November has just begun, but it’s never too early to start planning your business goals for next year. In fact, studies have shown that people who set goals far in advance are more successful than those who don’t. It’s what pushes us to wake up in the morning and do great things.

On a financial standpoint, solo entrepreneurs like us hairdressers depend our income on regular clients, retail, and gratuities. One no-show client or cancellation can leave a big hole in our profits. We have to constantly think of innovative ways to attract and retain clients, and the only way to do this is through proper goal-setting.

But goals are nothing without an action plan to help you achieve them. Here are some strategies we’ve found helpful in accomplishing your salon’s 2018 goals.

Be S.M.A.R.T.

Developed by Kenneth Blanchard and Spencer Johnson, SMART is a system that helps develop achievable goals. The acronym stands for:

• Specific – Are your goals precise and clear enough? Specifying your goals helps you determine where to focus your resources and efforts. Instead of saying “I want more clients”, give it a number. Aim for 5 new clients a week. Quantifying it will be so much easier to measure as opposed to general goals, which brings us to the next indicator.
• Measurable – In order to measure your progress, you have to quantify it in some way. Specify the amount and numbers you wish to achieve – this way, you’ll know if your efforts are paying off.
• Attainable – While it’s important to try to exceed your personal and professional expectations, you must do it in a way that you’re not setting yourself up for failure. You goals should motivate you, not demoralize you. For example, don’t expect to earn $20,000 in a month in retail when you barely earn that much in a year. Instead, set goals that will allow you to slowly achieve that. For instance, aim to increase your retail profits by 20% each month. Once you’ve attained this goal, you can aim for larger ones. Baby steps.

• Relevant – Make sure they align with your values and your salon’s philosophy. If the goals you’re setting don’t matter to you and your business, you will be less motivated to work.
• Time-Bound – Give a realistic timeframe for each goal to create some sense of urgency. You’ll notice that once you’ve set a deadline, you start to think of the small steps you need to take to reach a particular goal. Without a deadline, it’s highly unlikely for you to produce a relevant outcome. For example, you aim to attract 20 clients before the month ends. What are the short-term goals you need to do to reach that number within that specific timeframe?

Write your goals.

According to a study done by the Dominican University of California, those who write their goals accomplished significantly more than those who didn’t. What does this tell us?

The act of writing down your goals and aspirations makes them feel more tangible and allows you to hold yourself accountable to your goals. Post them in the break room or office so you and your team are always reminded of the things your salon needs to accomplish. You’ll be surprised at what you and your team can achieve.

Track your progress.

Goal setting is pointless if you’re not tracking your progress. This step allows you to look back into the setbacks you’ve had and think of the adjustments you need to do in the future to prevent them from happening again.

Furthermore, it also allows you to evaluate your staff’s performance. For instance, she isn’t hitting her retail targets. This means she needs to be coached on how to be an effective salesperson.

Reward yourself/your staff.

Did you hit an important milestone? Make sure to reward yourself and your team for a job well done. It’s easier to stick to a goal when you have something to look forward to.

What are your goals for your salon in 2018? Share it in the comments below!