3 crucial Errors To Avoid when setting Business goals

A few months ago a client sent me an unusual message. see the message below.

As it was unusual for this particular client to request a time change I decided to clear my calendar that day.

(Most of my clients are high-performers so yes it’s unusual for them to be overwhelmed unless it’s an emergency) .

5 minutes into the conversation I immediately knew what the real problem was however as any trained coach knows;

After a few questions I noticed a shift in his energy, his eyes got big like a bulb, and then came the sign. He got it.

A week later I received these messages:

And then this message

This coaching session made me realize how many High-Performing Entrepreneurs are still making these 3 crucial errors when setting their business goals.

So in this post, I’m going through them with you so that you will become a better and move the needle in your business.

They are quick, easy, and painless to shift…Unless you have a mental issue or are too stubborn to change.

Let’s dive in!

Crucial Error to Avoid #1 Setting Unrealistic Expectations

Almost every high-performing entrepreneur I’ve studied or been exposed to understands that setting goals that are too ambitious can lead to frustration and burnout. And I’m starting with this piece of advice because I think it’s one of those “First things first” things.

👉Keep your goals challenging but attainable. Big enough so that if you achieve them it’s worth the effort but small enough so that it’s not overwhelming.

Crucial error #2 Lack of Specificity

Vague goals like "increase sales" won't get you far. Where do you think overwhelm comes from? The goal, thin air, or your mind? I used to fall victim to this because I was either afraid the number wasn’t big enough or it was too big and I wouldn’t be able to achieve the goal. However, over the years, I’ve found that it wasn’t so important that I hit the goal what was most important was that my mind had evidence of progress. This kept me and my clients motivated. Like winning points in a Pac-Man game.

👉 Be specific: "Increase sales by 20% in Q3" provides clear direction.

Here is why:

The purpose of setting goals is not to achieve them but to keep you and your team motivated and in high spirits so this means if your goal is vague it defeats the entire purpose of the goal. When your goal is specified it gives both you and your team clarity every step of the way. Like hitting a new score on Pac-Man. (you can tell I love playing pac man)

Crucial error #3 Ignoring Feedback

If you're not listening to your team or customers, you're missing valuable insights. This is something I learned from my own coach.

You are 99% more likely to achieve your business goals when they are regularly reviewed and adjusted based on feedback. Every time I set new business goals I review them weekly and the goals that I started with are never the goals that I end with. It’s either I’m moving the goalpost further away or closer to me as I gauge how realistic they really are.

I’m learning that humans aren’t really good at setting realistic goals so reviewing is a must.

This doesn’t have to be something big..in fact…it can be as simple as spending 15 minutes looking at the results you have compared to where you want to go.

👉 Regularly review and adjust your goals based on feedback.

Bonus: Crucial error: Not rewarding yourself

This is something I learned from my partner. Every time she finished a project, she would reward herself somehow. Didn’t have to be something big…in fact…most of the time, it would be something as small as buying herself a l treat from her favorite pastry shop.

Over the years, I’ve worked out a reward system for myself. I even break it down.

Like when I lived in Hangzhou, I would set a goal to get “X” amount of work done on Friday afternoon around 3 pm. Then, if I hit my goal, I would reward myself by hitting “halal BBQ and beer” with my friends later that day. We will play Taboo (The best group game in the world in my opinion), we will laugh and have a great time.

That was a great reward, but it worked for me. And I’m not suggesting you do the same every time you hit a goal. But I am suggesting you figure out something that keeps you moving and gives you joy for hitting your marks.

What’s the point in growing a business if we aren’t enjoying the process of it? Gamify the experience and you will have so much fun along the way.

Now if you avoid these 3 crucial errors I can promise that you will be making more progress in your business than 99% of Entrepreneurs. Setting clear, realistic, and feedback-driven goals is the cornerstone of business success.

Ready to refine your goal-setting strategy? Let’s connect.

Next Week, we’ll explore more lifestyle tips and tricks to keep you at your best.

Until then, sleep well, and live well!

Let’s get it let’s goh🚀

❤️Deano Delpleash

Checkout my top-performing post this week