Whats on your page one?

Whew, 2020 is over. Hopefully 2021 will be an improvement, but it will also have its challenges. A new year means a new beginning. I am not a big fan of New Year’s Resolutions but I am a huge fan of creating and writing down goals and journaling throughout the year.  I am trying something new this year.

A New Year’s Resolution or goal is nothing but a plan. A quote attributed to Ben Franklin says “by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”. Many years I did not actively plan and as a result I just maintained status quo in my career but didn’t make any noticeable progress. Once I started journaling and creating goals I noticed movement in my career. This is not the only reason for my success but it is the foundation, for which other processes that helped, to be placed upon. 

Having a plan, which is really all a New Year’s Resolution is, requires commitment, dedication, and effort on your part. If you want proof go to a gym on January 1. The gym will be full of people and as the year progress the gym becomes less crowded. Six months later over 50 percent of the people have given up. Only the dedicated will remain. You have to put effort to achieve your plan and having it written down helps keep the course during the year.  By the way I don’t go to the gym anymore. Not because I am one of those who gave up rather having a homestead I am always shoveling, building, moving, painting, climbing, or chasing something.  I call it my “farm workout”. 

I am old school, I get it. Some younger professionals may not understand. I like to write in a book. I journal my daily activities, captures my ideas, dreams, notes, thoughts, and sometimes my pains. An article in Inc magazine (February 2018) states “you are 42 percent more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down”. There is a healing facet to getting those thoughts from your brain on to a piece of paper and then seeing them through out the year and reminding you to keep the course. For me a new year means a new book.  

I like using a small bound 5 inch by 8 inch book. Its small enough to put in my backpack, sit on my desk without taking up too much valuable real estate, and is nice looking. I didn’t start off this way though, I used to use little spiral pocket size notebooks and as I grew and matured, I realized that I needed something better. My bound book dosen’t loose pages or get damaged from daily use. I even keep my previous books and will from time to time use them to retrieve some information but more for an analysis of my progression. 

So if you are new you are probably going to struggle with journaling and planning. I understand its hard (at first) but trust me you will become addicted. Usually the first hurdle is what should I capture? Start off with documenting your daily activities. Short synopsis of phone calls, daily to do lists, emails or tasks that will need following up because they span more than a day. Here is a tip for you, when you create your daily “To Do List” put a priority assignment next to it. I like using the alphabet. A items are critical and must be done ASAP, “B” items should be done within 24 hours, “C” 48 hours and “D” are items that are not time critical but need to be done. Once you complete all your “A” items then move to the next letter. At the end of the day move any items not completed to the “To Do List” on the next page and bump up their priority. 

There are some other things that you will want to document as well. The first will be lessons learned. I had a mentor tell me once “pain is a great teacher”. Writing down what you learned helps reinforce that lesson. In my travels and teaching I conduct classes at hundreds of hotels. I will document if the property did great job or notes as why not to use a particular property again. I do this not because I am vindictive rather because, well, my memory is horrible. When dealing with a couple hundred hotels I sometimes forget which properties to avoid!

Other things to capture could include advice from mentors and compliments. I document when people compliment me and when I compliment others. I have found that positive thoughts always make the day seem more pleasant. They help keep me motivated when times are tough or challenging. 

Earlier I discussed reviewing periodically your journal and plan. How often should you review? It depends, every person is different. My older journals I will glance through them once or twice a year. My current journal I make an effort to look at my goals quarterly and document what I have done to achieve those goals. The “To Do List” is a daily item that needs reviewed. You will find a “rhythm” that works for you you. Consistency is the key for success.

I hope that I have inspired you to write down your goal and motivate you to journal. In fact its one of my goals for this year!  If you would like some help or advice in this area fee free to contact me.