Anyone that knows me knows I believe in goals.  I think they can have a huge impact on your life.  Most people, it seems to me, just let life happen to them.  They get to the end of a week, a year, or a decade and wonder what happened.  Most of them do not create goals and don’t track them.  I talk about that a bit on the Monday Minute here.

And I don’t really care HOW you set your goals.  It’s just important that you do.

I read a study that said only 3% of our culture has goals that they have written down.  That same study explained that you were about 80% more likely to achieve your goals if you have them written down.  That blew my mind!  This is an action that only you have control over.  And this action will move you toward the life you want.  And 97% of people are not doing it!  Wow.

I think people believe they are doing it wrong.

We have created so many rules and so many frameworks for goal-setting (in order to help) that many people become overwhelmed.  They think they are doing it wrong.  Here’s the thing…you are not doing it wrong.  Goals are deeply personal.  If you are setting them…you are doing it right.  So no matter if you set daily goals, quarterly goals, or yearly goals, you are on the right track.  My most recent goals were quarterly, based on the 12 week year.

They were right…because they were mine.

But recently, I went back to the beginning on my goal-setting.  I went through an exercise I first read about in 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  I decided to “begin with the end in mind.”  And when I say “end” I really mean it.  I started to think about what I wanted people to say about me at my funeral.  This might sound a bit dark, but it really makes you focus on what you want your legacy to be.

Thinking of my own funeral helped me to create a new mission.

My new mission is simple.  I want to help 10,000 entrepreneurs, salespeople, and leaders grow.  For some people, this might mean to grow their business or organization.  For others, it might mean to grow themselves personally.  And for others, it might mean to grow their team.  I am here for all of it!

That is one reason I decided to start coaching for the SBDC.  The ability to meet with entrepreneurs that want (or need) to grow their business is exciting.  I also really hope that my books and speaking can have an impact on the mission as well.

That leads me to Better Business University

The challenge with creating a big goal or a mission is that you have to think differently to achieve it.  I struggle to envision meeting with 10,000 people one on one.  It’s hard to get my mind around.  That is where the idea for Better Business University started.  It allowed me to create online courses where people all over can elevate themselves and their organization on their time.

We will be announcing more details soon.  In the meantime, feel free to follow us on Facebook or head to the site to learn more.  Oh, and if you are willing, please let us know the top two questions or challenges you have in growing your business.  I want to make sure we are actually helping 10,000 by creating courses that matter!

But no matter what you do, make sure you take the time to set your goals.  Write them down.  By doing that simple exercise, you will set yourself on a path that you create!

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Kirby Hasseman is the CEO of Hasseman Marketing, a full-service marketing agency located in Ohio.  Learn more about Hasseman Marketing here.  And if you are interested in having him speak at your next event, you can learn more here.