Over the decade that I’ve been an entrepreneur, wife, and mom, I have learned (sometimes the hard way) that the success of a business isn’t built on chance, it’s built on clarity, intention, and direction.
And that, my friends, is where business goals come in.
When I first started my company, my “goals” were really just dreams I carried in my head. I wanted to grow, I wanted to succeed, but I didn’t have a clear path to get there. It wasn’t until I learned how to set business goals properly, with a system and structure, that things truly took off.
Today, I want to share my process with you. It’s simple, doable, and based on years of trial, error, and yes, plenty of wins.
1. Start With Your “Why”
Before you write a single goal, ask yourself: Why does this business exist?
Your “why” is your anchor. When you know your deeper reason, whether it’s providing financial freedom for your family, creating a product you believe in, or making a difference in your community, it will guide every decision you make.
Without a strong “why,” goals can feel hollow and lose momentum. With it, they have meaning and staying power.
2. Get Clear on Your Vision
I always tell my team: If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there. Your vision is the big picture. It’s what you want your business to look like in one year, three years, even ten years.
For me, I like to create a “vision snapshot”. A written description of my business at its best. I imagine the team I have, the clients I serve, the revenue we generate, and the impact we make. That vision becomes the foundation for my goals.
3. Use the SMART Framework (But With a Twist)
I’m a big believer in SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—but here’s my twist: I add “Meaningful” to the mix.
A goal might check all the other boxes, but if it doesn’t light you up or connect to your bigger purpose, it’s just another task. For example:
- ❌ “Increase social media followers by 10,000.” (Why? Just for the number?)
- ✅ “Increase social media followers by 10,000 to grow our audience for our new community outreach project.”
4. Break Big Goals Into Milestones
One of the biggest mistakes I made early on was setting a big annual goal… and then doing nothing to break it down.
Now, I reverse-engineer everything. If the goal is to increase annual revenue by 20%, I break that down into quarterly targets, monthly focuses, and even weekly actions. This keeps the momentum alive and gives me constant feedback on whether we’re on track.
5. Make Your Goals Visible
This might sound simple, but it’s powerful: write your goals down and keep them where you can see them every day.
I keep mine on a big whiteboard in my office, and I also have them written in my planner. Visibility keeps them front of mind and being reminded daily helps me align my actions with my intentions.
6. Schedule Time for Review and Adjustments
Business isn’t static and neither are your goals. I schedule a monthly “goal review session” to track progress, make adjustments, and celebrate wins (no matter how small).
This is also when I ask myself: Is this goal still relevant? Is it still aligned with my vision? Sometimes the answer is yes… and sometimes it’s time to pivot.
7. Celebrate Along the Way
I can’t stress this enough: don’t wait until you hit the “big” goal to celebrate. Every milestone you reach is proof that your strategy is working and your effort matters.
When my team and I hit a milestone, we take time to acknowledge it. We’ll do a team lunch, I’ll send out thank-you notes, or just take a moment to say, We did that.
Final Thoughts: Business Goals Are More Than Numbers
Setting business goals is more than hitting revenue targets or checking boxes, it’s also building a business that feels fulfilling, purposeful, and aligned with the life you want to create.
So as you set your business goals, remember:
- Start with why.
- Make them meaningful.
- Break them into steps.
- Review and adjust regularly.
And above all, enjoy the process. Because success isn’t only in achieving the goal, it’s in who you become along the way.
