Huge Profits, Tiny List

Connie Ragen Green Teaches List Relationship Marketing

  • Home
  • About Connie Ragen Green
  • Resources
    • Free PLR to Grow Your Business
  • Reading List for Entrepreneurs

Goal Setting Strategies

December 8, By Connie Ragen Green Leave a Comment

Simple and Fun Goal Setting StrategiesSimple and Fun Goal Setting Strategies

We are all remarkable human beings. There is no one goal setting strategy that is perfect for everyone—but there are many goal setting strategies that are perfect for just one person.

Here are twenty-one tried-and-true goal setting strategies: I challenge you to try each one at least once, to see which work best for you.

1. Brainstorm with Sticky Notes – The beauty of using sticky notes as a business planning aid is two-fold: You can create your own memory aid or category using different colors… and you can mix-and-match them. (Example: Moving them around a bulletin board as you brainstorm various approaches.)

Sticky notes are also less intimidating to many people, compared to writing things down in one static place. In fact, if you’re a perfectionist—the sort who has to completely print out a new Calendar page and redo it if you mess up one slot – it’s virtually guaranteed you’ll find sticky notes less intimidating for you. And you can buy them very inexpensively at any local dollar or stationery store, or my favorite… on Amazon.

2. Create your Elevator Goal – Almost everyone knows the famous “elevator speech” exercise, where you try to summarize your business in one sentence after being asked “what do you do for a living” by someone you meet on an elevator.

Try doing this when brainstorming your big goal for the month or year: Imagine you’re standing on an elevator, and either (a) someone you admire or (b) someone you hope will become a client or customer asks: “What’s your main business goal for this year, and how will you reach it?”

  • (Here’s a prompt, in case you are having trouble getting started):
    I am going to ____________________ by __________________ for [date]

3. Use Affirmations to Reinforce your Goal – How often has your goal disappeared from your mind while you grapple with the realities of daily life?

Keep your goal in your focus by using affirmations to cue and remind yourself daily. Here’s how:

  • Set an ambitious goal for the month—one that is slightly out of your comfort zone
  • Choose an affirmation that relates to that activity
  • Print it out in large letters (make an infographic of it, if you are a visual thinker, using an appropriate and striking background or template)
  • Pin it where it is right in your range of vision when you sit down at your desk
  • Say it out loud to yourself, with conviction, every time your eye falls on it
  • Mentally visualize achieving your goal while you do this

4. Fantasize Success – Many Olympic athletes know this secret. In fact, take it for granted: If you repeatedly visualize achieving a goal in complete detail, your muscles and neural pathways will develop as if you were actually performing those actions.

For example, the tennis player who visualizes performing a perfect serve over and over again; or the figure skater who visualizes her gold-medal Olympic performance, night after night, months before the Olympic games.

Do it by visualizing in absolute detail what it will feel like when you achieve a major goal you are working towards, for your business. For example, if you plan to create a successful webinar summit with eight guests, visualize what you will wear that day; what your guests are wearing; which questions people are going to ask; what you are going to answer; how you will introduce each guest.

Do this before bed or during a meditative break time every day.
Then make notes on actions your visualizations inspire you to take! (Example: “Send red dress to the cleaners and buy earrings to match.”)

5. Brainstorm with Friends – Try brainstorming methods of achieving goals with friends, fellow team members or peers. This is probably my favorite of the goal setting strategies I’m sharing with you here!

Brainstorming is not planning: It’s just getting your creativity heated up—especially when it comes to taking things past the obvious ways.
Try setting a time limit and use a timer. Then challenge each other to come up with as many different ways to achieve your goal as possible within that time frame.

(And do record your brainstorming session—or keep notes!)

6. Find the Right Accountability Partner – Sometimes it’s hard to keep our eyes on the prize when we are rushing around reacting to everyday life and all its challenges. Setting up a goal with an accountability partner is a technique that works well for many people who otherwise would let things “slide”.
Just be sure to find the right partner! It should be someone who at least has a basic understanding of business and who is dedicated to helping you succeed. (Better yet: Find someone who has an emotional or financial stake in your success—such as a coach eager to boost her own reputation by talking of your success.)

