Have you started reflecting on how well you did against your 2013 goals and plans? What will you do differently in 2014? Here are a few areas to think about as you plan ahead.
Gratitude: Be grateful for what you have but aim for the more that you are prepared to pursue. Don’t base your wants on other people or trying to prove a point. Have some firm commitments that you are willing to make happen.
Accountability: How accountable were you to your commitments in 2013? A goal without ownership will go nowhere. You must be willing to be 100 per cent responsible for them and develop an action plan with specific activities and success measures. Have a rescue plan should a major unforeseen occurrence throw things off track.
Momentum: We’ve all experienced a fizzling out of enthusiasm for our new- year resolutions once we hit February. Goals need energy to keep them alive. Establish a predictable routine around your commitments to ensure that you are doing something daily to keep you steadfast and moving forward
Enthusiasm: When you are excited about what you are seeking to accomplish, it says ‘I believe in this’ and that makes others more willing to support you. So make sure your goals excite you so that you care enough about them to draw on all you need to bring them to pass.
Principles: What will keep you grounded? What will be your non-negotiables? How will you demonstrate integrity? What stupid mistakes did you make this year that you must not repeat? Having the benchmarks from the start helps you set the bar right and stops you from undermining your values.
Leverage: Draw on all the assets you have, your skills and knowledge, guidance from mentors, emotional support from friends, influential contacts, goodwill from colleagues, tenacity and resource your action plan with these assets.
Achievement: What do you want to have achieved in 12 months time? What support do you need to increase your chances of succeeding? What is likely to undermine success? How will you prevent that from happening? What risks will you be prepared to take?.
Nurture: Nurture what you achieve so that grows bigger and better. Celebrate even the little successes. Regularly check whether your original goals are limiting in any way and expand them as you grow.
Now take action: Write your GAMEPLAN for 2014 by 31 December.
