Warning: This post doesn’t follow the usual pattern of copywriting and marketing tips, but that doesn’t make it any less relevant to all you business people out there.

Running a business (or marketing campaign for that matter) requires numerous qualities, but determination is probably the most important. Lots of people out there know where they want to take their business, but can’t be bothered to push achieving your dreamsthrough the bad times and give up.

But there are others who have such a strong desire to achieve their goals, they’ll do whatever it takes to make them happen.

Setting targets

If you want to grow your business (or create a successful marketing campaign) you must set targets – achievable targets.

Wanting to become a millionaire over night is a nice thought, but highly unlikely to happen, so I suggest you opt for something more realistic.

Take me for example. I recently hit 40 and my goal was to celebrate that milestone by buying myself a brand new car. I’ve never had a new car (always bought second hand) and always wanted to be able to walk into a showroom and order the exact car and specification I wanted. My goal therefore, was to make enough money to buy my car.

It wasn’t an easy road; there were plenty of moments when I thought I’d never achieve it, but through determination I did it and picked up my brand new Mini Cooper S on my birthday.

Of course, goals don’t have to be cars; you may want to get 10 new clients, or move your client base up a notch, but having a focus like that will help you take your business to where you want it to be.

Dreams can happen too

The setting of realistic targets can help you focus on your business and drive it in the direction you want it to go.

The same technique can be used in your personal life too, but at times some flexibility is also required.

Everyone has dreams when they’re younger; I always wanted to be an author. As my life meandered along, I ended up as a copywriter – OK, I write for a living, but it’s not quite the eccentric life of a fiction writer that I’d envisaged. But I’d never given up on that dream and, a few years ago, had written a novel.

After a recent office make-over I came across the dusty manuscript. A few years earlier I had sent it out to a few publishers and agents and, although I got close a couple of times, no one wanted to take it on. But seeing it again made me realise that if I didn’t do something with it, it would be such a waste. That’s when I decided to self publish through LuLu.com and how my novel, “Mackerel Skies” can be bought through Amazon (paperback and Kindle).

What’s the purpose behind this post?

Basically, never give up on your dreams and goals. Set yourself small targets that will take you a step closer to them and before you know it, you’ll arrive at your destination.

Leave a comment below and tell is what your dreams are (business or personal) and what have you done to work towards them?