Statistics say that by now the vast majority of people have fallen off the New Year’s resolution wagon. Many goals have fallen by the wayside into the cesspool of good ideas. That’s pretty bleak, but the future is bright.
What we really should be focusing on is intentions, or maybe even obsessions. Every year I choose a word for the year. One of my mentors, John Maxwell, taught me that trick. Last year my word was “maximize” and the year before it was “legacy.” Together, the word directs (hopefully) my activity for the year. Resolutions need to become obsessions. My word for 2020 is “vision” (I know, a little corny with the 20/20 vision reference). The future is bright because the first of every month offers a new start, or the next day can be the beginning of that bright future.
Truly, New Year’s Day is just another day, and for some of us a holiday (and maybe recovery time). Each day brings new opportunity and a step closer to that obsession. Breaking big audacious goals into smaller, achievable stretch action steps is more effective.
I am focused on personal growth, and at the beginning of each day I set three things I plan to accomplish for that day. At the end of the day, I look back and review my day and plan for the next one. I succeed. I fail. I move on and focus on the next 24 hours. Every day is a new day with a bright future.
This obsession has helped me move forward incrementally, day after day after day. We all get 24 hours—how do you use them?
As I have gained confidence in my daily planning, it has helped me to plan ahead a few days, weeks or even months. I’ve been blessed with getting some incredible speaking opportunities so, like you, I need to focus beyond what is in front of my face. My next step in that planning process is to develop weekly action plans or steps. I am getting over the notion that not accomplishing everything within a certain timeframe is not a failure, but an opportunity to learn. So, whether they are daily or weekly, I succeed—I fail— I move on.
Often what I do relies on others and what they can bring to the table. Part of the planning involves materials for various presentations. DigiCOPY has developed some innovative ways to accomplish your goals and leave even more time to work on your obsessions rather than the minutia of details. The more you grow, the more you need partners.
So, what’s your obsession?
What do you plan to do today?
Can you accept failing?
Who are your success partners? Get over failed resolutions and become intentional and maybe even create an obsession.