The week before last I didn't sell much... just a few small STM policies. I started thinking about how damn easy this business is.... if I just work!
Last week, I decided to put all my daily, weekly, monthly, etc. goals in writing and I posted them in my office. I also would like a purchase a particular sports car this year and posted a picture of that in my office as well! It's amazing how much your mind can interfer with your business and honestly just sheer laziness and lack of set goals!
Most of you already do this, I'm sure, but I always thought putting the goals on paper was stupid! I know what my goals are, why waste the time!? It has motivated me 200%! I had a phenomenal week and I attest it to striving to meet those goals, and keeping myself accountable to what I should be doing. PokerStars and Myspace are not allowed in my office anymore unless I have met my goals for the day...
I have also implemented a daily worksheet I have been completing to help me stay on track!
I have never really subscribed to the concept of "setting goals". From what I have seen all it does is make people who have "met their goal" take some time off.
My "goal" is to get up in the morning, not the crack of noon, and work my butt off all day just as if I was punching a time clock. I know what needs to be done and what it takes to do it. I also know if I'm really busting my butt or just pretending to. (Like doing "research" on this board instead of calling prospects and going on appointments. Been there done that.)
If you are doing your absolute best every day, working smartand are well organized then there shouldn't be a need for "goals".
Now, that is what works for me and those are my personal feelings. I'm not advocating that anyone else work that way.
When I did set "goals" some weeks I would have them met by Tuesday, got real lucky. Other weeks when I really busted my butt it seemed that I couldn't give the stuff away. Some months I tripled my "goal" other months I fell behind by at least half a month. It is the nature of this business, high peeks and low valleys. However, at the end of the year I have made a lot of money.
Not directed to anyone, but if an individual is not motivated all the "goals" in the world are not going to make one wealthy, rich or even comfortable.
I love playing poker on line! Let's all get a table.
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HOw does that help you? Writing stuff down? I feel ya on the poker sites, I need to quit doing that too.
I am basically treating myself like an employee.. I have made lists to keep myself accountable for the number of calls, contacts, etc. that I want to produce. I am very guilty of hitting my goal of money I want to make for the week and slacking off because I can. Not only have a made a list of the things I want to accomplish each day, week, etc... but the material things I want to own based upon my efforts.. It gives me something more tangible than money. Something to strive for. If you want a Corvette by the end of the year, put a picture of a Corvette up in your office. I think it also helps when you've had some bad luck on the phone or something. Look up and visualize driving your new Vette with a brunette on one arm and a blonde on the other.... it's motivating! To each his own, but this has been working for me...
We should all definitely get a poker table going... up $350 last week.. lost $125 last night... I'm on Tilt! Damn those pocket aces!
I think it also helps when you've had some bad luck on the phone or something. Look up and visualize driving your new Vette with a brunette on one arm and a blonde on the other....
If you are driving from the drivers seat, and you have a blonde on one arm and a brunette on the other, which one is running along side the drivers door?
The winners tell jokes and the losers say "shut up and deal"! So, hurry up and deal!
I used to work for a company who use to set up goals based on weekly sales production. I was so stressed out each week running around trying to hit their numbers and keep my job that is was effecting my health. A associate of mine colasped with a heart attack duing the morning meeting.
After I left that company I started setting my goals based on daily behaviors , things I could controll like the number of callsI make each day. This method of goal setting is less stressfull and more productive for me.
Show me a stock boy with goals and I will show you a successful business man. Show me a business man with no goals and I will show you a successful stock boy.
To each their own on this topic. I write monthly goals and have them on my monthly tracking spreadsheet. That way I can see where I am for the month when I sell a policy. But my new goals is to make enough money for the wife to stay home. That is an additional $40K I need to pull in.
Anyone need some crack?
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"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." Ronald Reagan
10 policies a week, that's all I ask.... and yes, that's my goal. Of course, it includes P&C policies, where the number is higher, the pay is less
Seriously, having goals for most people help keep the focus on what is important to you. Sitting on the couch can be a goal, but you have to think it through, lets see now. Electric bill, gotta sell a policy to pay that. Rent, oops, several more policies. Need a new couch, 2 more good policies. Of course, I skip all of this by skipping American Idol
Seriously, some people live to produce, some people produce to live. Goals help you figure out what your priorities are, and help you achieve the balance. Writing them down helps you from mentally changing them. It works for me. I even pick up my business plan every once in a while and realize, hmmm, I gotta get back on track!!!!
Of course, nowhere does my business plan include 10 forum posts a week. I guess I should finish up those policies for this week.......
Lol Joshril, I enjoyed your post. I'm hoping to buy a new boat soon and I think I'm going to try the goal setting projection + picture of it for motivation.
Also give up Poker stars until goals are met? /twitch, I'll have to think about that one
I have read the posts with a lot of interest. I guess I do set short term goals, they just aren't on paper. I use to do that. What I found is if I met my short term goals, the ones for the week or month, I was usually "on a roll" and didn't see any reason so slow down, I just kept going. This business is so cydlicle that one month you can kick ass the the next month die so to speak.
