What kind of year will 2021 be? Well, to make it fulfilling I believe it’s always best to start at the beginning…by writing out our Annual Achievement Plan.
Too busy for planning or goal-setting? We could take a few baby steps. Let’s begin our beginning with a point of reference:
The first and most important thing about goals is having one.
Geoffrey Albery
Of course, planning for success is more than just thinking about a few goals. Unwritten goals without corresponding milestones are merely “hope” and as the business book title suggests, Hope is Not a Strategy©.
As we write down our goals with corresponding milestones, I believe it’s also wise to leverage the “Principle of Balance”:
I remember while leading top sales teams, I would occasionally hear one of my Producers say that being family-oriented was more important than sales success. OK… but one of the best ways to care for my family is to be successful in sales (or whatever career one pursues).
I do agree that to be balanced it is important to have family goals as part of our Annual Achievement Plan. It could be taking a family vacation; dedicating time each day with the kids; “unplugging” while at dinner with our spouse; calling Mom and Dad each week. All those “little things” that make a big difference to our loved ones.
Go ahead – take a moment to write down your 2021 family goals; we can wait.
The importance of the Personal Development quadrant in our plan is another key to achievement. As the business book title suggests, What Got You Here Won’t Get You There©. Writing goals in this quadrant reinforces the Principle of Balance.
That leads us to the Fulfillment quadrant. Fulfillment in life is quite personal. Our favorite, Unknown Sage puts it this way:
Life is measured by the number of moments that take our breath away.
Although I advocate writing an Annual Achievement Plan; with measurable goals; corresponding milestones; striving to make each year my best year yet... I also believe in the power of imagination; the presence of magic; and the blessings God bestows on us.
The idea for this quadrant came from a former colleague of mine, Peter Goodwin. He believed in the annual planning process, but added a unique twist to his that I have since adopted. Each year I write down a list of fantasies that if I could be so blessed in my lifetime, I may realize.
Go ahead - add your list of fantasies to your 2021 Plan. And “DREAM BIG!” In a business context James Collins (writing about companies in his book, Built to Last©) called them:
Big, Hairy Audacious Goals!
In our life, dreams and fantasies should be big, hairy, and audacious; such achievements should always “take our breath away”. After all:
Who wants a dream that’s near-fetched?
Howard Schultz
Then, when we realize the fulfillment of one of our fantasies, don’t cross it off the list. It should remain on our Annual Achievement Plan every year with the date of the fulfillment. That will serve as a constant reminder of the power and awe of living our life to the fullest!
Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting, Holy sh@#, what a ride!
Unknown Sage
So here’s to 2021 – may it be our most fulfilling year yet!
GAP
When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.
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