How to Set Realistic Goals for Your Work-at-Home Business

As a business owner, it’s so important to set realistic goals. And if you work at home, it’s imperative to your success!

But how do you set goals that are more than just a series of wishes, wants, and dreams? Goals that you will actually work towards?

By looking at the right things.

Realistic goals have as much to do with your circumstances as they do what you want to accomplish.

Now, I’m in no way saying you should be limited by your circumstances or let them hold you back. But I am saying that you should consider them when sitting down and planning your goals for the next year.

These are a few things you need to consider when setting goals for your work-at-home business.

Where You’ve Been

They say the biggest predictor of future behavior is past behavior. Although I don’t agree with this 100% because people can always change, I agree with it to the extent that you should stick with and expand on what works for you and where your talents lie.

This means you should consider your:

Wins

Look at what you did well. The chances are if you’re good at something or did it well, you can replicate that success, possibly at a higher level. Look at what you have already achieved; then focus on the next steps to take.

Losses

Consider what you can improve. This will show you which tasks you can continue to maintain and which you should consider outsourcing. There’s also the possibility of having to stay away from certain things altogether or reevaluating your business idea for potential.

Where Do You Want to Go?

Setting realistic goals means you have to look at both your long-term and short-term objectives.

Earnings

This is where we need to be honest with ourselves. We’d all love to be millionaires, but to go from a few hundred dollars a month to millionaire status just doesn’t happen overnight. It takes consistent work and time spent working on your business, and even then, there’s no guarantee of riches. Set a ‘stepping stone’ goal that can be accomplished with a real plan of action in the coming year.

Time Spent Working

Folks, this is a big one, because how much time you have to spend working on your business is a factor in your success. For some people, they would rather spend time in other ways, maybe with family or friends. Some people want to work as much as possible. This is different for everyone, and what works for you doesn’t have to be what everyone else is doing.

But you have to be aware that you can’t expect the same results as someone who is putting in 40 hours a week if you’re putting in 20 hours. That doesn’t mean that it’s wrong; it’s just different. I for one could never put in a 40-hour workweek and still be on track with my family. But that’s okay; my life doesn’t have to measure up to anyone else’s. What I do works for my family, and I would recommend that you do the same.

Health

We all have different goals for our health, and the new year is a great time to get back on track with these goals if you find that you didn’t achieve them or weren’t able to keep up with them. You’d think people who work at home would have an easier time maintaining their health through proper diet and exercise. I’ve found the opposite to be true. Work is always right there staring you in the face, and breaking away to exercise or even prepare a meal is often hard to do.

Personal Goals

Working at home would be no fun if we only focused on our business goals. Think about things you want to accomplish that don’t have anything to do with work, money, or even your health. Maybe you want to take up a hobby, spend more time with your family, or help out your favorite charity. Remembering to include your personal goals will help you not only have a realistic take on where you want to be, but it will lead you to be more well-rounded and fulfilled.

What It Will Take to Achieve Your Goals?

It’s important to look at your resources when goal setting.

Resources such as:

Time

How much of it do you have to work towards your goals?

Knowledge

Do you know enough about what you are trying to achieve, or could you use additional training or support?

Assets

Do you have the financial capabilities to achieve your goals? If not, is there an alternative, more affordable route, or what can you do to raise the funds needed?

Conclusion

Making sure you consider the tips above will no doubt help you set realistic goals for your work-at-home business in the coming year. Have anything to add? Share one of your goals with us in the comments below!