- First, it forces me to sit down and figure out what I would like to accomplish within the given time frame.
- Second, it enables me to go back and look at my goals to see what I have been able to do and what I need to focus on. I usually review what I have written about half way through the month (for monthly goals).
- Finally, the fact that I have written and published these goals holds me accountable to my readers and offers motivation to complete the task.
My readers will also know that I prefer to set goals and then establish tasks that will ultimately lead to those results. While I have traffic and income goals, I can't make anyone visit or read my blog or articles. Nor can I force anyone to click on any ads.
Instead, I will focus my efforts on content and networking. Keep this in mind when I make my goals for 2010 and publish them in my next post.
How do you make goals? Do you write them down? Do you make them easy or try to stretch yourself?
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I always set goals that I can measure and have a direct control over whether I can succeed or not. I don't set goals for my blog like "make $500 from my blog in February" or "Get a PageRank of 4" because you have no real control over achieving these things, you can set goals like "writing X articles per week" or "leave 20 blog comments per day" and items you can actually do and measure.
ReplyDeleteDragonblogger,
ReplyDeleteYou are 100% correct and I believe in the same thing. Otherwise, you are bound to become frustrated and give up. Early on, I was focusing on earnings and clicks. I was getting frustrated and riding an emotional roller coaster. Now I am focusing on getting articles written and letting the chips fall where they may. Thanks for your comment.
Setting goals is my way of motivating myself. When you work for yourself, you need goals to keep yourself on track. Like you, I try to set attainable goals, but I don't get too frustrated if I am unable to meet those goals. It is more like a blueprint that you may have to change a bit as you go along. :)
ReplyDeleteKidgas, I am really impressed with your writing. I'm following you on eHow and now HubPages. And I mean following you in more ways than one (no I'm not stalking you)lol. I'm taking your advice and trying to earn an income for some of my content. But what I really like is that the writing also builds credibility. Thanks for starting me on this journey and I'll begin to set goals in the new year.
ReplyDeleteSee you around!
@Ileane
@DeAnna,
ReplyDeleteYes motivation is a key reason for writing things down. I always get more done when it is written down. There is something satisfying about putting a line through a task.
@Ileane,
Thanks for not stalking me :) I am glad that you have been able to take some of my advice and adapt it to your needs. Thanks for all of your wonderful comments. I will be seeing you around also I am sure.
If I haven't already, I need to thank you for posting your goals. When I first started out, mine were wildly unrealistic. I had also given no thought to keeping track of some pretty important things. I still have a lot to learn about this business, but your sensible advice and example of experimentation are among the reasons why I didn't give up after the first three months. In fact, it took me that long to figure out how to mount multiple blogs with my own domain name. I feel like I really began in November, not August.
ReplyDeleteDavid,
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome. As you know, the purpose of this blog is to help others learn as I learn. I, too, have a lot to learn myself. I am learning each and every day and hope to convey some of that knowledge to others.
I am glad that you didn't give up. Remember that it will take almost 2 years to get into the swing of things.
I am starting to feel that at least I am stumbling about as opposed to crawling. Hopefully, by the end of 2010, I can consider myself to be walking.