I have always said that goals without specific time lines are nothing more than dreams. Do you find yourself whiling away your free time on the computer or cleaning up your desk for the third time this week instead of following through on all those great ideas you had about new projects or new marketing plans?

In this economic environment with jobs scarce, pink slips in abundance, and businesses in need of new clients setting realistic, attainable and timely goals can be the key to your success. What are your roadblocks and how can you eliminate them?

Fear and Procrastination

We often gravitate to what we find is the easiest, the least threatening, and the most comfortable to do. New projects or new ideas can take you out of your comfort zone. At the same time, doing something in a different way can enhance your business or career. I recently read this quote in Weird Ideas that Work by Robert Sutton: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.”

So what can you do to help you attain your goals?

1. Write down the goal you want to achieve and set a reasonable date for its completion. Break the process down into manageable steps, each with a set date. Breaking this down into steps enables you to tackle it in pieces while providing opportunities for you to review each outcome and make the necessary adjustments as you go.
2. Don’t be a perfectionist.  If it’s a new marketing plan, a job you want to apply for, or a new idea you want to raise with you boss don’t wait until you think it’s perfect. By the time you deem it perfect (if ever) someone else has already come along and gotten the assignment, the job, or closed the deal.
3. Keep the momentum going. Picture yourself driving a car and putting your foot on the brake every time the car reaches 60 mph. The result would be an uncomfortable jerky ride that took forever to get to your destination.

So take action, set goals with realistic timetables, review and revise results, and achieve your objectives.