Hi, my name is Kandis, and I believe in steps, plans, and strategies. In other words, I like and need to see the steps. Perhaps I was born with it. Perhaps it's because I'm a former dancer that eventually became a choreographer because "steps" are how you build a dance. Regardless of why I believe in steps, I know that building a business requires you to be SMART about it.
If you've been in business a hot minute or ever worked in Corporate America, somewhere you probably heard the term SMART goals. Although I've come a long way from wanting to stab myself in the ear with my ink pen instead of sitting through another boring Corporate America meeting, I did gain some insight on why the SMARTest organizations set SMART goals.
SMART means Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and has a Timeline. Now that you know the meaning of each letter, I want to dive into WHY building this way creates such an impact in your business.
Let's start at the beginning and work our way down:
1. Specific:
I like to think of specific, the way it was taught to me in all my English classes, meaning you need to focus on Who, What, Where, Why. I usually start with the Why and then everything else flows organically. Once you know why state the exact what (do not be general or vague). Next, you need to know who needs to be involved, if it's just you, cool, if not…who else. And lastly, where does the work/plan take place.
2. Measurable:
Measurable reminds me of Algebra, which is all about the how, as well as the result. So I start with what's the result I want so I know HOW long I will need to reach it. I then determine HOW much money I need, HOW many widgets/team members I need. HOW to learn a new skill, implement new tech, and the list goes on and on.
3. Achievable:
I used to struggle with "achievable" because I used to set goals that depended on other people as well. What I had to learn was that "achievable" simply meant that it is within my control and reach. In other words, my goal could not be based on someone else's abilities or skills.
4. Relevant:
Did I forget to mention that I'm a visionary? I think big, see big and build big. All great qualities when used at the right time, but not always realistic due to circumstances. What I learned about setting relevant goals is to make sure it makes sense for the season, is in alignment with my purpose, and is beneficial economically.
5. Timeline:
Long-term goals are achieved by being diligent with your short-term goals. Both types of goals require setting deadlines. Give EACH (I said each) goal a deadline, along with a timeline that contains benchmarks. I like to plan my goals by the weeks, months, quarters, and years.
It's no secret that I believe in writing the vision. Within that vision, you will find several small and large goals. You will find several short and long-term goals. The category doesn't matter. What matters is developing a plan to manifest your vision. And please don’t be fooled by all the gurus teaching manifestation through gumdrops and rainbows. Manifestation requires ACTION and action is taken consistently when there is a SMART plan in place.
WHO AM I?
I’m Kandis Troutman, The Creative Architect. I'm a mother, teacher, and spiritual seeker focused on purpose walking and serving others. I help women activate their God-given power so they can transform their purpose into a prosperous business.
Thanks for reading my post. I try to publish new posts weekly, but I believe in leaving room for God, which means there are no guarantees. But check in often and let me know what content awakens your spirit and I’ll be more than happy to share my experiences.
If you enjoyed this post, I’d appreciate it if you would like, comment, and/or share it on your social media. A sincere THANKS IN ADVANCE!
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