SPECIFIC - "I want more contacts in my database this year" ....is not the same as "I want at least 200 new contacts in my data base in the next 90 days."
MEASURED - If you can answer the 6 "W" questions, you are going in the right direction: Who, What, Which, When, Where, and Why. (If your head starts spinning just thinking about the answers ....that's an indicator of really, really needing the answer these questions. You may not need ALL the answers, but you should be looking for the answers ....and not be satisfied....until you find them.)
ATTAINABLE - There are only so many hours in a day...and most of us are totally busy. Are you willing to create a schedule and stick to it in order to meet your goals....and for how long?
RELEVANT - Distractions are everywhere. Running a business takes a lot of discipline. Do you have the proper environment and mind set to stay focused and not let disruptions take you away from your goals?
(Entrepreneurs are born with AD....we like to call it multi-tasking, but it's really Attention Deficit. Small business owners must be especially careful and look for ways to disseminate tasks and stay focused on completing the tasks that lead to reaching the goal.)
TRACKED and TIMELY - A different kind of "measuring" is needed to be sure you are reaching your goal. The kind of measuring that comes with cold, hard facts. It's easy to fall in love with your business to the point that you are blind to the cold, hard facts. It's tricky because every says "when you are happy to work for nothing, then you know you've found your true passion". That may be true....but we are in business to get paid....and to make a profit.....everything else is a hobby. To be sure your earnings increase, you must track your progress and it make your time count.
So that's my take on the SMART way of reaching your goals. I challenge you to apply these words to your efforts for just 90-days and see the remarkable results! VISIT MY BLOG and get more details on each of the words that make up the SMART strategy ... a real part of my database fitness program!
Connect with me on more Database Fitness Tips. Solutions@DonPaul.com
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