Episode 155: Q&A – Setting and Achieving Business Goals

Reignite Your Motivation: Four Key Strategies for Business Success

Welcome to a comprehensive guide inspired by Philippa Channer’s insightful Q&A episode on the Empower Business Accelerator Podcast. This episode wraps up a series dedicated to setting business goals, specifically tailored for female entrepreneurs. Philippa addresses common questions related to goal setting, motivation, and managing overwhelm, providing actionable advice and expert insights to help you achieve your business objectives.

Introduction

Philippa Channer, the host of the Empower Business Accelerator Podcast, kicks off the episode by wishing her audience a happy Thanksgiving and acknowledging the emotional complexities of the holiday season. She introduces her Empower Her program, a group session launching in January 2025, and announces a holiday giveaway featuring inspiring books on copywriting and entrepreneurial motivation.

With the promotional details covered, Philippa dives into the Q&A portion of the episode, sharing valuable strategies to help listeners stay motivated, set realistic goals, and manage overwhelm. Let’s break down each tip in detail.

Staying Motivated When Things Don’t Go as Planned

1. Revisit Your Why

Understanding the underlying purpose behind your goals is crucial for maintaining motivation, especially during challenging times. Philippa emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with your “why” to reignite your drive.

• Reflect on Your Purpose: Take time to reflect on why you set your goals in the first place. What inspired you? What impact do you hope to achieve?
• Adjust if Necessary: If your “why” has changed, don’t hesitate to adjust your goals accordingly. Flexibility is key to staying motivated.

2. Break It Down

Feeling overwhelmed can hinder progress. Philippa suggests breaking your goals into smaller, manageable steps to build momentum and regain focus.

• Create Mini-Goals: Divide your main goal into smaller tasks that are easier to accomplish.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate each small achievement to boost your confidence and motivation.

3. Be Flexible

Setbacks are inevitable, but they shouldn’t derail your progress. Philippa reminds listeners that it’s okay to adjust goals when circumstances change.

• Pivot When Needed: View setbacks as opportunities to pivot and find new strategies.
• Stay Adaptable: Embrace flexibility and be open to modifying your approach as needed.

4. Celebrate Progress

Recognizing and celebrating your achievements, no matter how small, is essential for maintaining a positive mindset and motivation.

• Track Your Progress: Keep a journal or use a tracking tool to monitor your progress.
• Reward Yourself: Treat yourself to something special when you reach a milestone.

Setting Realistic Goals in the Early Stages of Business

1. Focus on What You Can Control

Philippa advises setting goals that are within your control, such as improving skills or expanding your network, rather than relying on external factors like revenue targets.

• Skill Development: Set goals to enhance your skills and knowledge in areas relevant to your business.
• Networking: Aim to build and strengthen your professional network.

2. Set Incremental Goals

Breaking long-term goals into short-term, achievable milestones can help build confidence and momentum.

• Short-Term Milestones: Identify smaller, incremental goals that lead to your larger objective.
• Regular Check-Ins: Schedule regular check-ins to assess your progress and make adjustments as needed.

3. Use the SMART Goal Framework

Applying the SMART criteria—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—ensures clarity and groundedness in your goal-setting process.

• Specific: Clearly define your goal. Measurable: Determine how you will measure success.
• Achievable: Ensure your goal is realistic and attainable. Relevant: Align your goal with your overall business objectives.
• Time-bound: Set a deadline for achieving your goal.

4. Prioritize Learning and Growth

In the early stages, focusing on learning goals, such as mastering a new marketing platform, is essential. Each small milestone contributes to the foundation for future success.

• Continuous Learning: Commit to ongoing education and skill development.
• Growth Mindset: Embrace a mindset focused on growth and improvement.

Managing Overwhelm from Too Many Goals

1. Prioritize

Identify the most important goals that will significantly impact your business and focus on one or two key priorities at a time.

• Impact Assessment: Evaluate which goals will have the most significant impact on your business.
• Focus: Concentrate your efforts on high-priority goals.

2. Time Blocking

Using time blocking techniques can help dedicate specific periods to focus on one task or goal, reducing overwhelm and improving productivity.

• Schedule Blocks: Allocate specific time blocks for different tasks and goals.
• Stick to the Schedule: Adhere to your time blocks to maintain focus and productivity.

3. Delegate or Outsource

Philippa encourages listeners to delegate tasks to team members or consider outsourcing to free up time for high-impact activities.

• Identify Tasks to Delegate: Determine which tasks can be delegated or outsourced.
• Hire Help: Consider hiring a virtual assistant or other professionals to handle specific tasks.

4. Embrace the 80/20 Rule

The 80/20 rule suggests that 80% of results often come from 20% of efforts. By focusing on high-impact tasks and eliminating or delegating less critical activities, you can reduce overwhelm and enhance productivity.

• Identify High-Impact Tasks: Determine which tasks yield the most significant results.
• Eliminate or Delegate: Remove or delegate less critical activities to focus on what matters most.

Conclusion

Philippa Channer’s insights on setting and achieving business goals provide valuable guidance for female entrepreneurs. By revisiting your “why,” breaking down goals, staying flexible, and celebrating progress, you can maintain motivation and achieve your objectives. Setting realistic goals, focusing on what you can control, and managing overwhelm through prioritization, time blocking, delegation, and the 80/20 rule are essential strategies for success.

Looking ahead, Philippa announces that the next month’s topic will cover content pillars, content types, and content planning—essential elements for developing a robust content marketing strategy for 2025. Stay tuned for the upcoming series and take advantage of the Empower Her program’s discount before the deadline.

Remember, goal setting is just the beginning. Staying flexible, focused, and motivated is crucial for success. Break down your big visions into actionable goals and keep making progress in your entrepreneurial journey.