It’s hard to believe that 2020 is almost over. For many of you, that may be very welcome news. No matter who you are or what you do, this year has been filled with opportunities to evaluate problems and focus on solutions unlike any other year in history.
If you’re like me, as the remaining days in the current year begin to wane, my mind starts looking towards the coming New Year and what I hope to accomplish. Hopefully, you are also beginning to start thinking about 2021 and how you want to advance.
Perhaps also like me, you need help paring down your goals to a manageable number in order to be able to focus on the most important things which will naturally yield the greatest results. Most experts suggest that you work on no more than three or four goals at a time. I happen to agree with this and like to break goals down into quarterly steps. That way, perhaps you are working on one or two Big, Hairy, Audacious (BHAG’s) goals as well as one or two others that can be completed within a three month period.
Recently, someone asked me, “how do I know which goals are the most important?” My immediate answer, as I alluded to already, was “pick the ones that will produce the greatest desired results.” I thought it sounded pretty good. I also emphasized, and believe wholeheartedly that goals should stretch you to do more than you think you can, perhaps even be impossible unless miraculous things happen.
Please note. I am not suggesting you be unrealistic. I love to play golf. I have played for as long as I can remember and a dream of mine would have been to play professionally. I grew up with several people who did. I was never good enough, or should I say, I never devoted myself to developing the habits I needed, to play beyond the junior varsity level in high school. It would be unrealistic to say I am going to try to qualify for the Senior PGA Tour in 2021.
Back to identifying and prioritizing your goals. Last week I came across a quote that stopped me in my tracks. If you have read any or many of my blog posts (and I hope you have or will), you know I love quotes. This one was a “Wow!” for me.
“If it is important, you will find a way. If it not, you will find an excuse.”
-Craig Groeschel
The more I ponder that, the more I love it. So, how would I encourage you to take this quote, along with your goals, and try to start thinking about how to make 2021 your best year ever? Three simple suggestions:
- Take time to dream, reflect, and visualize what you really want
- Write down all of your goals and dreams
- Decide on goals that excite you, motivate you, and scare you just a little bit
Don’t let imposter syndrome get in your way. Start, keep going, and find a way. If you do, I know that you will elevate yourself to a level that you likely have never before achieved. This is my hope for you, and my commitment to you to keep encouraging you to be and do more than you ever thought possible.
So, my question for you this week is what excites you? What scares you? Find the intersection of those two streets and go for it. You can do more than you think you can. If you ever begin to doubt, come back to this blog every week, where I commit to give you the aims, attitudes, and actions you can take today to set you on the road to accomplishing your greatest success.
Did you enjoy this article? If you haven’t already, please be sure to subscribe to this blog, where I post every Tuesday. You can also get additional free content by subscribing to my YouTube channel or following me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
I also invite you to review my coaching page on my website here. I have only a couple of spots left in my Personal Development Coaching Practice. Each week I offer two free strategy sessions on a first-come, first-served basis to people interested in exploring how to become a person who pursues their goals and dreams. These special hour-long sessions prove again and again to be invaluable to those who participate. You can book these directly on my coaching page – I look forward to serving you.