Ready Set Get Your Goals Done!

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I hope the first part of 2024 is treating you well. 

Last week I shared success tips about some of the habits of successful people like Warren Buffet and Steve Jobs. Today I want to share a previous post about goals and defining what exactly is a goal.

Check it out and I hope it provides you with the tools needed to make this first month of 2024 a true home run for you.

Keep IT Sunny

End of The Month & Year Round Up!

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I can’t believe this is the last week of 2023 and next week we enter into a new year. 

Are you ready?

Did the year turn out better than you thought? Did you crush the goals you set for yourself?

I am excited about all the new possibilities the new year will bring. As the year draws to a close and we begin planning for 2024 it is important to:

STOP

SLOW - DOWN

AND

REFLECT

Many times we can run through the whole year as if we are in a race and end up at the end of the year feeling unfulfilled. I know this has happened to me on occasion. I need to review the post I wrote called, What Is On Your Mind to see how I can improve my mindset so I can’t stop feeling so hurried but I digress. :)

My challenge to you is to press pause a few times during the holiday season to journal and reflect on the wins, challenges, and learns so that you can make next year a better year than 2023. After you have reflected on the activities of the past then think about starting to plan for 2024 for your business and personal goals using this process:

First create S.M.A.R.T. goals, specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Next, try this process to measure your progress:

7 - measure your goal in one week to see how you are doing.

30 - measure your goal in one month to see how you did for the month.

90 - measure your goal as a milestone to see if you crushed it. 

I encourage you to try this method to help you to stay focused on your goal attainment. If you are looking for more tips around goals check out the post that I wrote this month. 

The end of the year is fast approaching and we can set ourselves up for success by slowing down to reflect on how the year went, create S.M.A.R.T. goals for 2024, and use the 7, 30 & 90-day approach to measure progress. 

Happy New Year & Thank you for reading~

Keep IT Sunny!

Tis The Season To Crush Goals!

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Christmas is just around the corner and the atmosphere here in Las Vegas is filled with all things holiday season.

I am sure it is like that where you live too.

:)

As I peruse online and listen to my favorite podcast on podcast addict the theme of goals is swirling around. It makes sense because the new year is right around the corner and those pesky resolutions are waiting to be made. I heard a concept today around crushing goals from one of the best motivational speakers out there, Dr. Eric Thomas a.k.a The Hip Hop Preacher who shared this method:

1 day, 7 days, 30 days & 90 days

The focus is on starting your goal on day one and then measuring it on day 7. Next, you would continue to measure your progress in 30 days, and in 90 days that would be your milestone period. It’s such a good idea. Many times we start with zeal and vigor towards achieving our goals and then we get sidetracked by life. The goal gets placed on a shelf to nowhere. I am going to give this method a try. I encourage you to do the same.

If you are looking for more tips & tools around goals check out the posts I wrote below about it. 

How To Set Goals That Are Achievable In Life

Are You A Goal-Getter?

Merry Christmas Early & As Always Keep IT Sunny~

How To Set Goals That Are Achievable In Life?

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Goals

That word is so powerful. To some, it can lead to energetic excitement that inspires them toward success. 

For others, it can lead to stress, confusion, and anxiety. My goal is to be in the first group and to take you with me. Let’s first start with a definition.

Merriam-Webster defines goals as, “The end toward which effort is directed.”

That sounds simple enough. 

The first step is figuring out what you want your end to be and what kind of effort you are willing to put toward that end to obtain it. 

Here are some steps to help you along the way.

• Step One: Have fun and brainstorm what you are trying to accomplish. 

• Step Two: Take your brainstorming results and organize them into goal buckets; 5-year, 3-year, and 1-year buckets.

• Step Three: Write down what you would need to accomplish within the next 12 months to help you toward your 3-year goal.

• Step Four: Break down your goals into smaller chunks so that you can start to track and measure your progress.

Goals are the foundation of achieving success.

It is important to have fun and brainstorm some ideas, then get clarity around them, and create a roadmap plan that starts with your long-term, semi-long term and short-term goals. Finally, it is important to break everything down so that you don’t become overwhelmed and can track your progress.

Don’t forget to celebrate your wins.

