Have you been kicking goals in 2016? Or struggling to keep up? In either case, it’s important to take the time to evaluate what it is you’re working toward and ensure you’re on track to getting there.
Put aside some time to complete these two simple exercises which may help you identify your long term objective, as well as some shorter term goals to help you get there.
1. The Long Lost Colleague
Imagine catching up for some Christmas drinks with an old colleague you admire and respect. Your busy work and personal lives means you really only get to catch up once a year. Each time you meet you fill each other in on what’s been happening over the pervious year with work and business. Now imagine what you would like your response to be when you catch up at the end of next year? How about at the end of 2018 and 2019?
Write down what you’d like your responses to be for each of the next 3 years. This will help you to identify the shorter term goals you should be working towards. Are you already working towards them? If not, it may be time to start – they’re only a couple of years away! Put an action plan around each goal and get started straight away in 2017.
2. The Press Release
Write a press release for your retirement. Imagine your future self, finally retiring at the end of a successful career. What would you like that press release to say about you, and about the business you’re leaving behind? What were the highlights and key successes? What milestones and achievements were of particular note? What mergers, acquisitions or client wins were along the way? How has the business grown and what shape has it been left in? What happens to the business now?
Now take a look at the business you’ve described in the release. How does that business compare to your business today? What about the person described? What’s left to do and how long have we got to make this all happen? This exercise should help you to identify your longer term goals. Some of these goals, though longer term, will still require some work to achieve – so 2017 may be the perfect time to start!
These two simple exercises will help you to articulate and identify both short and long term goals, and help you to plan for them. If you’d like any further assistance with planning for the future, get in contact with us for a free consultation.
