Typically this is the time of year for resolutions, as we all know. How well we clarify those resolutions and the amount of enthusiasm we maintain determines whether we reach our goals.
I heard an interview recently of a fitness business that expected their memberships to jump more than 50% at the beginning of January and then drop off substantially in February when the enthusiasm starts to fade.
How’s the progress going for your business resolution, your Plan for 2010?
Was it created and ready to implement well before January 1st, did you start out the new year with great enthusiasm only to find the momentum is starting to slip or are you still wondering what outcomes you really want for this year of business?
Here are some points to remember when creating and maintaining your plan:
- be very clear what’s important to you and where you want your business to go this year
- write down the top 10 must do’s for the year
- break those top 10 down into manageable actions
- schedule those actions in your calendar
- and, most importantly, follow through on the actions
Your business plan is an ongoing road map that should be referred to regularly, not just at the beginning of a new year. Use it to guide you throughout the year and reap the benefits of clarity and accomplishment.
Here’s to 2010. May it be your best year yet.
Our Professional Organizers Conference was held in balmy Calgary this past weekend. We participated in all kinds of interesting workshops and saw new and innovative products for organizing.
One of the highlights was keynote speaker Les Hewitt, founder of the Power of Focus Coaching Program, seen here with me. Les challenged us to make improvements in Goal setting, Priorities, Relationships, and Habits. As well, he shared the 3 Biggest Constraints:
- Lack of Clarity – we need to be clear to be successful
- Lack of Motivation – sustained motivation aligns with what we do well, be innovative, don’t quit, have a longer term view
- Lack of Focus – focus on priorities, write the script for the week at the beginning of the week, find a Focus Partner, someone who will hold you accountable for your goals
Les also reminded us that ‘The biggest challenge you will face at the end of the conference, is the first week back at the office! That’s when you make a decision to test what you have learned, or not. Sadly, most people never follow through and their great ideas lie on a shelf, collecting dust.’
‘Make a commitment today that you will be different.’
2010 is rapidly approaching. Where are you in your planning process for the next year? Are your plans still just thoughts or have you taken the time to set out in writing what you want to accomplish? If your plan is already written for 2010, congratulations! You are among the top 1% of us that write out our goals.
If your goals are still in the thought process here are things to consider when creating your plan.
Are you passionate about what you are doing? If not, how can you change that?
What are all the reasons ‘Why’ you want to achieve your goal? What will it cost you to not achieve your goal?
Where do you want to end up? When? Who will be part of the plan?
Questions are a great way to open us up to the possibilities we may not have considered. As this past year has shown, the economy has been challenging for many business owners. Your plan is your guide in any market.