Keep IT Sunny~

Get A Goals Coach For Free!!

Do you set goals for yourself & your business each year? Last month, I wrote a post called, “What’s Goals Got To Do With It.” The purpose of the post was to define precisely what a goal is and to encourage you to start making them. In this post, I want to highlight an amazing service through US Bank called Goals Coach.

In a nutshell, you can go to their website and sign up for a goals coach for FREE that will help you focus on reaching either your personal or business goals. The best part is that you do NOT have to be a customer of US Bank and they are not allowed to pitch products to you. 

So what are you waiting for?

Take a minute to check out how to sign up with a goals coach as I did and start crushing your goals. 

Keep IT Sunny~

What's Goals Got To Do With It!

Photo by Markus Winkler: https://www.pexels.com/photo/green-typewriter-on-brown-wooden-table-4052198/

Tina Turner had a movie titled, “What’s Love Got To Do With It” that also had a hit song attached to it. In the movie, Tina’s life was on display as she unraveled from being in a musical group with Ike Turner and out of a tumultuous marriage. I am sure she must have literally asked herself what does love have to do with me remaining in this crazy relationship that is keeping me from living a great life. She had a goal to be a world-class artist. 

How do I know that? 

There is no way she would have attained that level of success without FIRST having a goal to accomplish it. 

What Is The Definition of A Goal?

According to Merriam - Webster a goal is, “The end toward which effort is directed.” That is it plain and simple. You pick an end goal and start to take one step at a time toward it. 

I hope that you will start today by taking one directed step toward your goal. Tina did it before she was successful and in the midst of very trying times. You can do it too!

Keep IT Sunny!

3 Tools You Can Use To Help You Crush Goals in 2023

This month I want to take a look at goals. We will dive into what it is, how to do it right, and what tools are available to help you to crush those goals in 2023. 

The month is over and the excitement of setting those new year's resolutions like getting more fit is starting to fade. Let’s face it setting goals and going after them can be super tricky UNLESS you put a plan in place to help you reach your goals. Here are 3 tools you can use to help you crush your goals in 2023.

Do it with a friend - There are many things you can do by yourself and reach success but goal setting and goal getting is not one of them. Speak to a friend and you can help each other reach your goals.

Make it matter - One of the most important things you can do to help reach your goals is to put it on your calendar and in your daily spaces like on a bathroom mirror or phone. I am very visual and must-see my goals or it doesn’t exist. The next thing I do is right down a goal date, notes for steps taken, and track my progress. I use a Google spreadsheet to do this that I see every day when I open my computer. 

Get a coach - Do you know there is a person known as a “Goals Coach” that will help you reach your goals for free? For FREE!!  US Bank offers this service for free and you do NOT have to be a member of the bank. In fact, they are not allowed to sell services to you. Now that is a good deal. Check them out here. 

This month has flown by and I shared the definition of a goal, how to set goals the right way and now 3 tools you can use to help you achieve goals. The ball is in your court. Are you going to be in the same place next year this time due to inaction or are you finally going to get out there and see how far you can really go in life? 

Keep IT Sunny~

Are You Setting Goals The Right Way?

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In January, people usually start off strong by setting new years resolution goals. The problem is that February shows up and the glitter of the new year resolution starts to fade and folks just throw in the towel. The issue could be that they are not setting goals the right way. If you find yourself in this dilemma then check out a post I wrote some time ago about how to set goals that are achievable. My hope is that this will lead you toward keeping and crushing your goals in 2023.

Keep IT Sunny~

What Is The Definition of A Goal?

The New Year is the gateway to a new beginning and a fresh start. Many people make promises to tackle a new idea or habit to improve their lives, known as new year's resolutions. Did you make any new year's resolutions? I asked a friend on new years eve if she was going to make any new year's resolutions and she replied no that is too much pressure to put on yourself.

That got me thinking about whether I make new year’s resolutions or just set goals. I determined that it was a mixture of both. My new year's resolutions are to set and accomplish the goals I make in each area of my life for the year. 

No pressure at all:)

Then that got me thinking about what exactly is the definition of a goal. According to Merriam-Webster, a goal is an end toward which effort is directed”. Dictionary.com describes a goal as “the result or achievement toward which effort is directed”.

