What is really impacting your pursuit of the results you want to achieve? If there is something holding you back in your life and chosen career, what can you do about it?
Certainly the economy — domestic and global — has impacted most of us, and will continue to have a negative impact for at least a few more years. But it is too easy to blame outside influences and avoid taking responsibility for what we need to do in order to reach our goals.
There are external factors — including biases, prejudices, regulatory barriers, and so on — that are out of our immediate control. Yet there are things we can do that will improve our situation if we persistently stay the course.
Take stock of the following as you reflect on what you want to achieve in 2012.
Know where you want to go.
What is that you want to achieve in every important aspect of life? And what is your plan to do it? Too often we can get stuck in a routine without thinking about how our daily actions fit into a greater plan of reaching our goals. Each of us can benefit from a specific game plan.
The more specific your goals are, the more specific your actions will be. Big goals (and little ones, too) are accomplished one step at a time. But we need to start moving in the right direction with a continuous focus on expected results.
Know what you need to improve.
All of us can get better. Knowing what to work on is a good start!
Be honest in your assessment of where you need to improve. Don’t miss the opportunity to ask loved ones, co-workers, and yes, even the boss what you can do to improve. There is a very worthwhile exercise called Keep-Start-Stop that can be a huge benefit.
Take this feedback seriously, implement the suggested changes, and it can make a big difference.
Persist through the challenges.
There will be setbacks. Expect them. When obstacles get in the way, attack them head-on. Overcoming them can be stimulating as well as rewarding.
Don’t keep your goals to yourself.
There is something extremely beneficial about sharing your goals. At the very least, it will make you more committed and accountable to staying the course to reach them.
Work your plan.
With your goals and required actions in front of you each day, you can move forward with the confidence of knowing that the accomplishment of each action moves you closer to your goals.
Review your progress regularly. Make mid-course corrections as necessary.
You will get there by keeping your game plan in focus.
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Tags: Goals, Improvement, Progress, Results, Success
Jerry Baker began his career in the management development program at Ford Motor Company, later became a manager of budgets and analysis for Northrop Corporation, then furthered his management development as Deputy Director for the California Department of Commerce when Ronald Reagan was Governor.