3 Reasons Goal Setting Is Not Working For Women Entrepreneurs

Women entrepreneurs don’t exactly light up when they talk about the G word – Goal. For many women, goal setting doesn’t work. It’s one of those things we feel that we have to do, like going to the dentist, because everyone tells us we have to do it.  After all, goal setting is essential to success, right? Maybe not.

How many times have you been asked about your goals and answered with either the fake it response, “Great!”, or the blame game response, “Not good, the economy is really bad right now”? Both responses lead to goal-remorse, a combination of frustration and guilt. It kind of feels like every day is Jan. 7, the day most people give up on their New Year’s Resolution. Goal-remorse can cause severe anxiety in women; thanks to our nurturing gene which makes us feel bad when we let people down.

Here are 3 reasons goal setting is not working for women entrepreneurs, and what you can do about it:

1. Goals come before vision. That’s true in the dictionary, but not in business. When was the last time someone asked you, “What’s your vision?” My guess is never. It’s all about the “G” word, rarely about the “V”. That’s a huge disconnect for women entrepreneurs. Act like the lady-CEO that you are and take a stand. No more goals until you create a vision for your business and define who you are and where you’re going. Get started by mixing 1/3 purpose, 1/3 passion and add in 1/3 crazy idea. Here’s three examples (including mine) to get your creative juices flowing:

Teach people how to live. – Martha Stewart

Bringing the best to everyone we touch. – Estee Lauder

Empower women to discover their glow. – Lynn Bardowski

Once you start the envisioning process, ask yourself how you’re going to make your vision a reality and get to work. You’ll be rockin’ the “G” word without even thinking about it.

2. Vision is not communicated. Ok, this is a catch-22. If you were never taught to create a vision (see #1), you’re not going to have a vision to communicate. But since you read #1, your inner Visionista is ready to roll. The cool thing about communicating your vision is that you’ll inspire others around you to act, and attract more clients. You’ll find yourself standing taller and prouder as the visionary leader that you are. For more tips on how to communicate your vision watch my interview on BeTV.

3. Goals add to overwhelm. I may be the Million Dollar Party Girl, but my husband still expects me to pick up the dry cleaning and put something (anything) together for dinner. We’ve come a long way, but the male/female roles have not changed much. Adding a big goal to a never-ending to-do list can be so overwhelming it has the opposite effect, inspiring us to do, well, nothing. Rather than get overwhelmed with a big goal that might seem daunting, focus on 3 or 4 daily habits that will compound your results. An example is making 5 customer service calls per day to implement a referral system, which leads to loyal customers and new clients. That’s totally doable. Now, imagine doing that 5 days a week, 50 weeks a year. And, don’t forget to pop some bubbly (or treat yourself to something sparkly) to celebrate the effort and progress you’re making along the way.

How do you feel about goal-setting? Comment and share your vision for your biz! 

Contributor Lynn Bardowski

Startup Expert and Visionista

Website: http://www.milliondollarpartygirl.com/

Sourced from http://www.businesswomenexperts.com/3-reasons-goal-setting-is-not-working-for-women-entrepreneurs/

Ten Tips To Becoming a Millionaire

1. Get into the mindset

Who wants to be a millionaire? I’m sure we all do, but it‘s no use waiting for the man from the Lotto to come knocking at the door.

While there is no sure fire way to achieve financial prosperity, you will go some way to becoming the next Richard Branson if you follow these ten easy steps.

Just wanting to be rich is not going to get you anywhere, you've got to be prepared to get off your backside and do something about it. Pick yourself up from knock backs and learn from the experience. Be positive and willing and you will go a long way towards achieving your dreams.

2. Set Goals

Write down what you want to achieve and set a deadline. Not only will this give you a focus, it will give you a yardstick to measure success. It is also important to make your goals achievable – consistently missing your targets is likely to be discouraging.

3. Make a Plan

It’s all well and good having a goal, but how do you actually achieve it. Brainstorm a plan of action together and prepare for contingencies. Remember, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

4. Network

It will do you no harm if you fill up your little black book with suppliers, customers and potential business partners. Establish a bond with these people and help each other out - the world will not seem such a lonely place.

5. Be Frugal

If you’ve been a natural spender in the past it’s time to tighten those purses strings and be tight with your wad, especially when you’re starting out. Keep to a budget and keep a little money aside for emergencies. Do not got go splashing out on luxuries as a) you’re money could be spent more productively and b) you don’t want to be saddled with debt.

