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Connect your goals to an action plan that will guide you to success
When I talk to clients about their goals, one of the missing pieces tends to be an action plan. They have their vision, but what’s unclear is how they’re going to (realistically) get there with their current resources.
An action plan breaks down each goal you have into parts, taking you step-by-step closer to meeting the goal.
Let’s explore this with a basic example of some short-term goals that are connected, with moving parts.
Rest is critical: Here's how to boost your productivity and performance
As an employee you (generally) have set working hours, specific deliverables, and a certain number of holidays and sick days. You have a contract in place. You have someone holding you accountable to your personal working goals and company KPIs.
As an entrepreneur though, none of these systems, structures, rules, or guidelines around your work are in place. While that flexibility and freedom can be exciting and empowering, it’s also a lot of responsibility. And there’s an important distinction between enjoying your work and being productive in pursuit of a goal, and overworking to no end, toxic productivity, burnout, and exhaustion.
Goal setting and planning your marketing for a new year
The New Year is around the corner which means it’s time to get planning.
While it’s never too late to start this process, you’re sure to feel a sense of relief if you tackle it early – giving yourself clarity on where you want to go and what you want to achieve.
Once you’ve developed a sense of your goals, it’s time to embed them into your business strategy for the year.
Goal setting: Know where you're going so you can make a plan to get there
Having a clear process for establishing business goals and scheduling time for a regular reassessment of them is almost like figuring out the driving route you’re going to take for a vacation.
Without directions, even if you have a destination in mind, you’re likely going to end up lost, frustrated, and late, because the trip will most certainly take longer than if you had simply sat down long enough to figure out your route before you start.
And without regular reassessment, you might end up moving towards a destination that’s of no value or interest to you anymore.
Instead, if you set strategic goals that make sense for your business and your marketing endeavours, you can break down the steps it takes to accomplish them and will have a clear path towards success.
How to match your marketing expectations to your resources
What’s the long-term vision for you and your business? How do you plan on measuring success? What conversions and KPIs are important to you?
When you have an idea of the overarching plan for your company, you’re able to better gauge which marketing activities will have the biggest impact. Data is your friend! Use it to guide your marketing choices.
Every marketing discipline should be strategic
Marketing is one of the most important strategic functions of any business. When it's treated as a check box exercise, it's ineffective and it reinforces the too-often low value that is put on the work.
No business is immune to this mindset—it happens in large and small businesses.
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