With the end of the year coming up, I started doing what I do every November, I started working on my goals for the next year.  It was a great tip I got years ago, from a mentor I had.

What I didn’t know at the time was that less than 20% of people create goals. An even slimmer percentage of goal creators write them down.   It’s widely accepted that creating and writing down goals makes a person more successful.

In fact, a study on goals from Science Direct even proves it. The study compared two undergraduate classes. One class wrote down their goals for the academic year and the other did not. The group that wrote down their goals was 22% more likely to achieve them. According to their findings the goals that allowed a little wiggle room for change were more likely to be achieved that super- specific goals.

The reason a written goal is more successfully accomplished is due to focus. When a goal isn’t written down it gets jumbled in with all of the other thoughts a person has and forgotten about, but a goal that is written down, provides focus and clarity. This makes it something that is a lot more achievable. Add in the space for things to change over the course of the goal period and you have a recipe for success.

There are a lot of different ways to create and write goals. One of the popular methods is the S.M.A.R.T. method.

The letters are an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time Bound. This means to create a focused goal you know can be completed in a certain amount of time and progress towards finishing the goal can be watched. For example: making a predetermined amount of sales in your business each month or deciding to create and stick to an exercise plan.

Another popular method that works is a stair step method where a main goal is broken down into action steps towards achieving the goal. For example: setting a large yearly earnings goal that is broken down into a list of actions, like getting better graphic created, that lead towards the ultimate success of the end goal.

These methods work because you have a deadline and a clear-cut end marker that you can slowly see yourself getting closer and closer towards. If you’re a newbie to goal setting, or you have a tendency to abandon or change your goals quickly these methods of goal setting are very easy to follow leading to better success. The benefits creating and achieving goals includes increased self-confidence, better focus and a realistic grasp on your personal strengths and weaknesses.

Whatever method of goal setting you use, create and write goals to help you stay focused on success for the year ahead.

If one of your goals for the New Year is getting your graphics looking top tier with less stress on you, then I’d love to invite you to a FREE 1:1 Branding and Design Strategy Session. Email me today and let’s chat about how design can get your business where you want it to be and see if working together makes sense!