Everyone knows that goal setting for small and big business is important. Bernadette Doyle shares the difference that can be made by setting "Big Hairy Audacious" goals rather than the traditional goal setting most business owners use.

Just over a year ago, I participated in a business coaching program where we were asked to set BHAGs - Big Hairy Audacious Goals. Looking back now, I can see that moment was a significant turning point for me. Up until that point, I had been playing it safe. My goals up until then weren't Big, Hairy and Audacious. They were Small, Bald and downright Timid. I had been playing it safe. I wasn't committing to a bigger vision because that way I could avoid disappointment if it didn't work out. I had been censoring my goals and aiming for what I thought I could achieve
as opposed to what I truly wanted.

Fast forward just over one year, and there have been some BIG changes in my business. Sales revenues increased by 285% last year and this year we are set to triple revenues again. My team and I (yes, I've had to pull in extra people to assist and manage all this growth) are fastening our seatbelts for an exciting year ahead. So in this week's article, I want to share some of what I've learned about business growth over the past 12 months.

It starts with a decision. I've recently been reading two books by two different multi-millionaire authors, and what struck me was both of them recalled a specific moment when they decided to become wealthy. While I'm not quite in their income league just yet, I did recognize that I had everything that has been accomplished over the past 12 months started with a decision.

You need a plan. For years I resisted planning in too much detail, as I wanted my business to grow more organically and spontaneously. I was afraid that following a plan might prevent me from responding to new opportunities as they arose. I was deluding myself. How can you tell whether you are on - or off-track without a plan? Dare to set and plan for goals bigger than you dreamed possible.

You can't penny-pinch your way to your 'Big Vision'. Don't get me wrong. The first law of profits is 'have more coming in than you have going out'. But if you have a big vision for your own business over the next 12 months, you must be willing to invest in the tools, systems and people to help you get there. I spent more on coaching and training last year than ever before, and my business almost tripled. I don't think that is a co-incidence.

Be prepared to ruffle a few feathers. As you start to live your vision for your life and business, people WILL notice, and not everyone will be happy about it. Some might feel threatened as they see you striding outside of your comfort zone because it brings up their own fears and reminds them how they are still playing small. Others may just be downright jealous. Nothing brings critics out of the woodwork like success! It helps if you are prepared for it, and I would even go so far as say celebrate when the critics start making noise, as it means you must be really doing something.



Bernadette Doyle publishes her weekly Client Magnets newsletter for trainers, coaches, consultants, complementary therapists and solo professionals. If you want to get clients calling you instead of you calling them, then get your free tips now at www.clientmagnets.com.


(c) Bernadette Doyle, 2008.