As the year winds down, your focus is shifting toward Hall oween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. You’re becoming obsessed with three questions:
- What will I wear?
- What will I eat?
- What will I buy?
I’d like you consider one more: What will I achieve in 2014?
Most people spend hundreds of hours on the first three questions and about 20 minutes planning for the new year. The results of this approach include award-winning Halloween costumes, 20,000 calories consumed over a four-day weekend and maxed-out credit cards.
Unfortunately, you will probably just dive back into your old routine in 2014. The next thing you know, it’s the middle of May and you wonder “what happened?”
Here’s a crazy idea I’d like you to consider. Sometime in the next 45 days, set aside at least three hours. During this block of time try this exercise.
Look back at 2013 and ask yourself the following questions:
- What did I do well?
- What are the most important lessons I learned?
Next, imagine that it is Dec. 31, 2014, and the year has gone perfectly. In as much detail as possible, describe what you achieved. What happened in your business? How much did you grow? Did you land any new “game changer” clients? Were you able to reduce debt? Did you make any great new hires?
Consider your personal life. Did you shed a few pounds? How about remodeling the kitchen? Maybe it’s time to take the kids to Disney World.
Let me tell you something about the brain. It can figure out just about anything so long as it is focused. Make 2014 the year of clarity.
As with most things in life, the solution is simple. All you need to do is execute.