Making resolutions at the start of a new year is a tradition. We promise to eat better, exercise more or take that family vacation. Most of those promises fade within a few weeks because nothing holds us to them except willpower.
Your business can fall into the same trap. "This year we'll grow" or "this year we'll get organized" sounds good in January, but by spring it is easy to slip back into old habits. The fix is simple: turn your resolutions into goals.
Resolutions vs. goals: what's the difference?
A resolution is a promise to act. A goal is a specific finish line you plan to reach by a certain date. The big difference is that a goal can be measured.
- Resolution: "We'll do more marketing."
- Goal: "We'll send a postcard to our customer list every quarter and track how many people call or visit afterward."
The first one is easy to forget. The second one tells you exactly what to do, when to do it and how to know whether it worked.
How to set goals your business will actually reach
1. Look back before you look ahead
Start with the year behind you. What went well? What fell short? Which customers, products or services brought in the most business? Your best goals usually come from patterns you can already see.
2. Keep it realistic
A goal you can't reach does more harm than good, because it teaches your team that goals don't matter. Pick a few targets that stretch you without being out of reach.
3. Break big goals into small steps
Many companies set three-to-five-year goals and then break them into yearly, quarterly and monthly steps. Small steps are easier to start, easier to track and easier to celebrate.
4. Measure as you go
Check in on your numbers regularly, not just at the end of the year. If something isn't working, adjust the plan early instead of waiting until December to find out.
Bring your team into the plan
Unless you are a one-person shop, the people doing the daily work should help set the goals. They know where the bottlenecks are and what customers are asking for. When your team helps build the plan, they have a reason to care about the outcome.
Ask each person what they need to succeed. Everyone has something different to contribute, and people learn and work in different ways.
Celebrate progress along the way
Don't wait for the finish line to say thank you. Recognize milestones as you hit them, whether that's a team lunch, a shout-out in a staff meeting or a simple note. Rewards and reminders keep people moving forward and help good habits stick.
It doesn't have to be January
January is a natural time to plan because the calendar resets and everyone feels a fresh start. But if your fiscal year starts in another month, plan then. And if you are reading this in the middle of the year, there is no reason to wait. The best time to turn a resolution into a goal is whenever you are ready to start.
How AC Graphix can help
If one of your goals is to market more consistently, we can help you plan it and print it, from postcards and mailers to brochures and signs. See what we print, or tell us about your plans and we'll help you map out the pieces.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a resolution and a goal?
A resolution is a promise to take action. A goal is a specific, measurable target with a deadline, which makes it easier to track and much easier to keep.
When should a small business set its yearly goals?
January works well for businesses that follow the calendar year. If your fiscal year starts in a different month, set goals then. You can also start any time you are ready.