6. Bargain

Always look out for a good deal and always haggle for anything. You have nothing to lose and you will save loads by negotiating prices down.

7. Make Your Money Work

Once you start making money, you ought to spend it wisely as this will form the basis of making even more money. You can reinvest in your business(es) or spread your investments across other areas like property or the financial markets.

8. Put In The Hours

It goes without saying, to be a success you need to put in the hours - but don’t treat this as a chore. Remember all the time you are watching rubbish TV, you could be squeezing an extra bit of productivity towards your ventures. Learn how to prioritise so you can use your time effectively. But don’t over do it, especially if you have a family - they need some of your time too.

9. Learn, Learn, Learn

Invest your time in research and gaining expertise in what you do. When on a journey, read material that will aid you, be it research or learning. Get all the facts, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. A little knowledge goes a long way.

10. Have Fun

To be successful you need to be motivated. So make sure you’re having fun. Find the fun in your business and seek ways to let others see your enthusiasm. Someone who’s upbeat and having a good time at what they’re doing attracts customers, clients and friends... and success.

Original article can be found at:- http://www.virginmedia.com/money/features/ten-tips-to-be-a-millionaire.php?ssid=1

Never Say Impossible, It's Just a Word

Have you ever, at some point of your life, had a dream of being somebody special, somebody wealthy, somebody famous? Who hasn't dreamed about being the one who is the winner? How often have we dreamed of being rich, or successful, or happy with our relationships?

Most times, we dream big dreams and have great goals. Sadly, our dreams remain just that - dreams. We just let our dreams collect dust in the cupboard.

These are sad times in the events of our life. Instead of experiencing exciting adventures in believing in ourselves, we get caught up in the humdrum of just barely existing from day-to-day.

But you know what? Life could be so much better, if we had been taught to believe in our dreams, to allow us to aim higher.

The most common problem to setting goals is the word 'Impossible'. Most people get caught up thinking I can't do this. It's too hard. It's too 'Impossible'. No one can do this. It's not for me.

However, if we all thought like that, there wouldn't be any inventions, no innovations, and no breakthroughs in human achievement.

Scientists said, it was impossible for the bumblebee to fly. Fortunately for the bumble bee, no one has told it, that it should not fly. The Bumble Bee believes he can fly, So it does fly.

On the other hand, how many of us dream totally outrageous dreams and don't act on them. What is the result? Broken dreams, tattered aspirations and the usual words, 'I give up!'

If you limit yourself with self-doubt, and self-limiting assumptions, you will never be able to break past what you make impossible. If you reach too far out into the sky without working towards your goal, you will find yourself clinging on to the impossible dream.

Have a go at this exercise. Take a piece of paper and write down some goals in your life. Under one heading, put things 'you know you can do', under another heading, put things 'you might be able to do' and under the last heading, list the things that are 'impossible for you to do.'

Now look at the headings and strive every day to achieve the goals that are under 'you know you can do'. Check them when you have achieved them. As you check all of your goals under that heading, try accomplishing the goals under the next heading - the one that says 'you might be able to do.'

As you accomplish the goals under the heading 'you might be able to do', you can move your goals that are under the heading 'impossible for you to do' to the list of things 'you might be able to do.'

As you complete this process, you will find that the goals you thought were impossible become possible. It can help you achieve the freedom you so want, even to go as far as becoming a Millionaire. You just have to believe in the 'possible', not the 'impossible'.

You see, the idea here is not to limit your imagination. It is to aim high, and start working towards that goal, little by little. However, it not advisable to set a goal that is truly unrealistic.

Those who just dream about a goal without working hard, become disappointed and give up.

On the other hand, if you told someone a hundred years ago that it was possible for man to be on the moon, they would laugh at you. If you had told them that you could send mail from here to the other side of the world in a few seconds, they would say you were out of your mind. These impossible dreams are now realities.

Ask somebody at a gym and he or she will tell you that there can be no gains unless you are put out of your comfort zone. Remember the saying, "No pain, No gain"? That is as true as it can be.

So dream on, friend! Don't get caught up with your perceived limitations. Think big and work hard to attain those dreams. As you step up the ladder of progress, you will just about find out that the impossible has just become a little bit more possible.

May you achieve everything you desire.