Tool Box
Issue No. 20 - December/January 2005
Set your own Goal Posts for 2005
by Craig Stubing
With the New Year peeping over the horizon it's appropriate for operators of SMEs (and others) to turn their attention to setting goals for 2005.
Unfortunately, goal-setting is sometimes seen in a negative light. It can be seen as 'hard work' and not enjoyable; it can be seen as too business-focused and not suitable for those who want to live a balanced life.
Here's a goal-setting exercise that's different. It's holistic in its approach and can be enjoyable if approached with an open mind. Before we get a started let's set a few guidelines
- this exercise is for you, there is no requirement for you to show it to anyone else when you have completed it. Share some of it or share none of it - it's entirely up to you. This means that you can be totally frank.
- the goals that emerge through the exercise are meant to be beacons not burdens; to be taken only as seriously as you want.
- this exercise is meant to be fun (and definitely not hard work) - if you're not enjoying it stop doing it.
OK, grab a few sheets of paper and let's get started.
Step 1 - Rate your progress in 2004 by scoring yourself marks out of 10 in the following life-areas (use only those life-areas that you are comfortable to use; add others if you wish)
- physical health, fitness and appearance
- financial growth
- business development
- education, improvement of knowledge (business and/or general)
- community involvement/contribution
- social development and outreach
- relationship with spouse, family and family activities
Base your score on your own happiness-level - if, for example, you are totally happy with your progress in a life-area give yourself a 10, if moderately happy give yourself, say, a 5 and so on.
The purpose of this step is to provide a starting point and to get the thinking-juices going over a number of life-areas rather th...
