Should you make a resolution or set a goal?

What is the difference between a resolution and a goal.

First let’s look at the definitions. www.dictionary.com defines a resolution as

“a resolve; a decision or determination: to make a firm resolution todo something.”

or

“the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute; firmness of purpose”O

Okay, that sounds good. But what is the definition of a goal.

Here’s that definition:

The result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end.

(It goes on to define goals in sports.)

For me a resolution might sound something like this.

“I’m going to lose weight.” Or from a business stand point someone might say “I’m going to sell more.”

Sure, you can resolve to do those things, but that simply isn’t enough. A resolution MUST be followed up with a goal. For a goal to be reachable you MUST follow a formula. Here’s how it works.

First decide what it is you want, that’s kind of like your resolution. Maybe it is higher sales or more team members. Now, this is a very important step, you can’t skip it no matter how scary it is. Put a number on your resolution. Numbers are quantitative, where words like “higher” or “more” are qualitative. They can’t be measured. The only thing that can be measured are numbers. So, pick a number and decide upon it. Set it too low and you can raise it later, set it too high and you can adjust. I recommend setting goals too high, it would be better to have to adjust down than up. If you adjust down it is because you are working like mad and are already accomplishing a lot.

So, we’ve got a number. Let’s say we decided that we wanted to sell $500 a week. Now determine what your average sales are. Do you need to hold two parties and a facial to reach that goal? Maybe you typically have really high sales at your parties and you only need to hold one party and a facial. You have to go back and look at your records to know that about your own business. Again, important step, you can’t skip this. How many do you need to BOOK in order to HOLD that many each and every week? 3? 4? You have to know this. Now, how many do you have to ask? 6? 8? Once you get the ball rolling you won’t be able to stop it.

Here’s the deal…now instead of saying “I’m going to sell more.” (that’s a resolution and it’s fine…but we’re following it up with a goal.)

You’re going to say “I’m going to sell $500 a week. To do that I have to call 8 potential hostesses and book 3 parties and 2 facials. I’m going to HOLD 2 parties and 1 facial.”

To break that down…you have to call 1 person a day and 2 on Sunday (or whenever.) Or, you could call all 8 on Monday and that will give you plenty of time to adjust if you get more no’s or yes’s than you expected.

That is the difference between a goal and a resolution. That is why so many people don’t keep their resolutions. They truly don’t know how to set goals. But, you aren’t those people.

1. What do you want
2. Give it a number
3. Know your averages (if you don’t use someone else’s averages until you know your own. Ask your director)
4. Determine the individual steps that need to happen to achieve that goal
5. Work daily on steps to reach the goal
6. Adjust goal as needed…don’t accept defeat. (Numbers don’t lie, work the numbers and you will achieve your goal.)