Posts Tagged ‘Goal Setting’

Who’s on your belay team?  Most of us try to climb without one.  One of the distinguishing characteristics of successful people is that they get support and set themselves up with accountability partners.  They have someone that will anchor them when they fall and encourage them back up to their goals.

One thing that you definitely need on your way to success is accountability.  Basically, being accountable means that you answer to someone.  The best kind of accountability is someone or some structure that reminds you of your commitments and holds you to them.  Why do we need to be held accountable?  Because we’re human.  Generally, our best selves set the goals and resolutions and our weakest selves sabotage the efforts all along the way.  The thing to be careful about is that you make the distinction that your accountability partner isn’t actually responsible for you getting your result, you are.

There are a lot of different types of accountability.  The first step is to figure out what you want to be accountable to, what you want to accomplish or what results you want to achieve.  Goals and resolutions are a good place to start.  Then find a way to be accountable to achieve that result.  Find what works for you!  Don’t confuse that with “find what you like best.”  Find what actually works.

1. Personal Accountability - You are accountable to you.  This takes structures in order for you to succeed because we have a lot of different layers of values and desires and our needs in the moment can sabotage our short or long term goals.  Ideas for structures that work:  measurement (weigh yourself, count your money, count your clients), success journal (write down 5 things you will do to move you toward your goals in the next 24 hours, check in daily), write it down (food journal, QuickBooks, to do lists), time structures (put it in your calendar, make a deadline, use a timer), visual/sensory reminders (vision board, wearing special jewelry or perfume, post it notes), etc.  A bold kind of structure that really works for personal accountability is to schedule something or buy something that will force you to keep to your goal.  For example, signing up to run a marathon or scheduling a beach vacation with your high school girlfriends who all wear bikinis might help you stick to your fitness and weight loss goals.  Leasing a car through your business might help you find the motivation you need to make the money you need to make to cover it.  I’ve known people to buy houses, cars, lease offices, hire consultants and employees and then have to do whatever it takes to make the money to pay for those things.
2. Being Accountable to Friends – Tell your friends or family what you’re up to so that they can hold you to it.  It’s great to lean in to your friends and family for support, but be aware that they probably won’t really hold you accountable unless you are really specific about what you want from them.  We tend to collude with our friends and family and diminish their failures because we love them.  We let each other off the hook.  If you plan to use one or more friends for accountability, design them to call you out under certain circumstances and to hold you to your word or your best when they see you falling short.  Give them the specific conditions and language you want them to use and practice it.
3. Group Accountability – There are a lot of different kinds of groups you might be accountable to.  Generally, everyone in the group is working on similar goals as you are.  This could be in the form of a mastermind group, a board of directors, a support group, a club, a team or some other group of peers.  Pretty much, it’s peer pressure at work for you.  You just don’t want to let the group down or look bad in front of them, so you keep your word and do your best.  Most of these kinds of groups also have a coach or a leader that will add another layer of support and accountability.
4. Professional Accountability – Paying someone or getting paid by someone to get results.  You might hire a coach or a consultant to help you get specific results and to hold you accountable.  Conversely, this type of accountability can come from an employer or a customer who is paying you to achieve some result for them and you are accountable in that way. For some reason, “money talks” and most of us respond pretty well to this kind of direct accountability, where our professional reputations are at stake.
5. Public Accountabilty – Blogging, Social Networking and all other forms of telling the world what you are up to so that they will know what to expect from you.  This is bold and powerful.  Unfortunately, “the world” only knows what you tell them, so they can’t call you out about eating ice cream on the sofa at 11pm unless you tweet it or something like that.

The bottom line is that accountability works.  Go get some!

I am starting three Coaching Mastermind Groups in May that will meet twice a month for an hour over the phone – Goal setting, accountability, coaching, consulting and mentoring all in one.  Mondays at 9:30am, Tuesdays at 8:30am or Fridays at 10:30am  pacific.  Call, text or email me now!

1.  Set a Goal!

How many clients do you want?  How much money do you want to make?  How many new clients do you want in the next 6 weeks?  How much money do you want to make this week?  this month?  If you don’t have a goal, it’s hard to reach it.  Make it tangible!

