Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I did a search so excuse me if I missed the post, but I`d like to ask about goal "getting". The few posts I read about goals spoke of goal setting. Find the big picture, break it down into little pieces, etc. etc.

And someone at some point mentioned goal getting and I like that term.

I`m often found at the About.com graphic design forum and a small group of us have been discussing a goal accountability group. Essentially a group of individuals checking in on each other to help with achieving their goals. Not so much a "Hey you need to get this done now!" kind of thing, but more of a support group. As many graphic design professionals and other creative minded people are indies, it`s easy to lose motivation.

Anyone have some tips, tricks, ideas on how to create a goal getting group? They`re talking about it at Biznik also.

Probably one of the biggest lessons (and hardest) I had in business is the whole concept of setting milestones, then making someone accountable for those milestones. I`ve not heard of the expression "goal-getting," but from what you`re writing it sounds as if that`s what people used to call milestones.

I think it comes out of project management, but what it comes down to is you set up your various goals. Then you work out the tasks and processes involved in each goal and sub-goal. Then you set a date for each thing. That date can be seen as a milestone (small ones or big ones).

Whomever is assigned to the task or process must report regularly as to where they stand, and if they expect to meet their deadline. If they don`t, there can be various consequences.

I was involved in a database conversion using an outside consulting firm. As the liaison, I saw that the project could in no way meet the projected deadlines, but I didn`t understand what to do about it. With some education and a bit more sophistication, I eventually learned to have "a frank exchange of views" in meetings devoted exclusively to specific, stated goals.

So the developers would casually say they expected to have the online Help system in outline form by Date 1. I`d look at what they had today, knew there wasn`t any chance at all it would be done by that date. I`d call a meeting, and we`d discuss only that specific issue---the Help outline, and the date.

With much debate, we would set what I thought was a more realistic date. Then I`d write up a memo, copy everyone in charge, and have the developers sign it. Included in the memo, after speaking with my client, would be a consequence for failure to meet the date deadline.

It usually was something like deducting $100/day for every day the deadline slipped. At first, the developers didn`t take it seriously. Then we upped the ante, and started deducting larger amounts per day, in hundred-dollar incements.

The project finally collapsed when nothing at all looked like it would be accomplished on any set date. They continued to ask for more money, and the client eventually called a stop to the project and cancelled all further payments.

Craig,

Okay, setting milestones is probably the more common term, but doesn`t goal getting sound so much more hip?

I understand completely what you`re saying about setting the tasks and accountability, but what I`m after is trying to figure out a way for other people to help fellow business partners/friends achieving those goals. The majority of the people I`m referring to are work-at-home / alone types and have no one but themselves to be held accountable.

So for instance, let`s say you and I were teamed up as mentors to each other in goal setting, you might call/write/IM a few times a week and just check in on how I was doing with A, B & C.

Granted, some might see this as a babysitting job, but it doesn`t have to be that way. It could easily be a business building and friendship building task that helps one another achieve their daily business/personal goals.

Goink -

Several times in the last 3 or 4 years I ran an online `goal setting, achieving and exceeding` group. We did it my e-mail some times and by `forum` other times.

My experience has been that people like to talk about their goals, and like to work towards them, but when it comes time to be help `aco c**t able` they create excuses and then disappear.

Being accountable is hard work, and so few people will step up and take it on the chin when they are not `on course`.

If you are to form a peer group, I so so so SO reccomend that you only do it `in person`. Anything done `virtually` will almost always fail, and at no fault of your own.

In fairness, let me edit my last paragraph a touch...all of my past efforts have come from forming groups inside `Self Help` communities, like Tony Robbins` group for example. Perhaps the colleagues you meet here at SUN will be more driven and will take this type of project more seriously?

I don`t want to pass judgement on the idea or any group of peers you collaborate with. I am just sharing some feedback based on my own experiences. I always went into the project with great expectations, and every time was let down by my peers` lack of ambition after several weeks.

I would be happy to share more specifics, without boring the rest of the group or sounding `negative` (I still work on my goals almost daily. Even `I` slack some times! But I always come back to it, and quickly.). PM me if you`d like...

Well....lessee....

How about you get three emails after your deadline has been missed, then the mentor snail-mails a small explosive device?

Nah...just kidding. :-) But I know what you mean, and what you`re after. The problem I think is as DefMall said----people have lots of ideas, talk about what they`re gonna do, but then don`t follow through. I`ve had that problem for most of my life, and work pretty hard on solving it.

I don`t think someone else can make you do much of anything, other than through guilt. And that`s a negative incentive. People work much better with positive incentives. I think the best way to achieve goals is by seeing real and tangible results from accomplishing each milestone.

If you think about it, what it comes down to is achievable goals---setting goals and milestones that you really and truly believe you can accomplish without feeling overwhelmed and depressed. I think mentors and networking groups would do better to focus on *analyzing* someone`s stated goals to see if they`re doable, attainable, and small enough as to not be a massive project. Y`know?

I wonder if that would get people`s attention? lol


And that`s one thing I definitely would want to avoid. People don`t to be made to feel like someone is standing over their shoulder nagging on them. In general people will work better and achieve more if they hear "I know it`s tough going right now, but you can do it!" kinda stuff. I don`t wanna get all warm and fuzzy, but I also don`t want "You`re !@#$%ing lazy. Get to work!"

One of my favorite jokes goes like this:
I think there`s a place for networking, coaches, mentors, and so on. There`s knowledge to be shared, tips to exchange, and good ideas in general. SuN is a place for those good ideas. More importantly, it`s easier to be in a really tough situation when you`re not alone.

I agree that some sympathy, another perspective for objective advice, and getting some "Oh Wow!" energy is very important to the startup entrepreneur.

But I don`t think these outside forces are going to have any impact at all on whether or not someone does what they say they`re going to do. That`s an issue of self-discipline, optimism, and having a plan. (Not to mention passion.)