Goal setting is something many MSPs struggle with. We’ve always been told to set attainable goals in business, but what if we didn’t? What if we challenged ourselves by setting goals outside of our own comfort zones? What do you think would happen then?
Back in June, at Schnizzfest, Mike Rayburn challenged us to ask the following question on a daily basis: “What if?” He encouraged us to think about a world without limits. More often than not, we restrict ourselves, especially when it comes to goal setting. In between guitar licks, he provided us with steps to follow when striving toward our goals.
Set goals that don’t exist
What did he mean by this? Well, instead of setting a goal you could easily map out, be a bit more ambitious by striving for a goal without a set path. Pick a goal without an immediate solution. By following his advice, you’ll find endless business opportunities.
Look at it this way: Determine what you’d want to achieve in the perfect world. What’s that goal you’ve always had in the back of your mind throughout the years? Why haven’t you gone through with the goal? Why have you ignored the goal? There’s nothing to be afraid of when you think about it clearly. What’s the worst that could happen? Failure?
Write your goals down
You can’t just think about your goals after you come up with them. When you keep your goals in your head, you make them vulnerable. Yes, it takes courage to set goals, but then you have to follow through by immediately writing them down somewhere. Set your future goals in stone, so they become real — not just figments of your imagination.
Commit to your goals
Great leaders get in front of their teams and outline strategic visions, even if there aren’t any clear paths to victory. These leaders go beyond the call of duty to ensure their organizations are pushing the status quo through innovation. You don’t need to know how to get to your goals, just commit to them first, and everything else will follow.
Take physical action
What do you need to do to accomplish your goal? Take some kind of action toward the goal you’ve set, whether it be learning a new skill or calling up a contact who can help put you in the right direction. Don’t just sit around and wait for things to happen to you.
It’s okay if you’re not exactly sure where to turn for answers. What matters is you do you best to try to find your solutions. Eventually, the paths you’re seeking will find you.
Setting goals is never easy to do in business. Yes, you want to achieve them, but you also want to challenge yourself, otherwise you and your business won’t grow. Think bigger when you’re setting goals. There are endless possibilities if you try to reach high enough. Always go for what you’d go for in an ideal world. Live life by asking, “What if?”