With insurance my goal is to sell one Med Supp policy a day that stays on the books. (Short term) With YIO it is to make it the very best program for the majority of agents that is available. (Long term)
I'm starting a new venture that should be ready to go in about eight weeks. I've been working on it for the last six months. From the test markets I have done it looks like it has the potential to be larger than the other two. (Both short and long term goals.) My short term goal is to get it going and profitable. My long term goal is to distribute it nation wide.
Mike, your analogy about the stock boy is a good one but those are long term goals. I think what we are talking about here are what I consider "short term" goals. Goals for the week, month and year.
I know how to make my "short term goals" happen. I really don't need a written "plan". I know what I need to do and what the results are going to be. It is the long term goals, those for the next five to ten years that I put on paper.
Didn't mean to sound like I don't agree with goal setting, it is very important. I guess I think I just have my short term goals "under control", its the long term ones that I have a plan for and put on paper.
Last edited by Frank Stastny : 05-06-2007 at 04:56 PM.
My goals are the number of people I see a week. I need to see 3 people a day or 15 a week to make a living. Sometimes I sell alot on tuesday and take the rest of the week off. I think that is a recipe for failure.
Sometimes I sell alot on tuesday and take the rest of the week off. I think that is a recipe for failure.
When I was "setting short term goals" that is what I experienced. That is the main reason I kinda stopped doing it. If I'm on a roll I keep selling. If I'm having a bad week, I keep on selling.
As far at taking a day or two off, there really isn't a good time. If I'm selling a lot or I'm not selling anything, I have quit worrying about it. At the end of the year it always seems to work out.
I keep track of the amount I have sold each month just to see where I am.
I don't usually write down my goals. But I do have this group picture from an agency I used to work at. All of the ladies where CSR's, and a few had been there for 20 plus years. I was the first one to make it past being a CSR to a producer. I remember the looks on thier faces, how happy they were that one of thier own made it to being an agent. When I told them I was moving and was going to start out on my own the other producers thought I wouldn't make it, but the ladies encouraged me. When I opened up my office I sent them a picture of my new office, with my name on the door. Whenever I get to slacking off or have a bad week I look at the picture and remember that those ladies are counting on me to succeed, to prove that a CSR can make it as an agent. It's not as tangible as a sports car but it motivates me to achieve more, to be the best I can.
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Steph
My job is so secret I don't even know what I'm doing!
I have read the posts with a lot of interest. I guess I do set short term goals, they just aren't on paper. I use to do that. What I found is if I met my short term goals, the ones for the week or month, I was usually "on a roll" and didn't see any reason so slow down, I just kept going. This business is so cydlicle that one month you can kick ass the the next month die so to speak.
With insurance my goal is to sell one Med Supp policy a day that stays on the books. (Short term) With YIO it is to make it the very best program for the majority of agents that is available. (Long term)
I'm starting a new venture that should be ready to go in about eight weeks. I've been working on it for the last six months. From the test markets I have done it looks like it has the potential to be larger than the other two. (Both short and long term goals.) My short term goal is to get it going and profitable. My long term goal is to distribute it nation wide.
Mike, your analogy about the stock boy is a good one but those are long term goals. I think what we are talking about here are what I consider "short term" goals. Goals for the week, month and year.
I know how to make my "short term goals" happen. I really don't need a written "plan". I know what I need to do and what the results are going to be. It is the long term goals, those for the next five to ten years that I put on paper.
Didn't mean to sound like I don't agree with goal setting, it is very important. I guess I think I just have my short term goals "under control", its the long term ones that I have a plan for and put on paper.
5 to 10% of the population write down their goals, 5 to 10% of the population is the most successful. Coincidence?
"All successful people have a goal. No one can get anywhere unless he knows where he wants to go and what he wants to be or do." - Norman Vincent Peale
A goal is a dream with a deadline. Napoleon Hill
"People with goals succeed because they know where they are going. It's as simple as that." - Earl Nightingale
"A goal properly set is halfway reached." - Abraham Lincoln
"You have to set goals that are almost out of reach. If you set a goal that is attainable without much work or thought, you are stuck with something below your true talent and potential." - Steve Garvey
"The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goals to reach." - Benjamin Mays
[quote=midwestbroker;16822]I forgot who said it, but it went something like
Show me a stock boy with goals and I will show you a successful business man. Show me a business man with no goals and I will show you a successful stock boy.
When I was a carrier rep with Guardian, we were constantly being drilled on writing our goals down on paper. They spent some big bucks on sales coaches for us to make sure we did it. I actually just remembered the guys name - Michael Lindstrom - Speaker, Coach & Mentor | Michael Lindstrom.
I bought into what he was selling, but his prices at pretty steep.
Goal Setting!
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