1. Establish the objective or goal – We need to define what we want to achieve. There must be clarity in terms of the end outcome that we want to achieve.

2. Agree on the process – We need to know how the final decision will be made in particular who are the stakeholders that would be involved in this process. Would be it a shared process or determined by one final individual?

3. Involve the right people – We need to ensure that we have consulted all the stakeholders even if the final decision is to be made by a single individual.

4. Allow opinions to be heard – We must encourage and allow the various stakeholders to contribute to the discussions, debates, and analysis without any fear of rejection from the group. This is one of the best ways to avoid groupthink. We must also recognize that the objective is to make the best decision under the existing circumstances and constraints. It is not about siding anyone to get a preferred decision being made or adopted.

5. Ask the right question – We need to ask questions to elicit what is really the true issue. The 5 Whys technique is a classic tool that can helps us identify the real underlying problem that we face.

6. Use innovation tools – The basis of creativity is to think from a different perspective. The use of innovation tool will allow us to practice divergent thinking and generate alternatives while we deal with the issue. This is particularly important since the generation of new ideas will help create new connections, break old thought patterns, and consider new perspectives.

The decisions can range from the very mundane and simple operational decision such as what corporate colour to match your namecards, which supplier do you use to complex and strategic decision for which candidate to hire for the marketing position or
which strategy to pursue.

The ability to make a good decision with the available information is a vital one. It would be easy if there is an ultimate decision-making formula you could use in any situation,
but the sad truth is there isn’t any. Each decision presents with itself its own unique set of challenges, and different individuals will have their own peculiar ways of processing
information, evaluate situations and make decisions.

If there isn’t any formula to good decision-making, what about avoiding making a bad decision? Or can we leave this to chance? Of course not! We need a systematic approach to decision-making so that no matter what type of decision we have to make, we can have the confidence that we are using an effective process to ensure the
decisions we make ends up with consistently, higher quality results. In this way, we can improve the quality of our decisions!

There are six steps to making an effective decision:

1. Create a constructive environment.
2. Generate sufficient options.
3. Review suggested options
4. Evaluate and select the best option.
5. Conduct reality check on your decision.
6. Communicate your decision.

Setting clearly defined short term and long term goals will enable you to measure your progress and achieve personal satisfaction once you have successfully met your goals. Charting your progress will also enable you to actually see the stages of completion leading to the actual realization of your goals. This eliminates the feeling of a long and pointless grind towards achieving your goal. Your self-confidence and level of competence will also improve as you will be more aware of your capabilities as you complete or achieve your business goals.

Goal setting will involve deciding what you really want to do and what short term and long term goals you need to achieve it. Then you have to break down these goals into the smaller and manageable targets that you must complete in order to achieving your business success. Once you have your list of targets to achieve, waste no time in tackling your goals.

A good way to have a manageable list is to have a daily and weekly set of goals. By doing this you will be always in the position of going towards your goals. Everyday will be an opportunity for you to fulfill a certain goal giving you the feeling of accomplishment.

Here are some pointers that should be taken into consideration in setting goals and achieving them.

Attitude plays a very big role in setting and achieving your business goals. You must ask yourself whether you have the right mindset or state of mind towards completing your simplest goals? What about your behaviour? Is there any part of your behavior that is a hindrance which would put your plans into disarray? If you do have problems in these areas then the immediate thing to do is to address this problem. Solutions may include a getting a business coach to help you.

Continual self improvement is also important in achieving your goals. If your goals require you to have a certain kind of knowledge or certain specialization or demand a certain skill to be developed, make plans in getting the appropriate education.

To start achieving your business goals, set a 5 year plan, then break it down to 1 year plans, then 6 month plans then monthly plans, then weekly, then daily.

Then create a things-to-do list for the day.

Always review your plans and prepare for contingencies.

Goal setting should not be so difficult once you get to be familiar with them. It is important that you master it so that you can achieve good success with your business plan.