Setting goals just for the sake of setting goals is not going to take you anywhere. Establishing ways to track those goals is what's going to keep you moving forward.
The Importance of Measuring Progress in a Goal Setting Process
You've probably heard that what gets measured, gets done. Even if it sounds cliché, this is true. The chances that you'll complete something you've written down and are measuring, are much higher than if you just keep it in the back of your mind. Measuring progress against written targets is far more effective.
Goal setting is an essential part of the success of any business, no matter how big or small. Once you have your goals in place, how are you going to determine if you are successfully hitting those goals if you have no indicators that help you determine that? Using key indicators to measure your progress will help you get a better understanding of how far you've come and how much is left to be done. Additionally, tracking your progress can be a powerful tool that can help you and your team to stay motivated and see the goal through.
When you're aware of your reality in relation to your goals, you're given a better picture of the situation and can make better decisions that will lead you in the right path, rather than having to wait until everything goes south before you can act on it. When you let that happen, by the time you decide to act, it's probably too late and you'll have to start all over again, which is not only a waste of time and effort, it can have major financial consequences. This is something no business can afford, especially if you're starting out.
Identify Ways to Help You Track Your Progress
There are various methods that can help you measure progress. It's all about choosing what works best for you. Here are some methods that might be helpful.
- Defining quantitative measurements: For example, if your goal is to save money, a very simple way to measure that is to define an exact amount you want to save in X amount of time.
- Rating your progress: A different approach has to be taken for those goals that cannot be measured in a quantitative manner —like building an effective team. You can rate those goals using your own rating system. Define what every point in the scale system means to you and rate your progress.
- Setting up a plan for long-term goals: Break them down into smaller milestones with a specific timeframe.
- Keeping a log of important events: Make a note of anything that could interfere with your goals so you can refer back to it, just in case you need to.
Building a strong independent insurance agency is not going to happen overnight, but with the proper tools in place, you can make sure your growth is steady. Don't be afraid to start, just be willing to put in the work and watch your investment succeed. Take the first step today.