It's natural at this time of year to make plans for the year ahead. What are you planning with the few days heading into the new year?
Many avoid making resolutions because you feel like a failure when you dump them just a month or two in.
I believe part of the problem is we make wishes instead of plans or dreams instead of visions.
Much of the difference is in how you plan the execution. "Lose 20lbs" is a great dream and "working out 3x/week" is closer but without a plan, it is still a wish. You still need a plan to execute and what it will actually look like in day to day, week to week, follow through and practice.
Charles Duhigg has done some amazing work on Habits and a habit has three elements. The cue, the routine and the reward.
If you want to change a habit, you need to recognize the cue, change the routine and adjust the reward. It is a myth to think that a habit is formed in 21 days. It can be much shorter or much longer. Break down the cue, routine and reward and you can change anything.
At this time every year, I take at least a few hours and as much as a few days to review the year and plan for the year ahead.
Because I believe that you need to understand what you want out of life before you can really make plans for the year or your business, Step 01 of the Entrepreneur Roadmap is full of many of the tools I would suggest using personally. Step 04 is all about planning a successful year for your business.
Here are a few thoughts on what I suggest you spend some time on this week to make your year the best ever:
Debrief the past year (ask these questions):
Where did I win?
Why did I win?
Where did I lose?
Why did I lose?
Where should I go now?
How will I get there?
When working on a tough situational questions, ask yourself:
In light of my past experiences, my present situation and my future hopes and dreams, what is the wise thing to do?
One of my favourite questions:
What is the one thing such that if you accomplished just it, would render all the other things meaningless?
Another centering question:
If you could wave a magic wand and solve anything in your business this year, what would it be? How might you make that a reality?
Step 01 asks about these following questions as well.
What do you value?
What is important to you?
What are your priorities?
The 7Fs is a way to work out areas in all the important areas of life.
In many ways, it is not quite about going through everything and making perfect plans, it is - however - about taking some strategic time to plan for a great year.
At this time of year, slow down a little and ponder these questions before jumping forward into a new year.
"It is not that I’m so smart. But I stay with the questions much longer."
-- Albert Einstein
Here's to your most amazing Next Year!
One more thing: Here is the best tool ever: bit.ly/blinkistnow Read all the books you want, listen to them while you drive. You will thank me later.