We’ve all been there—setting lofty goals that sound amazing but feel almost impossible to achieve. Whether you’re launching a coaching business, selling digital products, or growing a consulting service, setting and actually achieving your business goals can feel overwhelming. But here’s the good news: there’s a science to it.🔬
Goal setting isn’t just wishful thinking. It’s about choosing the right techniques, finding valuable insights, and constantly growing both personally and professionally. So, let’s break down the strategies that will not only help you set your goals but also achieve them like a boss.
First, let’s address the elephant in the room. Are your goals vague? Too big? Too small? Do you get stuck in procrastination? It’s not your fault—many entrepreneurs make these common mistakes. But research shows that people who set specific, challenging goals are way more likely to achieve them. One study by Dr. Edwin Locke revealed that 90% of the time, specific goals lead to higher performance.
It’s time to stop with the “I just want to grow my business” mindset. Let’s get laser-focused. 🎯
We hear about SMART goals all the time. It’s like everyone’s favorite buzzword, but let’s be real—do you actually follow it? SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. It’s simple, but super effective.
Specific: Instead of saying, “I want more clients,” say, “I will sign three new clients this month.”
Measurable: Attach numbers to your goals. Track metrics like revenue, followers, leads, etc.
Achievable: Aim high but keep it realistic. Don’t set yourself up for failure with impossible goals.
Relevant: Make sure your goals align with your business vision. Ask yourself: Is this pushing my brand forward?
Time-bound: Give yourself deadlines. Goals without a timeline are just dreams.
This method is life-changing. Instead of just writing down a goal and hoping for the best, reverse engineer it. What does the end goal look like? How can you work backward to create actionable steps?
For example:
Goal: Launch a new course by Q2.
Step 1: Research your audience’s pain points (2 weeks).
Step 2: Create an outline (1 week).
Step 3: Build the course content (4 weeks).
Step 4: Set up a marketing funnel (3 weeks).
By breaking it down, you’ll know exactly what to focus on each step of the way. 📋
Here’s a trick high achievers swear by—visualization. You’re not just imagining yourself succeeding for the fun of it; there’s actual science behind this. Psychologist B.F. Skinner found that visualization creates mental blueprints that make achieving your goals feel more real and attainable.
Visualize yourself hitting your revenue goals or nailing that client presentation. Feel the success before it happens. It’s not woo-woo; it’s neuroscience. 🧠
Pair this with affirmations like:
"I am attracting the clients that need my services."
"I am the CEO of my business and my life."
These affirmations retrain your brain to focus on success, helping you fight the imposter syndrome and fear of failure that creeps up.
To stay in constant growth mode, you need to feed your brain. Read books, listen to podcasts, and watch documentaries that inspire and teach you something new every day. 📚🎧
Here are a few recommendations:
Books:
Atomic Habits by James Clear (for building strong habits that help achieve goals).
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries (to help scale your business efficiently).
Movies:
The Pursuit of Happyness (to remind you that resilience is key).
Joy (based on Joy Mangano’s entrepreneurial journey—she didn’t give up on her invention, and neither should you).
Podcasts:
Online Marketing Made Easy by Amy Porterfield (perfect for growing your business online).
How I Built This by Guy Raz (to hear inspiring stories from successful entrepreneurs).
Staying in constant learning mode not only motivates you, but it keeps you ahead of the curve.
Want to ensure you’re constantly moving toward your goals? Implement habit stacking. Coined by James Clear, habit stacking means linking a new habit to an existing one. It’s the easiest way to start building positive habits that compound over time.
How to habit stack for success:
After you drink your morning coffee, spend 10 minutes planning your day.
After you finish a client call, send a follow-up email immediately.
When you log into social media, post one piece of content before scrolling.
By creating small but impactful routines, you’ll consistently push forward toward your goals.🚀
Here’s where things get effortless but powerful. By automating parts of your business, you free up time to focus on the bigger picture—growing your brand, creating content, and building relationships with your audience.
Some ways to automate your business:
Automated email sequences: Set up sales funnels that nurture leads while you sleep.
Client onboarding: Use workflows that take care of repetitive admin tasks.
Social media scheduling: Tools like Buffer or Hootsuite can help you plan posts in advance.
Task management: Use apps like Notion or Asana to keep everything organized.
When these systems run automatically, you can spend more time achieving those SMART goals.
This part is crucial. Review your progress regularly. Are you on track to hit your goal? What’s working? What isn’t? Adjust accordingly.
Use metrics to measure success:
How many leads are you generating from your funnel?
Is your engagement increasing on social media?
Are your clients satisfied, or are there gaps in your service?
Tracking forces you to stay accountable and ensures you’re always moving forward, even when the results take time.
Let’s talk about you for a second. Growing your business is one thing, but as your business evolves, so should you. By setting clear goals, tracking progress, and continuously learning, you’ll become not just a more efficient entrepreneur but also a better leader.
Ask yourself:
Am I building a company culture I’m proud of?
Am I delegating tasks effectively, or am I micromanaging?
Am I prioritizing my own personal growth alongside my business?
Your team, clients, and customers look up to you. When you grow as a person, your business will naturally follow suit. You’ll become a stronger, more confident leader, and that will be reflected in everything you touch.
Set SMART goals: Break them down into clear, actionable steps.
Reverse engineer big goals: Start with the end in mind and create a step-by-step plan.
Visualize and affirm: Mentally rehearse your success and use positive affirmations.
Consume valuable content: Books, podcasts, and documentaries can fuel your growth.
Habit stacking: Build small, daily routines that push you closer to your goals.
Automate systems: Use automation to take care of repetitive tasks so you can focus on growth.
Track and adjust: Regularly review your progress and make necessary tweaks.
Goal setting isn’t just a one-time thing—it’s a continuous process of improvement. Whether you’re scaling your consulting business, launching a new course, or building a community around your brand, applying these techniques will push you toward success.
Remember, it’s not about being perfect. It’s about progress. Every step, no matter how small, gets you closer to your goals. So get out there, take action, and watch your business thrive. 💪🚀