7. Use Skype, Zoom, or Meetn – You work online. You don’t have anyone physically handy to brainstorm with. So find a trusted accountability partner—perhaps from the group you both belong to; or a team member—and play your brainstorming game via video Skype Zoom, or Meetn.
(And if you set up Skype with Pamela, you’ve also got a recording of the session!)

8. Set Goals that Make Your Happy – That’s the positive way of putting it, which everyone agrees is better. But if you really want to put the statement, above, into perspective, do look at the reverse side of this coin: Don’t set goals that make you miserable.

And if a goal that’s not fun is necessary, look for ways to make it more fun: Doing it with someone you like; rewarding yourself with something really special; trying a different resource or app; and so forth.

Be creative! Goals that make you happy are goals that make you want to get out of bed!

9. Use Children’s Mind-Mapping and Visualization Tools – The problem with mind-mapping software is that it can be visually “dry” and uninspiring: Perfect, perhaps, for plotting a science formula but not great when you’re trying to use it in the brainstorming stage of goal-setting as cue cards.
Try using free tools geared for children, such as Kidspiration mind-mapping software or ABCya! Word Clouds for Kids.

10. Keep a Goal Diary – If you’re working towards a big or complex goal that necessitates multiple steps or facets, keep a goal diary. Record your progress every day. Make notes. Jot down ideas—and at least once a week, review your progress. (This will either prod or inspire you to take further action.)

If you are a visual learner, choose a distinctive journal. This is for your personal use, so choose one in your favorite color—one that feels active and optimistic, such as magenta, orange or yellow. Include photographs and magazine clippings, if that inspires you.
Oh. And call it a “diary”; call it a “journal”—but, as the old joke goes, just call it!

Goal Setting and Achieving

11. Set Measurable Goals – Once you decide on a goal, you have to take steps (actions) to ensure that you reach it. Lay these out on paper (virtually or physically) within a schedule or calendar.

Include each step: Both its start date and the date you estimate you should complete it. This way, your goals become measurable: That is, you can chart your progress and accurately answer questions like “what do I need to do next?” and “how many more steps do I still have to take?”

Always remember this:

  • Making goals measurable makes the process pleasurable!

12. Ask for Feedback – Feedback, properly given, acts as a reality check. We sometimes become blinded by our own fixed notions. Feedback can alert you to hidden pitfalls you’re not seeing, give you clues on where to concentrate more energy and attention and open your eyes to new ideas and methods.

When you set a goal, ask for feedback from those concerned: Those who you are creating a product for; your peers; and members of your team.

Be selective—but keep your ears open and your eyes wide to new opportunities.

13. Break it Down – If any step along the way to a goal overwhelms you, break it down into smaller steps. Then focus on tackling one at a time.

14. Be SMART – Use the SMART model of goal setting strategies that are so popular with entrepreneurs and large organizations alike.

SMART is an acronym, standing for:

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Achievable
  • Realistic
  • Time-constrained

Note that you can apply your own, more relevant meanings to this mnemonic acronym, to better suit your Mission and your goal. For example, you could substitute “assignable” for achievable, if you are planning to achieve a specific large goal by a certain date through outsourcing.

Acronyms can be handy tools—particularly applied to systems. See what memorable acronyms you can come up with to aid in keeping your top goals in mind.

15. Don’t be Passive – Be someone who “makes it happen”. If you need help, ask for it or find a solution.

Take responsibility for achieving your goals. Don’t allow yourself to blame others, circumstances, losses, curveballs or any other external force. Remember the old saying: “If it’s to be, it’s up to me.” Goal setting strategies don’t magically become your reality.

16. Use Worksheets and other Paper Aids – Once you have identified your goal and broke it down into steps or mini-goals, create or download appropriate worksheets to help ensure you:

  • Don’t miss any steps
  • Stick to your schedule
  • Know what to do at every stage

Refine your worksheet master, if you plan to repeat a similar project in future, adjusting it so that it becomes a reliable blueprint for future, similar goals.

