Setting the right goals for success

Success is a difficult thing to articulate since it means something different to each person. Dictionary.com defines success as “the favourable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavours, the accomplishment of one’s goals.”

Success is the culmination of our goals; however, just because you might achieve your goals doesn’t mean you’ll ultimately feel successful.

Everyone has heard the story of the businessman who struggled and strived to reach the top of the corporate ladder. He reached his goal, only to come home to an empty house, and divorce papers.

Did his goal bring ‘success’? No doubt about it. His position at the top is testament to the success of his goal. The problem is that it was not the kind of success that he needed. The goal only worked into one part of his life. The other parts were starved and ignored while that one part was fed and nurtured.

We need to develop a set of goals that take care of all of the facets of our life. That way, when we review our progress against our goals, we can’t accidentally leave one important part of our life behind.

Want more articles like this? Check out the setting business goals section.

To experience a well-rounded feeling of success it’s important to set goals in each of the following areas:

• Family
• Partner and intimacy
• Friends and relationships
• Physical environment
• Adventure and fun
• Career and business
• Money and wealth
• Lifestyle
• Giving back
• Personal development
• Travel and holidays
• Health and wellness
• Happiness

When setting goals for success, check them against all of the above life facets. See how they are going to affect the other parts of your life. Make sure that they work with each other. And if they don’t, make sure the goal is a short-term hardship that will create a long-term gain.

Putting your life on the backburner is par for the course for small business owners. Acknowledge that this is only for a relatively short period of time while the business grows, and set yourself a time limit. Let the significant people in your life know how long you expect to be tied up with the business. That way, when you have completed your goal, you won’t be confronted by the cold, empty house and divorce papers – you’ll be confronted with cheerful, happy family and friends who can celebrate your return to the real world.

It is important to continue to achieve in business. Without forward movement, your business will suffer. However, it’s equally important to keep the other aspects of your life in balance – to make sure you can enjoy your business success when you achieve it.

What goals have set you on the path to success?