Goal Setting in Financial Services

While it would be unrealistic for brand new financial advisers to have any sort of grand dreams and vision for their business until they have spent some time in the business, it's still important to set business goals and achieve them, because good results drives the passion in the beginning.
How should a new adviser go about their Goals Setting?
"You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist." Friedrich Nietzsche
There is no "Right" way, but your goals should answer your purpose, desired income level, skills and personal development and physical health.
Personal Vision and Purpose
You started off this career for a reason. For some, it's to pursue an interest, some to earn Financial and Time Freedom, others to challenge themselves. How it is going to go is sometime hazy.
The destination is not always easy to see at the beginning, like what Steve Jobs, the CEO of Apple, said looking back from success, "connecting the dots" every experience was valuable in getting to where he is today.
"Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something - your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life." Steve Jobs at Stanford University, 14 Jun 2005
Keeping it simple in the beginning, write down why you decided on this career and what do you expect to achieve in 2 to 3 years time.
Example: "My purpose of starting this financial advisory career is to achieve financial and time freedom and serving the community with what skills and knowledge I have. I expect to match my current income in one years' time and earn $150,000 per year in 3 years time. I'd like to be able to spend 1 month of my time for UNICEF work and enjoy quality family time while running my business."
Income & Activity Goals
Your income is determined by what you do and how you do it. Control the controllable: making the calls, getting the appointments. As your skill level improves you should close more deals.
Working backwards from your income goals, you should arrive at specific number of new prospects you should see a week. It is imperative that the goals you set weekly are being achieved weekly. Plan your calling time and appointment times as a priority.
Focus on the objective of seeing the number of new prospects every week, not on the eventual sale. As your skill level improves you should multiply your results very quickly.
Skills and Personal Development Goals
Commit to growing in your Communication and Persuasion Skills, whether it's fact-to-face or over the phone. This will be your most important ability to acquire. A "SMART" goal is to commit to a book or audio program (Specific) every month (Time-line), review it with your trainer/coach and use the skills taught (Measurable).
Another important aspect is to master basic predetermined presentations from your company, and role play it with your colleagues. Set goals to practice weekly to improve your Presentation Skills.
Also, make it a point to grow the inner-person to have a success mindset. Start with books recommended by your coach for personal Success Motivation.
Health & Physiological Goals
To accomplish great results, you'll need to be at your physical and physiological best. It's no secret that fitness makes you more alert and effective at work. On the other hand, an illness can knock you out for weeks, and break your momentum you need in the first 90 days.
Set fitness goals like weight loss targets and work out the schedule for physical fitness activities. Better yet, create prospecting opportunities while pursuing them.
Mental & Motivation Goals
Create some motivation for yourself by setting up a reward system for achieving weekly goals and milestone goals. Example: "I will reward myself with a fishing trip or other leisure time in the weekend for achieving my weekly goal of meeting 3 new prospects. And a spa visit for achieving my sales goals for the month"