Setting specific and attainable goals is the first rung on the ladder to next-level success, but before you set your next goal for your business, let’s talk about how to do it the SMART way.

There’s a 5-step strategy behind goal-setting so let’s break it down letter by letter!

• Specific
  
  Your goals may start off as general ideas about what you want – more clients, more freedom, more money, etc. That’s a great starting point, but it’s too vague!
  
  You need to set specific, measurable goals like, “I will increase my revenue by 10% this year.” Or, “I will only work 4 days a week so I can have Fridays off.”
  
  
• Measurable
  
  We keep coming back to that word, “measurable,” but that’s because it’s REALLY important!
  
  How will you know when you’ve reached your goal, or if you’re even on track to meet it if you have no way to measure your success?
  
  Determine the milestones that prove you’re staying firmly on the path to your goals. You can use your KPIs, revenue goals, or even the analytics from your marketing campaigns to measure your progress and sound the warning if you’re getting off track so you can pivot or adjust as needed.
  
  
• Attainable
  
  Listen, I’m all for dreaming big, but let’s don’t go overboard! You need to set goals that are realistic and attainable.
  
  If you brought in $500K last year, you’re probably not going to be able to bring in $3 million this year without a SERIOUS overhaul to your business model. That doesn’t mean it will never happen, but it will take time! Set an attainable goal this year, then build on it once you’ve reached that one. You’ll reach that 3 million before you know it!
  
  
• Relevant
  
  Set goals that apply to everyone on your team. If it’s too personal or only benefits you, you’re going to have a hard time getting your team on board – and you need their support!
  
  Set goals that benefit your business AND your team. If your goals allow your team room to grow, flourish, and step into their genius, you’ll have no trouble getting their enthusiastic support!
  
  
• Time Sensitive
  
  You can’t just set a long-term goal and hope you reach it. Long term goals are awesome and they  support your vision for the future of your business, but you can’t stop there. You need a series of short-term goals and actionable steps that serve as mile markers on the way to your ultimate goal.
  
  Short-term goals keep you on track, and those smaller wins keep you motivated and excited as you continue to work towards those big goals ahead. Setting weekly, monthly, and annual goals helps you build a comprehensive roadmap to the next level of success.

SMART goals are awesome. They help you be very intentional about where you want to take your business, and they allow you to pursue your goals with time, space, ease and grace. You’ll wind up in the same place, but you won’t be frustrated and burned out! Beats the hell out of hustling, stressing, and letting your business take over your life, doesn’t it?

For more tips on setting SMART goals for your business, tune into this episode of Building Your Empire with SophieZo. Then head on over to www.sophiezo.com to learn more about the plug-and-play team that brings your vision for your business to life!