Getting Things Done in 2012
Posted in Business, Self Development
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By I am realizing that I did not do a very good job of setting and tracking my achievement toward any specific goals in 2011. Sure, there were things I wanted to do, but I did not really document what I was working toward. So, as we roll into 2012, I thought I would compile a goal setting refresher and share some business resources that have helped me get things done in years past.
You Came to the Right Place
First of all, The Work at Home Woman has some great writers who have already covered quite a bit on goal setting and goal achievement. I would suggest checking out the articles by Dr. Barbara Seifert.
Put Them In Writing
Almost everyone who specializes in behavior modification and the topic of goal setting agrees: You have to write your goals down! To take that a bit further, experts agree that your goals should be written as positive statements vs. negative ones (e.g. “I’d like to start doing…” vs. “I am going to stop doing…”).
Be S.M.A.R.T.
A great mnemonic trick that can help you to set and articulate your goals is SMART. S is for be Specific about exactly what it is you are trying to achieve. M is for make them Meaningful. The A is for Attainable, and this is probably something people tend to forget sometimes. For example, don’t set a goal to lose 50 lbs in a month. A goal like that is not very realistic (or particularly healthy) and it can ultimately frustrate you to the point that you give up on the goal all together. R is for Relevant- as in relevant to your life, to your given situation, to the resources you have available to you or under your control. And T is for Trackable. I think this is probably one of the most important parts of goal setting. If you are unable to track your progress, you miss out on the fulfillment and motivation that will prompt you to keep moving forward.
Dream Jobs and Money
If you are working at home now and one of your goals is to enjoy some increased revenue flow and/or financial stability, or if you’d like to achieve some income/security that would offer you the way out of your current gig, then Ramit Sethi of I Can Teach Your To Be Rich can offer you a “wealth” of information (pun intended). He writes on how to automate/streamline your finances, teaches people “How to earn an extra $1k on the side,” and has great content on finding and landing your dream job. What I like best about the info he shares is that it is pretty unconventional. He addresses our lazy tendencies and dares us to stop whining and start doing something in order to move toward the things we really want in life!
Living Rich, Happy & Hot
I recently discovered Marie Forleo and her sassy, savvy way of encouraging people to get things done. She offers weekly business-oriented “Q&A Tuesday” segments with great advice for entrepreneurs. She also offers a “Rich, Happy & Hot B-School”courses and hosts a “Rich, Happy & Hot Live” event each year in NYC. She is bringing it, with some really sound advice for business-women all delivered in her quirky, fun, irreverent style!
As the holidays start to wind down, consider pulling out a notebook (or your ipad) and set some goals for next year. And if you need some help staying motivated, consider some of the resources I’ve mentioned above or find a coach, friend, or relative that will be bold enough to hold you accountable and/or kick your butt when you need it.
So, what goals will you be working toward in 2012?
Christy Schutz, is the author & creator of Higher Calling Communications , which is committed to helping you make the most of your calling! She’s putting 16+ years of experience in the advertising, recruitment, employee communications, marketing & special events industries to good use by helping individuals, businesses & faith-based ministries discover, develop & market their own distinct calling or mission. She also helps people leverage communications strategies that will enable them to build deeper, more effective relationships with those they hope to serve. This Tampa Bay, FL-based Mom also keeps herself busy by raising 4 kids, caring for her husband & doting on her cute Jack Russell Terrier, Petey!
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Thanks for the tips! I really need to make a list for 2012 instead of just letting them bounce around aimlessly in my head. AND accountability, that is a great point!
It’s amazing how by just writing them down, how much more likely you are to achieve your goals.
I agree that writing things down brings a lot more to the table than just thinking about our goals. I find that writing things down gives them life and power. I also note that typing doesn’t have as much impact for me as writing does.
I accomplished 18 of the 20 goals that I wrote down in January 2011, even though I only consulted the list twice during the year! So I’m a believer in setting goals and putting them to paper with a pencil or pen.
Great advice on goal setting for the new year.
Recommand a goal setting tool at http://www.GoalsOnTrack.com, a very nicely built web app designed for tracking goals and todo lists, and supports time tracking too. It’s clear, focused, easy to navigate, worth a try.
Thanks Harry – I’ll have to check that out.