At the start of each year, and over the course of each year you may set specific goals for yourself. When you set these goals you have the clear intention to complete each of them. Over the course of the year you can accumulate a number of different goals, and by the time the end of the year rolls around you may not be able to achieve all of them.
End of the year focus – pick one goal and do it
I am writing this post on Thursday, December 17, 2009 exactly two weeks until the end of 2009. This past year was the first year I moved forward with a clear strategy on goal setting and goal achievement. As can be expected, and is not a bad thing, I set myself too many goals, and have a number of them still on my list to get done before 2010. There are two strategies I think I can use for the next two weeks:
1. Work on all the goals and try to get as much done as I can, with the risk that I only partially complete each of the goals.
2. Pick one of the remaining goals and put all of my energy into completing this one goal. I will only work on a different goal once my focus goal is finished.
As you can probably tell from the words I used in each possibility I am favoring the second option.
What is your focus goal?
Setting some of my other goals aside is going to be difficult, but I am excited with the prospect of getting one of the really big, and really important goals completed before 2010. My focus goal for the rest of 2009 is:
Complete all of the class and written requirements for my coach training certification
That is my commitment, and that will be the only major project, unless I complete it, I will be working on for the rest of 2009. There is a definite lightness, excitement, and energy I am feeling now that I have made this decision. The weight of the other goals has been lifted, and I am ready to focus on this one goal.
How would the end of 2009 be different for you if you chose one focus goal and did nothing but work towards its completion?
Share your focus goal in the comments section below and let’s get to work on ending 2009 with a successful bang!
If you need help with being accountable for you goals check out this post on accountability.
If you’d like a tool for setting your goals for 2010, you can use this web application:
http://www.Gtdagenda.com
You can use it to manage your goals, projects and tasks, set next actions and contexts, use checklists, schedules and a calendar.
A Vision Wall (inspiring images attached to yor goals) is available too.
Works also on mobile.
Focusing on one goal is a good strategy but I’m the type of person that enjoys have many goals at one time. Maybe its my ADD. I came across a new site while listening to NPR called http://www.mysomeday.com. Their approach enabled me to break down all of my goals into actionable steps and then let me visually track my progress. I listed 5 goals and have been taking small steps toward making them happen.
Its worked really well for me and I’ve got a few of Supporters that regularly urge me on. Just something to consider.
Good luck with your coach training.
SH
Thanks for the resource Susan.
I work on more than one goal at a time as well, this post was more about focusing on one goal for the next two weeks before the end of the new year.
However, in the new year I will be experimenting with working on fewer goals at a time, and setting my goals in a much shorter time frame. I don’t feel that setting one year long goals is a practical option for me. Something that is a year away is more of a vision or dream for me.
If you take some time and explore SNS you will find that the whole site talks about exactly what you have mentioned: breaking goals down into small steps, I call them action paths, and then tracking your accomplishments on a weekly basis. If mysomeday works well for you I think you will find a home here on Sunday Night Success.
You can also keep your eyes open as in 2010 SNS will be starting a new initiative with building Sunday Night Success groups that will work together to achieve their actions and goals.
Jeremie
Dan,
Thanks for the resource. I use some of the principles of GTD in my planning, but I am a more visual person so I have shifted to using mind maps for all of my planning as opposed to lists like in GTD.
Take a look around SNS. If you are a fan of GTD then a lot of what is discussed at SNS should be right up your alley.