Year of Meaningful Growth

Each year I create a theme for my year.  This theme underscores the efforts I take personally and professionally and in my business.  It’s a great way to be more focused in your efforts, and to be clear on what you want to achieve.

In 2018 my theme was ACTION!  After more than 18 months away from my business, I was back in the saddle and taking action to rebuild my business and pivot its direction required constant and persistent action.  After looking at my list of accomplishments I was amazed at how much I had accomplished, and the year is still not over.

Now that we are about to enter into 2019 I am making a pivot in my focus.   Action will still be a critical component to achieving my goals, but will focus more on creating growth– more specifically, meaningful growth.

What is meaningful growth?

It is growth with a purpose and clear focus.  It is growth that resonates with me and my clients, and supporters.  For me, meaningful growth is grounded in my values and is good for me, my business, and the world around me.  My MoreThanGreen™ approach to business underpins this concept well.

In fact,  “by connecting growth with purpose, leading companies make their growth agenda meaningful. And with that meaning comes bolder strategic choices and stronger ambition” 

I’m all in when it comes to bolder strategic choices and stronger ambition!

My recommendation for setting yourself up for a successful 2019.

Start by recognizing your 2018 accomplishments.

  • Sit down with a pen and paper and write down all of the accomplishments you achieved in 2018.
    • Don’t screen your thoughts — just write them all down.
    • Include things you tried but may not have worked.  Implementation (regardless of result) is an accomplishment.  Failures are learning opportunities too.
    • Include relationships you have built, or reestablished, or kept going.

How does this list make you feel?  Take time to celebrate all of these wins!!

Now, think about where you want to be 1 year from now.  What do you want to be celebrating?

  • Create your goals based on what you want to celebrate next December.
    • What do you want to achieve?
    • How will you feel?
    • How will you get there?
  • Post your goals in a conspicuous place so you see them everyday.
  • On a weekly basis, review your week and determine if your actions have been consistently moving your toward your goals and are providing meaningful growth for you.
    • If not, what do you need to change?

Participating in a Mastermind Group is an ideal way to keep yourself accountable and on the right path so you achieve your goals.  I invite you to consider joining me in Coffee and Conversations Business Mastermind, starting in February.  This program was overhauled to better meet the needs of small business owners, entrepreneurs, and professional practitioners.

Book an Ignition Session to explore how a mastermind can help create meaningful growth for you!

What Do You Want to Achieve?

Do you set your personal and business standards? How high?

Every year I sit down and create my personal and business goals.  In doing so I set my course for the future.  I allow myself to dream big – no restrictions!  Then I will add in the realism but without the big thinking I know I won’t grow and excel to my full ability.

Here’s my SPARK approach

Start with a Dream…  The most important step is actually sitting down and thinking about what I want to achieve.  I am very committed to reaching and exceeding my own goals and the performance standards I set for myself. When I set my annual goals, I ensure they will help me grow and develop.  The status quo isn’t ok for me!

Plan and Prepare…  I use a mindmap to record my business and personal plan for the coming year!  This format offers me a unique approach to recording my dreams, actions and milestones in a visual way that will remind me of the big picture each and every time I look at it.

I also meet with my mastermind team to brainstorm ideas and receive feedback to ensure my goals really will make me stretch.  They will also be my support team and will help keep me accountable.

What are Stretch Goals?  Stretch goals are commonly referred to in the business world as a way to achieve more.  Stretch goals require a person or business to ambitiously extend itself  beyond what seems realistic within current parametersJohn Miller wrote about the conflict between stretch goals and smart goals in his blog.  Here is the acronym he presented to explain how the two fit together:

“S = SMART goals that

T = teach an organization how to

R = reach higher levels of performance by

E = engaging everyone in

T = testing hypotheses through

C = cross-functional cooperation

H = in a humane fashion.”

 

Now it’s time to  TAKE ACTION!  Every goal becomes a reality when you take action.   Although the new year is a great time to begin, you can get a head start and achieve more if you start today!  Don’t wait!

Rejig to stay on track as new information comes to light.  The goals I set at the beginning of a year are frequently changed, or tweaked as new information comes to light.  Sometimes I realize I need to stretch more than I first realized.  Regardless, I believe that when you set the bar high, your performance should reflect these self-imposed standards as well.  Is the quality of the product you offer your customers reflective of your standards?  Rejig to keep things current, and to maintain quality and performance — it also keeps life challenging and interesting!

Keep on track with Continuous quality improvement.  There is always room for improvement.  Life long learning is a fundamental part of the process.  Keeping your eyes and ears open for opportunities, and being willing to take a risk, will allow you to achieve more!

Elevating operations, goals, expectations as well as your deliverables takes planning and dedicated effort.  A Coach or Mentor or Mastermind Group can help make you stretch and achieve your goals by keeping you accountable.  I challenge you to raise the bar in business and your own life and reap the rewards that follow.

Join me on December 13 for Breakthrough Fridays!  I will be sharing more about how to use a mind map to strategize and plan!    It’s free for you…. learn more and register here!

Not sure which direction to go?  Let’s chat!  Book your Complimentary Exploration Session and we’ll see how I can help you.  Book here!

The Sky is the Limit…

No Journey Is Long

 

 

 

 

 
 

Are you ready to reach for the sky?  If so, our programs offer 1:1, group and online options to help you achieve your dreams!

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