Submitted by: Ursula Jorch

What is the point of setting goals? Its not even that you are more likely to achieve what you want to achieve, though thats certainly true.

Here are the two biggest benefits of goal setting:

1. Goal setting gives you with focus. Youll zoom in on the actions you need to take to achieve whatever you desire for your business.

2. Youll stretch and grow in ways you havent before. Youll become bigger. Youll become the person you need to be to achieve those goals.

In life, we tend to look long-term and live short-term. In the short-term, you can bump up against some obstacles and challenges. By setting goals, youll develop your long-term view.

When those goals are powerful, when they are aligned with your desired impact, youll be able to move through those short-term obstacles. Youll be able to act and ensure that your goals actually are achieved.

The most powerful goals are those that are rooted in impact, in the positive contribution you want to make. Lets take a look at the 6 elements of IMPACTful goals, to guide you to really potent goal setting.

Impactful

Is your goal aligned with your impact vision? Your impact vision is the difference you want to make in the world, the unique positive contribution that only you can make. Youre unique, so your impact will be too. No one else can bring all of what you bring to your business and your life. Run your goals by this test: is this goal something that will help you move closer to your vision of the impact you want to have?

Measurable

Attach a number to the outcome. What is the tangible outcome if its successful? Its important to define this up front, so youll know when you get there! Itll also help you measure your progress along the way, and provide an important motivator.

Particula

Set a project goal thats not vague, like I want more business. Be particular, be specific about what having more business means, e.g., I want 10 more clients, I want 4 larger projects, I want 2 more joint ventures.

Achievable

From where you are now, is this goal a manageable stretch for you? If its a goal that makes you so anxious you become paralyzed and dont take action, its not a meaningful goal. Keep your goals in the discomfort zone, so youll learn and grow. Near the edge of discomfort you can tolerate, but not beyond it.

Clea

State your goal in a way that someone else would understand it. This is a good litmus test for a goal. If you can describe it to someone else, its an IMPACTful goal. Bottom line? Be clear about the outcome that you want.

Time-specific

Attach a timeline to it. Theres some anxiety that goes along with attaching a date. Keep in mind that being time-specific is a lot like plans. They are useful to set, and they may change. So relax a little bit about it, and if you reach your goal a little later because you got one of those large projects, its ok. Just dont make the timeframe so flexible that you dont take action on it.

While this list has elements similar to other goal descriptors, the important distinction here is that IMPACTful goals focus on your impact, the difference you want to make.

Thats crucial. If you ensure that your goals focus on your impact, youll move closer to your impact than youve ever dreamed. Youll be the bigger you who can have that impact.

About the Author: Ursula Jorch, MSc, MEd, mentors entrepreneurs starting their businesses and seasoned entrepreneurs in transition to create the business of their dreams. Her coaching programs provide knowledge, support, clarity, inspiration, and a community of like-minded entrepreneurs to empower you to reach your goals. Start with a free guide and other valuable info at

WorkAlchemy.com

. This article was originally published at

workalchemy.com/successful-goal-setting

and has been syndicated with permission.

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