Why You Have to Write Down Your Business Goals

In Day 4 of this challenge, we focused on understanding the importance of setting clear goals for your business. If you haven’t already done it, make sure to check out that post here. But have you actually written your goals down yet? If not, you’re missing out on a powerful success tool.

Studies show that simply having a goal in mind doubles your chances of achieving it. But here’s where it gets really interesting writing that goal down makes you 10 times more likely to succeed! That’s a 1,000% increase in your chances of hitting your target. Let’s talk about why this works and how you can use it to your advantage.

Why Writing Down Goals Works

There are several psychological and neurological reasons why writing down goals is so effective.

1. It Improves Memory and Recall

Have you ever made a grocery list, forgotten to bring it, and still managed to remember most of the items? That’s because the act of writing helps encode information in your brain, moving it from short-term to long-term memory. The same thing happens when you write down your business goals—it makes them easier to remember and prioritize.

2. It Turns Ideas Into Commitments

A goal in your head is just a wish. A goal on paper becomes a commitment. When you see your goals written down, they feel more concrete, making you more likely to act.

3. It Keeps You Focused

Life is busy. Distractions are everywhere. But when you have your goals written down in front of you, they serve as a daily reminder of what you’re working toward. This constant reinforcement keeps you focused and motivated.

How to Write Goals for Maximum Impact

Writing down goals isn’t just about scribbling on a sticky note. To get the full benefit, follow these steps:

✅ Be Specific & Use Numbers

Vague goals like “make more money” aren’t helpful. Instead, be precise with measurable details. Here are some concrete examples:

• Increase revenue by $5,000 per month – Rather than saying “grow revenue,” specify the exact amount you want to achieve. For instance, you could target increasing sales by $5,000 each month for the next quarter.
• Gain 1,000 new email subscribers this quarter – Instead of a general “gain more subscribers,” commit to a specific number (e.g., 1,000 new subscribers) within a set timeframe (next three months).
• Launch my first paid product by March 31st – Rather than just “launch a product,” set a firm target date and be specific about the product you’re planning to release. For example, you could plan to create a digital course or eBook.

The key is to avoid ambiguity. The more specific your goals are, the easier it will be to track progress and stay motivated.

✅ Set a Deadline

A goal without a timeline is just a dream. Adding a deadline creates urgency and gives you something to work toward. Without a clear deadline, it’s easy to procrastinate and let your goals slip through the cracks. Here’s how to set a meaningful deadline:

• Launch my new website by April 15th: Instead of just saying “launch my website,” commit to a specific date. For example, set a goal to have the website live by April 15th, and break it down into smaller tasks—like finalizing the design by March 15th, adding content by April 1st, and testing the site by April 10th. These smaller milestones will keep you on track and prevent you from feeling overwhelmed.
• Book five new coaching clients by the end of the month: Setting a deadline for client bookings helps keep you accountable. To make this goal even more actionable, break it down further by deciding how you’ll reach out to potential clients—like “send 20 cold emails each week” or “schedule three networking calls per week.” This makes the deadline feel more achievable and realistic.
• Publish my first blog post by February 28th: Instead of saying, “I’ll write a blog post soon,” set a firm deadline like “publish my first blog post by February 28th.” Then, schedule writing sessions to break down the task into manageable chunks. For example, “Research and outline the blog post by February 20th,” and “Write 500 words daily until February 26th.”
• Create and launch a free lead magnet by March 31st: If you’re looking to grow your email list, set a deadline for releasing a free lead magnet (e.g., an eBook, checklist, or email course). Break it down into smaller tasks: “Write the lead magnet content by March 5th,” “Design the landing page by March 10th,” and “Set up the email sequence by March 20th.”
• Reach 1,000 social media followers by June 30th: This goal can be broken down into monthly milestones. For example, “Increase my Instagram followers by 250 per month” or “Run one Instagram giveaway each month to boost engagement.” This makes your deadline more achievable and tracks your progress over time.
• Complete my first paid product by May 1st: Whether it’s a course, membership, or a digital product, break the development process into tasks. For example, “Outline the course content by March 15th,” “Record all modules by April 15th,” and “Set up the sales page by April 30th.” These smaller steps ensure you’re prepared by your deadline.
• Start a paid ad campaign by March 15th: Instead of just saying, “I’ll run ads,” set a specific deadline and action plan. Break it down into tasks like “Create ad copy and design by March 1st,” “Set up targeting and budget by March 7th,” and “Launch the campaign by March 15th.”

