One of the most upbeat songs that makes me sing when driving is Black Eyed Peas’ “Tonight’s gonna be a good night”! Funny how if you are told something is good, it is more likely to feel good? Let’s take that attitude with 2016. May it be a good year. May it see the fruits of your labours and may it be the result of good, strategic planning.
I am a firm believer in having five-year plans, broken down into one year chunks. Any task or goal or plan when broken into smaller bite-size pieces, feels more achievable and less daunting. In addition I like to compartmentalise my life into different areas – work, play, family, friends, finances, fitness and health, personal development etc. A great way of starting a great year is to sit with pen and paper (or do it electronically) and put your categories of life into a column. On the right hand side then have three columns – short term, medium term and long term goals. It is impossible to separate work and personal life completely, and if you write family or friends in your first block, do not feel guilty about it. The investments we make in relationships are what keep us warm and happy long-term.
Filing these sheets is good for reflection. I am able to start this new year by looking back at my five year plans, and then reassuring myself that it should not be a surprise that I have reached most, (admittedly not all) of my goals. I have moved my offices to where I wish to work, I am currently writing my fourth book, this one truly about my passion. I am working with people who stimulate and support me. We are working with clients and on projects for which we are truly suited, where we can add value. This was not luck, nor chance, it was part of a well-thought out plan.
So here we go again. As a team we will complete our goal sheets (we call them personal brand plans) to ensure that we know who wants to go where, and how we can help one another. We will also have some fun and produce vision boards of what we want this year to produce. Planning is like planting a garden – first you decide what you want to grow, then you buy the seeds and plant them. You have to ensure that they get sunshine, water and food. If all three are given in the right proportion, you will see the seeds of success bear fruit.
May this be a fruitful year for you and your team.
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