As we begin a New Year, there are two absolutely vital steps I encourage my clients to take. They are so important that if I could, I would "require' them to do these two simple steps.
The first is to spend time reviewing what really happened in 2006. There are many ways to do this, but at a minimum, ask yourself some basic questions.
Did you accomplish your goals?
Are you healthier, happier, wealthier or more successful than you were a year ago?
Are you in a better place?
Do you like yourself and your situation better than you did twelve months ago?
These are not complicated questions, but the answers are vital! Tell the truth!A year-end review is critical in business, and in life.
If you are moving toward your goals, good for you! Pat yourself on the back and continue what works!
If you're going in the wrong direction, are moving too slowly or seem stuck, you've got to ask yourself what will be different in 2007.
Doing the same thing over and over again for another year makes no sense!You've got to develop a plan for 2007, and "New Year's Resolutions" are NOT a plan! They may be a nice list, but a list is not a plan. You need a list AND a plan.
Here is one of the most basic models I know for developing a set of goals and a strategy for achieving them. It's got four simple (not easy, but straight-forward)
steps:1. DECIDE what you want in 2007. My observation is that too many people never make the hard choices in life. We want it "all" and fail to focus our time, energy and efforts in any one area.As an adult, a basic requirement is to decide what kind of life you want. You've got to define your objectives so you can move toward them. Too many people want to acquire wealth, but they also want vacations, new toys, and new homes. It's hard to go in two directions at once! The Bible has a piece of wisdom that "a house divided against itself cannot stand." Decide what you want! Choose a handful of measurable achievements, list them, and acknowledge that you have chosen NOT to pursue a great many other "nice" things. Tell the truth. Decide.
2. DESIGN a system to get you there. Any worthwhile goal will require a plan or path, a strategy or "stepping stones" to get you there. It may be a family budget. It may be a more complex "business plan" or a sequence of investments to build the net worth you want. For many people, their plan includes a coach or mentor - someone to show you the way. Stumbling around, hoping for the best is rarely the most efficient way to accomplish anything significant.
3. Intensify your DESIRE. The old saying, "where there's a will, there's a way" applies here. Whatever you deeply and intensely desire will inevitably come to pass. (This is why Mastermind groups, coaches and partnerships are so helpful.) Put up posters and get samples or "previews of coming attractions" that fire you up and keep you moving forward. Affirm your deepest desires every morning and every night before going to bed. Put a fire in your heart that no delay or detour can extinguish.
4. DISCIPLINED daily action. "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step," but it also requires thousands of additional steps to get you to your destination. Whatever you intensely DESIRE, you CAN have, but it will likely take lots of work (far more than you anticipated) and it may take longer, cost more, or involve unexpected hurdles along the way. That's how life is. Don't be surprised and never, never give up! If you made a firm decision about what you want (as opposed to merely wishing or hoping for something nice to happen) and you have designed an effective system to get you there, desire and discipline will make it happen.
Have faith. Work your plan. Massive daily action, powered by indefatigable desire, will make it happen.
By Philip Humbert
The Philip E. Humbert Group, Inc
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