How To Set Quarterly Goals That Get Results
Did you start the year with one big and hairy (maybe even scary) new year’s resolution? Where are you now? Have you started on step 1? Are you losing steam at step 5?
Too often we get overwhelmed with the details and lose focus midway through the process of achieving the goals we set out to accomplish.
I’ve learned through the common business practice of quarterly reporting that using a three month timeline to piece up a year long strategy is the best way to stay focused, energized and on top of all the little details.
Here’s a great example. One of my big goals for this year was to share more of my knowledge and experiences as a woman in business with other women looking for career advice and mentorship. Each quarter I’ve gotten closer and closer to actualizing that vision until finally NaomiDBrown.com became a published reality!
Your first priority is your vision.
We must start with the big picture in mind. Close your eyes and visualize where you want to be on December 31st, 2018. This works whether its during the ball drop in Time Square or in the 10th month of the year.
Start with a SMART goal in mind (one that is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely).
Next, think about all the moving parts. For the NDB website, I needed to decide who I wanted my messages to connect with, conduct research about the best way to present my content ideas, and organize my team to support me in this new venture. To piece that up into three month time spans I used the following goals:
Create a content plan by March 31st -- This was a specific document that included target audience information, budgets for a domain purchase, web design services, hosting and other branding expenses, and several other details. It’s a specific document, measurable, attainable, relevant to the project’s overall goal and time-sensitive.
Brainstorm the first six weeks of content and set launch date by June 31 -- Not only was it important to have a platform (this beautiful website), but I wanted to have something valuable to share through it. So planning out multiple weeks of content was important. And a goal without a deadline is just wishful thinking. So for three months my team and I explored what topics and templates we could explore and set a deadline for the launch of NDB.
Nail down a website template and walk through at least three versions of the website design by September 31st -- This was a tedious but fun part of the process. I knew what I wanted to say, the tone and style I wanted to say it in. But how would it all come together in the design of my website? Here was a quarterly goal that took some patience.
Launch the website, profile three boss ladies in ‘The C-Suite’ and share 4 blog posts each month by December 31st -- This is the home stretch goal that I’m currently challenged with. As you can see, the site is live and content is rolling out.
I have to stress that right now, just like any other working woman, my professional life is pulling me in multiple directions. Throughout this process I had doubts whether the site would ever be complete.
But keeping my quarterly goals has prevented me from quitting too early, allowing other people’s priorities take the place of my own aspirations, and made unfamiliar territory with all its hundred of decisions and details become far less intimidating.
What goal will you set to accomplish in the three months we have left in 2018? Don’t overthink it. Simple is best. Try it and see how much further you can go when you’re focused, determined and ready to fight for what’s yours.
Get it done,
Naomi D.