It’s amazing how quickly the year has gone. As 2011 comes to an end, now is the time to strategize for 2012.
You don’t want to wait for January 1 for New Year’s resolutions. By then it’s too late. The year has already started and your plan is not in place.
In fact, I recommend that you complete your 2012 prior to Thanksgiving. Once the holidays start it’s probably too late to get anything completed.
Here is an easy process that I use.
To begin, sit down with a pen and paper and visualize what you want to achieve in 2012. You want to brainstorm as many ideas that come.
Write down every idea that comes up. During the creative process put down everything no matter how silly it may seem. Remember you’re just trying to get all of your ideas and thoughts down on paper.
Once you’ve exhausted all ideas, the next step is to write down three columns on a second sheet of paper.
At the top of the columns write Personal at the top of the first, Professional at the top of the second and Financial at the top of the third.
Now, go back through your brainstorming list. The goal is to highlight the three most important professional, personal and financial goals that you want to accomplish for 2012.
In each category you want to number them one, two and three in order of importance to you.
Place those three goals in each respective column. You should now have 3 professional, 3 personal and 3 financial goals that you want to accomplish for 2012.
To get even more detailed, you then need to break each goal into steps that you will accomplish during the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarter. The timeline is important.
Each step will bring you closer to the end result you want to achieve in 2012.
Now you may be inclined to include some of the additional ideas you’ve brainstormed. However I believe the nine goals you have listed for 2012 will be strenuous enough for you to focus on. The goal is not to become overwhelmed.
The goal is to move yourself forward in major areas of your life. The sense of accomplishment is important.
You need to place the deadline for each goal in your planner, Blackberry, iPhone or whatever it is that you use as your calendar.
I recommend that each Sunday evening you track exactly where you are and what you need to achieve for the upcoming week.
You now have your plan for 2012 that is broken down into monthly and quarterly goals for what intend to achieve professionally, personally and financially for the entire year.
Stay focused and committed to achieving what you want and deserve for 2012.
Be Well!