So This Is The New Year...
Happy 2007, Agent Blog readers! It's a new year, a new beginning...and I should have more inspiring, educational and prophetic words to pass along than I do. :)
The truth is that I, like most of you I imagine, am trying to regroup. The New Year is typically a time to refocus efforts for both personal and professional betterment. As we speak blog, the higher-ups here at InsureMe are preparing to align first-quarter goals, and each employee is busy thinking about their individual [corporate] goals for Q1.
On the personal side of things, I'm sure many of us are also making goals for self-improvement and fulfillment. And, honestly, making both personal and professional goals are vital to success in both areas of our lives.
Ryan Carson of Carson Systems attests to this in a recent blog post, in which he also speaks to the most important goal-setting tenet: making goals measurable.
Why measurable? Because general, all-encompassing goals don't really give you a benchmark by which to measure your sucess at the end of the year (quarter, month, week, etc.). Nor do they produce the kind of motivation that often accompanies more tightly focused goals.
So I suppose this is the part where I share some of my personal and professional goals with you. You know, because talking the talk without walking the walk just isn't cool.
Personal goals:
- Hit the treadmill at least three times per week
- Write and finalize one new short story by the end of March
- Contribute $___ to my 401k
Professionals goals:
- Post to the Agent Blog up to five times weekly
- Post one video blog/podcast to the Agent Blog per week (yes, really!)
- Write three press releases in Q1
Because I've given myself parameters in which to work, I'll be motivated on a daily basis to work on these goals. Much more so than a more general goal like, say, using my powers for good instead of evil. :)
Take a look at Ryan Carson's post (and subsequent comments) for more goal-making fodder, and don't forget to visit these oldies (but goodies) from the InsureMe Agent Blog:
Goal-Setting 101
How Positive Patterns Can Help You Achieve Sales Goals
What are your measurable goals for the New Year?
[Photo from Flickr under Creative Commons license]
Comments
Personal goals are great to have. If you really want to walk the walk you could make your top resolution at www.31left.com which is a website where you make a promise to donate to a charity if you fail to do what you set out to do. Personally I think a negative one is more incentive, cause donating to charity is good. Maybe you should choose an organization you hate, haha
Lucas
Posted by: Lucas | January 8, 2007 06:53 PM
Goals
1.To eat right and run more
2.To have a 30% better closing ratio on insure me leads.
3.To start taking more life leads and have a closing ratio of 30% or better.
4. communicate more effectively
5. Set a side more money for retirment
Posted by: Jason | January 9, 2007 01:07 PM
Lucas, I don't think that's quite what we were looking for, but thanks for your comment.
Jason, great goals. Numbers two and three are the kind of measurable goals I was referencing in the post—take note, everyone!
And keep those goals coming. Otherwise Jason here is going to make a quick $100!
Posted by: Megan Mahan | January 9, 2007 01:34 PM
Goals
1.Close 20% more leads from outside sources.
2.Work on increasing Commercial business.
3.Manage daily activities better.
Posted by: Eric | January 9, 2007 01:52 PM
Personal
1. Visit gym 5 times/week
2. Make more time for family
Professional
1. Increase closing % on internet/telemarketing leads
2. Create and follow marketing and business plans
3. Schedule/Plan days in advance for better time management
Posted by: Chris | January 9, 2007 02:14 PM
Hah, I saw the wrap up after I left the last comment, however if you want measurable goals, here you go.
1. Run everyday for the entire year for at least 20 minutes, while working on form and endurance.
2. be able to cash the 100,000 dollar check in my wallet on Dec 31st, 2007
and finally
3. Sell 40, 000 copies of my bands record.
Great goals, all which WILL be attained. :)
Posted by: Lucas | January 9, 2007 10:49 PM
I'm going to set a goal to make friends with Lucas before Dec 31, 2007!
Posted by: Peter | January 10, 2007 08:21 AM
Personal:
Make the most of the time I'm with my kids.
Go to the gym 3x per week.
Professional:
Make a schedule and stick to it!
Call all leads until I make personal contact.
Talk to 3 strangers every day.
Posted by: Amy | January 10, 2007 03:14 PM
Goals:
1. Be in a position to take 12 weeks off in 2008.
2. Qualify for MDRT
3. Referral only business by June
Posted by: Danny | January 11, 2007 01:48 PM
Goals:
1. Be in a position to take 12 weeks off in 2008.
2. Qualify for MDRT
3. Referral only business by June
Posted by: Danny | January 11, 2007 01:51 PM
Hey guys and gals! Thanks for sharing your stellar goals with us. Feel free to keep posting; however only those entries appearing before this comment will be eligible for the $100 cash prize.
Stay tuned for the next contest!
Posted by: Megan Mahan | January 11, 2007 01:54 PM