80 percent of people have no goals. 16 percent of people think of goals but don't write them down. Only one percent have written goals that are reviewed regularly. And, of these one percent are consistently among the highest achievers. This is an amazing statistic. When we apply this to opticians that means that 80 percent of opticians are not purpose driven in their career or their own business.
Setting goals is a fundamental component to long-term success in business and the basic reason: You cannot get where you are trying to go until you clearly define where that is.
Research studies show a direct link between goals and enhanced performance in business. Goals help us focus and allocate our time and resources efficiently, and they can keep us motivated when we feel like giving up.
Goals help employees stay aware of what is expected from them and leave little room for people to hide behind the curtain of unspecified expectations. Furthermore, setting and achieving goals translates to feelings of success for both individuals and companies, which in turn spurs greater productivity and confidence.
The beginning of a new year is the favorite time to set goals. Often these goals are inspired by last year's failures.
"I didn't follow through with my business plan last year, but this year, it will all be different."
And at the moment you declare your goal, you really, really mean it. You have all the best intentions to make the necessary changes.
And then, everyday life happens. Your common day-to-day activities, your routines and these common business stressors can potentially lead to self-sabotaging behaviors and unproductive habits—your goals are forgotten. Unless, you change your approach and set yourself up for success. You always have choices.
What if...you find the one sentence, the one word that is at the core of all your goals?
Let's say you want to increase your business by educating your patients and your community about the fabulous advances in optical technology. Wouldn't that mean—Communicate? And as happens often in life, if communication is your challenge in business, it will most likely be true in your personal affairs.
This one word can be your guideline for everything you do. Your one word can be with you every step of the way, every day.
Communicate: in the morning with your coffee, on the phone, by your lensometer, on your computer screen. At the end of the day you may want to ask yourself some of these questions:
- How did I communicate today?
- What actually got accomplished?
- What am I proud of?
- What did I learn about myself and others?
- How did I bring out the best in others?
- How did I sabotage "communicate?"
- What will I not do tomorrow?
- What behavior would I like to see more of in myself?
- How will I start fresh with people and projects tomorrow?
- What was the best thing that happened to me today?
It is no longer about setting and reaching goals. It is about connecting with your values, what matters most to you and have that shine through everyday in all you do.
The most common New Year's resolution: "Lose Weight" could turn into "Feel Good."
Feel Good: in the morning, with your coffee, on your phone, by your lensometer, on your computer screen.
At the end of the day you may want to ask yourself some of these questions:
- How did I feel today?
- What actually got accomplished?
- What am I proud of?
- What did I learn about myself?
- How did I bring out the best in others?
- How did I sabotage "feel good?"
- What will I not do tomorrow?
- What behavior would I like to see more of in myself?
- What was the best thing that happened to me today?
Give it a try!! It happens one word, one day at a time.
Maggie Sayers is a professional development coach and a Master Optician. Her optical career started over 30 years ago in a family business in Germany.
Since she came to Florida in 1987, she has worked diligently to promote high professional standards in opticianry. Her mission is to help opticians achieve their personal success through serving the public as vision experts.
As a professional development coach Maggie provides education workshops that focus on leadership and personal engagement. Her time management course has inspired many participants to think outside the box, apply newly acquired knowledge and achieve extraordinary results.
Maggie's enthusiasm for opticianry is inspiring and her keen business sense paired with excellent communication skills make her a highly sought after motivational speaker.
