New Year’s is the time when goal-setting permeates our work life, home life and even the entertainment and social media arenas. We get the chance to reflect on the last year and set goals that will launch us into a fresh start and new beginning.

While setting goals is important, we often forget them just a few months into the year. Making goals is the easy part; developing plans and implementation is far more difficult for any business.

4 Tips to Actually Implement New Year Goals

Document Your Goals

Write your goals down. This first step should not be skipped. Be as detailed as you want but get your thoughts down on paper. How can you implement something that is a hazy thought from months ago that you sort of mulled over for a while. You can’t implement what you don’t have set as a clearly written out and defined goal.

Set Benchmarks

Your goals need to be measurable. The best way to pull this off is to set benchmarks. Your company can track progress via a goal board, spreadsheet, announcements or some other method. However, you need to set goals that can be measured success wise throughout the year. Benchmarks will enable you to track how far you’ve come and where you need to be.

Celebrations and Rewards

If you want to help your company with goal implementation, you may need to provide an occasional incentive. When your team hits their benchmarks, celebrate with them. You could buy your team lunch, take them to coffee or let them leave a little early on Friday.

Also, consider providing a small reward or bonus to spur your team onward with the company’s goal and vision. Appreciation, praise and a pat on the back shouldn’t be underestimated either. You’ll need everyone on board to implement your business goals and a little encouragement is beneficial for both you and your staff.

Teams Buy In

If you want to see your goals become a reality, you must get your teams buy in. Let them help set the company’s goals. Ask them for feedback on your vision. You will see that it’s easier to have your goals implemented if everyone is on board with the plan.

Establishing goals is necessary for any business. As the New Year approaches, be sure to set goals that can be tracked, celebrated, and are reasonable to those that help you carry them to completion.

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.”

– Unknown

Written for us by our associate Gary Sorrell, Sorrell Associates, LLC.

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