This is the time of year when people look back and see things that they haven’t accomplished and know that there’s no time left in the year to get it done. You might be looking back and doing that very thing. You may have unfinished things on your plate because you didn’t follow your plan, or maybe because you didn’t have a plan at all. No matter the reason, it’s time to let it go, stop beating yourself up and move forward. As you look back and see things you didn’t do, determine what you can do right now, if anything, and then what can be done during the month of January to get that ball rolling again and get it done. Create your plan then work it.
If you’ve had the kind of year where things didn’t get done or you struggled to get things done and you’re serious about your business, it’s time to get things in gear. 2012 is coming in fast and it packs a punch. It’s time out for all of the mediocrity and playing small. There is absolutely no place for that any longer and you’ve got to be ready to take things on. One mistake I see people make every year is making resolutions. Don’t get me wrong, making resolutions is not a bad thing, but what happens is that they don’t last, simply because they don’t have staying power.
Resolutions serve their purpose, but they are weak. Resolutions are declarations, something that you might do; your desires, hopes and intentions. They are in raw form and really are catalysts for what you want to see happen. It’s great to have them, but they need to be morphed into goals.
Goals, when created properly, are rock solid. They have the staying power needed to make what you desire come to life. Goals are specific things that you actually commit yourself to; they are based upon your values. They are S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound), have the utmost clarity and involve accountability, mindset, motivation, self discipline as well as a detailed plan to carry them out.
As you look forward to this new year, take those resolutions and give them the shot in the arm that they need to come to life. Make the time to turn them into goals and create your detailed plan to see them come to fruition. Your resolutions aren’t going to be a match for 2012. You need goals and a plan if you really want your business to do well this coming year. Don’t take your resolutions into this next year. Stop playing small and step up to the plate and play the game for real by turning your resolutions into goals. 2012 is here and it’s game time. What are your goals? Where’s your plan? Your playing small does not serve the world.