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What are performance goals?
Performance goals are set when you want to hit certain numbers or achieve a particular target. They are helpful when there's something specific you want to achieve and you already have the skills or knowledge needed to achieve it.
What are learning intentions?
Learning Intentions, on the other hand, are mostly useful when building new skills and knowledge, especially when adapting to changes that challenge you to do things differently.
Step 1: Create a clear vision:
You must have heard this a lot and it's beginning to sound like a cliche! I know! But it's a point that cannot be overemphasized!
Your goals define the roadmap for your freelance journey. Setting clear performance goals helps you measure progress, stay focused, and consistently deliver value to your clients.
Imagine this:
You’ve been freelancing for a year, juggling different client needs, but you’re unsure if you’re really making progress.
Setting specific goals can change this. Think about where you see yourself in six months, a year, or five years.
For instance, "Your vision may be to become the go-to virtual assistant for small businesses in your area"
This is a well-thought-out and clear vision. You know what you want to achieve, have a target market and you have also set a geographic limit. Great! But how do you measure your performance or achieve this vision? This is where setting the right performance goal comes in.
For this particular example, your performance goal could be to:
Increase my client base by 30% in the next 6 months.
Now that you have a clear performance measure, all you need to determine are the activities you would perform to ensure you meet this goal. With this performance goal, you’re not only able to measure your progress but it also gives you a clear target to aim for.
Step 2: You must create a perfect balance between learning and performance
In our world as administrative service providers, new tools are evolving, better practices are emerging, and client needs are always growing. Your learning intentions should help you stay ahead of the curve.
For instance, what skills will make you more competitive? Mastering a new CRM software or perfecting your Excel game? A continuous learning mindset is key to staying relevant.
Let’s say you’re great at managing schedules and client communication, but one of your clients asks if you can create an automated reporting dashboard in Google Sheets.
You realize that you have no idea how to do this. This means that your skillset needs an upgrade. This is where learning intentions come in.
Setting goals like "Complete an online course in advanced Google Sheets within 4 weeks" will ensure you're ready for new opportunities and help you stay ahead of the client's needs.
Step 3: Do you have big or complex goals? Break them into smaller, more actionable steps.
One common mistake people make when setting goals is that they set vague goals. Goals like “Become a top-rated freelancer” can feel daunting and abstract. Instead, break it down into achievable steps like these examples:
“Complete one online course on project management by the end of the month” would help you develop your project management skills and make you a better freelancer which leads to your ultimate goal of being a top-rated freelancer! See how it works?
“Send personalized pitches to five potential clients each week” would also lead to you working with more clients, which leads to your goal of being a top-rated freelancer!
“Improve response time to client emails by 20% over the next 2 months”. Improving client response rate, particularly in customer service roles is a great way of improving overall service to clients. When services improve, clients are happy and want to spend more money with such companies. This goal also ultimately makes you a well-sought-after freelancer. Measurable goals are the best!
Sarah, a freelance executive assistant, wanted to expand her client base. She set a goal to connect with at least one new potential client every week. Within 6 months, she had a steady stream of new clients by simply breaking her goal into daily actions.
All these emphasize the importance of breaking down your goals into smaller actionable steps.
Step 4: Choose Quality Over Quantity
John, a freelance project manager, found that after focusing on providing extra value to his existing clients, they referred him to others, doubling his client base without extra marketing. John worked smarter!
Have you gone through that phase of your career where you seem to be working so hard and putting in long hours but the result you got wasn't commensurate with your efforts? Be like John, work smarter! It’s not about working longer hours but working smarter.
Set goals that focus on delivering high-quality work, exceeding client expectations, and prioritizing learning intentions that improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Rather than aiming to
“Take on 5 new clients next month”
Shift your focus to
“Deliver exceptional service to 3 existing clients to encourage repeat business
and referrals.”
This approach ensures that you’re not just chasing new projects but are also building a reputation for quality. Be quality-conscious.
Step 5. Embrace flexibility
Emma started her career as a virtual assistant specializing in calendar management. She initially set a goal to become proficient in Trello and Asana. However, after noticing a client demand for more sophisticated data handling, she switched focus to mastering Excel. The shift opened new opportunities and helped her secure higher-paying gigs. Emma showed flexibility and adaptability.
Your goals must NOT be set in stone. Take time out to evaluate yourself, your progress, and your goals. If your goals are not serving you, it’s okay to adjust them.
You set a goal to complete a course on a new project management tool, but halfway through, you realize that learning advanced Excel functions would be more beneficial for your current clients. Don’t be afraid to pivot. Reflect on what’s working and what’s not. This adaptability will keep your career moving in the right direction.
The important thing is to remain adaptable, teachable, and always ready for personal self-improvement.
Don’t just set goals—set the RIGHT goals. The kind that challenges you, inspires you and drives you to be the best version of yourself in every project. Remember, you’re not just offering a service—you’re building a brand, and that starts with continuous growth and improvement.