I’m often in high demand at the start of a new year, when ambition and inspiration is high. But I’ve learned over the years working with top performers of all stripes that New Years is not the optimal time to start setting big annual goals. You have too much enthusiasm which can cloud your judgment, set your sights too high, and inevitably when the first obstacle arrives the plan can get derailed. You need a more measured and realistic (but still ambitious) approach.
Rather than waiting until January 2nd, 2019, why not start thinking about what you want to achieve next year, now? Now is a great time to start making, and adjusting, those big 2019 goals with a cool head and plenty of time to really decide what you want to get out of next year. You’ll have breathing room to really plan out what you want to do, rather than rush it all out in January.
It might even help you close out whatever goals you currently have for the rest of this year. Having something to look forward to, as well as a way of taking stock on how this year has gone, might be that spark of inspiration you need to steady the ship for the next few months.
If you’ve had a productive/successful year it’s easy to start sliding by saying to yourself that you’ll start working hard again next year. But what you do now, can actually help make next year a level better. Or perhaps your 2018 goals are not going to happen. Start thinking about how you can set yourself up for a better 2019 now, and still make the rest of this year more productive.
I have some big things in the pipeline and have struggled managing all of it, when my client work has never been busier. It’s a juggling act that I’m going to work harder on the rest of this year, see what I can learn and find a way to make 2019 an even better year.
