Are you ready for a powerful start to 2020? Have you been working on your goals for the new year? You probably have a long list of accomplishments and goals you’re seeking as we turn the calendar at the end of December. But do you have a clear plan on how you are going to attack that list so that you can truly make the most of 2020? There are four great ways you can examine your goals and define them so you are poised for success in the new year!
The first is to know the differences between great work, good work and bad work. Great work is something that is transformational to you, your organization or to your business results. You may only be able to do a limited amount of it daily, but it is important to find some time to put towards great work each day. Good work is the actual execution work - the known work. These tasks need to get done but should not overwhelm the great work. Bad work has little or no value. It includes old reports, old meetings and old habits of work. You may need to create new habits of both mind and action to do great work, but that is vital to having a powerful year as old routines that are not moving you towards your goals need to be changed.
The second lens is to look at your goals with an eye towards the 80/20 rule which says that 20% of your activities, actions and intentions will generate 80% of your results. You may have many goals on your list for 2020, but this is where you need to take a step back and determine what your highest value added activities are. Consider whether transformational activities or execution activities will add the most value to your work in the new year. And this will depend upon the type of work you do, and what tasks are needed for your success. Narrow down those activities on your list, and make sure you have the time and energy to focus on the 20% that will add to your success.
Thirdly, where is your energy coming from? What makes you mad or sad? When you talk about your goals, which ones spark excitement or energy in your voice? It is important to consider what goals on your list truly give you energy. When you are discussing your goals with others, can they hear excitement in your voice about certain ones? Areas that spark emotion in you can give you energy to make a change. Again, they may require new habits of mind or action to accomplish, but these goals that generate emotion in you will be important ones on your list.
Lastly, consider your bigger purpose in life. Think about what you are doing to create an impact in the world as opposed to only focusing on personal achievement. These would look at your significant commitments to others. For example, you could have commitments around vocation, marriage, philosophy/faith or community. Are you working to build up one or more of these? This kind of commitment to others or to service can be very fulfilling as you can gain a feeling of significance in your life when you look at things that are bigger than you.
These are four potential ways to examine your goals for 2020. You may find that one or several of them help you to examine your list of goals and capture the essence of what you would like to accomplish in the new year. Take the time to focus on your goals so that you can get off to a powerful start in 2020!
