I am a massive advocate of reflecting and planning, and I really hope you are reflecting on a brilliant year both from a personal and business perspective.
If it’s been less than ideal 12 months, what can you do to make 2024 a better, more productive, and successful year for you.
Here are a few things to reflect on and a reason why planning your goals in December (not January) might just help you.
What planning did you do and how well did it work?
Firstly, you did have a plan, didn’t you?
A common challenge we see is people not stopping and investing time in a plan for themselves or their business, I really hope this wasn’t you. If you had a plan skip to the next idea. If you didn’t have a plan, please read on
The process of planning involves weighing up ideas and exploring alternatives. You can even consider the benefits or challenges that doing nothing might create in your plan. You can look at plan as a way of consolidating and documenting all of your thoughts, ideas and aspirations. This very process will help you create focus and clarity on what you really want to achieve.
Focus and clarity
These two simple words can really help you achieve your goals. Once you crystalise your thinking and identify the goals that are most important to you, have them written down and share them with someone who will keep you accountable. This process makes you far more likely to achieve them, rather than having a vague aspiration in the back of your mind. All elements are critical here, the thought, the written note and sharing with someone who will check in on you.
Reflect on your progress towards your goals
You need to get into a habit of being honest (but not modest) about what you have achieved. If you do some great things that move you closer to your goals spend a little time reflecting on this and congratulate yourself on your hard work. If you haven’t made any significant progress, then spend time reflecting on what got in the way, what stopped you and how you might conquer these barriers. One of the biggest barriers I come across is people putting off working on their goals in the misguided belief that they will infinitely better tomorrow, next week or next month to take action and move towards their goals than they are today. The truth is, you are almost certainly best placed to start making progress against your goals right now. Even if you do a tiny thing to move closer to your goal, that is progress and a brilliant place to start.
Why tie together personal and professional planning and goal setting?
This is simple if you think about it. Both personal and professional need to be considered and invested in. The danger and challenge of just planning one without the other can create an imbalance in your life that leads to friction and unwanted stress. Take a simple example: if your business goal is to open up an office in Australia, and your personal goal involves spending more time at home with friends and family, you better have a robust plan to help you achieve both by engaging others or working remotely. If you only have one of those goals identified and documented, pursuing the other will simply create that friction and stress. You are looking to create a well-balanced personal and professional plan.
Why December and not January?
Starting your reflection and planning in December is a great thing to do. There is no rule or benefit from waiting until January. Grab a mince pie, take some time to reflect on the year in December and start your 2024 plans. Give yourself an early Christmas present by getting in early and planning to make 2024 a brilliant year for you personally and professionally. When you do reflect, you might just find that the Christmas break a great opportunity to do this.
To get support in planning your ideal 2024 speak to Nevil: nevil@newresults.co.uk, connect with him on LinkedIn, or visit our website www.newresults.co.uk