Create sales goals that lead to success

So it’s the 1 of January and you probably spent yesterday reflecting on the previous 365 days since you set your 2017 goals. However, I want to ask:

• Are you happy with what you achieved?
• Do you think you could have done a lot better?
• Did you set the right goals during the year?

Now whether you achieved your goals for the year or not is pretty much irrelevant as today is the day when you you need to set your goals for the New Year. The goals you set today will define the year to come so creating the right goals is probably THE most important thing you will do all year.

But why should you create great goals?

Well if you don’t know your destination then it will be pretty difficult to work out how to get there. It’s a bit like handing someone an invitation to an event, but not telling them the date, time, location and most importantly what’s in it for them when they get there.

The other really important point to make is around time. Goals focus the mind on the end result and therefore helps you concentrate on the tasks you need to do in order to achieve the goal. If your goal is not real and clearly defined then you will waste a lot of time doing stuff that will never get you any nearer your goal and the success you crave.

Simply put, if you don’t create even one tiny goal, then succeeding in anyway will just not happen.

[easy-tweet tweet=”“A dream is just a dream. A goal is a dream with a plan and a deadline” Harvey Mackay” user=”@SucceedatSellin” hashtags=”#Salestips”]

My Five Golden Rules for Successful Goal Setting

Now a goal to increase sales is no different to a goal to get fit. The only difference is the end result. So the process to create the goal is exactly the same whether you want to lose weight or make money.

Rule 1 – Ensure they are motivational

If you want to increase your sales this year then think about the why. Think about what is motivating you to generate increase revenues and profits. Whether it is more time with family, new car/home, holiday in the sun, or even just an increased level of personal satisfaction, defining why you want to set a goal is incredibly important to achieving it.

Rule 2 – Make them SMART

• S = Specific
• M = Measurable
• A = Achievable
• R = Relevant
• T = Timely

Rule 3 – Have more than one

One big goal can be a very scary prospect to achieve, so a variety of goals is always a good idea. Breaking them down into bite sized chunks helps too, but must always be part of the bigger goal. From a sales perspective, creating goals with different timelines is a great way of working your way towards the big picture, whilst keeping you motivated.

Rule 4 – Visualize your goals

Whether it is a picture on the wall of your dream holiday destination, or a fully documented sales and marketing plan, making your goals highly visible will really help to achieve them.

Rule 5 – Take action

It is good to plan and prepare what your goals are and how you will achieve them, but unless you actually take action then you will never move even a millimeter towards achieving it. Be the person who plays a good game as well as the one that talks it.

When you follow these 5 simple rules, you will vastly increase your chances of achieving the goals you set at the beginning of the year. However, don’t panic if you fail to hit the occasional goal on the way. Just go back to your plan and tweak it.

Sometimes life will hit us with a curve ball, and if it does don’t rush to change the goal. You might only need to change the route you are taking to get to your goal, not the goal itself.

For more great tips to help you succeed at selling, sign up for my free sales training and challenge yourself to be more successful at selling in just 9 days!