With the holidays and AEP just ending now is the time we usually resolve to better our lives in the following year. For most people the resolutions involve weight loss, exercise, and smoking. However the same tactics used to better your health can be applied toward your business. As you plan your 2012 goals and resolutions it’s important to keep a few things in mind to keep yourself on track. This way, come March, you will still be on track for success and not be back to the old habits your resolutions were created to combat.
- Set a specific goal.
Rather than saying, “I want to have more clients” try asking yourself, “who, what, when, and where” in order to establish a plan. Who is your target audience? What new things are you going to try in order to obtain new clients? How many clients do you want to gain a month? Which areas are you going to prospect in? When you drill down the specifics of your goal you will be on your way to keeping yourself accountable to your success.
- Set both short-term and long-term goals.
The key to attainable goals is to set up both short-term and long-term goals. If you are looking to gain more referrals this year decide not only on how many for the year, but also take into consideration the quarter, the month, and the week. Breaking it down by week, ask yourself what specifically you are going to do this week toward gaining more referrals. Through trial and error you will establish a weekly system that works for you and the long-term goals you have for your business.
- Make realistic goals
It’s ambitious to say that you will make 500 cold calls a week, but remember to take into consideration how many cold calls you have made in the past. If it is significantly less, commit to cold calling 100 people with a goal to reach 500 at first. Once you find it easy to reach 100, expand it to 150 with increasing intervals toward 500. An ambitious goal is great to have, but be sure to allow yourself the time to reach it without getting frustrated and giving up.
- Establish accountability.
Human nature dictates that we will go to great lengths to avoid pain no matter how valid the threat. This morphs itself into excuses, such as “I don’t have enough time” or “I’m tired”, in order to avoid the actions you perceive as painful. In order to establish accountability toward your goals set up a series of consequences for yourself that seem more painful than doing the activity you are trying to avoid. Telling your business partner you’ll give him $5,000 if you do not accomplish a specific goal in a realistic timeframe can be a great motivator, especially in times when your resolutions feel like a thing of the past.
As you come up with your resolutions for the year remember to keep them specific, establish a short-term focus toward long-term goals, make realistic commitments that go with your schedule, and hold yourself accountable by creating consequences. Once you break the cycle of losing interest in your resolutions you will feel more confident making grander changes in the future. If you'd like help coming up with resolutions for 2012, please call your marketer at 1-800-998-7715 to discuss the options that are best suited for your business growth.
Please give us your feedback! What business resolutions have you made for 2012? Have you been able to keep resolutions in the past? If so, what tips do you have for others?
Source: LifeHealthPro
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