17. Document Your Failures – Record your failures and miscalculations along the way to an ambitious goal, as well as your successes.

Failures help make us aware of what not to do in the future—and what needs to be considered that one might otherwise miss again. Remember that a project is only a failure when you never take action on it at all.

18. Keep your Focus Positive – Be careful to speak about your goals only in affirmative, positive language. The words we use directly affect not only our own energy and confidence, but that of team members and clients too. For example, instead of saying “I am terrified about money”, try saying “I am focusing on creating a steady flow of income”.

Not only will you not drag accountability partners down, you’ll feel better and less helpless at your own positive self-talk.

19. Create a Theme for your Goal – Try to get beyond what your goal will allow you to accomplish by looking at the core values it embodies, and what its theme is.

Turn the essence of that theme into an affirmation, tagline or slogan you adopt. Do your best to live that theme until your goal is accomplished. (Example: “Fearless Webinars!”)

20. Create Fun Goals that Connect – Don’t lose sight of the people you want to please. Even if your mind is all business, be sure to add other goals that will help you focus on others and stay connected with your community. This as one of your goal setting strategies makes sense.

For example, one goal could be: “Remember birthdays!” Sure, Facebook does this for you… but see if you can take it one step further for your clients, team members or contractors: Take out a subscription to a quality virtual birthday card site and mark birthdays on your calendar (along with your other goals).

Make sure you enjoy picking out cards personally. (And yes. You can still save time by pre-scheduling a month’s batch at a time.)

21. Don’t Give Up! Want to know the difference between those who achieve their goals and those who habitually don’t?
It’s this simple: The entrepreneurs who achieve spectacular goals don’t give up. It’s not even an option for them.

If something blocks the road, they instinctively look for ways round it. If one door closes, they find another (or climb through the window). Goal setting strategies are intended to help you succeed.

Successful entrepreneurs know that setbacks, including self-doubt, burn-out and other internal and external obstacles are all part of the process. So do your best to enjoy the process—enjoy the adventure—and don’t give up. Here’s to your massive success!

I’m author, publisher, and entrepreneur Connie Ragen Green and would love to connect with you. If you are new to the world of online entrepreneurship please check out my comprehensive training on how to set up Funnels That Click and learn how to gain an unfair advantage when it comes to building a lucrative online business.

(Visited 21 times, 1 visits today)

More from my site

  • Guest Blogging and Word of Mouth MarketingGuest Blogging and Word of Mouth Marketing
  • Earning Income With BloggingEarning Income With Blogging
  • Email Marketing for BeginnersEmail Marketing for Beginners
  • Huge Profits Tiny List with Connie Ragen GreenHuge Profits Tiny List with Connie Ragen Green
  • Profit with Online Marketing CoursesProfit with Online Marketing Courses
  • Writing Your Book’s OutlineWriting Your Book’s Outline

Filed Under: Goal Setting Tagged With: Connie Ragen Green, Goal Setting Strategies

Popular Topics

  • Productivity and Your Brain
  • Podcast: Alicia Dunams on Entrepreneurship
  • Productivity Challenge 2018
  • Personal Branding for Entrepreneurs
  • Your Book As An Info Product
  • Huge Profits Tiny List with Connie Ragen Green
  • 21 Day Productivity Challenge

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Claim Your Focus Guide:

"Creating Multiple Streams
of Online Income"

Connie’s Recent Tweets

Tweets by @ConnieGreen

iTunes Podcasts

Connect with Connie

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

My Recommended Autoresponder Service

AWeber Free: Email marketing for free. No credit card required.

I Use and Love Pretty Link!

Massive Blog Traffic

I’m a Top 100 Podcaster!

Top 100 Podcasts

Connie’s First Book!