2.  Develop a Simple Plan!

Your marketing plan doesn’t need to be rocket science.  We all know the top 10 or the top 100 things that we should be doing to get clients.  We all know what we “should” be doing, but we’re not doing it.  Mostly, it’s because what you “should” be doing, doesn’t normally get done.  Make your plan 3-10 things that you WILL do on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.  Your plan should be things that you like to do and that you will do.  If you hate public speaking, don’t do it.  If you love to blog, then blog.  If you like networking, then network.  Just don’t forget to follow up!  Again, do it the way that works for you.  If you hate ezines, don’t have one.  If you love personal notes, then write them.  You get the idea!

3.  Take Consistent Action!

Successful marketing is the result of having a simple plan that you will work consistently.  It is better to have 3 simple actions that you take every day, every week or every month than one brilliant strategy that you implement once every three months.

4.  Do ONE thing!

Do at least ONE thing every day that will move you toward your goal.  Updating your website is a great idea, but it’s not likely to get you a new client today.  Make the call, send the email, meet for coffee, ask for a referral, etc.  Do ONE thing every day that is directly related to getting the results that you are after.

5.  Be Accountable!

It’s easy to make a plan and not so easy to stick with it.  Set up a structure for accountability.  Get a buddy and check in daily or weekly.  Check in with your mastermind group.  Tell your coach your plan and design an accountability structure.  Join a Get Clients NOW! Teleclass!

Get Clients NOW! Teleclasses are now forming!  Get more information here!

Teleclass forming NOW! Space is limited! $197

Six Tuesdays in March/April 2010

Mar 16 & Mar 23: 10 – 11:30am pacific and

Mar 30, Apr 6, Apr 13, Apr 20: 10 – 11am pacific

Okay, you got me.  I don’t really “hate” much of anything about anything.  But, I do sometimes get frustrated with coaching.  As a client, sometimes I just want my coach to TELL me what to do.  Well, guess what?  That’s not coaching.  That’s consulting.  Fortunately, I have a coach who offers a little bit of coaching and mentoring, too.  So what’s the difference?

Coaching starts with the assumption that you are naturally creative resourceful and whole and that you actually have all the information that you need to make an informed decision and to effect positive change in your life.  The strength of coaching is being able to empower you to find that information and to help you set goals and build structures for accountability.  In coaching, the agenda comes from the client, and the coach helps to keep you focused on the present and on yourself.  Coaching can also be introspective and is very much about self discovery.  One of the foundational skills of coaching is asking questions.

Consulting starts with the assumption that the consultant knows something that you don’t know and that you want and need this information.  Generally, the consultant tells you what to do and you do it for the purpose of achieving some result or outcome. One of the foundational skills of consulting is answers or solutions.

Mentoring is about sharing experience.  Mentors generally offer a combination of coaching and consulting which results from their experience in your field.  They have likely made some mistakes and can help you avoid making them.  They generally have relevant experience to share that points you in the direction that you want to go.  One of the foundational skills of mentoring is story telling.

Coaching has become very popular.  With that popularity, there has been some confusion.  Many consultants and mentors are actually calling themselves coaches.  It’s not wrong or bad, but it is confusing.  Know what you want and know what you’re getting.  It doesn’t really matter if your consultant calls herself a Marketing Coach.  Do be aware of what you want, though, and make sure you’re getting it.

If you’re anything like me, most of you don’t need any more experts telling you what to do.  You probably know what to do, but you don’t do what you know.  You know you should have an ideal client and you know what kind of marketing activities you like to do best and you think there are other things that you “should” be doing, but you’re not.  Most of you don’t need to hire someone else to tell you what else you “should” be doing.  The main benefit of coaching is that it helps you figure out what you really want, what you really want to do and how to give yourself permission to stop doing the things you “should” and just do the things you love in order to get the results that you are after.

If you like that idea, let me know.  I’d be happy to set you up with a sample session with me or another knock your socks off coach.

Most people wait until New Year’s to start contemplating the new year and setting resolutions and goals.  But, not the people that I hang out with.  You people are on fire!  It’s barely December and everyone I know is beginning to make some assessment of 2009 and some plans for 2010.  I have a process that I run through at the end of each year and I thought I’d share it with you.  They are my Ten Questions for Spectacular Direction:

