How to Get a True WIN in 2010

If you’re getting wound up as the year winds down, chill out and change your approach before the clock strikes midnight.

My end of year goal to plan my ENTIRE 2010 calender was inspired by my fantastically supportive husband, cheerleader, and friend Darrell.

He challenged me to treat 2010 like an important assignment or a big project, rather than an event (which comes and goes, and is often less exciting than you’d imagined)

Time and money are “measuring sticks” worthy of being acknowledged and respected, however as the calendar turns I encourage you to embrace the New Year more practically than emotionally

Break it down into manageable pieces (HINT: Post It Notes help…)

Long lists of things-to-do scribbled out on large legal pads are a sure recipe for stress. Assigning each goal, task, idea it’s own “space” (i.e. Post It Note) allows you to see things as they are, rather than how you’d ideally like them to be.

This exercise has helped me to do 2 things (I hope it’ll do the same for you):

1) It forces me to “discover the truth” about how much I can really expect to effectively and efficiently get done even with advance planning, and in the best case scenario a team to support me.

It’s a completely humbling experience to see ALL your New Year’s goals written out INDIVIDUALLY as you realize you’d have to work 18 hour days and try to squeeze whatever is left of your life in the remaining 6 hours in order to complete every task.

BUT, it’s much better to know this UPFRONT and manage your expectations than to get to the end of yet ANOTHER YEAR and wonder what in the heck happened?!

2) Empowers me to create real results rather than wishful resolutions, by actively addressing the things  I need to focus on rather than getting distracted by “bright shiny objects” I get predictable outcomes and start to see progress throughout the year.

It might seem easier said than done, but you already know the alternative – at least I do…

You have a choice.

You can either…

a) Get hopped up on hope that 2010 is going to be different/better and continue to list out ALL the things that are left over from 2009 that you’ll tackle in 2010 – which probably won’t get done.

OR

b) Individually list your desired goals (I chose different color Post It’s for each category) then determine what REALLY needs to happen to bring that goal to life.

The best way to do this is to:

1. Identify the type of goal it is (i.e. business or personal is a good barometer)

2. Determine the specific steps that need to be taken to achieve the goal (i.e. do you need to learn a new skill, will you hire someone to do it for you)

3. Estimate how long each step will take to complete (i.e. while you can write a book in 17 days -  you have to get clear about what amount of time do you need allocate for the cover designer, editor and printer!)

It’ll probably take more than a day to do this (it took me several), but don’t be governed by clocks and calendars, remember this is a practical approach to planning for a true win in 2010.

What you’re likely to discover is many of the things will fall away simply because you will see that they are either not that important, or have more parts and pieces than you are prepared to coordinate.

Don’t wimp out, be sure to choose goals that will stretch you. But also be honest with yourself and be OK with moving things from your “someday” list to the “never gonna happen” file (aka the trash)

Once you’ve chosen the goals you are committed to completing and are clear on the actions you need to take – you can approach every opportunity, offer, or obstacle that comes your way with the question, “Is this getting me closer to or further away from what I want to be?”

Knowing immediately whether something will support you in reaching your goals or serve as a distraction will allow you to resist the “bright shiny objects” syndrome that sidelines you from success.

That’s how to get a true win in 2010.

Finish strong!
Sanyika