For those of you who've been following my blog, you know already that I really enjoy Chuck Coonradt's book: The Game of Work. Everything in business is compared to a game. What I've been thinking about this past week are goals. Chuck posed a what if: What if a team of hockey players went out and played a game but didn't keep score? We've all seen games where the score isn't kept. Not too enthusiastic among neither the players nor the audience, is it? What happens when you change that game to a game where the score is kept? Chuck said, and I agree, that it's just inherent that we want to do things better, faster, higher, shorter, longer, and to win. That's just the way it is - we perform to win!
In athletics, there are certain measurements every game. Once you reach 21 points, or 9 innings, or whatever it may be, the game is done. The same holds true in business. Make it a game. Make it so that your "players" are finding it a privilige to work harder to attain those goals.
Napoleon Hill has you stop right in the middle of reading his book to WRITE down your goals. Must be important, eh? Goals must be written. Write it down and post it up so it is first and foremost at all times! Repeat it. Review it! Goals that aren't written down are wishes only. There's a big difference. Goals also have to be measureable. For example, don't just say that I want to have a profitable year this year. Say I want an increased profit of a million dollars this year. Make it clear and measureable. A goal also has to be a person's own, not someone else's goal for them. If you want your sales reps to have a certain goal, you better do a good job of making sure they've bought into the concept and made this their "own" goal. And, of course, goals have to have a deadline. Back to that increased profit: I don't want just an increased profit of a million dollars this year, I want an increased profit of a million dollars by December 31, 2009!
Following these few little steps will most definitely help keep you on the path to achieving your goal.
Until next time, I wish you success.
Susan
