New Year’s Goals Need a Plan

The holidays are upon us, bringing with them the tradition of New Year’s Resolutions. For many, this annual ritual is hardly worth the effort. This year, start with the conviction that the only way to make a new beginning is to make a plan.

It is very difficult to become a better business leader without also becoming a better person. As you consider improvement goals for the year, considering your leadership role in your family aswell as in your company may give you a new perspective.

Remember that a realistic goal should be a stretch. Objectives should be attainable, with clear measures of success. Milestones are critical! An objective without a target success date or required frequency of effort is only a wish. This is a time for a plan not a wish list. Avoid diluting your effort; focus on truly priority goals. Pick four to six key areas with not more than one or two clear objectives in each. Schedule a progress check on the first of each month to celebrate your successes and to renew your effort where you have fallen short.

To maintain focus, your 2007 Resolution Action Plan needs structure. Use a small notebook to record one realistic goal in each of not more than six areas. Also record an acceptable level of monthly progress. You will also need a calendar to score success on actions you pledge to perform daily or weekly. Choose your own improvement areas or consider the

Six F’s

• Family
• Faith (both beliefs and values)
• Fellowship
• Finance (including career)
• Fitness
• And Fun

Family – In your family or your business, balance is one of your most important values. What objective will improve your balance at home or in your corporate family? Can you improve your social relationships in both environments? If family balance or communication is your top priority, are you willing to dedicate time to one priority objective for improvement?

Faith – Your beliefs and how strongly you hold them are a very personal matter. But defining what you believe, who you are, and your personal priorities are valuable steps in becoming a better leader and person. As a company or family leader, your demonstrated values set the example for your corporate or home team. Where can you improve and really make a difference in your workplace, your relationships or with your family? Is there a measurable objective that would make you a better role model? Taking time to record who you are will often reveal very meaningful improvement objectives where you can walk the talk.

Fellowship – Business network relationships are critical in today’s rapidly changing environment. Are you fostering a collaborative environment both internal and external to your company? The old adage, “If you want a friend, be a friend.” is the basis of fellowship goals. Fellowship begins with empathy to see the real person behind your business associations.

Taking time to give back to those who support you adds both balance and fun to your life. What can you do to improve your social fitness at home and at work?

Finance – Your company’s 2007 plan and budget are probably already developed. Can you state in one sentence a single measure of success that will allow your company to claim victory next year? What are your career goals for this year or financial goals for your family? Do you have a plan? Does it have periodic milestone checks to measure your financial fitness? What is your priority financial goal?

Fitness – Fitness covers broadly your health in all areas: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, financial and professional. If you are still smoking, it should not be difficult to determine your top priority fitness goal. Is your professional fitness, your knowledge of your industry’s future, adequate to the challenge of securing your company’s future? Physical fitness affects your entire outlook on life and strongly impacts emotional and social fitness. Your fitness in all areas makes you a better role model of your company and family. Select a priority fitness goal.

Fun – Fun begins with balance in your life. Understanding your priorities helps eliminate the frustration of never having enough time. Balancing your company’s focus on priority goals fosters an increase in bottom line productivity. Have you planned a vacation this year that you can enjoy anticipating? What can you do to build fun into your workplace? Remember, life is way too short to be taken seriously! Set a goal to enjoy a balanced life this year.

Start Small. Are six goals too many? Stretch yourself, but avoid the failure of overreaching. Not sure? Then pick just one improvement that you know will make you a better person and commit to making that change. Check acceptable progress monthly and once you see initial success, you will be ready to add additional goals.

Remember, a goal without a plan is only a wish. Mark your calendar each night with your successes and review weekly. Changing your behavior is hard work. With a plan you can improve as a leader and a person. The results make the work worthwhile. Your People are Your Future! TM And the leader sets the stage for success.

All the best for a joy filled, healthy and successful 2007.

Al Nahas is a Principal in FOCUSED LEADERSHIP, a company of executive coaches dedicated to helping you strengthen your corporate leadership team. This article was first published in the December 17, 2004 Houston Business Journal. www.focused-leadership.com