Happy holidays! What a terrific year this has been for IAW! We have seen tremendous success in many areas and we are proud of our accomplishments. Have you been charting your 2018 success? Are you ready for 2019?
This month’s focus is all about reflecting on 2018 and our 2019 goal setting. Every year around this time, I look back and reflect on where I’ve been and what I’ve done over the last year so I can prepare to launch my new goals for the new year. I am pumped for 2019!
However, those who know me well know I am not the biggest fan of “resolutions”. I am at a point in my life where simply stating resolutions is just not enough. Resolutions are often vague and large, holding little merit. That’s why according to Forbes, only 8% of people keep their resolutions! I don’t know about you but I don’t just want resolutions! I want a tailored plan to help me reach my professional and personal goals. That’s right, a realistic, tangible plan of action! What about you? What can you do in 2019 to make sure that you are reaching long-term success?
With only around 8% of professionals managing to see their resolutions into fruition, we must ask ourselves why do so many people fail at goal setting, and what are the secrets behind those who succeed? Let me share with you how I have successfully reached my new year goals over the last 20 years!
1. Have a solid team
Aligning yourself with the right team is not only important it’s mandatory. You can have solid goals for next year but fruitless business relationships will keep you from reaching every professional milestone. Your inner network should be full of people who support you like you support them and the relationship is mutually beneficial. You should trust your team or inner circle enough to share your most pressing goals and ideas. In turn, a
solid team is also capable of offering great wisdom where you are receiving wise counsel and constructive criticism and are held accountable for your goals.
2. Do not procrastinate
The biggest enemy of most successful people is not financial hardship or naysayers but procrastination. Procrastination and putting tasks and crucial actions off is killing your dreams. That is the problem with resolutions. Resolutions are too often just a large wish list of things that can’t realistically be achieved right now. Big dreamers tend to focus only on the end result vs the baby steps or the small changes along the “margins” that can be done right now. It’s all about time and place. Sometimes we as powerful women need to move mountains and sometimes the “S” on our chest is a little smaller and we just need to make the phone call, set up a meeting, perfect the pitch etc. The small things DO matter and you can do it right now!
3. Be accountable
Set timed tasks that must be accomplished to reach your goals. This can be weekly and monthly goals. Break it down, these small goals should be realistic and help you achieve the big picture, your overall vision for 2019. Simply saying “this year” or “this quarter” is not enough. Setting firm deadlines is mandatory. If you find yourself struggling with something find someone who can help. Delegate what you need to the person who can make it happen and do not micromanage. Hold them accountable for doing what you assigned them to do and continue to hold yourself accountable for the things only you can do.
4. Be ready
When opportunity knocks will you be ready for it? Whatever passion or talent you possess, remember that it is a people and opportunity magnet and will draw others to you, and you must be ready. If an investor called you today, are your financials prepared? If a journalist reached out to you today, are you ready to tell he or she how you are unique and what makes you/your brand story-worthy? If your target customer was standing in front of you right now would your elevator pitch ready? We all know that talent is universal; opportunity is not. So when opportunity knocks, be ready to open that door in your best dress and ready to roll!
5. Work with a legacy in mind
Your goals for next year are not just about 2019. How do you want your brand/project thought of or remembered 10, 20 years from now? Resolutions are too often a quick fix. It becomes more about surviving the year and less about creating a legacy. Don’t allow your goal setting to become mundane! You are worth more! Remember the big picture- that you are ultimately trying to achieve, and make not just a resolution but a blueprint to your success. You blueprint should evaluate and include your:
o Efficient Team
o Projected Obstacles
o Logistics
o Costs
o Expected Profits
o Potential Impact on Others
This is how I do it ladies. IAW will help provide you with more tools to set you up for your year of success. Keep pushing and keep growing and may you always dream, rise, and lead!
