Putting your Goals into Action Step 2: What is Holding you Back

Yesterday we discussed the first steps of putting your goals into action. We talked about figuring out where you are right now in regards to reaching your goals. Today we are going to discuss what is keeping you from reaching your goal.

How many times have you said to yourself “I could be doing this, if only “? It's the “if only” that can hold you back. Instead of saying “if only” say “I am going to do this”. The attitude you have can keep you from being able to reach your goals. Your attitude needs to be set on reaching your goals no matter what it takes.

The hardest step in reaching your goals can be getting started. It might seem overwhelming at first. The longer you put off starting towards your goals the longer it will take to conquer them. Just decide that you are going to get busy. Don't keep letting day after day go by. Make today they day you begin on your journey to your goals.

Find what is holding you back, and then find a way around the obstacle. If it is time, look at your schedule and make the time available. If it is money, see where you can cut costs in other areas. If it is the know how, find someone who can help you.

There is always going to be obstacle in our way. What determines if you will be successful in reaching your goals is how you deal with them. Are you going to let them stop you from getting to your goal, or are you going to do whatever is necessary to overcome the obstacle and succeed? The choice is up to you.

Putting your Goals Into Action Step 1: Where are you Beginning From?

Last week we discussed what characteristics goals need to have. Today we are going to discuss what you do after you have your goals. We are going to look at putting your goals into action.

Now that you have figured out your goals for your business, it is time to begin working on them. The first step is to see where you are at currently with each goal. You can't move forward if you don't know where you are beginning from.

Examine what you are doing now that is helping you get towards your goal. The things that are helping you will keep doing. Next look at the things you are doing that are not helping you reach your goals. These are the things we will need to make changes to.

Write down the steps you are taking to reach your goals. Seeing them in black and white can be very eye opening. Make notes next to the steps of what is working and what is not working. Write down your ideas for improving the actions you are taking to reach your goals.

Tomorrow we will discuss what is stopping you from being able to reach your goals.

Characteristics of Goals

Anyone can set goals, but not everyone follows through with their goals. This is because the goals do not have the characteristics that will make the goal a successful one. There are four characteristics every goal needs.
1.Measurable- If a goal cannot be measured how will you know if it is successful? When your goal can be measured you will be able to see yourself making progress towards your goal. An example would be is you want to add a new location to your business you would have several small goals to do before you accomplish this. You would have to research the need for your business in the new location, look for available locations, hire staff for your new location, set an opening date, and so on. You need to establish a way of measuring these goals. One way is to set a date you want the goal completed by. I will finish my research for the new location by the end of next week. I will look at different locations available no later than three weeks from now. I will start hiring new staff the first of next month. Each goal has an end date for you to measure if you are on target.
2.Make sure your goal can be attained- If your goal is to have a new location open and running in one week that is not going to happen. You will be setting yourself up to fail if your goal cannot be attained. When trying to reach a goal you are trying to reach it is important to keep motivated. If your goal is one that cannot be realistically attained you are going to give up and lose your motivation.
3.Your goal needs to be realistic- We can set any goal that we want, if it is not realistic it will never happen. For example if you are looking to open another location for your business, but you don't have the funds available you cannot reach this goal. Instead set a smaller goal that you will save so much each month in hopes of opening a new location soon.
4.Set a time for your goals- If you just set a goal and have no time limit there is no reason to try and accomplish the goal. By setting a date for your goal you have an exact target to work for. I will hire a new massage therapist within one month, etc.

Check your goals to make sure they contain these important characteristics. You want to be successful in reaching your goals. These characteristics will allow that to happen more easily.

Set Goals for your Business

When you have a business you have to have goals. You have to have a plan for where you want your business to go. There also needs to be a plan for how you are going to get there.

Start by getting a sheet of paper and writing down where you want your business to be in one year, next do five years. What direction do you want to take your business? We know you want your business to be successful, but what else do you want. Are you looking to expand your business into other areas? For example a chiropractic business could expand to add a massage therapist, a fitness trainer, or a natural supplement line. They could want to open another office in a different location.


Ask yourself why these goals are important to you. Why do you want to expand your business, or why do you want to open a new office. Why do you want to do your goal now, or why can it wait until later.

Next you have to decide how you are going to do to accomplish your goals. What steps are you going to take to make your goals become a reality. As for our example the chiropractor wanting to expand his business will talk to different massage therapists and see if they would be willing to join his business. He may look at different locations to open a new office. He will do research to see if there is a need for an office in the area he is considering and so on.

When you set your goals it is better to set small goals. Large goals can take longer to accomplish and you can become frustrated and give up. Set several small goals that will eventually lead to your main goal. It will be easier to stay motivated when you are accomplishing several smaller goals in a shorter period of time.

Tomorrow we are going to discuss characteristics your goals need to have.
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