It’s that time of year when millions of people are making personal resolutions. Unfortunately, the vast majority won’t succeed in achieving their goals. I gave up making resolutions a long time ago after it was clear that I continually was part of that vast majority.
But as each new year begins, I do take a long, hard look at my business. What went well last year, what didn’t, and where do I want to take my business going forward. Chris Brogan recently wrote about his approach and it really resonated with me.
“Every year, I come up with three words that will be my guiding pillars for what I will focus on in the coming year. Instead of resolutions, which don’t usually help me very much, I work hard on using these words as a lighthouse for my actions and efforts.”
Distraction is our constant nemesis as we juggle all the balls of our business each day. We often operate in reactionary mode which is, by its nature, short-term focused. While there will always be some fires that need to be put out, I want to manage those fires by thinking longer-term. And that requires a different lens.
I hope my words for 2011 will provide the lens that helps me focus and move my business forward.
Here they are:
Action. Useful. Connect.
Actions cause movement and momentum that ideas alone cannot.
Be Useful. ‘Value’ is the buzzword; Useful is essential to getting and keeping clients.
Connect. Actively and continuously connect with more people to learn and share.
Achieving goals requires making good judgments about what to do and what not to do. Having the proper lenses can make that easier.
What are your 3 words for this year?
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I’ll piggyback of Amanda’s words because I am having too many words enter the ‘ol noggin!
Balance is a powerful word when you attach actionable insight to it. When you are home-based or bootstrapping your ventures, it is especially crucial. The biggest balancing act for me involves planning and acting.
Action makes me think of the “magic” that evolves ideas and dreams into reality. A strong vision guides action in a deliberate direction. I know I can stand to do more proactive actions, rather than being stuck in deliverable and firefighting mode.
Joy keeps us driven. If you don’t have powerful Why’s, all our efforts have no real meaning. Joy keeps us focused when adversity strikes the hardest. Certainly, joy is why we’ve decided to fight for our freedom as self-employed/independent professionals, no?
Hey Yomar – thanks for joining the conversation! I certainly agree that Balance is powerful word and a constant struggle especially for those of us who are self-employed.
It’s something I’m still working on
I love this. A focused approach to personal progress. My words would be:
Consistency. Balance. Joy.
Consistency- I believe that’s the first step to having my website gain visibility and response, consistently putting up content.
Balance- Working from home with a baby requires planning to find balance, but everyone in my family deserves it.
Joy- I am the biggest influence for my daughter. Living with joy teaches those around you to live with joy. Joyful living is a priority.
Hey Amanda -
I especially like ‘Joy’. We get so caught up in daily living that we often don’t focus on what truly makes us happy – what brings us Joy. Actively seeking to increase the moments of Joy in our lives is a fantastic goal. Thanks for reminding me.