5 Things to Do Before You Set Your Business Goals
Lay the foundation for meaningful goals with these essential steps!
When you start dreaming about setting business goals, it’s tempting to dive right into the big dreams: increasing revenue, launching new products, or expanding your reach.
But before you start mapping out these goals, it’s critical to lay the foundation so the goals align with what you’ve already built.
Success = Stacking wins from last year! (not starting over)
So you’ll see that skipping these foundational steps can lead to frustration, misaligned priorities, and even burnout. If you want goals that stick—and a plan to achieve them—start here.
Here are five essential things to do before you set your business goals:
1. Reflect on Your Why
Your “why” is the driving force behind your business.
Why did you start this venture?
What motivates you to keep going?
Reconnecting with your purpose ensures that your goals align with your values and long-term vision.
This step is especially important for farmers, artisans, and small-scale business owners whose work is deeply personal and tied to their passion.
Action Step: Take 15 minutes to journal about why you started your business and how it’s evolved. Identify what still inspires you and what might need adjusting.
2. Review What’s Working (and What’s Not)
Before looking forward, you need to look back. Understanding what’s working well in your business—and what isn’t—helps you set realistic, impactful goals. Don’t just focus on the numbers; consider processes, customer feedback, and how your business feels day-to-day.
Action Step: Make a list of 3 things that are going well and 3 things that feel like roadblocks. Use this as a starting point for where to focus your energy.
3. Know Your Numbers
Setting goals without understanding your current financial and operational metrics is like setting off on a road trip without a map. Knowing where you stand gives you a clear starting point and helps you measure progress.
Action Step: Review your income, expenses, and key performance indicators (KPIs). Identify any trends or surprises that could influence your goals.
4. Identify Your Resources
Goals require time, energy, and resources. Whether you’re considering launching a new product, scaling your operations, or increasing your customer base, you need to know what you have to work with.
Action Step: Take stock of your available resources, including your budget, team, tools, and personal capacity. Be honest about any gaps that might need filling before you can move forward.
5. Get Clear on Your Priorities
Not every opportunity is worth pursuing. By identifying your top priorities, you can focus your efforts on what truly matters to your business and avoid getting distracted by shiny objects.
Action Step: Choose 1-3 areas of focus for the next quarter or year. These could include improving operations, increasing customer engagement, or launching a new revenue stream.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Once you’ve reflected, reviewed, and identified your priorities, it’s time to turn those insights into actionable goals. That’s where the Goals with Grit Workshop comes in. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to:
Set meaningful goals that align with your values and vision.
Create a step-by-step plan to achieve them.
Build accountability into your process to stay on track.
Don’t let another year pass without a clear direction for your business. Join the Goals with Grit Workshop and set yourself up for success in the year ahead.
Remember, the best goals start with a solid foundation. Take these five steps, and you’ll be ready to set goals that propel your business forward with clarity and confidence.