[ess_grid settings='{“entry-skin”:”1″,”layout-sizing”:”boxed”,”grid-layout”:”even”,”spacings”:”0″,”rows-unlimited”:”off”,”columns”:”4″,”rows”:”3″,”grid-animation”:”fade”,”use-spinner”:”2″}’ layers='{“custom-image”:{“00″:”6665″},”custom-type”:{“00″:”image”},”use-skin”:{“00″:”-1″},”title”:{“00″:”S.M.A.R.T”}}’][/ess_grid]
Bookkeepers Blog, Best Hints & Tips Guaranteed by Tash-Ly
SMART Goal Setting – 10th February 2K16
Today’s blog post looks at the final letter in the S.M.A.R.T goals acronym we have been looking at this year. So far I have covered the letters S.M.A & R, so feel free to go back and have a read through my previous posts, or even refresh yourself of the definitions.
The final letter in the acronym is T
Timeliness
Set parameters around how long it should take you to achieve the goal
Although it is fantastic to set specific, measurable, realistic goals with great actions, it is also important to put some parameters around the timeliness of achieving them. A goal with no timeline to achieve it in, could result in longer term inactivity. Having deadlines creates a sense of urgency. Knowing you have to try and get through certain activities in a defined timeframe with result in action being taken. It is also possible to put certain time objectives into your specific actions, as well as an overall deadline. This will also heighten your general time management skills.
In our example we have been following, Josie has her own consultancy business and wants to increase her profit. She has set some specific, measurable and realistic goals, and has a set of actions to implement. Also included in her goal setting is some timelines
• Josie has set herself a timeline of 12 months to achieve her overall goal.
• She has also set incremental goals in time, such as monthly targets for networking events, coffee meetings and expected monthly turnover targets. Setting these interim timelines creates a sense of urgency and ensures she stays on track.
• She could also set deadlines for when to make contact with and register with her local networking organisations.
• Setting appointments with her professional advisers for regular business coaching, bookkeeping or accounting meetings to track her progress would also be highly advantageous.
Josie’s goal setting exercise is now more complete and has provided her with some powerful tools to help her achieve her wish of “increasing her income”.
Specific details of her goal have been determined
Measurable KPIs have been set
Actions have been identified
Realistic expectations have been set
Timelines ( Timeliness ) to achieve this has been defined
The final step in any goal setting process is review which I will discuss next week.
How are your goals looking?
Have you been able to identify, set and work towards setting S.M.A.R.T goals?
Take some quiet time to sit down with a piece of paper and brainstorm. If it helps to bring in a trusted adviser, do so. To seek clarity, I find that it is important to have quality quiet time – be it a walk along the beach, or getting out of bed earlier than the other members of your family to grab 30-60 minutes of quiet time in the morning before the rush of the day. Discover what is important to you, and start working through the S.M.A.R.T goal setting process to help you achieve them.
Disclaimer: All or any advice contained in this blog/newsletter is of a general nature only & may not apply to your individual business circumstances. For specific advice relating to your specific situation, please contact your accountant or other professional adviser for further discussion.