7 Simple Steps to Success in 2018
Why is it an estimated 40 percent of North American’s set New Year’s goals, however, only about 8 percent achieve them?
We all have great intentions at the beginning of a New Year; many start after a break and are ready to hit the New Year running at full speed. However, ‘life’ simply happens. Generic goals like eating healthier, exercising more, saving money and working smarter top the lists, however often our resolutions are too broad and we lose focus.
Many people set resolutions or goals for the upcoming year without first taking the time to reflect on the previous year. Reflection enables you to put 2017 into a brief year summary, put pen to paper and list accomplishments. State what worked well and what did not. What practices and goals should be continued and which simply should be cut? This is the starting point to planning for the New Year, and if you have not had the opportunity to do so already, it is not too late.
Think of your professional and personal goals as a ‘Roadmap for Focus and Success’ in 2018. And here is my New Year’s gift to you — seven very simple steps that you can take to help you pave the way for success in 2018:
Step 1
Review and reflect. Review 2017, take time out to think about last year even if it is as little as 10 minutes to list what worked and what did not. Of the items that worked, ensure you carry forward these practices in 2018. For those that did not, it is simple, don’t do them again. You will also have some goals that need to be continued over the next year, so ensure you write them down.
Step 2
Think Big. Now is the fun part. Set a timer for at least 10 minutes but no longer than 50 minutes. Now, write down without judgment or doubt any goal or desire you have for 2018. Open your mind and write; keep writing until your timer goes off.
Step 3
Categorize. Of your long list, categorize and group the items into between four and 12 personal and professional goals. Write your goals in past tense as though you have already achieved them – this will keep you motivated when you are planning the tasks that need to be done within each goal. This step may initially feel overwhelming, but trust me, what normally occurs is that many of the items you brainstorm end up being actual tasks within an overriding goal.
When I do this exercise, I write each of my goals on a separate post-it note. This makes it easier to categorize and shortlist. It also provides an easy visual for the steps to make great things happen.
Think of the Pareto Principle also known as the 80/20 Rule. The rule suggests that 80 percent of your results will come from 20 percent of your effort. Or inversely, 20 percent of your results come from 80 percent of your efforts. After categorizing your goals and determining the top 20 percent that will provide you the best return on your time, then you’re ready for the next step.
Step 4
List Tasks. For your most important (the 20 percent that you identified will bring you the most return) personal and professional goals, set a timer again for between 10 and 50 minutes. Write tasks necessary to move the item from goal to reality. This will assist you in setting a timeline for each task, prioritize what you do first, second, third, etc. The important thing here is to take the first step, this will enable you to move forward and gain momentum. For each goal, define no more than 12 tasks necessary to accomplish the goal.
Step 5
Set 90 day/Quarterly Targets. Assign your goals to quarter time frame periods (ie: January – March, April – June, July-September, and October-December). Many of your goals may span the entire year. However, the tasks that need to be completed should be listed in the associated time frame of each quarter. This will provide you with a visual roadmap to follow in 90-day increments.
Step 6
Schedule Time. Set a dedicated, uninterrupted time every morning to work on your defined goals. Diarize time in your schedule to make these things happen – you just need to prioritize it; schedule it; and start. Simple!
Everyone has a tendency to concentrate on ‘busy work’ through the day, and before you know it, quality time and concentrated effort — on goals that truly make a difference to your performance and productivity — go by the wayside. By spending time, even as little as 50-minutes on a goal at the beginning of the day (rather than getting caught in the spiraling trap of email), you will be surprised how quickly you can move forward. Setting appointments for yourself on your defined goals will guarantee that you spend uninterrupted and focused time on achieving them.
Step 7
Change your Mental Focus. Make the mental shift to focus on your top identified goals and simply DO. By making the simple shift of thinking of goals within 90-day project windows and by setting aside specified, focused time to work on these projects, I guarantee you will have increased performance and productivity in 2018. And even get excited about your goals and your ability to achieve them! This shift in prioritizing your time will enable you to create a laser focus on you goals and help you achieve what you want to in 2018.
Are you as excited about 2018 as I am? It is going to be a GREAT year!
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