The key is to set deadlines that are realistic but also stretch you to take action. A deadline without a plan can be just as vague as a goal without one. Always create a detailed action plan that aligns with your deadline to make sure you stay on track.

✅ Break It Down into Action Steps

Big goals can feel overwhelming, but breaking them into smaller, manageable steps makes them less intimidating and much easier to achieve. Instead of saying, “I need to grow my business,” you’ll be able to focus on specific tasks that will bring you closer to your overall goal. Here’s how to break down your goals into actionable steps:

• Goal: Launch my first paid product by June 30th

Breaking this down:

• • Research market and competitors by March 15th: Spend the next two weeks researching what’s already out there, identifying gaps, and figuring out how your product can fill a need.
  • Create an outline for the product by April 1st: Sketch out the course structure, key modules, and any additional materials (workbooks, videos, etc.).
  • Record the first module by May 1st: Start recording your content (videos, audio, etc.) and aim to have at least one module ready to go by this date.
  • Design the product landing page by May 15th: Work on creating a compelling sales page for your product, including testimonials, clear descriptions, and a call-to-action.
  • Launch and market the product by June 30th: Prepare email sequences, social media posts, and any paid ads leading up to the launch date.
• Goal: Increase website traffic by 50% in 3 months

Breaking this down:

• • Audit current website traffic and analytics by February 10th: Review your website traffic, identify top-performing pages, and figure out where traffic is falling short.
  • Write one blog post per week (12 posts total) by the end of the 3-month period: Create valuable, SEO-optimized content to attract organic traffic.
  • Publish guest posts on 3 relevant blogs by the end of the month: Reach out to blog owners in your niche to publish guest articles that link back to your site and build backlinks.
  • Implement on-page SEO improvements by February 20th: Focus on enhancing SEO elements like meta descriptions, header tags, and internal linking on your existing content.
  • Promote content through social media and email marketing weekly: Share each new post on your social channels, and send a newsletter to your email list with links to the latest blog content.
• Goal: Book 5 new coaching clients by the end of the month

Breaking this down:

• • Create a new coaching package by February 5th: Define the details of your coaching program, including pricing, structure, and specific outcomes.
  • Send 20 cold emails per week to potential leads (80 emails by month’s end): Write a compelling email template offering your coaching services and send it out to targeted leads.
  • Host a free 30-minute webinar or workshop on coaching by February 15th: Use the webinar as a lead magnet to attract potential clients, giving them a taste of what you offer.
  • Follow up with all leads within 48 hours of initial contact: After sending your cold emails, make sure to follow up with those who show interest within 48 hours to increase the likelihood of conversions.
• Goal: Build an email list of 1,000 subscribers by the end of 6 months

Breaking this down:

• • Create a lead magnet by March 1st: Develop a valuable resource that solves a specific problem for your target audience (e.g., an eBook, checklist, or free course).
  • Set up a dedicated landing page by March 5th: Design a landing page specifically for capturing email sign-ups in exchange for the lead magnet.
  • Promote the lead magnet via social media and ads starting March 10th: Run Facebook or Instagram ads targeting your ideal audience, directing them to the landing page.
  • Publish one guest post per month on relevant blogs for the next six months: Each guest post will include a link to your lead magnet, increasing exposure and driving traffic to your landing page.
  • Offer an exclusive incentive for referrals starting in April: Give current subscribers a special offer or freebie for referring new people to join your list, helping to build momentum.
• Goal: Write and publish my first book by December 31st

Breaking this down:

• • Write a 500-word outline by February 10th: Start by outlining the chapters or sections of your book, focusing on the flow of the content.
  • Write 2,000 words per week for the next 5 months: Set a realistic word count target to make steady progress each week.
  • Complete first draft by June 30th: Aim to finish your first draft by the end of June so that you can start editing and refining it.
  • Start the editing process by July 15th: After completing your first draft, hire an editor or use editing tools to polish the manuscript.
  • Finalize the book and prepare for publishing by November 30th: Work on formatting, design, and pre-launch marketing strategies before your target launch date.

