For the New Year don't make Resolutions - set Goals!

Earlier this week I attended a networking event where Julie Blunt of Interact Training Solutions delivered a timely reminder of how setting proper goals for your business can help us all have a truly prosperous New Year. Whether your property business is a new one or well established it is all too easy to get so involved with the day to day management that you lose sight of your ultimate aims. Setting aside some time now to review your progress and plan your next steps will pay dividends later on. With Julie's permission I would like to share with you all her 7 top tips for fabulous goals.

Before you start, indulge in a little time travel. Where do you want to be in 5 years time? Close your eyes for a few moments and really visualise what it will be like - What are you doing? What can you see and hear? Who are the people you are with? How are you feeling?

(Piggy says - "Don't underestimate the power of doing this one simple thing - when you open your eyes and begin to write, this long term aim will help you define your goals much more clearly.")

Julie's top tips for fabulous goals.

Make them....

• S pecific - So you're really clear about what you want to achieve
• M easurable - so you can check if you've achieved it
• A ligned - To make sure your goals support each other
• R ealistic - So they are achievable
• T imebound - So you know when you've got there!

(Piggy says - "I know you all know about SMART goals but how often do you put it into practice?")

1. Base goals on the outcome you want, not how you might get there. For instance, rather than setting a goal to contact an estate agent 3 times a month, set a goal to increase your portfolio by ...% by this method.
2. Set separate (but linked) goals for each of three areas - your portfolio management, your portfolio growth and your finances. (Piggy says -In the current economic climate don't forget that cashflow is as much about reducing expenses as it is about increasing income! For independent advice on reducing property costs contact nikki@nspresources.co.uk)
   
3. Make sure they support what's really important to you - for example, if you want to spend more quality time with your family, you might not want to set a goal involving international travel!
4. Keep them on the radar. Find somewhere to display them so they're always visible (such as on a notice board). Use visual images to represent your goals and pin those up too.
5. Break down longer term goals into short term milestones - and build in rewards at each stage. How will you celebrate achieving each target?
6. Make sure your goal is inspiring. You need to make sure the goal will continue to motivate you not just now but into the future, and when you face barriers to achieving it.
7. Take action! - even for the longer term goals, you need to get some early momentum by taking a small step towards it TODAY! So, pick up the phone to make a call, or research something on the internet. Even a small step in the right direction will start to create a change.

For more help and advice with personal development please contact Julie Blunt at www.interacttraining.co.uk

And here at NSP Resources we would like to wish you all a Piggin Brilliant New Year! :)