Planning the year ahead-where
to begin
Planning what goals to set yourself and how to make them
happen is the culmination of a larger process that begins
with becoming clear about what the real payoffs are. Goals
are only part of equation because goals are not the end result.
The end results are meeting our values, which are the feelings
and emotions we want most. Be in no doubt that the people
and organisations that are clearest about their values and
are meeting them are the most successful. Our goals are merely
what we must achieve to consistently meet our values. To begin
to become clear about your values simply ask yourself ‘what’s
most important to me?’ Write them down, think about
and prioritise them.
After gaining clarity about our values we must create a vision.
Our vision is a clear picture of how our life is when we are
consistently meeting our values. It should be written as if
it’s already happening, using emotional language and
no more than a page of A4. The time frame should be three
to five years ahead. To begin to construct your vision think
about your different life areas. I don’t know what yours
are but here are a few that many of us share; partner, family
member, health, business/career, friend, spiritual, financial,
contribution and fun/recreation. When you are living each
area to your full satisfaction how does it look? This is what
forms your vision.
After our vision we must begin to set goals. Our goals are
the specific, measurable targets to aim for in pursuit of
our values and vision. Your vision is three to five years
ahead and the place to begin with your goals is to ask yourself
‘what must I achieve in the next twelve months to take
me towards and into my vision?’ Goals should be set
in all life areas to create synergy and balance.
Once you have your twelve month goals you are ready to break
these down even more. The next time frame is quarterly. ‘What
must I achieve in the next three months to fulfil my twelve
month goals?’ After quarterly the next time frame is
one month, then one week, and then it comes down to what you
do each day, which is where it really counts because we make
things happen day by day.
To get this level of clarity about your life takes some time
and effort. It’s what ninety nine percent of people
don’t do. Be different, become one of the few. Get clear
about what’s important, write out your vision and set
your goals. Then build your life around these and cut out
everything that’s not part of the picture.
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