Here are three things you should do when setting goals:
1) Make your goals clear, precise and quantifiable
2) Write them down and share them with others
3) Ensure they align with your values.
When you set specific, measurable goals, you'll be able to see how well you're adhering to the plan - or what needs to change. If we don't measure the results of our actions and they don't match our objectives we have no way of knowing if there is a problem until it's too late.
When you've developed your goals it's important to share them. When others know what you're trying to achieve, they can help you stay focused, alert you to threats, offer suggestions and remind you of your objectives when it's been a long day and things are backfiring.
Finally, if a goal doesn't align with your values it probably won't work. I'm not talking about the company's mission and vision here - I'm suggesting something more intimate. Are there goals that would help your career but don't fit with the way you want to live? If so, perhaps they shouldn't be your goals.
By far the best way I've found to figure out if my goals are in sync with my values is this simple question: If I achieved them, would I still like myself?
If you're struggling to answer yes, look for a more realistic goal that comports with your values. In the meantime, it might help to start mapping out some new goals that do.
Source: Why do you want it? Six steps for setting business goals that work; The Globe and Mail (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/personal-finance/why-do-you-want-it/article11431435/)
Business Goal Ideas for Blogging and Website Development
Do you want to earn more from your own websites? I do. Here are my business goals for this section.
1) Earn $1,000 in the next 12 months through my blogs and website (affiliate links only)
2) Learn to convert more visitors into email newsletter subscribers so that I can sell them a new product (more on this later). Also learn how to convert more people into clients in my local market prior to having a product.
Here are 3 things I can do to achieve my goals:
1) Make my blogs and website a better resource for potential customers (through more posts, better posts, and more focused content)
2) Write guest posts on other blogs in my niche to build up relationships with other bloggers. Then they'll be more likely to link back to me when they do a post on related topics.
3) Offer something of value in exchange for an email address - like a free e-book that is related to my blog's topic, but not directly advertising anything. Hopefully this will entice people who read the e-book into buying one of the higher priced products that I'm going to create soon.
When you've developed your business goals it's important to share them. When others know what you're trying to achieve they can help you stay focused, alert you to threats, offer suggestions and remind you of your objectives when it's been a long day and things are backfiring.
Finally, if the goal doesn't align with your values it probably won't work - that isn't to suggest that your values shouldn't be respected (I'm looking more at what would serve as the ideal goal). For example: If there are aspects of my blog that I really don't want - like affiliate links or paid posts, then I should consider removing them from my site.