Happy New Year! Yep, it really is time to say goodbye to 2024 now, so have you thought about your New Year's resolutions? Are you going to stop eating meat? Cut down on the wine? (Veganuary or Dry January, anyone?) Or finally take up yoga or pilates?

And what about your small business? As well as any personal goals, it's worth starting the year with some professional targets too, whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or managing a small team. We know this can feel like a pretty daunting task, so don't worry! Let’s break it down together, step by step.

Here’s how to set clear, achievable goals for your business that will have you feeling motivated and ready to take on 2025.

1. Start with the big picture: What’s your vision?

Before diving head first into numbers or specific tasks, take a second to think about what you're aiming for. What do you want your business to look like by the end of 2025? Or just in the next six months? Either way, having a clear vision in mind will help guide the rest of your goals.

Ask yourself: What do I want my business to achieve in the long term? How do I want to serve my customers or clients differently this year? What kind of impact do I want to make in my community or industry?

Your big-picture vision will help you align your smaller, day-to-day goals with your larger aspirations. When things get tough (because they will), your vision will keep you grounded and remind you why you started.

2. Set SMART goals (because they work!)

Now that you’ve got your vision, it’s time to get specific! Have you heard of the SMART goal framework? If you have, you'll know how it can help with clarity and focus. If you haven't then fear not, we've broken it down for you right here...

SMART goals are: Specific. Be clear about what you want to achieve. Measurable. How will you track progress? Achievable. Set a realistic target that challenges you without overwhelming you. Relevant. Ensure your goal aligns with your business’ vision and purpose. Time-bound. Give yourself a deadline to stay motivated and on track.

For example:

Instead of just saying: ‘I want to grow my business’, try: ‘I want to increase my website traffic by 25% over the next six months by launching a blog and utilising SEO strategies’. This goal is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and has a clear deadline. And by having a roadmap, you'll actually be able to track your progress and see all the fab work you're doing. Speaking of SEO, why not have a lil read of our blog here for all the basics for your small business?

3. Focus on what matters most

There’s a temptation to set a gazillion goals, but it's not worth trying to do everything all at once. Instead, focus on 2-3 key goals that will have the biggest impact now.

Think about things like: What’s your biggest area of growth this year? Which goals will have the most impact on revenue, customer satisfaction, or brand recognition? What resources do you have to devote to these goals (time, money, team)? 

Don’t spread yourself too thin. Concentrate on what will make the most significant difference in your business’ success, and what you can actually do now.

4. Break it all down

Big goals are exciting, but they can also feel overwhelming when you look at them all at once. To avoid burnout and overwhelming yourself, break each goal down into smaller, more manageable tasks. It’s like eating a pizza, pie, or yummy chocolate or lemon drizzle cake - start with one slice at a time!

For example, if your goal is to grow your social media following by 50%, break it down into actionable steps like these: Research and define your target audience. Create a content calendar for regular posts. Engage with followers and respond to comments daily. Collaborate with influencers to reach new audiences.

Each task is small, but they'll all help you build momentum. Remember, big wins are the result of small, consistent actions over time. Need more social media tips to elevate your brand's marketing? Have a read of our blog here!

5. Track your progress (and celebrate the wins!)

This one’s huge. Goals are only effective if you’re tracking your progress regularly. Set up a system that allows you to monitor how you’re doing - whether it’s using a project management tool like Trello, setting reminders in your calendar, or simply writing a checklist on a whiteboard using some fun colourful marker pens (just not the permanent ones, please).

Tracking progress lets you see your successes as well as any areas that may need improvement. Plus, when you hit a milestone, you can celebrate! It could be something as simple as treating yourself to a cup of coffee or some cake with your team. Celebrating progress - big or small - keeps you motivated and reinforces that all your hard work really is paying off.

6. Stay flexible - but don’t lose sight of your goals

The road to success is rarely straightforward, we know this. There'll be some twists, turns, and fun unexpected hurdles along the way. That’s why you need to stay flexible with your approach while still keeping your end goals in mind.

If you find that a particular task isn’t working out or you’re facing unforeseen challenges, it’s okay to adjust your strategy (promise!). Flexibility doesn’t mean giving up, it means you’re adaptable enough to find a new path forward. Just stay committed to your goals and keep pushing forward, even if things don’t quite go exactly as planned.

7. Find your cheerleaders

Finally, don’t be afraid to lean on your support system. Whether it’s a friend or family member, fellow business owner, or your team, having people who believe in you and hold you accountable can make all the difference.

Share your goals with them and ask for feedback. Fresh eyes can help you refine your objectives or offer ideas you might not have considered. And when times get tough, they can provide the encouragement you need to keep going. To quote Dory from Finding Nemo: Just keep swimming!

Go bold this 2025

Setting goals for the new year is about more than just writing down a list of tasks - it’s about thinking or your business’ future. With the right approach and a clear vision, you’ll be well on your way to achieving great things in 2025.

So go on, grab that notebook, dream big, and set goals that challenge and excite you. You’ve got this!

Did you know? Pantone has revealed the Colour of the Year 2025 - find out more about Mocha Mousse right here.

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