8 Steps to setting ambitious goals

I started working with a client a few months ago whose business had flat-lined. In our first session it was obvious he had lost any growth mindset he might have had and was in defensive mode. We made a pact together that we will not accept average from now on. We would dream big and climb those stairs. It certainty took the client out of his comfort zone but he put some faith in the process (and in me). What makes this easier for clients is I take them through these eight steps when setting big goals.

1. Dream big - Don't limit yourself by what you think you can achieve. The human brain is designed to think in linear progress not exponential change so you have to push yourself.

2. Give yourself time - Setting a ten year goal allows for big dreams and also allows for some troughs along the way.

3. How many plates can you spin - It is better to focus on one major goal that matters than many minor goals.

4. Include you team - Setting ambitious goals from the owners office alone rarely succeeds. Get buy in from the team up front, you need them on the bus.

5. Make a plan - Work backwards from 10 years on what need to be achieved along the way to stay on track. I recommend clients think in 10, 5, 3, 1 year timeframes for goals.

6. Set 90 day actions - Break down the 1 year goals into 90 day actions. Make these achievable and realistic. Progress might seem slow to begin with but momentum builds quickly.

7. Celebrate along the way - If all you do is focus on is a far away goal it is hard to keep motivated. Make sure you celebrate the small (and big) wins with your team as you go on this journey.

8. Check in regularly - While we are free to dream at night you can't escape the realty of an alarm going off at 5am in the morning. The same goes for business planning. When the alarm goes off on your goals, don't hit the snooze button. Instead reflect on where you are at against your plan and adapt if necessary.

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