What Do You Want To Accomplish in 2016?

I am fairly goal oriented.  I am good at seeing the future state I want to create. I make a firm declaration about what it is I'm trying to do, and I then I work backwards to determine the steps to get there.  It's not rocket science, but there is one secret ingredient: commitment.

I bring this up because as we end the year, I've had more people than normal grabbing time on my calendar at work.  Inevitably, they are all looking for advice on how to get where they want to go.  They take notes, they ask questions, etc.  However, before they walk out the door, I feel as if I could take a pretty accurate bet on who is ultimately going to achieve their goals, and who is less likely.  The biggest differentiator?  Those who will achieve are looking for any support, council or new strategies to help them get there.  Those who will not typically are looking for others to do the hard work for them.

I had a conversation with a former colleague recently. "I have five years of work experience, and I think I'm ready to leave my current job and get a Director role," she shared.  "Do you know anyone you can set me up with?"

It's hard for me to have these conversations and try to stay motivating but also be realistic.  I understand most people's goals in the workplace is to get promoted, make more money, have more influence, etc.  We all want to get ahead and these elements are an indicator we are doing just that.  And yet, it would appear so many people want it to come easier.  Why put in years of hard work and creating impact if you can just change jobs and get it NOW?  Isn't it easier to go to some company who is willing to take a chance on you and give you the title or money you want then to actually build the skills, knowledge and perspective that will allow you to actually play that role really well in the future?  "No!" is the answer I appear to see so many people want to take.  Just like Violet Beauregard stated in Willy Wonka, "I want it NOW!" 

That's just work.  It happens in life more frequently.  There are countless commercials and advertisements to lose weight fast or to find your soul mate from the comfort of your computer.  And yet as I've learned over time, nothing you really, really want in life can be rushed or by sitting around hoping it will just happen.  Maybe your higher power does have a plan for you, as I hear from so many people, but is that the plan YOU want for you?!  Rather, I believe that old adage, "a goal without a plan is just a wish."  And yet, many of us half-ass our way to achieving what we want.  Why?  Because it takes a lot of work and commitment to truly make the change we want to see. 

So how does one achieve the goals they want in life?  I'm no expert, but I've got a pretty simple method to doing so that has worked for me. 

1) Define.  Make sure it's inspiring, and perhaps a little audacious.  Neil Armstrong took his famous steps only because John F. Kennedy was so bold to announce to the world that we would have a man on the moon by the end of the decade.  It was clear, inspiring, and time based.  Just having a goal like, "we will have a strong space program" doesn't create a picture of what you really want to accomplish.  "I want to live debt free" is way more clear than "I want my finances in better shape next year." This exercise is not about being practical.  It's about creating the future you want. Be specific. 

2) Articulate. Take the time to determine exactly what your goal(s) is, and write it down.  Whether it's a sticky note on your bathroom mirror you will be forced to look at every day, or a resume written for the future with your dream job now added, figure out what it is that you are really going after, and capture it.  Be clear, and do not limit yourself.

3) Timeframe.   This can be a challenge.  Once we decide we want to change something,  we want it to happen immediately.  It's pretty challenging to make radical shifts in one's life that stick over night.  When we do, and they don't work, we typically abort the entire mission.  So figure it out seeking out expertise, do your research, etc.  For example, if my goal is to run a marathon before the end of 2016 and I am not a runner, I clearly can't sign up for the Boston Marathon in April.  However, if I do my diligence on how I can make this happen by incrementally adding miles to run each week, and seeking to learn from others who have done this, I can create a strong roadmap to get me there. 

4) Commit.  The hardest part is getting started and sticking to it out of the gate.  Anyone can eat healthy for a day, but if you truly want to lose weight there is no getting around "eat less, exercise more."  When we don't drop big pounds in a week, we often get frustrated and give up.  Commit to 30 days.  Anything can become a habit if you focus on it every single day for a month.  Once it's part of your daily life and you are seeing incremental progress being made, the achievement of your goal becomes more and more realistic. 

5) Measure Progress.   I've often read no one with a significant amount of weight to lose should say "I'm going to lose 100 pounds in a year" out of the gate.  I don't know if I agree with sentiment.  I think being that audacious is fantastic; as long as you can break that goal into more manageable chunks.  It's completely achievable if you start with the basics.  I need to start exercising.  I don't currently do anything active.  This first month, I will commit to walking every single day.  And as I can handle that, I will join a gym and spend one hour there five days a week.  I will not eat anything processed, but will allow myself one cheat day a week.   

I'm not a diet authority, and perhaps I'm off here, but the point is, if you break the big goal you have into bite size pieces, you can make measurable progress.  

6) Find Support.  Whether it's research, a mentor, a role model, etc., enlist as much support as you can to help you achieve your goal.  At work, find someone who has accomplished your dream job and ask them questions about their journey.  Inspire them to want to partner with you on your own.  Learn more about your goal and build a strong understanding of what skills or experiences you need to get there.  In other words, don't take short cuts, but do get help.  

7) Daily Habits.   I personally hate routines, and yet, they are important.  I don't especially love the routine of washing my face, putting on moisturizer, etc. every single night.  And yet, because I do that, my skin is reaping the benefits.  In other words, none of us are wired to be motivated every single day...but if we build the right habits to support our overall goals, we make progress in motivated times and not.  If you track it, you can see how you are succeeding. If your goal is to publish a book, you might set a goal of  "I'm going to write one chapter a day."  You either sit down and do this or you don't.  You can clearly check the progress, and if it's not happening, you can diagnose what's getting in your way.  

None of this is enlightening or new information.  However, it's simple thoughts with the tougher message of "just do it." If you really, truly want to accomplish something in your life, you can get there.  Just figure it out, plan it out, and commit to making it happen.

Now go make 2016 your best year ever.  I know I will.