Tuesday, 17 April 2012

3 Steps to Achieving Your Goals


"If you feel like you're spinning your wheels and not making any progress, one solution is to put more urgency into your life. Here's what you need to do. 


First, identify what it is that you truly want to accomplish. Second, outline what you need to do to get there. And third, give yourself a deadline. (Bonus fourth step: Cut that deadline by 20%. Don't worry, you'll reach it.)"

- from Craig Ballantyne at Early to Rise 

As an example, here is one of my key goals broken down into steps, using the SMART principles, with more urgency added than ever before.

1.       I want to be able to earn at least £50,000 from copywriting per year by April 2013. This would make a massive difference to my quality of life, and allow me to spend more time with my family.

2.       In order to get there, I will need to be making at least £4,200 per month from copywriting, or £1,040 per week. Ideally, that would be from long term clients, and fun projects. I will need to draw up a list of ideal clients and projects, which will suit my likes and aspirations. I will then need to write proposals to them, to offer my services. In order to help me market myself, I’ll need a clear website with a few samples and some testimonials. In order to get those testimonials, I’ll need to do a couple of projects on spec for clients similar to my ideal clients.

3.       In order to get to my target of £4,200 per month consistently by April 2013, I’ll need to meet the following deadlines:
a.       Decide target audience/niche today (April 17th)
b.      Select and research ideal clients and projects
c.       Work on website text aiming at ideal clients
d.      Set up balance sheet for accounts
e.      Website drafted and bought by April 25th
f.        Website final design by April 27th
g.       Sample letter finished by April 30th
h.      Website online by May 1st 2012
i.         Draft proposal for work by May 5th 2012
j.        Join Elance and create template proposals by May 9th
k.       Complete first project by May 31st
l.         Get testimonial and add to website
m.    Take SEO course and add specialisation to website during June
n.      Send out more proposals and increase prices
o.      Earn £5,000 by June 30th 2012
p.      Go to Copywriting Bootcamp in October
q.      Get more clients and increase prices
r.        £3,000 per month by January 2013
s.       £4,200 per month by April 2013

A lot of these stages are dependent on my having a good clear website and systems in place, to allow me to get the work done outside of the time I'm at my full-time job, while still spending quality time with Brilliant Guy and Brilliant Boy. If I can figure out what my ideal projects would be, then it will make things a lot easier, and that’s my job for today. No more procrastinating! Onwards and upwards, hurrah!

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