Goal Setting How Important Is It

Last Year at this time I set a goal of 100 ends. Normaly my goal is 50 ends. It had been a difficult market in 2010 and I realized I had to work harder and smarter if our small firm was going to survive what was turning out to be one of the worst economies in my career. Government had tightned the lending rules and buyers were scarce. I work with one assistant my daughter Natasha. My sales people were struggling and cash flow was down. As with most small brokerages the buck stops with the owner. I am writing this article to emphasise the importance of goal setting.

Once you set a goal and committ it to writing you can sometimes amaze yourself. I certainly do not mean to brag as 7 days a week of 10 to 12 hour days is nothing to brag about. Smart people do not have to do that. The truth is self employed hell some times demands that.

I have a white board in my office where I track my progress and remind myself evry day of my goal. So how did I do. I was involved in 168 listings or sales and closed 90 ends. No I didn't reach my goal but I did 40 ends more than I normaly set my goal at. That increased production turned our cash flow around and it looks like I will be pounding in signs for a few more years. The lesson here. Don't limit yourself. Set your goals high and you too will amaze yourself. I know many markets are tough but we have all heard the saying "When the going gets tough the tough get going." If an old 60+ year old man can do it you can do it too. In closing all the best for 2012 and remember set your goals and set them HIGH !!!! Here is a photo of my white board. Note The positive quotes written along the top. HAPPY NEW YEAR Larry