Common Goal-Setting Mistakes in Small Businesses
One of the essential steps to lead a successful business is to learn how to set goals properly. Small business owners must understand just how to set clear and compelling goals that allow their business to keep growing. Here are some of the most common mistakes made when setting goals.
Waiting for the "Right Time"
Goal setting needs to happen even if you feel like you don't have enough time for it. Setting goals should be a priority for any business, and postponing it is only detrimental to your business success. There will hardly ever be the right time to start setting goals. You need to make time to get it done and start small. What do you want to accomplish? What do you need to do to achieve that? And go from there.
Defining Goals That Aren't SMART
Goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-based, a.k.a. SMART goals. Establishing objectives that are too generic and lack details will prevent you from accomplishing them and will most likely cause you to waste time and effort on impossible tasks.
Forgetting That Goals Require Follow Up
The days of small business owners fill with all sorts of tasks and responsibilities. It is easy to get caught in the day-to-day things that need addressing, but it is essential for any business owner not to lose track of their goals. Do not consider the process complete once you have set goals for your business; at that point, you're just getting started. Achieving your goals has to do with following up and adjusting as you go.
Not Making Room for Flexibility
It's good to be structured and organized. It never hurts to have controls in place to ensure things stay on the right path. However, there must be certain flexibility when it comes to goals. Taking setbacks too seriously can be detrimental. When things aren't going as planned, it's time to analyze and adjust the process you had outlined for yourself. Keeping an open mind will help you achieve your goals rather than stall them.
Taking Your Wins for Granted
Some people feel like there is nothing to celebrate until you reach the final goal, yet you break down every purpose into smaller goals. Each of these smaller goals contributes to achieving the ultimate objective. Every single one of those little steps is worth celebrating as they take you closer and closer to achieving success.