Happy New Decade! This is the time of year everyone starts thinking about goals and what they want to achieve in the new year – or in this case - their new decade.   However, most think about what they want, but don’t always plan it out to help make those goals happen.

Planning sounds daunting and too much effort for some, but it doesn’t need to be.  Planning and changing one area can have a positive ripple effect that leads to other goals organically happening with little effort.

There are all kinds of personal goals people share they want to achieve – be more mindful, lose weight and be healthier, start a new career, increase financial status, be a better partner/ parent / friend, and the list goes on.  Whereas business goals may look more like – create forward momentum, decrease unproductive expenses, focus on social responsibility in business, retain talent and employee loyalty and/or gain new partnerships.  All of these areas are important and obtainable. 

Where to begin?

1.     First, take a moment to recognize what you did or didn’t do in the previous year.

Think about what you did achieve and how you made that happen.  Why do you think you may have accomplished those goals over other goals? What obstacles did you encounter that may be an obstacle again going forward, and what lessons can you apply?  Taking a moment to remember your accomplishments (even small ones) is helpful in moving forward.

2.     Put your goals down in writing.

Make a list of anything that comes to mind – short and long term goals.  Having it written down helps you organize your thoughts, and aids in being able to prioritize what is most important.  It also has been proven to have psychological benefits.  You are more likely to achieve them if you have them written down.

Be cautious though to not overwhelm yourself with a long goal list to accomplish in one year.  Be realistic.  Evaluate what is most important to complete first, and consider beginning with a small task to spark your motivation for more. 

Okay - pausing the steps – since the daunting notion mentioned earlier can start to creep in here and lose you.

Basically, think of your goal list as a reference guide for yourself.  Just one item on your list will make you feel better and add to the positive direction you want.   

For instance – perhaps you have prioritized being more involved in giving back personally and increasing constructive partnerships with clients and colleagues in business.    You could:

·         Plan to take a moment to research or ask clients/ colleagues who their favorite non-profit may be and why.  Then select that non-profit to either volunteer your time for an afternoon as a group or donate in honor of the person who referred you.  This makes you feel good in helping others while making the person you recognized feel good that you cared to support their cause.

·         Plan to pick a client per month to highlight on your social media accounts sharing to your community why this company matters and the good they are doing for others.   Your client would be happy to have the added positive exposure and ability to have good acts they are doing highlighted – or this may encourage them to begin doing so. 

·         Plan to organize an in-office event, such as a blood drive. Even those who don’t want to give blood can be a part of the communal atmosphere, and you can ask them to share posts of the day's photos to help inspire others. Open it up to clients to expand the giving back reach, and incorporate creative Instagram corners with décor and messaging that match's your company's culture. 

These are a few sample ideas, but the purpose in this example is to show you can accomplish two goals in one task. Giving back to the community personally while connecting with colleagues and clients to develop authentic and lasting business partnerships.  Be creative and have fun with it. 

Forget what you wished you accomplished, acknowledge what you have done and embrace the new decade with open possibilities.