If you're a freelancer starting your own business or scaling your current one, you probably have an idea of how many clients you want to work with and how much money you want to earn.
However, it takes more than just setting an arbitrary number to have a successful business. We recommend creating a strategic action plan, and that starts with a goal.
And not just any goal, we use the
SMART goal method with an added
WHY to it. Using
WHYSMART will ensure that it fits all the criteria of a good goal for you.
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Specific
To make your WHYSMART goal, start by getting
Specific about the result. My take on specific is that it is a goal that I can envision. If, for instance, my goal is to double my clients, then first I have to think about how many clients that I have, then double that number. It’s almost, but not quite, specific.
If I have 10 clients today, then the specific goal is 20 clients. I can picture, in my mind, 20 clients. If it’s money, picture a number in your bank account or yearly P&L statement and make that number your goal. Moving targets are also not specific. For instance, “meet more people” is an ongoing process, it’s not a specific goal. Set a specific goal like “meet 50 new people.”
Measurable
Once you have a Specific goal, you can determine if it’s
Measurable. For example, “find a business partner” is not measurable. It’s actually not even specific, unless you know exactly the steps needed to find a business partner.
Instead, I would set a goal like “interview 20 candidates to be my business partner”. You might accomplish the vision sooner, or you may find that none of the 20 are a good fit and so you do the goal again. If your specific goal is not measurable, consider what part of the goal is measurable and set that as your goal.
Attainable
A Specific and Measurable goal is a great start. Is your goal
Attainable for you? If it’s impossible to achieve, scale it back a bit, or set a different goal that will be attainable and support you in achieving this one in another goal period.
Realistic & Relevant
And, is the goal
Realistic? Yes, you can triple your revenues in 2020, but will you have time to complete any of your other goals? Will you have time for your family and friends? Also, is it
Relevant to your other business goals?
Timebound
Finally, to be a goal, it must be
Timebound, meaning that you set a date that it will start, and a date that it will complete. Your plans and actions will be derived from this.
WHY
The
WHY part is where resolutions turn into resolve, or are cast aside before you wind up feeling disappointed for not having met yet another resolution.
Written
If you’ve got a SMART goal, then it’s likely already
Written. If not, write it down! An unwritten goal is a thought. Thoughts can change and are subject to distraction. Get it out of your head and onto paper.
Harmony
Firm resolve comes from
Harmony. Is your goal harmonious with your purpose, your values, and your way of living? If not, then drop it. If you aren’t sure, what would make it harmonious?
Yours
And, finally, is it
Yours? Are you setting this goal for you, or is it to please someone else or because some consultant, guru or other person told you that it’s something you “should” set?
Start by saying to yourself “I want” and repeat the goal. If it doesn’t feel true, then it’s not yours.
Accountability & Support for Freelancers
Now you’ve got some WHYSMART goals. Creating a plan of action will be much more clear.
And, if you want accountability, support, and coaching on creating that plan and sticking to it, check out
Take Wing Coaching’s LIFT for Freelancers.