This is food for thought. A goal is the prize for pushing your efforts toward a single point of focus. That is my definition. I also read an article that stated that focus is:

Following

One

Course

Until

Success

My encouragement for you today is to just sit in silence with a pen & paper. Think about where you want to be this time next year and start to jot down those ideas. Pick ONE goal and next week we will look at how to f.o.c.u.s on that one goal to reach success. 

Keep IT Sunny

Welcome To 2023!

2023 is here & isn’t it exciting to have a brand new year filled with promise?

You have a chance to start fresh and make big plans for your business this year. I am a huge fan of setting goals for the year, which is my version of the new year's resolution. This month I want to take a look at goals. We will dive into what it is, how to do it right, and what tools are available to help you to crush those goals in 2023. 

Get ready for a year filled with abundance and fun!

Happy New Year!!

Keep IT Sunny~

Got Goals?

Photo by Markus Winkler from Pexels

Do you have goals for your business or are you just going through the emotions day to day? What is a goal? According to Merriam-Webster, a goal is “something that you are trying to do or achieve''. That’s it plain & simple.

So what are you trying to do or achieve for your business right now? If you are having trouble figuring it out in an organized way check out this article about how to plan your business goals so that they are achievable.

Do you have any goal setting tips & tricks that work well for you? Let’s learn together &  share in the comments below.

Keep IT Sunny!

Breathe~

Photo by Lachlan Ross from Pexels

As we roll into summer and close out the first half of the year it is a great time to pause and take stock of your business goals.

Are you on track to reaching them?

If not then take a look at a blog post I wrote on 3 practical steps to help you reach your goals. I hope this helps to get you back on track.

Keep IT Sunny~

Ready Set Go! 3 Practical Steps To Help You Reach Your Goals

Are you good at setting goals and reaching them?

Do you still remember your New Years Resolutions?

According to an article in Inc. Magazine only, “92 percent of people who set New Year's goals never actually achieve them. And only 8 percent of people who set goals actually obtain them. But don’t be discouraged. The key thing to remember is that people who set goals that are not elated to novelty events like New Year’s Eve can actually obtain them. So it’s time to start setting those goals.

1. Start with the end in mind - Where would you like your business to be in 10 years or 20 years? If you have no clue then start dreaming. It’s important to have a BHAG: Big Hairy Audacious Goal. This is “An idea conceptualized in the book, “Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies” by James Collins and Jerry Porras. According to Collins and Porras, a BHAG is a long-term goal that changes the very nature of a business’ existence.”

2. Set a plan for your goals and break them into small manageable bites - I am sure you have tons of time to spend on your goals right? That really sounds laughable as most entrepreneurs are crazy busy and find it challenging to juggle their business, family, and self-care. But what doesn’t get planned doesn’t get done. I use a business planner notebook and my project management tool Teamwork to plan goals by breaking them into small bite-size chunks. For example, my goal for writing this blog post was to block out 30 minutes to write the post free from editing and then I set another goal for a different day to read, edit and then schedule it to go live. This helps me to not feel overwhelmed and to stay energized and focused.

3. Reward yourself - It is important to give yourself a reward after you have reached a goal to keep yourself motivated. According to an article on StunningMotivation.com, “When we give ourselves treats, we feel energized, cared for, and contented, which boosts our self-command — and self-command helps us maintain our healthy habits.”

Setting and reaching goals can seem overwhelming. This can be minimized if you figure out where you are trying to go, put a plan in place & execute it and then the best part of all give yourself a nice reward.

Keep It Sunny!

Get After It!

I hope your week is going well and that you had a chance to figure out your “Why” after looking at Simon Sinek’s video last week.

Now that you know the reason why you are in business it’s time to get after it and accomplish goals within your business.

If you need a little help getting started check out a previous post I wrote about this topic.

Keep It Sunny!

April Bright Spot Round Up

April is pretty much in the record books.

Did you accomplish the goals you set for yourself & your business?

