As the year comes to a close, many people think it is important to look back over the events of the year gone by, to review the highs and lows of 2010. It's a natural phenomenon, designed to provide some perspective-and remind us that time's fleeting nature includes some memorable events. But I suggest that instead of looking back over the twelve months left behind us, let's look ahead and set some goals that can make 2011 a great year in South Dakota communities.

Goal-setting is a way to raise the bar and get more out of your town, your development group or your city government. Goal-setting can energize volunteers, direct positive efforts and achieve tremendously more than reacting to events as they unfold. If you include goal-setting in your plan for 2011, your community will benefit.

So, how do we set goals, and how high should we set our goals? The answers to those questions will be different in each community, but here are some simple guidelines to use when setting goals for the new year:

1. Aim high. If you set your goals too low-whether it's completing an infrastructure project that's been in the works for three years or conducting a community assessment-you will never push your organization or community to the next level of achievement. Set your goals high-and don't be so afraid of failure that you don't shoot for something big. There is great value in making the effort.
2. Set measurable goals. Aiming for a 50% increase in citizen involvement is a positive goal, but how do you measure it? You could count volunteers at the city-wide clean-up day, but it's still a vague goal. Look at what needs doing in your community and set your goals accordingly-tangible, measurable, definite targets to aim at.
3. Be realistic about ways and means. Money and manpower, infrastructure and involvement, time and talent-all these things will shape your success or failure in the coming year. Your goals must take into account the realities of available funding, dedicated personnel and the total resources of your community. Assess your strengths frankly and honestly and set your goals realistically. And don't overlook the resources that are available to your community-through organizations such as SD Rural Enterprise and the South Dakota Community Foundation, to name two that offer resources to communities to help you create and execute strategic goals in areas such as increasing philanthropy to growing our own entrepreneurial talent within our communities through our Dakota Rising initiative.

You may not reach all your objectives in 2011 but if you have goals, you will achieve more than you thought possible-and the goal-setting process itself will be very revealing for your community!

2010 WINTER REPORT
	New Markets Tax Credits impact Dakota towns
	Don't look back-set goals for tomorrow
	VanHofwegen named managing director for Dakotas America
	Focusing on our purpose makes us more effective
	Capital Investment Fund reaches $12 million
	Entrepreneurs exchange ideas at Mobridge meeting