GOALS. PLANS. ACTIONS.

A New Year represents a new chapter filled with optimism and a fresh start. For many of us, New Years is a great opportunity to revisit goals, and assess what we want to accomplish over the next 365 days. Rather than focus on resolutions, I have found it to be more effective to set "SMART" goals and related game plan(s) at work, home and play that force me to be accountable in my actions.

A resolution is defined as a vow to do something, but a SMART goal is Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-Framed. In past years, I set SMART goals based on 3 key "life-work blend" areas -- home/family, office/work and play/friends. Recently I have added purpose/me as the valued fourth leg to my values/metrics for success.

Rather than share my entire game plan, here are some initial goals for each area of my life I have developed along with macro level actions to get the ball rolling. After all, with no plan you plan to fail.

HOME/FAMILY: Do one thing each day with goal of HAPPINESS to those I Love

Today's little moments become tomorrow's precious moments and variety is the spice of life. Deliver a surprise and delight (and smile) to your family...every day. Cook a new delicious dish, write a love note just because, make your kid a scrapbook from your childhood, pick them up from school unexpectedly, go on a Daddy adventure day, etc. Nothing is more rewarding than their happiness with smiles for miles...

OFFICE/WORK: No Weenies. Partner with people that Play Like Champions!

One thing I have realized over the past few years is that work is work unless you partner with the right people. 2020 was not easy for any of us, however we ended the year on a high note knowing we were surrounded by positive, passionate, hard working and fun teammates, clients and partners. In 2021, we will start and end each day by committing to Play Like Champions with people who share the risk and rewards of our collective efforts (like below SRX Partners -- Tony Stewart, Ray Evernham, George Pyne and Sandy Montag!).

PLAY/FRIENDS: Spend 99% of my 1% free time with Givers NOT Takers...

Due to commitment to being a better -- Dad and husband at home, teammate at work and in community as well as investment in time to personal well being, like many of you -- time is limited for friends. With 8,760 hours in a year we are lucky to make 1% or 87.60 hours each year for friends. The key is to spend that 1% with givers not takers of positive energy and genuine good times. In short, less drama and more epic fun. It is hard, but those that take away and don't collaborate in spirit of epic fun will be selectively "benched".

PURPOSE/ME: Raise awareness and funds ($200K) to community causes

After serving on some amazing national (Make-A-Wish) and regional (Rippleffect, Sugarloaf Charity Summit, Maine Sports Hall of Fame) boards over the past 10+ years, I have cherished the ability to drive impact to worthwhile causes. In recent times, I value even more the ability to go beyond marketing, awareness and engagement and deliver measurable economic impact to communities hard hit by the pandemic. With a lot of help from my friends, we raised $150,000 in 2020 to non-profits and donated much more personally. In 2021, it will be imperative for us all to pay it forward even more to ensure essential services are delivered to people of all ages at risk.

There is no perfect science to developing your own game plan with SMART goals and actions. They key is putting pen to paper and deploying a KISS -- keep it simple stupid approach. As in life, reflect early and often on how you are tracking to meet/exceed these goals and most importantly be honest to yourself and those you love. Failure is the first step to success...

In closing, make sure you do what you love and love what you do -- at home, work, play AND with purpose. NO WEENIES, just WINNERS!