As we move into uncertain times in 2009, just how important is it to be clear about your own personal path? I believe it’s essential. Ancient wisdom says you won’t know if you have succeeded if you don’t have a target. If you don’t choose a path to walk down, you will never reach your destination.
Pick an area that you want to move forward with in 2009. Perhaps in your personal life, family, finances or business career.
What’s your promise?
My big promise to the world is to:
Be the catalyst to help you unblock the {communication} obstacles that are stopping you from sharing your unique talents with the world.
So whenever I consider an area of my life that I want to improve, I always start with my big promise. If I was considering business, I might look at ways I could help people become aware of their obstacles (like with a blog). I could create products, write books or audio products which can provide practical tips and solutions to these obstacles. All my activities are hooked on my big promise.
I may refine my promise to suit the category, so for a business goal, it may be:
“To become the home of practical wisdom on overcoming common communication obstacles.”
Now that you have a promise, think about the goals that will help you reach this promise. It will likely be a series of steps or goals. For example, it may start with talking to some friends to better understand common obstacles. It may involve writing an article. You may need to hold a seminar or workshop. For example, I plan to contribute more through using social media tools. This requires a plan on writing articles, using social media tools, learning which ones are most suitable for me, taking part in the communities and so on. I have blocked out time on my calendar of around nine hours a week to dedicate to learning and using this channel.
What are the conditions for success?
How do you know that you are succeeding? Most people spend a lot of time planing their goals in the first few weeks of the year and then forget about them until December when it’s too late to course-correct. If your promise was a table, then your conditions for success would be the legs. It needs to be obvious how well you are doing at any particular time. It’s obvious if a table only has three legs! So one of my conditions for success in my blog writing is that I will always be one week ahead in my article scheduling. It’s easy to see whether I am on track. I just look at the scheduled posts and can see immediately how many articles I have written. Make your goal tracking as quick and easy as that. These small “brushstrokes” all contribute to your final masterpiece. Break your goals into bite-size pieces and track how you are doing.
Who is responsible for them?
Some of your goals may involve more than yourself. Use the same process but also add in accountability. Have clear areas of responsibility and frequent check-ins to make sure everyone and everything is on track. Social media tools like Facebook can help here.
Reaching any goal is a process. Set yourself a clear path (and a clear reason) and you are more likely to stay the course as the buffets of reality unfold. Good luck and have an abundant year ahead!
Inspired by interview between Sean Redmond and Roger Hamilton. Listen here.
If you need to accelerate your progress in finding clarity in your path and taking steps to succeed, drop me a line. I help my coaching clients get clarity in their lives and I offer an initial free telephone consultation without obligation.