Interior Designer Goals: 5 Mistakes You’re Making

When it comes to interior designer goals it’s not like any other profession. We are creatives and as such we tend to lose focus quickly, chase more bright shiny opportunities than other professionals, and unwittingly set ourselves up for disappointment because we take on too much. Sound familiar?

To get your year off on the right foot, here are the 5 mistakes I see most often with interior designer goals and how to solve them quickly and easily.

Key Takeaways

• Establish one primary business goal each year, with every other objective serving as a tactic or action step toward achieving it.
• Focus on one measurable outcome, such as increasing revenue or taking more time off, instead of pursuing too many goals at once.
• Choose a goal that is measurable, believable, and connected to a clear reason for what you want in your business and life.
• Plan a meaningful reward before you begin to stay motivated through challenges and properly celebrate your achievement.

 

#1 Setting Too Many Goals

Honestly, you really only want to establish a single goal for your business in any given year. That giant list you’ve created of interior designer goals is really not goals at all, but action steps, possible strategies and tactics to achieve one thing. What is your one thing? Is it to increase your revenues? Do you want to improve the quality of your clients? Would you like to focus on more time off?

It’s likely you have a laundry list of interior designer goals that includes things like updating your website, refocusing your brand identity, launching FB ads, scheduling your social media, getting published. Those aren’t goals, those are tactics. They may be part of how you achieve your goal, but they aren’t goals in and of themselves. They don’t answer an important “why?”

#2 Failing to Have a Clear Why

The right interior designer goals answer the big question WHY in your business. Let’s take updating your website, why are you doing that? It’s likely because you want more business, better clients and a more beautiful brand and you want all of that because you want to increase revenues! So your goal is to increase revenues and updating your website is just one strategic step to get there.

Let’s say you think your goal is to build your team. Why do you want to do that? The reality is that you want more time off while still maintaining or growing your business, building your team is the strategic path to get there. The goal is that you want more time off (and why is because you are feeling burned out, want more time with family and friends.)

#3 Forgetting to Make It Measurable 

Interior designer goals must be measurable to be achievable. That means that if your goal is increased revenue you want to establish either a percent increase you’ll target or you can establish a dollar amount you want to achieve. By the same token, if you wanted more time off, let’s make that real and quantifiable. How much time off?

Do you want to reduce your work hours from 65 to 55 each week? Would you like to take a four day weekend each month? Do you want to take a week’s vacation every quarter? Is a big ass 3-5 week vacation every year on your wish list? (That’s a ton of fun, it took me 5 years on the fast track to near burn out to set this goal and it totally rocked!)

#4 Making Goals that Are Unbelievable 

Specific interior designer goals are the better than vague ones.  You want to be able to feel and picture your goal achieved in your mind’s eye.  If you can’t visualize it, it won’t happen. This has to be a stretch for you yet not so far that you don’t believe it.

We all fight limiting beliefs all the time. The key is to set a goal that feels audacious and exhilarating and still achievable. When you set a goal that, in your heart of hearts, you don’t think is achievable, you’ll simply end up discouraged and disappointed.

#5 Creating a Rich Reward 

Imagine it’s one year from now and you’ve achieved your big juicy goal. Do you just give yourself a pat on the back and keep going or are you properly celebrating and rewarding yourself for work well done and goal crushed? Having a celebration to look forward to will keep you going through difficult times. Define your celebration before you dive into goal achievement.

Your celebration may be a public event and shared on social channels since your goal was to double your revenues and you did it. Or, you may keep it quiet and make it an escape just for two to a luxury resort because your goal was more time off.

Yes, there is a lot more to goal setting, and if you’d like expert guidance and strategic help in setting totally achievable interior designer goals, get in touch.

If you aren’t yet a member of my DESIGNERS ONLY EXCLUSIVE FB GROUP, here’s your invitation. Just click the join button and answer the three questions. I vet every member to ensure professionalism and confidentiality. Can’t wait to meet you inside!

Frequently asked questions

How many goals should an interior designer set for their business each year?

You really only want to establish a single goal for your business in any given year. That giant list you’ve created of interior designer goals is really not goals at all, but action steps, possible strategies and tactics to achieve one thing. Things like updating your website, refocusing your brand identity, launching FB ads, or getting published aren’t goals themselves; they’re tactics that may be part of how you achieve your one goal.

How do I make my interior design business goals measurable?

Interior designer goals must be measurable to be achievable. When your goal is increased revenue, establish either a percent increase you’ll target or a dollar amount you want to achieve. When you want more time off, make that real and quantifiable by deciding whether you want to reduce your work hours from 65 to 55 each week, take a four day weekend each month, take a week’s vacation every quarter, or plan a big 3 to 5 week vacation every year.

What makes an interior design business goal believable?

You want to be able to feel and picture your goal achieved in your mind’s eye. When you can’t visualize it, it won’t happen. This has to be a stretch for you yet not so far that you don’t believe it. The key is to set a goal that feels audacious and exhilarating and still achievable, because when you set a goal that you don’t think is achievable in your heart of hearts, you’ll simply end up discouraged and disappointed.

About Melissa Galt

Melissa Galt is a sought-after business coach, marketing consultant, and keynote speaker who empowers designers to build highly profitable businesses without the burnout. Drawing on three decades as principal of her own successful residential design firm, she helps creative professionals earn more in less time, with less stress.

She is the author of four bestselling books, including Marketing Luxury Design, The Language of Success, Design Discovery, and Proximity to Profits. She also hosts the weekly Design Business Freedom™ podcast, sharing unfiltered advice on mindset, money, and marketing for interior design pros ready to elevate their game. When you’re ready to take your practice to the next level, book a complimentary Design Business Assessment with Melissa.