As I put the certificate in the frame, I felt a massive rush of pride. I’d qualified as a coach a month earlier than planned and I was now able to officially start my coaching business.
Just 8 months earlier I’d been signed off work with stress and anxiety and couldn’t even fathom the idea of travelling to a CBT session, let alone training to be a coach alongside my full time job.
So, how did I do it? I got clear on what I wanted and why, set myself challenging but achievable goals and I worked on them every damn day.
Put simply, goals are the reason I went from signed off work to running my own business in less than three years.
So here are 7 reasons why goals will help you start a side business
1. They help you take control of your life
When you really take some time to step back and think about what you want out of life, you break out of that autopilot that we’re in every day. All of a sudden, I was able to really look at my life and decide what I wanted out of it, instead of just miserably coasting along.
Don’t be that person who wakes up at 40 or 50 thinking ‘How the hell did I get here?’, be the person who decides to change career, start a business and create the life they're dreaming of.
2. They help you reach your highest potential
Do you ever feel - like I did - that you’ve got so much more to give but can’t quite put your finger on how to achieve it? Goal setting helped me push myself out of my comfort zone and achieve things I never would have before, like qualifying a month early and getting my first 6 paying clients without social media. They really help you challenge yourself and unleash all that badass potential inside of you.
3. They give you a vision to work toward
It's easy to focus on the negative things in our lives, lamenting the things we 'should have' done by now. This victim mindset was exactly what kept me small for a really long time.
But having a goal helped me strive for better and keep moving forwards, rather than resting on my laurels and waiting for things to happen. For instance instead of thinking 'It's too late to start a business now', or 'I'm too old to have a side hustle', the goal setting process allows you to dream of what you really want, then break it down into actionable goals, so you can see that it IS possible after all.
4. They stop you procrastinating
Do you find you have the best intentions to get your business going, but every time you sit down to work on it, you suddenly find yourself cleaning the kitchen?! This was my reality for ages! But once I started setting goals, they give me the clarity, focus and direction that I so badly needed.
Start setting them and I guarantee every time you sit down to work on your side business, you won't procrastinate because you're know exactly what you're working towards and exactly what you need to do to get yourself there.
5. They make you accountable
Whilst its great to have dreams, just talking about them doesn't get you very far. I was guilty of this for years, always saying things like 'I'd love to start my own business', but I never did anything about it.
But once I turned it into a goal by putting a date on it, writing it down and telling people about it, I felt obligated to act. Just the simple act of saying to yourself (or better yet, someone else), 'It's XX date and I have started my business' will change your mindset and your goal now becomes a non-negotiable.
6. They motivate you
During my studies, there were soooo many days when I just couldn't be bothered. And after a while I realised it was because I'd lost connection to my goal. Once I reconnected with what that goal was going to give me, it was like I had a rocket up my bum.
That's because setting goals connects you with your innermost desires and gives you something to strive for. So on those days when the shit hits the fan or you wake up thinking you can’t be arsed with your side business, having a concrete goal will be all the motivation you need to get you back on track.
7. They push you out of your comfort zone
Whether we like it or not, we all benefit from being pushed out of our comfort zone. It’s what keeps us feeling alive, moving forwards, bettering ourselves and striving for more. Without goals, we just default to the mundane routine of activities that keeps us feeling safe and comfy and - even worse - makes us stay in that unfulfilling job.
So there you have it - 7 legit reasons why setting goals is gonna be the key to getting your business off the ground.
And if you only take one thing away from this today let it be this: There are no downsides to goal setting, even if you’re afraid of failing.
Because honestly - what's the alternative? Waking up in a year's time in exactly the same place, knowing you've done nothing to improve your life?
I think we both know the answer to that.
If you're unfulfilled in your job and want to start a business, but keep talking yourself out of it then I'm your girl. I've helped over 40 women start and grow purpose-led business, so book in a free discovery call to see if we vibe!
Meet Lauren
Business Coach & Side Hustle Queen
Hi, I'm Lauren. I burnt out from the corporate world, hit rock bottom and used the experience to create my dream life. I now help passionate and ambitious women start and grow businesses. I'm living proof that you can - and deserve to - have it all.