Like it or not, it is inevitable we resort to self-evaluation at this time of year. This is true of your business as well as personal life. Was the year we are leaving successful? Will next one be? Will we get that book written finally? Start that new business or add a new product or service to the one we have? Renovate the house? Take charge of our finances? No matter, how successful we were this year, we still want next year to be even better. So what can we do?
Here are my top 10:
1. Evaluate the year gone by. What did you accomplish? What were your disappointments?
2. Take a hard look at the lessons you learned. Life is a series of lessons and many tend to repeat themselves-- unless we see them clearly enough to change our ways.
3. Write down your vision for the coming year. Where do you want to be at this time next year? Writing it down is key. You will be amazed at the impact this will have.
4. Check in with yourself on your mission (what you are here for) if you have one. Are you living it? Does it need revision. Do you need to create one because you have to admit you've been letting life unfold without thinking about it?
5. Write down your top 10 values. Narrow it down by using the "Sophie's Choice" method-- painful but very helpful. E.g. If you could have "fame" but not "fortune," which would you choose?
6. Think about either the roles (professional, personal, community) or the areas of your life (career, finance, health) or business (new business development, thought leader, sales). Make sure to include ones that care for your own well-being (self-manager).
7. Set goals for each of the areas. make sure they are consistent with your values, mission and vision and that you truly intend to pursue them. Write them down on 4 x 6 cards (I like to use different colors) -- one per role and list the action steps you will take for each by month.
8. If you are truly committed, take your monthly goals and break them down to weekly ones. Then write them in your calendar. Look at your goals regularly. You will make progress no matter what but if you pay attention, you will really succeed.
9. Take care of yourself. Pushing alone won't get you where you want to go. To maintain balance, make sure the self-manager is giving you periodic breaks. Remember to take time throughout the year to review where you are. Are you on the right path? Do you need to tweak your plan?
10. Avoid doing it alone. Find a partner and co-coach. Keep each other honest and committed or consider a professional coach-- particularly if you have BEHAGS (Big Hairy Audacious Goals).
All of the above can be applied to business teams, project teams and other organizations as well. Groups are as likely to get off track as individuals and less likely to think about themselves in an organized way. When projects break down, people tend to hide, avoid or blame and defend. A process like this can help turn unproductive meetings where there is a lot of talking but no change, into more productive ones. Again, professional help may be useful if your team has significant issues.
Think through the 10 tips on your own. At least you will get more clarity on the problem.
Last, although this is the most natural time of year to think about these tips, you can use them at any time.
Here are my top 10:
1. Evaluate the year gone by. What did you accomplish? What were your disappointments?
2. Take a hard look at the lessons you learned. Life is a series of lessons and many tend to repeat themselves-- unless we see them clearly enough to change our ways.
3. Write down your vision for the coming year. Where do you want to be at this time next year? Writing it down is key. You will be amazed at the impact this will have.
4. Check in with yourself on your mission (what you are here for) if you have one. Are you living it? Does it need revision. Do you need to create one because you have to admit you've been letting life unfold without thinking about it?
5. Write down your top 10 values. Narrow it down by using the "Sophie's Choice" method-- painful but very helpful. E.g. If you could have "fame" but not "fortune," which would you choose?
6. Think about either the roles (professional, personal, community) or the areas of your life (career, finance, health) or business (new business development, thought leader, sales). Make sure to include ones that care for your own well-being (self-manager).
7. Set goals for each of the areas. make sure they are consistent with your values, mission and vision and that you truly intend to pursue them. Write them down on 4 x 6 cards (I like to use different colors) -- one per role and list the action steps you will take for each by month.
8. If you are truly committed, take your monthly goals and break them down to weekly ones. Then write them in your calendar. Look at your goals regularly. You will make progress no matter what but if you pay attention, you will really succeed.
9. Take care of yourself. Pushing alone won't get you where you want to go. To maintain balance, make sure the self-manager is giving you periodic breaks. Remember to take time throughout the year to review where you are. Are you on the right path? Do you need to tweak your plan?
10. Avoid doing it alone. Find a partner and co-coach. Keep each other honest and committed or consider a professional coach-- particularly if you have BEHAGS (Big Hairy Audacious Goals).
All of the above can be applied to business teams, project teams and other organizations as well. Groups are as likely to get off track as individuals and less likely to think about themselves in an organized way. When projects break down, people tend to hide, avoid or blame and defend. A process like this can help turn unproductive meetings where there is a lot of talking but no change, into more productive ones. Again, professional help may be useful if your team has significant issues.
Think through the 10 tips on your own. At least you will get more clarity on the problem.
Last, although this is the most natural time of year to think about these tips, you can use them at any time.
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