We’ve all set goals, for work, career, or studies, but not always meet them. After not meeting them several times, we give up. Instead, we need to understand why they failed and how to change your direction and thought process to achieve them. When it comes to your side hustle, you are working with limited time, so setting goals will help you stay focused and track progress.
Here are 8 ways to use goals to grow your side hustle:
1. Set Specific, Measurable Goals
Set SMART goals – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Instead of setting a goal to “increase sales,” aim to “increase sales by 20% within the next six months.” It helps to make your goal more tangible and gives you a deadline, which will drive you to work towards it.
2. Break Goals into Smaller Tasks
When you set smaller tasks, you achieve milestones faster, which keeps you motivated. If your goal is to launch a new product, start with smaller tasks such as market research, product design, and prototype development.
You can also write these goals on a paper and title them “already achieved”. It tricks you to think that you’ve actually already achieved it. For example, instead of writing – I want 10 sales by June 2024, write I have 10 sales in June 2024.
3. Use Timelines Wisely
Deadlines help you stay focused and prioritize your efforts. For example, set a deadline to complete the market research by the end of the first month, design by the second, and have prototypes ready by the third.
4. Monitor Your Progress
Use tools like spreadsheets or project management software to track your achievements and timelines. If you aren’t able to achieve goals within your set expectations, it is time to rewrite them and ask questions about why it is taking so long. It will also work as a blueprint whenever you start another business or side hustle.
5. Adjust Goals as Needed
Flexibility is key in business. If you find that a goal is unattainable or too easy, adjust it. Goals support your vision and not dictate it. They must align with your current capabilities and market conditions, so you stay relatable and proactive.
6. Celebrate Milestones
When you achieve goals, your body releases happy hormones and neurotransmitters. It lifts your mood, makes things more achievable, and makes you feel satisfied. This only means it is a reason to celebrate. Whenever you achieve a big goal, celebrate it with positive reinforcement, something like a nice dinner.
7. Learn from Failures
Not all goals will be met. When you fall short, take time to analyze what went wrong and learn from it. The way you reflect your failures and learn from them will form the basis of your side hustle’s future strategies.
8. Stay Committed and Consistent
Consistency is crucial. Work on your side hustle regularly, even if it’s just a small task each day. Working with a business coach comes in handy when you struggle to stay committed or are having a difficult time navigating the side hustler life. They hold you accountable for your goals, offer you lessons in strategy building, customer service, and marketing and are your biggest cheerleaders.
At Carrie’s Courses, we have a 14-week Side Hustle Course that helps you start a moving box rental business from scratch and connect you with like-minded women entrepreneurs from across North America. Book a Clarity Call with Carrie for more details.
