Power of one is a game changer

by Sarah Hathorn

For 2012, I ask you to make just one New Year’s resolution – to do a better job of setting clear, achievable goals. By doing so and following through with determination you’ll fulfill all of your New Year’s objectives as the high-performance CEO of your own career destiny. Here’s a proven three-step formula to give you a great head start:
1. Write out your goal. Make it a singular, focused goal. Be specific but outline all the nitty-gritty details. Add benchmarks on a calendar schedule, plus a comfortably firm completion deadline.
2. List the people, tools, and resources needed to reach it. Include such things as a budget for completing the plan, the names of people whose help you’ll need, and any new skills, knowledge, or education you must gain in order to succeed. Ensure that your list of resources both realistic and comprehensive.
3. Reevaluate your goal. If your list from step no. 2 appears incomplete or the resources seem unobtainable, revise your parameters. Shrink your goal down to manageable size. Make sure that your means and capabilities match your hopes and aspirations. Otherwise you’re just inviting frustration and failure. Start small, if necessary, remembering that once you reach that first goal the next higher goal will be that much easier to achieve.

Keep this one new resolution to improve your goal-setting process and believe me, it will be a game changer. You’ll automatically experience a more productive year of intentional personal growth and professional prosperity – followed by many more high-performance years to come.

Sarah Hathorn is the CEO of Illustra Consulting and may be reached at www.illustraconsulting.com.