We are about to start a new year, and I don’t know a better time to refocus and gain more control over your life than at the turn of the year. It really is a perfect time because the timing is a natural new beginning in your mind. So, as you start a new year, take control of it now by taking these four steps in the coming days. I am presuming you are using the Full Focus Planner system as your guide. If you’re not, why not reward yourself with a subscription right now?
Celebrate Your Wins
Before you get to the new year, take a look back over the last year. Now, no doubt that this year has been different for most people. And regardless of how disruptive circumstances have been in your year, you have something to celebrate. In fact, I hope you have several somethings to celebrate.
Start by taking some time to go back through your Planner and identify anything that is deserving of a celebration. Maybe you had a promotion. Or maybe you changed jobs or even careers. Maybe you celebrated the birth or adoption of a child or grandchild. Maybe you achieved or exceeded your sales goals. Hopefully, you achieved your SMARTER goals during the year. If you did, and if you have been using your Full Focus Planner method, you would have already celebrated your victory in each goal. But nothing says you can’t have a cumulative celebration.
Take some time to identify these important life victories, and determine a celebration reward for yourself.
Schedule Your Time First
Open your First Quarter planner to the Rolling Quarters pages and plan out your important time for yourself. Remember, if you are going to have control over your life, you need to have control over your calendar. Block off your vacation time before your put anything else on your calendar! Also, go ahead and block off other important commitments you have made. Maybe you are planning a mission trip with your church, or maybe you are planning an educational trip with your family. Be sure to block those special times down first. If you don’t, you are opening yourself up to calendar robbery. Someone else will plan your time if you don’t.
Write your SMARTER goals
How will you know where you are going if you don’t have a good map? Essential goals will help you know where you are going in the next year, and with the Full Focus Planner system, you should begin with eight or so S.M.A.R.T.E.R goals.
Writing out your goals and working toward two or three per quarter will help you achieve the results you desire, and perhaps more. When you write your goals down, it’s important to reflect on them frequently. In order to achieve them, you need to maintain a level of contact with them. You need to refer to them frequently to keep you on your course.
Fresh Start Vision Casting
Where do you want to be at the end of the next year financially, professionally, personally? What about in two years, or five years? While you can ponder and adjust your life vision at any time, the start of the new year is a perfect and natural time to recast your vision. The new year is a natural time of renewal. As you look back over the last year, you can shape and mold tomorrow’s vision on your achievements and disappointments.
Recap
Taking these four steps will help you on the way to the year you want to have. If you need some help getting started, or if you would like someone to help coach you through the process, reach out to me. As a Full Focus Planner Certified Pro, I would be honored to help you (or your work team) set a path for your life in the next year. If you are just reading this article and it’s already March, July, or November you can start at any time. Contact me and I will show you how you achieve the results you want and succeed in life.
Leave a Reply