Updated June 15, 2017 Marilyn Janas, M.B.A., M.A. E.d
Seems like only yesterday was the beginning of 2017. Here the year is almost half over, and seems like a good time to assess where we are … compared to where we thought we’d be! Following is my article published in the May 2017 edition of Speaker Magazine, NSA (National Speakers Association). Wouldn’t this be a good time to develop strategies to ensure you are on course to meet your goals?
RETHINK YOUR RESOLUTION
Did you make a New Year’s resolution? How’s it going? Making progress? Or, has it been moved to your “to do later” list?
Resolutions need to be converted to a personal or professional GOAL. A PLAN needs to be created and TIME needs to be allocated to execute the PLAN. With a clear goal, a written plan, and defined time, success is much more likely. The commitment to meet a GOAL requires some sort of change. Behavior must change to meet a GOAL. Long-term success requires long-term and sustainable CHANGE.
Change is difficult. The rubber band lying on your desk creates a certain shape but you can stretch it far beyond its current state.
However, when the tension is released, the rubber band snaps right back to its’ original shape. Similarly, if there is no tension around a resolution, the simplest thing is to “snap back” to the habits and activities that are most comfortable. —Back to the original shape, that is.
Because change is difficult, and because changing behaviors requires focus, commitment, and are hard work, GOALS should be approached “one at a time!”
Three steps for Goal Attainment
1. IDENTIFY YOUR GOAL & WRITE IT DOWN
- Goals are stated in the context of the “big picture”. Make the outcome, or the end result clear. Ex: a professional GOAL could be: “Grow my business in 2017” “Develop a healthy lifestyle in 2017” is an effective way to state a personal GOAL.
- WRITE IT DOWN. Extremely important! Keep the goal top-of-mind. Use a few sticky-notes, and paste them on your computer monitor, bathroom mirror, dash of car, etc. Create a permanent record in your computer or journal.
- Have a talk with yourself: COMMIT TO MEETING YOUR GOAL
2. PLAN: CREATE OBJECTIVES and WRITE THEM DOWN
- Identify the specific behaviors, activities or outcomes necessary to meet the GOAL.
- Objectives = Plan for change
- The objectives are SMART.
S – Specific
M – Measurable
A – Attainable
R – Realistic
T – Time-bound
For example, if your goal is to grow your business, you might create these objectives:
- 10% increase in 2017 business
- Identify 5 new prospects weekly – meet with 2 qualified prospects weekly
- Meet with 10 current clients/customers for up-selling opportunities per week
- Attend 2 networking events monthly
- Identify & attend a selling-skills workshop in the 2nd quarter
If your goal is to develop a healthy lifestyle, initial objectives might be:
- Lose 10 pounds in next 90 days
- Exercise for 1 hour 3 x per week
- Join a weight management program by Feb. 15
- Attend meetings 3 x month
- Eliminate fast foods from diet immediately
3. CREATE A MASTER CALENDAR AND BLOCK TIME.
- Commit the time
- Write it down
For example, to identify 5 new prospects each week, calendar the TIME for this activity.
If you don’t block out the time – in advance – something will come up and interfere with your plan.
You are busy and accustomed to a regular routine. But, like the rubber band…there is a tendency to snap back into place. Calendaring activity ensures time is allocated to create new behaviors. New activities are not forgotten or deprioritized by existing routines.
DON’T SNAP BACK!
Remember: To achieve your resolution, identify and state the goal, commit to the goal, create SMART objectives and block the time for activities. S.M.A.R.T. Planning puts you on the path to achieve your GOAL!
Marilyn Janas is President of TRANSVORTO, Managing Partner – ValueSelling Associates and Certified Partner – Objective Management Group. She speaks at corporate events, trade shows and non-profit organizations on topics related to staff selection and development, business growth and increased profitability. Contact her at Marilyn@transvorto.com
Published: National Speakers Association magazine (May 2017)
Published: LinkedIn – Marilyn Janas (June 2017)