Make (and Keep) Your New Year’s Resolutions
December 29, 2015Here we are, folks, the end of 2015 is upon us… 2016 is near! If you’re anything like me, you can’t believe how quickly the time flew by this past year. Seems like a bit of a blur. I, for one, am looking back on the year to assess whether I hit my goals, kept my promises to myself, got enough done to call it a successful effort.
Looking forward, I am committed to making – and keeping – some relatively simple goals for 2016. Will you join me? Here are a few tips for doing so:
- Think about what you want to accomplish over the next 12 months. It might be oriented toward personal, professional, family, friends, financial, health, wealth, travel or other similar topics.
- Set (at least) one (but no more than three) short-term goal that you hope to accomplish in the next 90 days – roughly by the end of the first quarter.
- Set one medium-term goal that you hope to accomplish by mid-year – say by June 30th.
- Set one long-term goal that you hope to accomplish by year end.
- Write them down. I mean it. Literally take out pen and paper (or laptop and keyboard!) and document them – in so doing, you actually make them real.
- Define steps required to achieve your goals and be SMART about it. That is: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely
- Specific: Clearly define what you are going to do, e.g., who, what, when, where, how, why.
- Measurable: Define success by establishing concrete criteria for measuring progress and goal attainment.
- Attainable: Ensure the goal something that is within reach, yet presents challenges.
- Realistic: Confirm your objective is something you are actually both willing and able to work toward.
- Timely: Set a timeframe and a timeline for goal achievement. Establish a calendar, post it where you can see it and make a commitment toward achievement.
- Ask others for assistance to ensure your success. Surround yourself with people who will hold you accountable and who will contribute to the outcomes you desire. Tell them what they can do to help.
- Update and iterate. Periodically throughout the year, look back at your goals and see where you are toward accomplishing them. Retool and reconfigure your goals based on your current reality. You might even go to your calendar right now to pencil in an appointment with yourself on March 31st, on June 30th and on September 30th to ensure that you take time to complete the important check-in process.
Allow me to demonstrate:
Short-Term | Medium-Term | Long-Term | |
Specific | Complete my next book | Publish my next book | Deliver at least 50 workshops and/or lectures during 2016 |
Measurable | Finish writing by 3/31/16 | Make book available on Amazon by 6/30/16 | 50 talks by 12/31/16 – an average of 4-5 talks per month |
Attainable | Drafts of seven chapters are complete – working toward a total of 10 chapters; three months is reasonable. Plus, I plan to self-publish so there will be no delay from a third party | Assuming the writing is finished by 3/31/16, design work can begin by 4/1/16 which leaves plenty of time for up to three reviews | Already, I have ~10 scheduled and am in discussion with other prospective clients |
Realistic | Working with my editor who is keeping our work on track and on pace to finish the first full draft during January | Prior books I’ve published and/or edited have been completed in this sort of timeframe. This is a very comfortable window within which to work | I delivered 40 talks in 2014 and 45 talks in 2015 – another five is doable and I am willing to make the time |
Timely | We are reviewing three to four chapters each week; on target for timely completion | If we keep on track with the writing and editing of the first draft, I should be able to publish by my deadline | An average of 4-5 talks per month is very reasonable |
How You Can Help Me | I’m looking for members of the CLC community to read my draft and provide candid feedback on the content and copy. If you are willing to serve in such a capacity, please email me with “Volunteer Editor” in the subject line | Offer up a review at Amazon.com. Your honest input on the value of the material goes a long way to helping me to distribute the Coffee Lunch Coffee message. If you are willing to be an early reviewer, please email me with “Early Reviewer” in the subject line | Be a referral source. You can learn more about my workshops, talks and facilitation at CoffeeLunchCoffee.com/Live |
It’s going to be a fabulous year and I’d love to hear from you! Please take a moment to share your 2016 goals and what you’re doing to ensure you adhere to them by leaving a comment on my website. Happy New Year!