How To Achieve Your Goals For 2008

[mphcoach]

It's the time of year where we review what's happened in 2007 (I hope it was successful for you), and look at where we would like to be this time next Year.

So, for the goals you have for yourself - what will you be doing to be determined to have the outcomes you want?

For me, I have defined 5 business goals for 2008 and I have also agreed with myself a process that will enable me to focus consistently on them and deliver the outcomes I want.

Who else can share some of their strategies?

Regards

Martin
"Coaching Businesses To Success"

[OmnivoreInk]

It's the time of year where we review what's happened in 2007 (I hope it was successful for you), and look at where we would like to be this time next Year.

So, for the goals you have for yourself - what will you be doing to be determined to have the outcomes you want?

Martin
"Coaching Businesses To Success"

I simply want to be more efficient in my work...and learn my lesson after any first mistake made, rather than making the exact same mistake two or three times!

I also intend to explore the world of YouTube videos, by making "commercials" for my various webzines and placing them there, and seeing if that drives traffic to my sites.

[litekepr]

I'm working to move my work toward more promotional work and less writing for clients. That will leave my writing time - for my books etc.

I'm also working to expand my web presence and to find unique ways to promote my author promotion books - along with my novels, of course

I've got a series of writing classes that I hope to rewrite and teach this year. And, Book Promo 101 is written in a lesson format and I hope to teach book promotion classes in 2008, but I'm searching for the best place to offer them. To kick that off, I'm offering a free week of promotional Q & A on a writer's forum in March and I'm talking to a couple of friends about doing radio interviews with them on various promotional topics.

Book Promo 101 contains plenty of information that is good for anyone that wants to learn to promote and I'm toying with some ways to offer classes on those topics - or simply use that info and additional info to create basic promotional classes for anyone and of course, somewhere to present those too

I also hope to kick off a radio interview program of my own in 2008 which will give me the opportunity to interview a wide variety of people and authors of course That will work in nicely with the book tour site I'm launching. Lots of plans, just need to get all the plans finished and then implement all of them

Shri

[mphcoach]

I'm thinking that I become much better at delivering if I feel accountable to someone, other than myself.

I often find that clients become incredibly motivated, just because they have told me that they will do something specifically before we next have a session.

So, I wonder, who can you let know what you are doing to help you at least 'feel' accountable?

Regards

Martin
Best Student Loan Guide

[Kevin Lee]

I'm thinking that I become much better at delivering if I feel accountable to someone, other than myself.

I often find that clients become incredibly motivated, just because they have told me that they will do something specifically before we next have a session.

So, I wonder, who can you let know what you are doing to help you at least 'feel' accountable?

Hi Martin,

I think a small business owner can tell their business coach, spouse or best friend about their goal(s) so that they'll feel more accountable. However, it's probably most important to share your goals with those who have helped you along the way, so you'll feel the need to keep working hard in fear of letting their efforts go in vain.

I'd also recommend simply writing down a list of things you plan to accomplish and then signing it yourself. An affirmation can hold you responsible to yourself and remind you of why you even made those commitments in the first place.

[Evan]

Hi Martin,

You bring up a good point. Many entrepreneurs set goals and don't follow through because life gets in the way. If it's a goal worth doing then it will be difficult to reach.

What we've set up here in Toronto is an entrepreneur Mastermind Group where business owners come together every month to discuss their goals, update their progress, and help each other overcome challenges.

It might be something worth looking into where you are. Many of our members have found that talking to friends and family is nice but unless they own their own businesses, they don't understand what you're going through and can only offer emotional support as supposed to practical advice.

Good luck!

[Kevin Lee]

Hi again Martin,

Perhaps another way to stay accountable for your goals is to simply state/list them in this forum as I'm sure we can help keep you on the right track (or nag on you if you fail to follow through, haha )

[litekepr]

I've been reading a brand new book - What Can A Dentist Teach You About Business Life & Success by Dr Capista. He's going to be touring to promote his book on my new book promotion website in February.

