10 Essential Goal-Setting Strategies Every Freelancer Should Know
For freelancers, there’s no denying that flexibility and independence are the twin benefits that come with running your business. But when you have no definite direction, you could easily get lost or demotivated.
That’s when goal-setting comes into play. By setting goals for your success, you stay focused and on track. With direction and purpose, you’re all set to achieve your goals.
Here are 10 basic goal-setting strategies that you should follow to maximize your success. One effective goal-setting framework is SMART. It is an acronym for goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Let’s explore the 10 strategies explained here that are tailor-made to suit you and set you up for success.
1. Spell Out Your Long-Term Vision
Picture your freelance business a few years from now. Where do you see it? What kind of income would you be looking at? Do you see yourself leading a particular lifestyle? What kind of projects do you want to accept?
A clear, long-term vision that answers all these questions will guide you to make the right decisions. You will also feel motivated during tough times.
2. Break Down Long-Term Goals into Short-Term Objectives
Your long-term goals comprise your final destination. However, you need milestones to get there.
For this, break down your long-term goals into short-term, achievable goals. Give it a timeframe so that there’s a sense of urgency. Your goal can be something like: “I will acquire 3 clients within the next six months and increase my income by 10%.”
You can break down your long-term vision into short-term goals by following this structure:
1. Set key milestones to track your progress toward your long-term goal.
2. Create specific weekly or monthly targets to make progress consistently.
3. Break down large goals into easy and actionable steps.
4. List them according to importance.
5. Distribute resources wisely so that you achieve your short-term goals efficiently.
6. Set a deadline for each short-term goal so that you maintain momentum.
7. Track your progress with spreadsheets or project management software.
8. Review your short-term goals periodically and tweak them as needed.
9. Reward yourself for small wins so that you’re motivated to achieve more.
10. Get valuable feedback from your mentor or peers and refine your strategies accordingly.
11. Stay flexible and adapt to changes.
3. Use SMART Goals
The SMART framework comes into play when you want to fine-tune your goals and make them work for you. Let’s see how they can work for you:
Specific:
Write down specific goals. So, instead of setting a goal like “I will get more clients,” say, “I will get three new clients in e-commerce web development in two months.”
Measurable:
Make your goals measurable. This means you have certain metrics to tell you whether you’re on track or not. For example, you can track the number of proposals you send every week so you know how actively you’re pursuing new opportunities.
Achievable:
While it’s necessary to be ambitious, you also need to be grounded. Don’t run away with your imagination when creating your goals. Take your current workload into account when you set your goals.
Relevant:
What’s your overall vision? Have it in front of you when you choose relevant goals for yourself. Also, ensure that they align well with your overall goals and play a role in your long-term success.
Time-bound:
When you make each goal time-bound, you mean business. Once you set a deadline to achieve each goal, you will automatically swing into action and try your utmost to achieve your goal. This sense of urgency you create by making your goals time-bound will help keep you focused.
4. Concentrate on Your Outcome-Oriented and Process-Oriented Goals
As a freelancer, you need to set and meet both types of goals: process- and outcome-oriented goals. Outcome-oriented goals refer to those goals that focus on getting specific results. For example, a particular sum of money as income or a particular number of clients.
When setting an outcome-oriented goal, you would say something like, “I aim to secure five new long-term clients within the next six months.” These goals provide you with direction. If you don’t achieve them, it could cause disappointment and demotivation.
Conversely, process-oriented goals concentrate on the steps you need to take to get those particular outcomes. They motivate you and are flexible enough to allow you to divide them into smaller tasks.
By balancing these two kinds of goals, you can remain flexible and concentrate on achieving your goals.
5. Rank Your Goals
List your goal-setting strategies according to importance. You can do this by considering these factors:
Alignment:
Ensure your goals are in alignment with your proposed freelance lifestyle and roadmap.
Specificity:
It doesn’t pay to have vague goals, so be clear in your goal-setting and make your goals measurable.
Impact:
Rank your goals in order of those that will bring you some measure of progress.
Achievability:
Take your resources and timeframe into account when you set realistic goals. This will ensure you don’t get discouraged if you don’t achieve your goals.
Time-Bound:
When you attach a deadline to your goals, you show urgency. This helps to push you forward to achieve your goals. As you achieve each one, track your progress. This will motivate you to work hard and progress in life.
6. List Your Goals and Display Them
Now that you’ve determined your outcome goals and your process goals, you need to list them. When you write your goals, you commit to achieving them and that makes them more significant.
However, don’t make a list and throw them in your drawer. Display them. Use it as a reminder on your phone. When you see your goals each day, you’re motivated to perform well and stay focused.
7. Track Your Progress Regularly
Don’t just set and forget your goals. Refer to them periodically, check on your progress, and see which goals have worked for you. Check your daily or weekly successes, and see if you have completed the time you allocated to them.
By checking on these facts frequently, you pinpoint areas of weakness and improve on them. This will keep you focused and you will soon achieve your goals. Take care to tweak your strategy as and when necessary.
8. Celebrate Your Big and Small Wins
Along the way, you may have small wins. Acknowledge them. Celebrating your big victories like landing a dream client. Or even your small ones like clocking in your targeted time each day. By celebrating your wins, you want to continue on your path and stay motivated.
9. Be Flexible
You need to be amazingly adaptive if you want to be a freelancer. Unexpected customer needs, sudden and quick project modifications, or even personal life setbacks can occur.
This reinforces the need for goals and work structure, though it’s equally important to be flexible. Don’t grudge about changing your priorities, rescheduling personal chores, or anything else if you’re suddenly landed with a high-value opportunity.
Take your schedule in your stride. See each problem as an attempt to solve problems better than before. Showcase your adaptability, which is supremely important for you, as a freelancer.
10. Seek Support and Accountability
Isolation is the hallmark of the freelancing world. But you needn’t be in it all by yourself. Seek out other freelancers, and join online and offline forums. Or get yourself an accountability partner.
It’s nice to talk shop with people who share your experiences, and who are interested in your struggles, goals, and wins.
Whenever you feel lonely, your accountability partner can give you a nudge in the direction of work, which will keep you mentally active. Such kind of support from outside your network can be very refreshing as you can find someone you relate with.
Takeaway
Realize your potential as a freelancer! The SMART framework and other tactics for goal-setting are your road map to a successful business. Bear in mind that it is a voyage, not a race. Enjoy the independence that comes with freelancing, accept its challenges, and celebrate your accomplishments.
Bonus Tip: Make a vision board! Let pictures represent your goals. Add motivational statements to give you a daily dose of inspiration.
