Smart women understand that setting clear goals creates a roadmap to follow and dramatically increases the chances of success in business. Regardless of where you are in your business cycle, your success depends on the long-term and short-term goals you’ve set and the roadmap to get there. What goals have you set for your business? Better yet, what actions have you taken to achieve them? If you’re unsure, here are 5 Ps for successful goal setting.

Setting a goal is not the main thing. It’s deciding how you’re going to do it and sticking with that plan. “Tom Landry, soccer coach

PASSION

Why is passion an important ingredient in business? Starting and managing a business is a great challenge. It takes infinite time and attention. When you absolutely love what you do, you will be able to face all the uphill battles to overcome difficult obstacles as you make your way to the top. That passion will allow you to see your goals to the end.

PRIORITIZE

Women are known for putting others first, especially their family and business. Unfortunately, doing so often causes stress, exhaustion, or illness … if you’re not careful!

Taking care of your must be priority! When setting your goals, you must come first your, and then your family and business. Ultimately, you are in control of ‘how, when, where and why ‘ to achieve your goals. Your goals must align, personally and professionally.

PLAN

If you take a road trip and don’t plan your route, how likely is it that you will reach your intended destination? Just as planning your route is essential; So is determining what goals you want to implement and creating a plan to review and measure progress.

Your goals must be specific and achievable. Just saying you want ten new clients in the next six months isn’t enough? A great way to measure your progress is by implementing SMART goals. SMART Goals is a simple tool that companies use to formulate a workable plan for results. SMART illustrates the 5 characteristics of an efficient goal:

• S- specific
• M – measurable
• A – achievable
• R – realistic
• T – timely

PERSISTENCE

Perseverance is the key to business success. It is the ability to stand firm in the face of adversity or opposition. Achieving your goals requires constant action. Easier said than done … but you have to be tenacious and keep going! If you are in the habit of tracking your progress and accomplishments so you can see how much closer you are getting with each step forward.

For example, instead of setting a goal to increase your internet marketing presence, you may want to list several specific ways that you plan to do this, such as:

Podcast – delivered via RSS FEED and available via audio content.

• Podcasting Resources Podcasting Tools
• Bunker podcast
• Podcasting news
• Podcast alley

RSS Feeds: Really Simple Syndication (RSS) is an easy way to send information directly to subscribers online without using email.

• The news is ready
• Technorati

Article Marketing – Short articles written related to the industry related to a website. The articles are distributed on the web and contain a link back to the website.

• Article marketer
• EzineArticles
• Idea marketers

Press releases: sent to journalists in order to encourage them to develop articles on the subject.

• PR Web
• Press release 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• I Newswire

GAIN

Ultimately, people are in business to make a profit. This is extremely important to the health of your business. As a new or growing company, you must be diligent with your finances. Some experts suggest reviewing your profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports on a monthly basis. Also, hiring a certified public accountant or accountant can be a good investment.

Evaluate your current expenses and set goals that take into account your short-term and long-term financial goals. Here are 4 useful tools:

Goal tracking tools

• Goals on Track – This goal tracking software does a lot more than just help you keep track of your goals. It will help you prioritize, visualize, and stay focused on what matters most.
• 43 Things – An online tool that will help you keep track of your goals and motivate you through the recommendations of other members.
• Joe’s Goals – An extremely efficient and easy-to-use online tool that is ideal for tpiling up your daily goals.
• Lifetick – A web-based software that brings together goal setting and achievement like you’ve never seen before through its intuitive and easy-to-understand process.

Finally, goal setting is vital to remain successful and competitive. Your goals are extremely crucial to your roadmap to business success!