Huge Profits With A Tiny List by Connie Ragen Green. Only $12.95

Recent Posts

  • Huge Profits Tiny List with Connie Ragen Green
  • Guest Blogging and Word of Mouth Marketing
  • Earning Income With Blogging
  • Email Marketing for Beginners
  • Profit with Online Marketing Courses
  • Writing Your Book’s Outline
  • Goal Setting Strategies
  • Get Featured on Podcasts
  • Creating a Certification Course
  • Six-Figure Income… from the Metaverse
  • Laptop Lifestyle: Models That Work
  • List Building for Steady Income
  • Side Hustles to Supplement Your Income
  • The Power of a Mindset Shift
  • Starting a Digital Marketing Agency
  • Self-Publishing for New Online Entrepreneurs
  • TikTok Marketing Strategies
  • Networking for Introverts
  • Plan Your Promotions and Sales
  • Free Traffic Methods That Work
  • Launch Your Product… Now!
  • Your Blog As a Learning Center
  • Ways to Increase Sales
  • Guest Blogging Effectively
  • Your Elevator Pitch and First Impressions

Start A Membership Site

Categories

  • 30 Day Productivity Challenge
  • Affiliate Marketing Tips
  • Affiliate Programs
  • Amazon FBA
  • Amazon Kindle Marketing Strategy
  • Amazon's Kindle
  • article marketing
  • Autoresponders
  • Blogging For Your Business
  • Book Self-Publishing
  • Branding
  • Communication
  • Content Creation
  • Copywriting
  • Create a Newsletter
  • Facebook Fan Pages
  • Getting Started Online
  • Goal Setting
  • Guest Blogging
  • How to Write an eBook
  • Info Product Creation
  • Inner Game
  • Internet Marketing Lifestyle
  • Interviews
  • Joint Ventures – JV's
  • Latest Posts
  • Leadership
  • List Building
  • List Marketing
  • List Relationships
  • Live Events
  • Live Streaming
  • Make Huge Profits With A Tiny List
  • Membership Sites
  • NAMS
  • Niche Sites
  • Online Marketing
  • Outsourcing
  • PLR (private label rights)
  • Podcasts
  • Press Releases and Publicity
  • Productivity
  • Public Speaking
  • Relationship Marketing
  • Repurpose Your Content
  • Sales Skills
  • Sell Your Ebook Online
  • SEO – Search Engine Optimization
  • Short reports
  • Small Business Marketing
  • Social Media
  • Social Networking Sites Facebook and Twitter
  • Storytelling
  • Survey Your List
  • Teach with webinars
  • Teleseminars
  • Testimonials
  • Time Management
  • Traffic Generation
  • Video Marketing
  • Writer's Block
  • Writing
  • Your Target Audience

Subscribe to this blog's RSS feed, or just enter your email address below to get updates, news, and more!

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner



For brief updates, tips, and news, follow me on Twitter!

RSS Connie Green

  • Strategies for Winning Affiliate Contests
    Strategies for Winning Affiliate Contests Affiliate marketing is a popular way of earning an income online. It involves promoting someone else’s products or services, and in return, you get rewarded with commissions. It’s a great way to add an additional income stream to what you’re already doing. Here are my thoughts, based on many years […]
  • The Money’s In the List… Building
    The Money’s in the List! List building is one of the number one ways to not only earn a steady income online, but to see your profits soar as the months and years go on. It’s a tool that allows you to tap into an existing database of interested consumers rather than struggling on a […]
  • Crafting Your Book Title
    Crafting Your Book Title So They Can’t Ignore You When I began writing to build my business back in 2006, it was blog post titles I was most concerned with each day. There was SEO (search engine optimization) to consider so that people could find me. There was also monetization to think about. Crafting a […]

Author Bio – Connie Ragen Green

Connie Ragen Green helps new entrepreneurs build their business with online marketing and technology. She is an expert in article marketing and affiliate marketing and has written several books on these topics. DISCLOSURE - Many articles will contain affiliate links for recommended products or services. These are personally used and reviewed by Connie and she'll receive commission for any resulting sales.

Courses by Connie Ragen Green

Copyright © Connie Ragen Green

Disclaimers and Legal Rights | Affiliate/Earnings Disclaimer | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy