A Time to Reflect (& Plan)

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So we are coming to the end of another year and 2012 will soon be consigned to memory as we embark on the adventure that is 2013.

As we count down to the end of 2012, how was it for you?

In today’s busy and very fast paced world, do you take time to reflect on what has passed and what is to come? Have you challenged yourself to review your progress against your plan.

In the commercial world, it is common practice (or, at least it should be!) to review progress against the strategic plans that were set which inform management on the overall direction of the organisation. But what about the most important organisation of all; YOU Inc?

In work, we follow the procedures aimed at delivering corporate results and driving the company forward. We develop KPI’s (Key Performance Indicators) so that we can see when things are going well, or not, against the plan and, during periodic reviews, we adjust our plans as the business environment dictates in order to achieve our goals.

So why done you do the same for YOU?

Now is the perfect time to have your review meeting. Take time to check where you are going in life.

  • What is/are your long term goals?
  • Where do you want to be at the end of 2013?, 2014?, in 5 years?

Take time to review what happened over the course of 2012.

  1. What positive things happened for you over the course of the year?
  2. What negative things happened for you over the course of the year?
  3. What positives/learning can you take from both the positives and negatives over the year?
Just as it is important for businesses, it is also vital for you as an individual and the CEO of YOU Inc. to take time for review and planning. How else can you know you are still on the right track? How else can you learn from what didn’t work for you and change your approach going forward?

 

Once you have reviewed 2012 (and written down the answers to the three questions above), what KPIs will you develop for 2013 that will make it a fun year, YOUR year and the year that you achieve, or get closer to YOUR Plan?

 

Remember to write down your plan and put it somewhere safe. You should review it periodically throughout the year to make sure you are on track. I suggest that clients review their plans at least on a quarterly basis. It can be fun to take out the plan you made at the end of 2012 and see how you are getting on with it in March, June, September and December 2013. Remember though, that you are not tied to your plan. As in the case of business, your review process should allow room to amend your plan so that it remains achievable, current and relevant.

 

Many people try resolutions at the start of each New Year and most are forgotten by week 2 in January. Instead of the traditional resolution making that demotivates when it doesn’t work out, why not try the business approach to planning (you possibly already do it within your company, for your company)?

 

In summary, the steps cannot be simpler:
  1. Strategic Goals – Where are you going? What are your long term goals?
  2. Review 2012 – Good & Bad. Make notes of the learnings you are taking from the year, particularly as they relate to your Strategic Goals. Focus on the things you can control (too often we focus on National and International issues as though we are personally responsible for them and their resolution).
  3. Plan 2013 – What are you going to do in 2013 that will keep you on track towards your overall plan? How will you apply the learnings from 2012 so that mistakes will not be repeated? (Be realistic. As with Business plans, your’s should be SMART; Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and, Time based)
  4. Write down your goals for 2013 and store them safely so that you can review them periodically throughout the year.
Regardless of the economic situation, 2013 can be your best year ever!!!

Here’s to 2013 (assuming the Mayan’s got it wrong!)…Let’s ALL enjoy the Ride!!!

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