What are your goals for 2009 and beyond?

[Keith Boisvert]

I know we are only in August, and there are still about 4 months left in 2008, but I think we all should review our goals, at minimum quarterly.

As most well respected Warriors here have stated, we all need a plan. Plan of attack, business plan...call it what you will, but without something written down to guide you, you success will be either shortlived or non-existant in this industry.

As an added push, I usually sit down quarterly and review where I am in accordance to my plan. Old habit from running and owning compaines in the past. I am fairly young, but have been involded if small business since I was in high school, so some habits are hard to break, which is a good thing sometimes.

I usually set my "goals" in a quarterly timeline as well, so that I have some guide as to how I am doing, and how fast or slow I am going in my business.

To me, I consider "goals" to be a seperate entity than a plan, and use them to push me along at a steady clip. For example, after resigning from a VP position locally this year, my "goal" for this quarter was to be self-reliant income wise, meaning that my income must be related to IM.

My "plan" had me progressing into this goal, and I have reached it. 100% of my income comes in form or another from IM. Granted, 70% of that $$ comes from working with small businesses, but it still a direct result of IM. 30% comes from my membership site, and selling products.

My "goal" for the next quarter(end of year) is to increase that $$ by 15%. I am not where I would like to be with the amount of money I am bringing in, and want to steadily increase it.

A 2009 goal is to continue to increase the monthly $$ I bring in, while doing less work, automating, outsourcing, etc. Which means my online sales need to increase.

IMO, the importance of having "goals" is not only to guide and guage your progress, but it also is something you keep in the back of your head. When you come across day-to-day decisions, you can make them with your end goal in mind.

I figured I would post this in hopes that what I do might help others, as it served me well.

I am also interested in what goals others have set for themselves going into the future? Anyone care to share?

~Keith

[Danyelle]

I like this thread. I'm a big goal setter in all areas of my life and now I guess I have a new category. Since I'm so new at all of this, I know these goals will change by the end of 2008, but for now I'll just say my broad 'goal' for 09 is to make a liveable income through online pursuits so I can pursue my offline goals w/o financial stress. I hope to have my blogs up and running, my e-books written and selling well, large readership/traffic, earning a lot in affiliate sales.... that's all i can think of for now. By the end of the year when I know more about this industry I'll have actual S.M.A.R.T. goals to list.

(nice thread!)

[lakshaybehl]

2009: I'd likt to take my rel. with my girlfriend to the next level. PERIOD. hehehe

Money's already coming in. So I'd focus on how can I create something that helps a lot of newbies to styart making money online!

And I am talking about "Starting" not "blasting"

They are different, and come at different stages! One preceeds the other!

-Lakshay

[lakshaybehl]

Maybe also try to swim more often! Does three things...

1. Keeps you fit
2. Keeps your skin glowing
3. Lot of fun when you play games with friends... underwater races for instance (in a personal pool)

[Faisal Anwar]

My goal for 2009 is to make $30,000 every month doing IM. I believe this is achievable with where I am now

[Keith Boisvert]

Originally Posted by Danyelle

I like this thread. I'm a big goal setter in all areas of my life and now I guess I have a new category. Since I'm so new at all of this, I know these goals will change by the end of 2008, but for now I'll just say my broad 'goal' for 09 is to make a liveable income through online pursuits so I can pursue my offline goals w/o financial stress. I hope to have my blogs up and running, my e-books written and selling well, large readership/traffic, earning a lot in affiliate sales.... that's all i can think of for now. By the end of the year when I know more about this industry I'll have actual S.M.A.R.T. goals to list.

(nice thread!)

Yeah, as you learn more about IM and the endless possibilites, it is very possible that your goals will change...for the better!

One step at a time. I also always like to think "big". What I mean is I imagine my business much bigger than what it is, and what I plan on it being, so that I can set my goals based on that.

~keith