your schedule.
Others will change depending on seasonality and projects.
For example, let’s say you’re focusing on increasing sales during the winter months.
Your goal is to find really great potential buyers for your new service. You know that if you reach out to them, you’ll make a connection and start them down the path that will lead them to the sale.
But you need to spend some time researching your ideal buyers. Because the better you research, the better your close rate will be!
Researching would be one of your Critical Actions for the winter months. It is directly aligned with your goal of growing sales effectively in your business.
Whatever your role is, ask yourself these questions when determining what your Critical Actions should be:
- What are repeatable steps I can implement to reach those goals?
- Can I measure and track these actions as they relate to my goals?
Tracking your goals is critical to your success.
You’ll see more progress when you track your goals on a weekly basis. And you’ll find that when you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing, you’ll finally start seeing results.
But if you’re getting away from those repeatable actions, or they aren’t the right actions, you’re going to see that, too.
There are so many distractions in life! And there will be times when you fall short and don’t get them done.
Creating an execution plan is the perfect way to actually stick with your goals!
When you sit down to plan your ideal week, block out time on certain days to implement your Critical Actions.
And at the end of the week, take some time to evaluate your progress. This will help you keep track of your goals and plan for the week ahead!
| “The problem with goals is never starting them, it’s finishing.” – Jon Acuff
If you’re working with a team, dedicate a small period of time to evaluate how the week went.
Here are a few critical topics to address at your next meeting:
- What are your repeatable actions?
- How are you getting them done?
- What’s in your way?
- How could you do them better?
You will start making gradual progress together! And make sure you celebrate the wins, too.
Remember, you are more likely to achieve success if you break your goals down into actionable steps.
Let’s determine the right Critical Actions you can take to actually make progress on your goals.
P.S. Are you tired of feeling stuck on your goals? At StoryBuilt, we’ll help you find the clarity and structure you need to get the results you deserve! To get started, schedule a call today.