If not there is still time to do so. I know your busy but the blogs that I wrote this month just might be the catalyst to help you reach your goals. Check them out below and have a wonderful day! Happy Reading:)

How To Choose The Right Tax Professional For Your Business Needs - click here

How To Plan For Tax Time For Next Year - click here

Are You Burning The Candle At Both Ends? - you know you are:) click here

KEEP IT SUNNY!

Ready Set Go!

The end of the year is here. I don’t know about you but it seems like it got here really quick. I hope this year was one of your best ones yet and that all the goals you set have come to pass. If not then check out my previous post on how to start fresh with new goals in 2019. This is a busy time of the year for many reasons but don’t forget tax time is just around the corner. Next week I will chat with you about how you can get organized and ready for your favorite CPA. If you don’t have one yet then I will give you some places you might want to check out.

Have an awesome day and as always Keep it Sunny!

:)

Got Goals?

Do you remember the popular milk campaign called “Got Milk”?

The goal was to raise awareness about drinking more milk to improve your health. In the same way I am asking you this question:

“Got Goals”?

My Business Is Stagnate

In order to reach higher areas in each part of our lives including our business we need goals. Sounds pretty simple right?

Yes and no.

We can think of a million things we would like to accomplish BUT never get results. A few weeks ago I wrote a blog post on how to set easy goals for your business. Now I want to go one step further. Recently I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts, 48days to the work you love by Dan Miller and stumbled across a goal setting e-book that he was promoting on his website. It’s very comprehensive and it took me about 2 hours to complete. In all fairness I was watching t.v. at the same time and did the exercises in between commercials. :) I found it to be very helpful and useful as a system that will help me make more achievable goals. Take a peek and see if it can work for you. Whatever tool you decide to use doesn’t matter. The real deal is picking a solution that will be easy for you to use and then taking action. What do you have to lose? Give it a go.

What system do you use to achieve goals? Share in the comments below so we can learn from each other.

Keep It Sunny!

Finding A Great Fit: Virtual Assistance in 2016

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Photo Courtesy of phasinphoto|Freedigitalphoto.net

We are already in the second week of the new year. Time flies very fast. Are you on track with your goals?

• New Business Cards Ordered: Check

• Networking Events to Attend for 2016: Check

• Help With Monthly Projects & Tasks: NOT CHECKED!

Why are you still struggling to do everything in your business as if it was the year 2000? The Virtual Assistant Industry is on the rise and partnering up with a VA is the 21st century way of getting things accomplished in your business. 

How Do I Find A Top-Notch VA Professional?

Be Professional, Kind & Make Sure It Is The Right Fit For Your Business

Be Professional & Kind- Do not write this in your Ad:  Hi, I am Joe Blow from XYZ company and I am paying $15 an hour to hire a VA to do a long list of stuff. Please don't reply if you expect a pay rate of $X amount of dollars or have any requirements to work with me.

WOW!

This will surely leave you without the excellent world class service you deserve.

The previous statements are geared towards an employee/employer type relationship. These do exist in the VA world, think Craigslist or Elance. Even if this is the type of relationship you desire this type of ad doesn't leave the reader excited to work with you. Additionally, many virtual assistants work for a firm and are independent contractors. So be careful how you craft your ad unless you are really seeking to hiring an individual as an employee to join your company.

Most often if you are seeking someone who will go beyond being a taskmaster and deliver feedback and brainstorming strategies on the strategic view of your company you will be dealing with a business owner. I am unsure how you would feel if a potential client approached you about gaining help from you for their business and they wrote the above statements. Bad Business Communication 101. 

So to answer the question of "How Do I Find A Top-Notch VA Professional"?

• Make a list of what type of non-revenue generating tasks/projects you do daily.

• Figure out if you are ready to partner up with a VA. If you aren't ready to let go and trust someone with your baby, then you are not ready to work with a VA Professional

• Determine what frequency you will need help. Most VA's charge a monthly retainer just like attorneys to do business with them.

• Figure out your budget before you seek out a VA

• Write an interesting RFP that showcases your personality and business in the best light.

• Check out the potential VA's FAQ list on their site to determine if they are a good fit for you.

Finding the right VA Professional fit for you and your business may take a bit of patience. The end result will be that you will gain your time back and have your very own business partner, cheerleader to help you conquer your strategic goals in 2016.

KEEP IT SUNNY!