Its a great book and he talks about many of the business principles that I've discussed with clients for years He also talks a lot about goal setting and he makes many interesting points. One of the things I really enjoyed was about what to do when we have set goals, but we're having a hard time reaching them. Here's what he said -


"I had to decide if I was going to change what I wanted to do and change my goal, or do I change what I'm doing to reach that goal? I decided that I wasn't going to change my goal, so I had to do something differently to achieve my dream. This one decision of changing behaviors rather than changing my goal was the cornerstone of many future decisions that have created the life I now enjoy."


I just finished the chapter on the importance of establishing systems for a business and it was very good. Its a great book for any professional about setting up and establishing an effective business. I'm looking forward to his tour.

Shri Henkel

[mphcoach]

Thanks Evan for the reminder of how helpful others can be in our quest.

As a coach myself, I work closely with my clients to help them hold themselves to account and of course, like the plumber with the dripping tap - it's always much more challenging closer to home!

Kevin, I thought as I was writing the initial post that it would be cool to have some sort of shared goals that we put out there up front on the site that would mean we were at least making public our intentions. I backed off a bit as I wondered whether people might be put off by being too open with their business plans.

Maybe Evan would be up to a development in the site whereby individuals could post their goals with a coach giving feedback!

Regards

Martin
"Coaching Businesses To Success"

[RussellWebb]

For me, I have defined 5 business goals for 2008 and I have also agreed with myself a process that will enable me to focus consistently on them and deliver the outcomes I want.

Hi Martin... I'm intrigued by how a coach holds himself accountable to to his own business' success. Care to share how you make that agreement?

I worked with a coach a few years ago and the accountability factor was the key to that whole endeavor. I was needing that feedback / reflection in a big way because at the time I had no business partners or even entrepreneurial friends that were in a position to help out.

As I look back at all the goals that I was targeting... ALL and then some have been achieved - even after the coaching relationship ended, those goals were in motion and eventually manifested.

Currently 2008 will be a big year for myself and a few others that are launching a health product line, websites, and a affiliate program that drives sales.

Maybe Evan would be up to a development in the site whereby individuals could post their goals with a coach giving feedback!

I think this is a great idea, although I'm not sure how it can be established. Perhaps it can be a separate category and all the active Goal Setters can jump in and share their intentions. Then everyone can boost each other with an occasional 'What's Up with your Goal? query.

[mphcoach]

Thanks Russell for asking - it is a really useful insight into how a coach works.

Truth is, I have a coach of my own and am accountable to myself, via her.

But, it is tough even if you know this stuff even as a coach to be as accountable to yourself alone. When I haven't had a coach, I tend to publish my goals to myself literally on the wall of my study and I've been very focused (sometimes!) in getting things done.

My challenge is that I'm a typical entrepreneur and find being consistent more difficult - I like new ideas and trying new things (see this thread!)

Because I don't have my own space, see this thread, it is challenging to publicize my aspirations where others can see them and may even misconstrue them or look to judge them.

It's useful to reflect on my own situatioin and maybe this is a reminder to the value having my own coach is.

Regards

Martin
"Coaching Businesses To Success"

[RussellWebb]

Yes... I remember that my coach had a coach. Makes perfect sense. Plus you're getting more stimulation as to HOW to be a better coach.

[mphcoach]

Actually, ready for a bit of heresy folks?

You don't need a coach to get coaching. Whilst, as I say, it's great to have someone accountable to, if you have a good relationship with a friend who you trust not to let you off the hook, you can work together. It's an act of generosity that you can do mutually.

Here's the clue.

Ask them to ask you questions about the issue (try just one in a conversation to start with), using no judgment and definitely no advising of actions. Get them only to ask you questions that start with What, When, How, Where, Why and Who and once they ask you, to shut up and be the listener.

That's what all the big bucks cost for coaching training (just kidding - we do spend a lot more time delving down and understanding advanced techniques, but if you get someone to do this with/for, it's a great start).

Look up GROW on Google and find out the process of coaching.

None of this is rocket science and I think it was Socrates who started it all.

Have fun!

Regards

Martin
"Coaching Businesses To Success"

[RussellWebb]

Ask them to ask you questions about the issue (try just one in a conversation to start with), using no judgment and definitely no advising of actions. Get them only to ask you questions that start with What, When, How, Where, Why and Who and once they ask you, to shut up and be the listener.

Nice tip Martin... wisdom in those words... now if only I could get someone to shut up and actually listen without having to pay them!