Do you have a plan for actually achieving your goals, or do you just have goals?

I have this sign hanging in my office that says,

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” 

How true!  

Each year, most of us set out with big dreams of accomplishing our goals for the year.  We may even take the steps to write down a few goals on paper.  But most of us do not have a plan for actually achieving those goals.  

I have some good news and some better news.  The good news is, goal planning doesn’t have to be difficult. 

The better news is, I’m sharing the method AND planner sheets I use.  I’m giving you the steps to take in order to actually achieve your goals – not just set them.

Go from Goal Setter to Goal Grabber using the Triple Target plan!

The Triple Target Goal Grabber

(yes, I made that up – the name is subject to change without notice – haha)

Triple Target Goal Grabber is a simple “3 for 3” system for goal setting, goal tracking, and goal achievement.

You’ve probably heard this riddle:  How do you eat an elephant?  Answer:  One bite at a time.

That’s kind of what we’re doing with the Goal Grabber.  We are taking bite size pieces every month, every week, and every day to get closer and closer towards the overall goal.  

Using the Triple Target Goal Grabber makes achieving your goals doable.

Turn Goals into Priorities

Here’s the concept. 

Focus on three main goals for the year.  These three goals are your top priorities for the items on your to-do list every day.  Yes, every day.

Stay with me, it’s easier than you think.  

> Set 3 Top Priorities for the Year

The three top priorities (goals) for the year could relate to improving your personal health, more family quality time, becoming debt free, or significantly increasing your rental income. 

For ideas on how to grow your short term rental business, be sure to check out this article.  Roadmap for Vacation Rental Success

> Select 3 Targets for Each Priority

Targets will give you something to aim for each month and each day as you plan out your to-do list.

For example, if Priority #1 is to significantly increase my rental income, here are ideas for three targets:

1. Study and test rate increases.
2. Get more repeat guests.
3. Expand advertising efforts.

Stop.  Look at that.  Now we have a PLAN for significantly increasing rental income.  Wasn’t that easy?

But we can’t just have a plan.  We have to actually DO something to make it happen.

> Create a Monthly Goal Grabber To-Do List

Each month, you’ll target three specific tasks to line up with each of your top three priorities.  

Monthly To-Do List example:

Priority 1:  Significantly Increase my Rental Income

Target Tasks

1. Adjust rates for Spring shoulder season to try to fill gaps.
2. Send a Winter newsletter to prior guests offering a discount if they book direct.
3. Make destination related posts on Facebook twice a week.

With the Goal Grabber plan, you’ll have three specific monthly to-do items for your three top priorities.  

With the three target tasks planned out, it will be so much easier to stay focused on your daily tasks.

> Create a Daily Goal Grabber To-Do List

Each day target three specific tasks to line up with the Monthly Goal Grabber tasks. 

There are spaces for the priority “actionable” tasks, “planning” tasks, and “follow-up” tasks.   

Daily To-Do List example:

Priority 1:  Significantly Increase my Rental Income

Monthly Goal Grabbers:

Target Tasks

1. Adjust rates for Spring shoulder season to try to fill gaps.
2. Send a Winter newsletter to prior guests offering a discount if they book direct.
3. Make destination related posts on Facebook twice a week.

Daily Goal Grabbers:

The three tasks in each category for the day do not need to be related to each of the three annual or monthly priorities.  However, you should be actionable on each of the priorities sometime during the week.  

In other words, Monday could focus only on Priority #1.  Tuesday could focus on Priority 1 & 2, and Wednesday might focus on 1, 2, & 3.  

Actional Task Examples:  (all of these examples are for Priority #1):

1. Update weekend rates for $10 decreases Tuesday-Thursday nights in March and April.
2. Update email server (Mailchimp, Convertkit, etc.) with new email addresses.
3. Post about the new donut shop that just opened.

Planning

1. Research competition’s Memorial Day rates
2. Brainstorm articles for newsletter
3. Review travel guide for new area businesses

Follow-up

1. Schedule a post for “Spring Special” weekday rate decreases
2. Review last newsletter for article click rates to use for Winter newsletter article ideas
3. Compare click rates for new business posts to use for social media post ideas for which types are doing best on Facebook vs. Instagram

With the Goal Grabber plan, you’ll have three specific daily to-do items that line up with your three monthly target tasks.  

In addition, you can plan and follow-up on items directly related to your priorities. 

When your daily tasks are intentional, you’ll more easily achieve your annual goals.

The daily tasks are much easier to accomplish when you have specific targets you’re focused on each month.  Three targets are doable and it keeps you on track.  

Goal Grabbing Means Being Intentional

My hope for you is that you grow from being a “goal setter” to become a “goal grabber.”  

This Forbes article talks about why goal setting will improve your focus.  I agree.  However, you can’t just have goals – you need a goal plan.  

Again, I go back to the quote on my office wall – “a goal without a plan is just a wish”.  

I’ve been using this system for about a year and it has certainly helped me to stay focused on the big picture. 

Triple Target Goal Grabber cuts down on my daily overwhelm because I know that I only need to focus on three things. 

When I get distracted, it’s easier to get back on track when I ask myself, “does this task line up with a priority?”.  If it doesn’t, then I refocus on my daily list. 

I have more time for reaching for my goals because I am now more intentional about everything I do.

The worksheets are FREE, so be sure to grab your three pages and start planning.  Feel free to print as many copies as you need for each year, month, and week/day.

The point of the planner is to:

• be accountable to your Top 3 Priorities and,
• create practical tasks that align with your goals and,
• have a functional system in place that helps you set, plan, and achieve your goals

Before you begin planning out your goals, I encourage you to check out Roadmap for Vacation Rental Success.  You’ll find some ideas for taking your short term rental business to the next level.  You’re sure to find ideas in that article for your Goal Grabber.

Add the Triple Target Goal Grabber to the Trendy Hospitality Business Toolkit.  

Need Help Planning Your Priorities?

Drop a comment below or email me at connie@trendyhospitality.com.  I’d love to talk to you about setting some achievable goals and targeting some tasks to help get you started.