It’s a New Year! And buoyed up by the lingering aftereffects of the holiday cheer, you are determined to get this year off to a great start by identifying some meaningful goals that you plan to accomplish in the coming 12 months. But, how do you get from that gung-ho feeling of “let’s get to it, let’s get cracking” to action and then, to actually accomplishing these positive results?
Without a plan, how can you stay on course? That's where your vision, conviction and commitment come in.
First of all, your goals must be specific and measurable (those of you familiar with SMART goals will know this already). However, it's also important that they speak to your heart and that you have the courage to believe in your ability to achieve these results. If you doubt yourself or if some aspect of it weighs heavy on your heart, then you haven’t set the correct goals.
Be sure to take the time to decide what you truly want to achieve and make sure these results are in alignment with your personal beliefs and convictions as well your vision for your business. Then, with map in hand and your personal compass aligned, you can chart your own path to successfully accomplishing the goals you desire for your business in the year ahead.
With your goals set, what do you need to do to get yourself from where you are now to where you want to be?
Just like the the mountaineers who dream of climbing to the top of Mt. Everest, you won’t reach your summit unless you move from planning into action. It's important to stay focused and to work wisely [see “How Meaningful is Your Busyness?”].
However, you also need the fuel to fire your dreams and the courage to stay true to your course despite any obstacles you may find in your path. For the mountaineers who reach the highest summit in the world, their success does not come just from what they carry on their backs; it also comes from what they carry in their minds.
They are driven by a clear and uncompromising vision - seeing themselves standing atop the world. They know that to achieve this goal, they have to commit fully to the journey and believe with absolute conviction that they will make it to the top and safely back to share their tale.
While your business goals may not be fraught with physical peril, they too require unwavering conviction and the courage to believe, with confidence, that you will accomplish your goals and you will create the meaningful change that leads to greater success.
What can you do to reach the top of your own Mt. Everest?
- As well as being measurable, set goals that are truly in alignment with your values and beliefs.
- Work wisely and with deliberate focus.
- Make the vision of your successful outcome your driving force; believe with complete conviction in what you are doing.
- Make commitments (promises to yourself) that give you the courage to stay true to your path despite any unexpected obstacles that may lie in your way.
- And when you reach your summit, take the time to celebrate your success and to celebrate with all those who helped you along the way.
So, what are you waiting for?
“You’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So… get on your way!”
- Theodor Geisel
To your Success, Differently,
- Michèle