✅ Review Your Goals Regularly

Setting goals is just the first step; reviewing them regularly is where the magic happens. It’s not enough to simply write them down and forget about them. Reviewing your goals keeps them top of mind and allows you to track your progress, adjust if necessary, and stay motivated. Here’s how to do it effectively:

• Set a Specific Time to Review Your Goals Daily or Weekly
  Choose a time each day or week to review your goals. This consistent routine ensures that you stay on track and hold yourself accountable.
  • Daily Review: Set aside 10-15 minutes at the end of each day to quickly review your goals. Ask yourself:
    • “What did I accomplish today?”
    • “Did I make progress on my action steps?”
    • “What’s the next step I need to take tomorrow?”

This keeps your goals fresh in your mind and helps you adjust your focus if necessary.

• • Weekly Review: Spend 30-60 minutes once a week to go through your goals in depth. This is where you’ll really reflect on your progress and make any necessary adjustments. Ask yourself:
    • “Did I hit my milestones for this week?”
    • “What went well, and what didn’t?”
    • “What do I need to focus on in the upcoming week?”

For example, if your goal is to increase revenue by $5,000 a month and you’re at $3,000 for the current month, take note of what helped you achieve that $3,000 and what strategies need more attention to hit your target.

• Use a Goal-Tracking Tool or App
  Use a digital tool or app to track your goals and progress. This can be something simple, like Google Sheets, or more specialized tools like Trello, Todoist, or a goal-setting app like Strides or Goalscape. These tools will help you:
  • Visualize your progress with checklists or progress bars.
  • Set reminders to review your goals daily or weekly.
  • Track which goals have been completed and which are in progress.

For example, you can use Trello to create a board for your goals with columns for “To-Do,” “In Progress,” and “Completed,” making it easy to see where you stand at a glance.

• Track Specific Metrics and KPIs
  In order to make your reviews more effective, track key performance indicators (KPIs) that will help you measure progress toward your goals. For example:
  • If your goal is to increase your email list by 1,000 subscribers in 3 months, track:
    • Current subscriber count: How many new subscribers did you gain this week/month?
    • Conversion rate: How many website visitors are signing up for your list?
    • Lead magnet performance: Which lead magnets are converting the best?

By tracking these specific metrics, you can see whether your efforts are yielding the results you want and adjust your strategy if necessary.

• Adjust Goals Based on Progress and Feedback
  Regular reviews give you the opportunity to adjust your goals and strategies based on what’s working and what’s not. If you’re falling short of your goal, don’t be afraid to revise it or the action steps involved.

For example, let’s say your goal is to increase your social media followers by 500 this month, but you’re only gaining 100 followers. During your weekly review, you might decide to:

• • Adjust the goal to a more realistic number (e.g., 250 new followers).
  • Increase the number of posts or run a targeted ad campaign.
  • Test new content formats, such as video or polls, to engage more followers.

Remember, goals aren’t set in stone. They should evolve as you gather more information and feedback.

• Celebrate Milestones and Progress
  Reviewing your goals isn’t just about tracking what’s left to do; it’s also about recognizing your progress and celebrating small wins along the way. This will keep you motivated and remind you that you are making progress, even if the end goal still feels far off.
  • For example, if you’ve just completed a major milestone like publishing your first paid product, take a moment to celebrate before moving on to the next task. Maybe treat yourself to something you enjoy or share the win with a friend or colleague.
  • Another example: If your goal is to publish one blog post per week, and you’ve hit your target for the past month, celebrate your consistency. This helps build momentum and gives you the energy to keep going.

