By Sunny Simon
As my client sat across from me rattling off a list of goals for 2016, my smile applauded her enthusiasm. Silently I sighed at the sheer number of challenges she was creating. I’m all for raising the bar high, but truly I knew this was never going to work. It was my job to bring Amanda back to earth without dampening her enthusiasm to make the New Year her best year yet.
To her credit, Amanda’s goals were very specific. Her plan went awry because she failed to understand when creating a list of accomplishments for the next twelve months, less really is more.
It is natural to view a new year as a blank canvas where we can create a multitude of exciting ways to change our lives and increase our happiness level. However, before launching into a goal planning session, stop and consider the energy and persistence required to bring goals to completion.
In her book, “This Year I Will,” executive coach M.J. Ryan reminds us that, “Change requires we stretch not only mentally, but emotionally and spiritually.” That stretching takes time which is finite. Spoiler alert: We are all limited to twelve months, 365 days and 8760 hours.
My advice to Amanda, and any individual in the goal planning process, is set a steadfast intention to win. Begin by creating a goal that ranks as number one on your priority list. What area in life are you most passionate about altering? Whether it involves changing careers, moving out-of-state, returning to school or writing a book, it takes an ardent commitment to see it through. You must be willing to put every ounce of time and energy into capitalizing on your dream, or you will sabotage your chances of succeeding.
Next, drill down and specifically map out each step of the path to your new objective. Bounce the steps against a timeline. Realistically set up end dates for the accomplishment of specific milestones within your major goal. I like to use reverse chronological order by starting at the end and working your way back to step one. Each action item should have a firm date attached to it.
Once you use this formula to create your most significant objective, determine if there is time to realistically take on another goal that ignites your passion.
Winning is a mindset. Whether you have one goal or seven, make 2016 the year you score the win by making your success a non-negotiable triumph. I’ll be waiting to hear about it!
Sunny Simon is the owner of Raise the Bar High Life and Career Coaching. She wishes the readers of CV Weekly a joyous and Happy New Year. More about Sunny at www.raisethebarhigh.com
