Still on track with your 2022 Goals?

32 days into the New Year and it’s the perfect time to reflect on and re-evaluate the resolutions we set for ourselves a few weeks ago.

Of course, the premise to this exercise is that one actually took time to set out a plan for the year. But whether you already made resolutions of your own or you are thinking of doing so, here are a few useful tips to help you envision and create your best year yet! They’ve worked for me over the years and I hope you have the same success.

I have grouped the tips into 4 buckets; Personal Development, Financial Responsibility, Connectivity and my very favourite of all, “Joie de Vivre”. Some you may already know and practice most of these but it never hurts to be reminded.

Personal Development?- is anything that helps you on the journey to becoming the best version of yourself. With our world constantly evolving and everything seemingly changing at the speed of light, it is incredibly self-limiting to remain at a standstill. To remain relevant and informed, personal development must be a key goal for each of us and the first step towards knowledge is cultivating an inquisitive mind – constantly asking, seeking to know and never taking things at face value, questioning assumptions & theories and evaluating alternatives. Not only does this keep the mind sharp, challenges the status quo & opens up new possibilities, it also helps you train your “creative muscle”. With creativity, one of the most highly sought attributes in our 21st Century existence, it’s easy to see why teaching oneself to “question” is imperative.?

The second step is taking stock of your journey. What are you doing now? What stage of life are you in? And where do you want to go. It sounds easy enough but we rarely take the time to actually ponder & search within. Failing to map these points out in our minds or better yet, in a journal, stops us from seeing the gaps and working through them. Without knowing where you want to go, how do you position for the future? Identifying and understanding those gaps help you to fill in the gaps and accentuate the positives.

There are two approaches one can take to address personal development. The first approach is the low cost/low touch method where you acquire new skills or refine existing ones through the multitude of free online resources, books, mentorship & practice. The second approach is a more formal learning plan, typically with some cost attached and these range from obtaining certifications, pursuing advanced or complimentary degrees or venturing into a completely industry or sector and obtaining the requisite training. These options require significant time and financial investments but are extremely valuable if done at the right time and with the right institutions. To derive maximum value, it always helps to reflect & understand your own personal learning style and gravitate towards the styles that work best for you. Some people are visual learners and some prefer experiential learning activities. Others, like me, are happiest with books and articles. Whichever style you prefer, commit and devote time each week to doing something that makes you a better you.

The key success factor for any of the approaches is consistency. In the words of Albert Einstein “Once you stop learning, you start dying”. Self-development is a constant exercise. When you get into the discipline of constant self-development you realise that there is always something fresh to learn or a new perspective to adopt either for work, at home or in our personal relationships.

Financial Responsibility - The start of a new year presents an opportunity to start afresh and wipe slates clean. Adopting healthier financial habits is one of the most common resolutions people promise to commit to each year. Sadly, we rarely stick to it and it goes the way of most of our other resolutions – in the waste bin. So what can one do differently? One way is to change the way you look at your financial habits. Looking at the management of finances as being “financially responsible” helps you adopt a more practical approach. Recognizing that you and you alone are responsible for the health of your financial situation now and in the future helps you look at your expenses a little differently. It also helps you plan better for retirement knowing that the life you want can only be achieved through financial prudence and long-term goal setting

One of the greatest dangers we expose ourselves to is realizing late in the day that you haven’t built up a large enough nest egg when your earning capacity is already winding down. I certainly wish I had paid better attention to the personal finance sessions I attended earlier in my career but it is never too late to plan and put your finances in good order by determining to be financially responsible and accountable. In its simplest form, this means looking critically at your income and expense lines, maximizing your earning potential and keeping your future needs in view. Whilst we often criticize companies and governments for being extravagant and failing to take prudent financial decisions, we don’t often apply the same rigour to our personal finances. Planning better, taking responsibility and being accountable for every Naira, Pound, Dollar or whatever currency you earn and spend is the first step to take.

Create a plan for expenses and savings, making sure you’ve put aside something for different buckets – future expenses, retirement and contingency for unforeseen expenses. Don’t forget to also set aside a “good time bucket” for activities and things that bring you some joy in this otherwise dreary existence. The goal is always to create a balance with all things in moderation, so save a lot but spend a little too.

Connectivity?- In the words of John Donne, “No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main”. By design, we are inextricably linked to each other. These connections feed our spirits and power our communities. One of life’s greatest joys is being part of a close-knit community surrounded by people who care for you and who you in turn, can help and connect deeply with.

Building connections across every level is extremely important. Many people spend time building upward connections but, in my opinion, the connections that you build across and below are even more important. The connections you build with seniors, sponsors and mentors is undeniably critical but I would argue that those connections are easier because people gravitate towards those they can trust and rely on. If you are a reliable & competent worker, people will want you on their team. Great Leaders seek juniors and build layers of connections but are you also seeking those below or beside you or are you only invested in managing upwards? You will be surprised to see how far a little time invested cultivating relationships with junior colleagues, support staff and peers goes in helping you gain insight, answers to thorny challenges and perhaps more importantly, creates lasting personal bonds. The right connections help you develop a tribe of people who motivate, support and push you up life’s ladder. By all means, build upward connections before you actually need something from them. Be intentional about who you connect with by identifying the people you would like to build a better relationship with this year such as potential mentors, subject matter experts in areas where you’re interested in deepening your knowledge, and colleagues within your business or sector, instead of focusing only on doubling your number of contacts. Remember quality not quantity.

Once you connect, what next? In this digital age where one barely has time to breathe, it’s hard to sustain connections. A few things that can help are staying connected by remembering to celebrate milestones, birthdays, anniversaries, etc with messages, voice notes or cards. Creating time to meet up over lunch or coffee, honoring social invitations and making effort to be there when others are going through difficult times helps to nurture and deepen connections. The world needs us to be a little kinder and kindness starts with me & you. Smile often, laugh a lot and be the first to extend the olive branch. Don’t wait until you need something to reach out.

Joie de Vivre?- This French phrase perfectly encapsulates the most important tip for a successful and enjoyable year. Translated into English, it means ‘keen or buoyant enjoyment of life’. It’s the essence of life, the joy of living. Aptly summarized in the poem Leisure by William Henry Davies, “What is this life, if full of care?” In this volatile, uncertain, complex, and highly disruptive world, it is easy to lose sight of the beauty and wonder around us. Faced especially with the realities of the global pandemic over the last 24 months, it’s almost been too much to bear, but joy comes from within, the commitment to being joyful and seeking the things that bring joy releases endorphins and fuels our emotional reserve from which we are able to draw strength to face the challenges each day brings. The things that bring us joy are deeply personal and it’s important to recognize and cultivate them. Do not feel the need to conform to the standards or expectations of others in this regard and remember it does not necessarily have to be expensive (in the spirit of being financially responsible, of course).

If you’re not yet sure which things bring you the most joy, take some time to reflect on what brings a twinkle to your eyes, a pep to your step or a smile to your lips and do them often & deliberately.

?Best wishes for a happy, fulfilling & overwhelmingly successful 2022.