A week before the end of 2008 I had all ready started the process of setting resolutions for 2009. At first, I planned on being as careful as possible to make each objective specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, etc… Such specific controls are not always realistic or personally meaningful. Being strategic is important, but you have to be willing to test, take action and revise. The exercise of setting resolutions is more about avoiding uncertainty than raising your personal expectations. For most, the purpose of setting resolutions is to hope for something that was once considered unlikely or impossible. Select your destination and hope you wake up there one day. Sound familiar?
The secret mojo left out of the madness of practical goal setting is simply to revisit and reassess your goals regularly. Life is not a “fire and forget” endeavor. It requires occasional nurturing along the way. Although I’m speaking from a personal perspective, these ideas could easily be attributed to just about any business. The organizations that set goals and optimize them along the way are far more adaptive and prepared to weather uncertain conditions and take advantage of opportunities as a result of this practice. As for myself, I’ve decided to transform my annual ritual into a regular practice. I reserve the right to evolve my thinking along the way.
Here are the first 3 worth sharing:
- Focus on choices that create value. I’m borrowing my first resolution from Perry Belcher who had a very inspiring New Year’s Resolution video. First of all, I will not set any goals about financial objectives in 2009. It’s more important to harness the right energy and make choices that create value. That’s value for myself, family, partners, clients, etc… Time is one of my most-finite resources. It’s worth taking time to consider the longer term impact of most investment decisions. Is this a client, friendship, that will return long-term value or is the opportunity cost too much to bear? Will my efforts benefit someone else and continue to create value?
- There is always time and always a need to give. One of the things that I found most inspiring about Barack Obama’s platform has been his continuous call to service for all Americans. I have, for a long time, advocated that one of the greatest opportunities for improving the injustices and disparities in our society was for each person to give some of their time, money and compassion. As a big believer in the “pay-it-forward” concept, I should start with myself. Like many others, these are imperfect times for us financially, but giving should not be something done only when it is a luxury. To kick things off, my wife and I joined the Board of Directors of Positive Tomorrows and we’re still seeking new ways to help others.
- Don’t wait. Start taking action. Simply stated by one of my favorite quotes:
“Living at risk is jumping off the cliff and building your wings on the way down”
- Ray Bradbury
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow, this is very inspirational. I’ve never made NY resolutions because it always felt like a big failure if I didn’t keep them. But I kind of like the idea of revising them throughout the year based on changing circumstances. Interesting food for thought.
Isn't best to assume that everything is always changing? If you start with this assumption, you just open up the book of resolutions at regular intervals and turn them up, turn them off or tune them in. Make a great cliche.
Isn't best to assume that everything is always changing? If you start with this assumption, you just open up the book of resolutions at regular intervals and turn them up, turn them off or tune them in. That would make a great cliche.