Just Three Things – Small Business Goals
There is something to be said for setting goals and holding yourself accountable for reaching those goals.
I’m just about five months in after having reached my dream of taking the freelance plunge in June 2008. There was an incredible set of steps I had to take in order to reach this goal. But just because I’m here now, doesn’t mean the journey is over.
The ultimate goal now is to improve upon my business and make it as successful as possible. With this comes an an endless to do list that often gets pushed aside by client work, writing proposals, and all the other administrative aspects of running your own company.
Early Beginnings
A few of you might remember my early introduction to blogging, with the anonymous identity of WAH(web)Mommy. That blog served as an amazing starting point towards reaching my dreams – one of the primary focuses of that blog was to post a monthly list of goals… baby steps necessary to reach full time freelance status.
I soon realized, however, that an anonymous blog could only take me so far. Being anonymous, I could not link to my own portfolio. And a web designer without a portfolio has no credibility whatsoever.
Enter the re-launch of this blog in March 2008. The current blog has taken me much further than I could have hoped for! However in re-claiming my identity, I had to loose the backbone of the old blog – which was the regular posting of goals and accomplishments. For obvious reasons, I couldn’t have my employer finding out what I was up to before I was ready to take the plunge!
Well, I’m here today to take that back, and I hope you’ll join me!
Bringing Back An Old Tradition
This post marks the beginning of the “Just Three Things” series.
As freelancers and small business owners, I’m certain we all have an endless to do list. Whether it’s written down, or is running around in the back of our minds and keeping us up at night – there are things we want and need to do to take our businesses to the next level.
I’m a believer in baby steps, though – and have always held a fondness for the number three. So each month, I’ll be publishing a post outlining three things that I want to accomplish. The idea is to make a dent in my own to do list by accomplishing a number of items – without being completely overwhelmed, in the process.
Most likely these will relate to marketing of some sort – self promotion, updating my own web site, blogging, etc. Aspects necessary to propel my business further, but things that always get set on the back burner.
Hold Yourself Accountable for YOUR Three Things
I tweeted the concept a little while ago and received positive feedback on the idea – so I’m hoping that you will join me each month by sharing a list of three things that YOU need to accomplish to help push your business to the next level.
It doesn’t end there, though – it’s not just about posting your goals, but also about following up with your progress. We’ll be able to congratulate each other on our successes, as well as cheer each other on when we need an extra push.
Letting It All Hang Out
There is nothing like putting your goals “out there” for others to see. It brings your intentions to a whole new level. After all, you don’t really want to announce to the world that you’re going to do something, and then fall through on it!
So, if you have your own blog and it would be relevant to your readers, I hope you’ll publish your own goals and accomplishments for the month – then link back here so we know to check on your progress. If not, please feel free to leave a comment on the posts here so we can cheer you on!
Next up… Just Three Things – November 2008 Small Business Goals
About the Author
Selene M. Bowlby is a web designer and front-end web developer with over ten years of professional experience in the design industry. As the owner of iDesign Studios she specializes in creating custom web sites for other businesses. more » 
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hey! awesome post, its great to see i’m not the only one settin goals
make sure you dream big
penflares last blog post..Saturday Inspiration
@penflare – Thanks! Goals are definitely important – and it’s all too easy to set and stick to your own goals sometimes…
This is cool and I will be trying this out on my own. Wish me luck!
Cams last blog post..Best of 2008
Awesome post. Some great ideas here, I’ll have to give it a try.
Stefanie Hartmans last blog post..Detox Cleanse For Your Brain?
Great ideas I have love reading your web page..you make it simple Just Three Things my to do list is endless..as a freelance working MUM..Selene you have helped and saved me….Thanks..Great post..