Goal Setting Worksheet: A Great Way to Develop Your 2010 Game Plan

Today, let’s talk about one way you can use goal setting worksheets to chart your course for 2010 (and beyond).

A goal setting worksheet can take many forms – the actual format doesn’t really matter – as long as it allows you enough room and flexibility to create a clear plan. (I’ve found that the clearer picture I can create during this process, the better the chances are that I’ll make it happen).

The goal setting worksheet I developed for this site  is divided into 3 parts: Brainstorm, Refine and Define.

The first section is where I jot down anything and everything that I might want to incorporate into the site over the course of 2010.  The most important part of this process is to not over-edit yourself. Better to have too much material to work with vs. not enough!

I’m not worried about “pretty” or formal at this point – I am more focused on just capturing the ideas as they come. Also, my worksheets are contained in a basic spiral notebook (nothing fancy here!) – but this seems to do the trick. (If you are just getting started, a 3-ring binder may be a better option so you add additional sheets to each section as you go).

The second section is where the ideas captured during the brainstorming phase are refined. Major categories or themes usually emerge at this point – so I start to organize the brainstorming thoughts according to those categories. A few examples of categories I want to cover on this site in 2010 include Autoresponders, Press Releases and Guest Blogging.  Topics that fit under the Autoresponders category include how to set them up, how to write them and a pretty cool 30 Day Challenge I plan to share with you after the first of the year.

This second phase is also where I begin to pull potential topics from my Article Ideas folders (I have one in all of my email accounts) and other “swipe files” I’ve established. Affiliate programs are a great source of inspiration for this phase, as well. This step helps flesh out the various categories so I can get a clearer picture of how much material I have for each topic. Note I don’t do this during the brainstorming phase (Section 1). This much detail would slow me down and interfere with the free association of true brainstorming.

The third section is where the actual goal setting occurs. While the first two stages will establish my 2010 editorial calendar and publishing schedule – the third is where the actual “business of blogging” comes into play. This is where things get more objective and actual production levels and traffic building activities are established. Of course, the whole purpose of any true business venture is to make a profit, so this is also where revenue goals and monetization strategies are defined.

Throughout the rest of December, we’ll talk more about how you can start now to establish a clear game plan for your business in 2010.

Til Next Time,

PS Looking for more on the topics of Goal Setting and Time Management? If so, here is a coupon to save 20% on all Brian Tracy Orders Over $50! – Use Coupon Code AFF20. Be sure to download the free eBook on Goal Setting offered in the upper right hand corner of the page!