Romance Your Business Goals with Rewards
When you first make the commitment to get your act together in regard to running your business, there’s an excitement and an urgency, just like dating someone new. You’re prioritizing new goals, setting a strategy to accomplish them, and learning how to use your time wisely to check realistic tasks off of your list. The future is bright and you’re all in.
It’s a habits honeymoon of sorts. You set up your day to be successful by scheduling time to do the things specific to your business success. But after a month or two when things are organized, scheduled, and running smoothly, the novelty wears off. The honeymoon, as they say, is over.
Business Requires Consistency
Just like any other relationship, the one with your business requires consistency and attention, every day. Once you get good at time blocking and doing what you need to do to move forward as a well-oiled machine, it can get boring. So how do you reignite that spark?
Rewards
One way is through rewards. Just like you might court a partner with flowers, chocolates, or a nice date night, you need to reward yourself and keep the focus on your “why”.
This is a common conundrum for entrepreneurs. We think that checking off our to do list is reward enough, but it’s not, especially during the challenging times.
Rewards are great because they keep you aware of what you accomplished that day, week, or month, and you feel gratitude when you reward yourself. They are reminders that it’s the maintenance and repetition of taking small steps that will get you to the big prize.
Another myth people follow is that they have to be amped up about their goals and express their passion but what it really takes is longevity and consistency.
Resolutions or intentions at the beginning of the year are similar. There’s initial excitement, but since what you committed to is 12 months away, you can’t see it, so you don’t worry about it. The work you have to do to get there starts to feel taxing and time consuming, and you aren’t sure anymore why you’re doing this in the first place.
Rewards are something I have my clients start thinking about right in the beginning weeks of my groups. I think they are as important as the tasks and goals. The groups run for 12-week increments, so by week six or eight, the boredom can set in. The system runs so smoothly that if you follow it, it’s almost like “set it and forget it”. You get into a regular groove and it’s not so front of mind anymore.
Depending on their goals and the actions they need to complete, my clients’ choose rewards that range from a quick treat like a Starbucks latte or 30 minutes of reading time as a daily reward, a mani/pedi after an awesome week, or a weekend away at the end of the 12 week cycle when they reach their goals.
The Path of Action Accountability group keeps you focused on short term rewards because this is how our brains are wired.
Tips For Staying Focused
Here are a few extra tips for staying focused when you feel boredom sitting in:
• Use a habit tracker to seeing the evidence of your hard work
• Keep your vision and goals in front of you, literally - right on your wall, computer, or journal
• Break down your exciting big goal into realistic tasks so you actually know what to do each day
• Plan ahead for obstacles - consider what's likely to trip you up
• Be prepared for mindset traps - instead of spiraling, call a supportive colleague or write yourself a note of appreciation
• Find an accountability partner
• Join an accountability group, like my Path of Action. Get coaching from an experienced business strategist, support of a like minded group, and a roadmap to achieve your goals and reap the rewards along the way. The next group starts soon!!
P.S. Ready to stop spinning in place and get to the other side of your goals? Here are several ways I can help:
Download my free weekly planning guide - it will help you become more intentional with your time, develop a clear action plan for your week, and ensure that you are focusing on activities that will move your business forward - Download Now
Join our next CEO Power Planning Session and spend two and a half hours ON your business. During this facilitated workshop, you’ll set and prioritize your next 12-week goals, break them down into an executable action plan and create a resource plan - Join the Wait List
Apply for the next Close the Gap Program and stay on track to achieve your most important goals. 1:1 support and guidance on prioritizing goals, creating a plan and putting structure and routines in place. Then 12 weeks of group support around execution - Apply today