Driving your business forward
Who loves goals?
Goal Setting for Small Business Owners: How to Aim Higher (and Actually Hit the Target)
If you own a small business, you already know how easy it is to get caught up in the whirlwind of day-to-day operations. Orders need filling, customers need care, employees need guidance… and before you know it, another year has passed and you’re still telling yourself, “I’ll get to my big goals soon.”
But here’s the truth: without intentional goal setting, “soon” turns into “someday,” and someday often turns into never.
That’s why goal setting isn’t just something you do at the beginning of the year—it’s an ongoing process that helps you work on your business, not just in it.
Step 1: Get Clear on the Big Picture
Before you start writing down numbers or making action plans, zoom out. What’s the long-term vision for your business?
- Do you want to double your revenue in three years?
- Expand into new markets?
- Sell the business for top value?
When you have a clear “North Star,” the smaller, short-term goals fall into place more easily. Think of this as reverse-engineering your success.
Step 2: Set SMART Goals (The Not-Boring Way)
You’ve probably heard of SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. They work because they force you to define exactly what you want and when you want it.
Example:
❌ Vague goal: “Increase sales.”
✅ SMART goal: “Increase sales by 15% in the next 12 months by adding two new product lines and launching a quarterly email campaign.”
It’s not just about making a goal “measurable”—it’s about making it trackable so you can celebrate wins and adjust when needed.
Step 3: Break Big Goals into Smaller Milestones
A big goal can feel overwhelming until you slice it into smaller, doable chunks.
If your goal is to hire three new team members this year, your milestones might look like:
- Write job descriptions by February.
- Post ads and start interviews in March.
- Onboard the first new hire by May.
Hitting each milestone keeps your momentum going (and keeps you from procrastinating until Q4).
Step 4: Make It Visible
Goals that live only in your head don’t count. Write them down. Better yet, post them where you and your team can see them every day—on a whiteboard, in your project management tool, or in a shared digital workspace.
Visibility creates accountability. When your team knows the goals, they can work with you to achieve them.
Step 5: Review and Adjust Quarterly
Things change—markets shift, customer needs evolve, unexpected opportunities pop up. Reviewing your goals every quarter gives you the chance to celebrate what’s working and pivot when something isn’t.
Pro tip: When you adjust, you’re not “failing” at your original plan—you’re being a nimble business owner who adapts to stay competitive.
Step 6: Celebrate Wins (Big and Small)
Small business owners often jump from one challenge to the next without pausing to celebrate what’s been accomplished. Recognizing your wins boosts morale for you and your team, and reminds you why you started this journey in the first place.
Final Thought
Goal setting is not just about creating a checklist—it’s about building a roadmap for your business’s future. The more intentional you are, the more likely you’ll hit your targets and enjoy the journey along the way.
And if you need help setting—and sticking to—your business goals, that’s exactly what I do. As a small business coach specializing in preparing owners for their next big move (including selling their business), I help you focus on what matters most.