By reviewing your goals regularly, you ensure that they remain aligned with your priorities and continue to drive you toward success. It helps you stay focused, make timely adjustments, and celebrate the progress you make along the way. Don’t let your goals gather dust—make them a part of your daily or weekly routine.

Your Action Step for Today

Now that you understand the power of writing down your goals and breaking them into actionable steps, it’s time to take immediate action. Here’s what you can do today to start moving forward:

1️⃣ Write Down One Specific Business Goal
Choose one key goal that you want to focus on right now. Make sure it’s specific, measurable, and actionable. Here are some examples:

• “Increase my monthly revenue by $3,000 by the end of the next quarter.”
• “Gain 500 new email subscribers within the next 30 days.”
• “Launch my new coaching program by March 31st.”
• “Publish one blog post per week for the next six weeks.”

Make sure this goal is specific and includes numbers or deadlines. The clearer it is, the easier it will be to break it down into manageable steps.

2️⃣ Break It Down into Smaller Action Steps
Once you’ve written down your goal, break it down into smaller, actionable tasks. These should be things you can start working on immediately. For example:

• Goal: Increase my monthly revenue by $3,000
  • Step 1: Research new revenue streams by February 5th.
  • Step 2: Reach out to 10 potential clients for upsells by February 10th.
  • Step 3: Launch a promotional campaign for an existing product by February 15th.

By breaking it down into clear steps, you’ll make it feel more achievable and less overwhelming.

3️⃣ Set a Deadline for Each Step
Give each action step a specific deadline to keep yourself accountable. For example:

• Step 1: Research new revenue streams by February 5th.
• Step 2: Reach out to 10 potential clients for upsells by February 10th.
• Step 3: Launch a promotional campaign for an existing product by February 15th.

By adding deadlines, you’re creating urgency and ensuring that you stay on track to achieve your goal.

4️⃣ Place Your Goal Somewhere Visible
Write your goal on paper or in a digital document and place it somewhere you’ll see it every day. This will keep it top of mind and remind you to stay focused. For example:

• Put your goal on a sticky note on your computer or workspace.
• Set a daily reminder on your phone that says, “Check in with my goals.”
• Add it to a digital goal-setting tool like Trello or Asana where you can track progress.

Keeping your goal visible reinforces your commitment and ensures you’re reminded to take action every day.

5️⃣ Set a Time to Review Your Goal and Progress
Schedule time each day or week to review your goal and the action steps you’ve taken. For example:

• Daily Review: Set aside 10 minutes at the end of each day to review your goal and check off completed tasks.
• Weekly Review: Spend 30 minutes on the weekend to reflect on the week’s progress and adjust your approach if needed.

Regular reviews will help you stay on track and ensure that you’re continuously moving toward your goal.

Your Path to Success Starts with Action

Writing down your goals is one of the most powerful things you can do for your business. It’s not just about dreaming big; it’s about taking specific, actionable steps toward those dreams. By following the steps we discussed today—making your goals specific, setting deadlines, breaking them down into manageable tasks, and reviewing them regularly—you’ll be well on your way to turning your vision into reality.

But here’s the thing: real success doesn’t come from staying in your comfort zone. It comes from challenging yourself to take risks, try new things, and push beyond what feels easy. As you work toward your goals, expect to encounter discomfort. That discomfort is a signal that you’re growing.

On Day 6, we’ll explore why real growth requires you to step out of your comfort zone. It’s time to face those challenges head-on, embrace the fear, and see it as an opportunity to reach new heights. Get ready to take your business to the next level by pushing beyond your boundaries.

🔗 Don’t Miss a Post in This Business Planning Challenge!

In case you missed one of the earlier posts in this challenge, catch up here:

Click here for Day 1.
Click here for Day 2.
Click here for Day 3.
Click here for Day 4.

Want to learn to start taking massive action? My mentor, Connie Ragen Green has a free challenge she calls the Action Habits Challenge. And did I mention it’s FREE???

I’m online entrepreneur Richard Rawlings (Rick) Smith. Who else wants to join me in creating an online business that allows them to enjoy the lifestyle they want and deserve?