What was I thinking? Two launches in two weeks, crazy right? Well, I was not about to let the year go by without completing my big hairy goals! Yes, goals. It’s that time of year. Time to look back in order to move forward.
How often do we keep pushing forward to get to where we are going without looking back at how far we’ve come? How often do we set goals that never seem to actually come to fruition or seem to take a back seat to the daily sink or swim tasks that fill our calendars?
As we begin to close out 2017, it’s a great time to reflect on all you’ve accomplished this year. Did you accomplish any big hairy goals that scared the heck out of you? I sure did. It was scary, exhausting, exhilarating, and fun all at the same time.
I’d love to be able to do the same but even bigger next year. Yes, BIGGER! Goals are a great way to stay focused and grow both personally and professionally. But goals need three vital things to actually happen. I know you’ve heard all about setting goals before, but are you getting it done?
Most people write their goals down, stick them on the refrigerator or the wall by their computer and never look at them until it’s time for new ones. I am certain that many of you aren’t like that and are really good at reviewing your goals regularly, but are they getting done?
Here are three action steps that helped me accomplish my big hairy goals for this year so that I can accomplish even bigger goals next year.
Three Action Steps:
- Review this year:
Look back at what you have accomplished. Try these questions out to get a good idea of your year and your goals.
What were your goals?
What did you do to move closer to them?
Were they big enough?
Were they too big?
If you did accomplish them, did you celebrate?
Who did you celebrate with?
What did you learn along the way?
Do you need to move your goals to the 2018 list or is it time for new goals?
- Write your SMART 2018 goals:
Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timely
Research shows that when your goals are written down there is a great chance for success. There are plenty of worksheet available online to help you create your list.
BIG HAIRY GOALS are really big so break them down into bitesize chunks. Celebrate each one as you accomplish it.
Visualize what your goals will look like once accomplished. Create a vision board if it helps. Post your goals where you will see them every day, several times throughout the day.
- Accountability:
Share your goals with an accountability partner, a mastermind group, or your spouse. When other people know about your goals, they help you move towards them.
FOCUS on one at a time! Take it from me…work on two major goals at once seems to take forever and sometimes feels like a gut punch when things aren’t happening fast enough. When things begin to overwhelm you go back to your list or call your accountability partner to talk you down off the ledge. We all have those moments!
Last year I joined a mastermind group. This group really helped me stay focused and check myself whenever I felt out of alignment with my goals. Definitely consider joining a mastermind group, but check them out thoroughly. There are lots of options, it must suite your needs and your schedule..
I recently completed a wonderful Free Goals Course EOFire.com offered on Facebook. (Loving what John and Kate have done!) These easy to follow videos really brought more clarity on goal setting. Taking deliberate focused daily action toward accomplishing my goals is key. I am excited to say I purchased The Freedom Journal by John Lee Dumas and am on my BIG HAIRY GOALS one at a time, 100 days at a time.
Whatever form, book, or scrap piece of paper you use, create your goals and get ready for a great year. Goals are a great way to refocus and get ready for the new year and there is no time like now. Set yourself up for an amazing year filled with excitement as you celebrate each and every goal as you make it happen.
I’d love to hear about the goals you accomplished in 2017 so we can celebrate together! Please share them in the comments section below. If you have goals you’d like to accomplish and aren’t sure how to get there, I can help. Schedule a strategy session and get ready to catapult your business in 2018!
P.S. If you are really ready for some awesome, fun, exciting news that will help you grow your business check out what I am launching this week! Watch your inbox for all of the excitement!!
Wishing you much success!