Targeting business and my annual bonus
Surprises at work often means I've neglected something or failed to be proactive. It doesn't happen often.
I arrived at work 3 hours early today at 6am as I wanted some peace and quiet to work - I can close my door during the day but it sends the wrong message so I often don't.
No, I wasn't photocopying my ass on the copier to place on everyone's desk...Although that would be funny, and probably much desired by the team. ๐ (Not)
I wanted to evaluate where I was against my budget, and strategise for the run into the end of the financial year.
Australia's financial [tax-reporting year] runs July 1 to June 30 so we're 248 days into the year with 117 calendar days remaining. I also report over that same period and track my performance.
Looking at my spreadsheet today gave me some really exciting news. I have achieved my annual budget! [G-dog takes a self-satisfied bow].
It didn't come as a surprise; I've driven hard at my numbers-goal since 1 July 2019 and have evaluated and strategised (re-strategised) weekly to stay on track. On track means exceeding requirements. So, I knew I was very close; A couple new clients this week tipped me over budget.
I was pleased but here's the thing...Meeting budget isn't good enough.
I get paid a monthly salary but it's the bonus I receive for exceeding budget that means more to me.
I get paid bonus payments on a percentage-basis on the dollar amount over budget I write annually and my financial strategy is to invest that money for my future; Typically those funds are salary-sacrificed into my superannuation fund which minimises tax, although I do other things also like purchase metals and crypto etc.
So now is when the real work starts...The slate is wiped clean and it all starts again, only this time the business I write means much more than simply earning a salary.
It's about earning a future.
In the past I have set and reached goals and then backed off once that happened. It was a failure of mine and one I rectified as soon as I noticed my bad habit.
These days I set goals well above expectation of the company and focus on them not the lesser goals set by the company. I call them stretch goals, and driving towards them pushes me harder, keeps me more focused and on-point.
I instil this ethos in in my team (whose performance is reported on individually from mine) and they have embraced it wholeheartedly. It's seen the Y-axis line head steadily upwards since I implemented it.
Today I used an image of me shooting at a competition a little while ago. You can see I've just fired a shot and worked the bolt to reload...The spent-case of the last round is still in the air just left of my gloved hand. It's quite relavent.
Once a bullet is sent, it's gone and there's no coming back. Whatever result it achieved is history. The spent case gets ejected and a new round is loaded. The shooter looks downrange, focuses on the next target and sends it towards the next objective.
That's me today at work.
What happened until now is history; A good result yes, but not the prize. It doesn't define me or support my reason for being at work in the first place...What I do next will.
At tax time my annual salary means nothing; I get that just for turning up each day. I'll rate my year on how much bonus-money I made, if any.
My real job starts today and I'm targeting business with a sharp eye and fresh perspective. Now is when I need to be my best and the next 117 days will define my working year and determine if it has been more successful than the previous one.
It's been a tough year with financial pressures and market forces hitting the property industry hard here in Australia. Investors large and small have tightened belts or simply hidden under rocks, but I've worked hard, monumentally hard, and have achieved results commensurate to that hard work. It's something to celebrate, but only in a small way.
I have 32% of the financial year left to exceed my budget and stack away new business for the company to calculate my bonus from...But don't worry, I'll still have time for steem...Shooting...Off-roading...Netflix...And life in general. ๐ฌ
What motivates you and how do you motivate once you have achieved a set goal? Or do you back off once your goals have been achieved? We all do it differently and there's no right or wrong I guess. We all have different needs but I'd be keen to hear any strategies you employ...I always like learning new things.
Tomorrow isn't promised - Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default*
