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She told us: \u201cIt’s crucial for us to consider ethics, the human factor, and those external circumstances that are beyond our control. If you hit your profit goal but damage your brand reputation in the process, that isn’t a win for us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Daniele Paduano, Owner of East London pizza restaurant Kotch!<\/a>, said that you don\u2019t always need to write targets down in the SMART format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen you gain experience, you become very practical, and your brain immediately tells you if the task\/goal is SMART,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your business goals can be anything \u2013 big or small \u2013 from achieving B Corp<\/a> certification to putting your ideas into a proper marketing plan<\/a> and taking action. <\/p>\n\n\n\n All business owners have to manage unpredictability, and it\u2019s not uncommon for goals and targets to shift direction from initial plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Changing goals could include things like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shop owner Larnia said that when priorities change or unexpected challenges arise, she takes a step back to assess the situation: <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt’s important to understand how these changes impact the original goals and whether these goals still align with the new direction. Sometimes, this could mean setting more realistic or achievable targets, or even pushing deadlines to accommodate the changes.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n She added: \u201cStaying adaptable, revisiting plans, involving the team, and keeping a positive attitude are my go-to strategies for adjusting goals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Seeing how you’re performing against your goals allows you to work out what\u2019s going well and where more effort or a new approach is needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tracking progress doesn\u2019t need to be complicated. According to Richard Burle, Founder of Richard\u2019s Garden Services in West Sussex, it can be as simple as ticking off targets as you go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He added: \u201cProgress can also be more flexible. By taking on board feedback from customers new and old, I can improve my service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI also listen to the people who work for my business. If I can have a happy team, I can serve my customers better. This leads to better referrals, and that contributes to the growth of the business.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Daniele said that as long as goals are measurable, they can be monitored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor example, a financial goal can easily be monitored with a profit and loss report or a physical goal could be monitored with a scale when you weigh yourself every morning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kotch! pizza restaurant in East London<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, the team at Ryde like to use tools for effective planning and clear communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe’re big fans of Notion for getting our thoughts in order and deconstructing larger objectives into smaller actionable steps,\u201d Larnia explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs an example, we are about to launch a crowdfunding campaign for a new product. We’ve mapped out our journey in Notion, setting up phases and timelines, dividing tasks and tracking to make sure we hit our deadlines,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you achieve a goal, it can be tempting to move on to the next one immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, marking achievements is an integral part of the goal-setting process. Make sure you celebrate them in your own way, whether that\u2019s writing wins in a journal, sharing milestones on social media, or taking a much-needed day off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Larnia recalled a time when Ryde set up a retail stand at Boardmasters, the UK\u2019s largest surf festival. However, a heatwave meant that sales of outdoor and waterproof clothing were slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Feelings of stress and disappointment followed, until a friend offered Larnia some much-needed perspective: \u201cThey asked, ‘If I had told you last year that you\u2019d be trading at Boardmasters, how would you have felt?’ The truth was, I would have been elated. Just being there was a massive accomplishment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Larnia Ryde, Founder of Ryde, a sustainable outdoor clothing store in Cornwall<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Larnia explained: \u201cThis experience taught me the importance of celebrating both the big and small wins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNow, I make it a point to acknowledge these moments, whether through something as simple as an act of self-care, a moment of quiet reflection, a direct thank you to a member of the team, or buying a round of drinks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you think your achievement is newsworthy, you could try sending your story to the local media. Our guide to what makes a good press release<\/a> will help you craft it in the best way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But it\u2019s clear that many business owners struggle to celebrate successes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Bailey Greetham-Clark, CEO at BeGreatFitness<\/a> in Lincolnshire, said he feels like his work is never done. \u201cI treat my team and ensure they know when they’ve done well, but personally I still feel we have a long way to go and a lot more people to help.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alongside your successes, there are likely to be some disappointments along the way. Dealing with these setbacks can be difficult, but taking the positives and reflecting on how you\u2019d do things differently in the future can help you to move forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bailey said he takes disappointments to heart: \u201cAfter starting the business at 17 and helping thousands of people access fitness and sports, sometimes I struggle to look at our successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFunnily enough, if we fail at something, that\u2019s the time in which I\u2019m most able to look at how far we\u2019ve come.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Daniele pointed out that the nature of running a business means the risk of failing to achieve goals is always higher for entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen you fail to achieve a goal, own it, analyse it, and try to get all the good from it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Richard Burle, Founder of Richard\u2019s Garden Services<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n If goals don\u2019t go to plan, business owners should remind themselves that some things are out of their control, according to gardener Richard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He explained: \u201cFor example, the contractors I regularly work with may not be available when I need them, or the weather might put a halt to a job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAt that point, the best I can do is to let my customers know that it might take a little longer, and plan ahead so that I can still try to meet my target. The key, really, is don’t give up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Larnia added that allowing yourself to feel emotions as a professional is key to recovering from setbacks. \u201cWhen you invest in a goal, it becomes meaningful. I always take time to process the ‘what and how’ of why something might have changed direction on a personal and team level and then adapt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFocusing on progress rather than perfection really helps maintain motivation and positivity,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What are your top tips for setting business and personal goals? Let us know in the comments below.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As one of the UK’s biggest business insurance<\/a> providers, we specialise in public liability insurance<\/a> and protect more trades than anybody else. Why not take a look now and build a quick, tailored quote?<\/p>\n\n\n\nShifting priorities \u2013 how can they impact business goals?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How to monitor the progress of your goals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Kotch!](\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/05\/kotch-pizza.jpg?w=815\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhy celebrating success is a key part of goal-setting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Larnia](\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/05\/larnia-ryde.jpg?w=815\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow to deal with the disappointment of not achieving a goal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Richard](\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/05\/richard-burle.jpg?w=815\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThree extra tips for setting goals for your business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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More small business guides<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Ready to set up your cover?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n