In the previous article, I shared the 5 steps with you to turn a big dream into reality. The fifth step, making your quarterly and monthly goals concrete, is the last practical step to not only achieve your long-term goals but also crush the important goals for the coming weeks. Because, starting with the end in mind is nice, but it's the first steps that will help you on your way!
The last practical step. Not the last step.
Before we dive into the fifth step, I'd like to remind you of what I said in the first article on this topic: "In the next articles, we'll work on making the dream, but also living the dream."
'Living the dream' is a serious step in achieving your goals. But, honestly, it's less practical than the other steps. We'll save this part for a future article.
Why start big?
"All this is nice, but I just want to know how I can achieve the goals I've set for the coming week/weeks." If this thought crosses your mind, let me tell you two things.
- Is your glass half full? Assuming you might not achieve your short-term goals is not the way successful people think!
- Trust the process. Starting with the end in mind is not made up, but a proven technique that has led many people to a successful and happy life.
Quarterly and monthly goals
In the last step of the previous article, we ended with step 4: the timeline. We started with the 'big dream': becoming a full-time entrepreneur. And we determined that a profit of €3500 is needed by the end of the year.
You could say you can skip this quarterly step. You already know what you want to earn monthly to reach your financial goal. However, skipping this step would reduce your chances of successfully achieving your goals.
Quarterly goals | financial
The financial picture (profit goal) for the coming quarters is, in this example, simple:
- Quarter 2: €900
- Quarter 3: €4500
- Quarter 4: €9000
But this is a profit goal. Considering VAT, taxes, and costs: what does this mean for the turnover you need to achieve? Find out!
Quarterly goals | tactical & creative
Now that you know what you want to earn each quarter, it's time to determine how you'll earn it. Which products will you sell? Think in detail about what's needed to achieve your financial goals.
Monthly goals
If you know what you need to achieve in the next quarter, you can break it down into the coming months. How much do you need to earn in the coming months? What steps will you take in the first month? What about the second? And what about the third?
Good news! You don't need to make all of the months of the year concrete just yet. Just focus on the next 3.
Weekly goals
Are your goals for the upcoming month complete? Then you know exactly what you this week or next week can do to achieve those goals. Then you know exactly what you today can do to crush.
Next time we'll complete the circle of Setting And Achieving Goals.