1. What did I accomplish this year?
2. What were my biggest disappointments?
3. What did I learn?
4. What 10 things do I do that I love to do?
5. What 10 things do I do that I don’t love to do?  How can I stop doing some of these things?
6. What roles do I play in my life?  For help, look at these areas and determine which roles you play:  career, money, health & fitness, love life, friends & family, personal & spiritual development, environment, and fun& recreation.  I use sassy titles like “Mother of the Year” instead of “Mom” and “God’s Girl” instead of “Confirmation Teacher” and “The Woman of His Dreams” instead of “Wife” and “The Girl Everyone is Talking About” instead of “networker.”  We all play so many roles in our lives.  Consolidate them a little, make about 8 “Title Roles” and list the sub roles underneath them.  For example:  “Mother of the Year” might have sub roles: chef, taxi driver, cheerleader, tutor, housekeeper, coach, personal shopper, librarian, gamer and ATM.  “The Best Coach in SCV” might have roles like “Coach, CTI Ambassador, ICF Board Member, WE Marketing Coordinator, blogger, networker, Get Clients Now facilitator, etc.”
7. What are my goals for each of my top 8 Roles?  Set SMART Goals:  specific, measurable, achievable, resonant, and thrilling (that might be a little different than the SMART goals you are accustomed to – I’ll write more about that another day).
8. What one or two roles are my major focus for next year?  What are my top 10 goals for next year?
9. What’s really most important to me?  What are my top 4 values that will get me the results I want next year?  I call these my “Cornerstones” and I “run” my decisions through them.
10. What support do I need to achieve my goals?  Education, resources, consulting, coaching, a buddy, a support system, etc.

Okay, I know that there are really more than ten questions on that list.  But, it’s worth it and you’re worth it.  It normally takes me about 3 hours to go through the process.  I write down all my answers and produce a lovely little one page summary that I hang on my wall all year, which I also give a sassy name (last year’s was “Sunshine 2009″, this year’s is “Win in 2010″).  As a reward, I normally treat myself to a vision board.  If I’ve done it right, my goals are a little breath taking and I treat myself to a glass of champagne to celebrate the success that I am starring in the face.

Do you want to take your business, your relationships, your health or any other part of your life to the next level?  Get a coach!  People are always asking me how I get so much done in a day, a week, a month or a year.  People are always asking me why I am so happy and what’s my secret to my success.  Well, here it is, folks… I have a coach!  Here are 10 reasons why you should have one, too:

1. You want more – more time, more money, more fun, more happiness, more success, etc.  Most people come to coaching to get more out of their already amazing lives.
2. You want less – less drama, less c0nflict, less weight, fewer problems, etc.  Coaching is a great forum to explore problems and challenges and to learn more about yourself.  Coaches teach communication tools and personal responsibility.
3. You are stuck. Let’s face it.  We all get stuck sometimes.  Your coach will see where you are stuck, help you to see it and help you get into action while helping you learn more about yourself along the way.
4. You want more choices. Coaching is all about choice and choices.  Your coach will help you see that you always have choices and help you explore your choices so that you can get the results you are after in your life.
5. Accountability. Your coach will hold you accountable to do what you say you are going to do and to keep your commitments.  Your coach will use creative structures to help you succeed, even in areas where you have had challenges in the past.
6. You want more balance in your life. Most people who are successful struggle with life balance.  If one or more areas of your life is suffering from lack of attention, coaching can help you get results.
7. You’re bored. Do you have some habits (like over-eating, drinking, watching TV, etc) that are related to boredom?  Your coach will help you find new ways to get inspired and challenged without getting exhausted and overwhelmed.
8. You want to be more present in your life. Do what you love and love what you do.  Your coach will help you to be more in the experience of your life.  Most of us have built in ways of avoiding certain parts of our life.  Your coach will help you look at those areas and take action rather than living in reaction.
9. You want to find the easy way to do things. Life doesn’t have to be hard.  When things are hard, that is a sign that something’s not quite right.  Your coach will help you find the easy, fun way to reach your goals.
10. You are committed to a life of purpose. A coach can help you discover or clarify what your contribution to humanity is and help you develop an action plan to start making a bigger difference in the world.

I have been working with a life coach for over 5 years.  When I began coaching, I was looking for help balancing business and family and to fill the “what’s missing” in my life.  I have since built and sold a business, traveled to new and exciting places in the world with my husband and kids, built my coaching business, redesigned my life so that I can work from home between playing with my kids, and built an 8000 square foot custom home among other things.  Seriously, get a coach!  There is a coach available for every budget.  I am happy to give you a complimentary sample session or to refer you to an outstanding coach in any price range.

Request a sample session NOW!
661-255-2100 or Carrie@CarrieKish.com