No I don't mean be cheap and give away beautifully thought through presents that your loved ones have given you. I mean that we have all been given many gifts this year- from people around us - tips and techniques on how to achieve our goals. It's time to pass it on.
It’s that time of year again. It’s a time when many would rather be elsewhere, but know that they have to be 100% present to get over the line before the end of 2008.
What have you learned this year that will help you achieve your goals in 2009? Do you have little nuggets- things that you have learned along the way and passed on to others –and seen positive change? Make a mental note.
While there are a few people - 0.01 percenters who are already overseas having massages every day, on special juice diets and contemplating their next book- many of business leaders and regular people still have some major stuff in their “in-trays” to get through in the last productive weeks of 2008.
They are entirely focussed on the present. This may be making sure their clients or staff or bosses are happy, planning for 2008 activities or simply making sure that cash flows...
It’s worth reminding ourselves that we are given gifts every day from people around us. Little nuggets of wisdom that can help us achieve our goals. Even during the most frenetic end of year activities- you can take micro moments to contemplate how to do it better next year for yourself and others.
Some of the ‘presents’ that our inspired goalgetters have given us this year are priceless. I am sure you have your own “nuggets.”
The goalgetters from all walks of life that we have interviewed from ceo’s to entertainers, working parents, entrepreneurs, millionaires, politicians, corporate managers and internet guru’s - for the most part -have a some characteristics in common:
· They have learned about mental and emotional toughness – how to get it? How to maintain it?
· They know how to pick themselves up again – time and time again after failure (big and small)
· They also know when to cut their losses and move on.
· They never aim to please all the people –all the time – rather only those that count.
· They are able to perform when it counts - on demand- because they are always prepared for their “lucky break”
· They expend extraordinary amounts of time thinking about, doing and playing in their “area” of speciality- by a factor of ten, compared with their competition.
· They are impatient and sometimes selfish, but many have people in their lives which bring them back to earth and help them see things in perspective.
· They are often willing to sacrifice balance –but know that ultimately –if they don’t balance things in the long run –they will not achieve their goal- so they, reluctantly join the rest of the world and have a “break” away from their passion/ cause/business- but they sneakily think about it anyway – even on their break- though it may be in a relaxed way – which is of course the best way.
· When they do consciously have a break – they do it well- and with style- and make the most of it.
· They generally know how to say no to people, but say yes enough times.
· They are opinionated- but in most cases persuade others to their point of view.
· They are able to attract loyalty.
· They are completer finishers – they may start lots of things – but finish the ones that count.
· They are detail focussed- and care about the little things –almost irrationally sometimes.
It’s been a tough year for many, but still with lots of success stories around. Whether you are skipping the overseas trip this year, going ahead anyway, are being restructured, restructuring or simply need a better plan for 2009 –do take some creative and strategic time for yourself and consider what you would like to do differently next year? What have you learned this year? Can you gift it on ?
Here are a few suggestions from selected goalgetter interviews this year. Try to think about them over the break- and how to use these pointers to get you closer to your own goals:
· Listen to music that inspires you - everyday. Use it to get into the right emotional "state" to win.
· Believe in yourself-even when you are in the minority. Perseverance is often the difference.
· Test new ideas out with a group of trusted friends who will give you the truth.
· Find something that you can be grateful for in your current situation.
· Set a combination of big powerful stretch goals and smaller, reachable mini-goals along the way towards the big one.
· When you have a setback - keep it in context. Ask yourself, what can I learn from this situation? Then move forward intelligently.
· Take regular smart breaks through the day, week, month and year. Use this time to propel your energy levels and idea creation. Ideas are income waiting to materialize.
· Surround yourself with people who inspire you and get rid of people with negative energy.
· Start with the end in mind. Visualise having already achieved your goal - then work backwards on what you need to do to get there.
· Don't give up. Be willing to start fresh each and every day, bouncing back from setbacks.
· Create an empowering routine that works for you
· Get rid of habits that hold you back.
· Set aside quality creative and strategic time each and every day
· Never give up - even after a big loss
· Be conscious about giving back to your community
· If you want something badly enough - be willing to sacrifice ... a lot
· Develop S.M.A.R.T goals for yourself, then create action each and every day.
· Find out what you are passionate about & what you are good at- look at your old school reports.
· Then do something each and every day towards doing more of these two things.
· Be prepared to change careers - several times
· Always be prepared for your big moment. When luck and preparation meet, you find success.
· The difference between success and failure is often the ability to keep going when you feel like giving up.
· Write a book about what you know -and on a subject that people might find interesting.
· Learn to be blinkered and hone your ability to focus on what is important.
· Learn how to get into "flow state"- practice the art of concentration on something that you love.
· Always be willing to create new goals that excite you, once you have achieved the ones you set out to do.
· Try to surround yourself with people who complement your skills - not carbon copies of you.
· All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy! - as the saying goes. Remember to find balance.
· Be prepared and have a plan to handle positive and negative stress- even in times of major success.
· Always continue your education - in whatever form that takes - even if it involves teaching yourself.
· Learn to listen to your "little voice" -your intuition.
· Don't worry about whether you are a tall poppy or not. Worry about what contribution you make.
· Be prepared when opportunity knocks, often success happens when preparation and luck meet.
· Learn to prioritize and manage your time.
· Know your value system and stick with your beliefs, but be flexible too.
· Have you hugged a family member today? Relationships are important.
· Take responsibility for your own problems.
· Be prepared for the inevitable. Enjoy the moment, live in the now, but also have insurance.
· Always return calls within 60 minutes, if you are able to.
· Set aside time each week to do the "hard tasks"- chasing money, saying no to someone or nurturing clients or staff.
· Always try to close a meeting with a yes or a no.
· Have rules for yourself, based on your own value system. Don't travel on Mondays if weekends with your family are important to you.
· Write a letter to yourself once a year and put in it everything that you will achieve in the next 365 days. Make a commitment. Give it to someone else for safe keeping
· Have a 10 day, 100 day, or 1000 day plan, but have a plan!
· Do you have an interest outside of your work ? What is it? Are you doing anything about it?
Take a breath. You will get there. Have a good break and come back refreshed with a nice clean slate to start it all again!