Everything big starts little. – Author Unknown
We are quickly approaching the last quarter of 2022 and our VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) world continues to be in flux. And yet, you may have goals that you set for yourself or your organization set for you that you still would like to achieve. It may seem daunting to make up for missed opportunities earlier in the year, so you might want to reframe your perspective. Many authors recommend chunking the big goal down into smaller segments. Jack Canfield in “The Success Principles” advises us to break down our goals to avoid being overwhelmed by the expected outcomes. He shares that by using mind maps as well as connecting with other individuals who have accomplished what we have undertaken allows us to build action steps that align our behaviors with success. David Allen in “Getting Things Done” refers to this process as going from the ‘Big Picture” to the nitty-gritty. In getting to the nitty-gritty, we focus on behaviors and tools that allow us to accomplish tasks at the level that work really happens.
Another author, Brian Moran in “The Twelve Week Year” provides a framework for setting and achieving goals that fits with a fourth quarter push. The concept behind a twelve-week year is that in chunking down our year into four segments of twelve weeks each, we create expanded opportunities for success. When you think about it, this suggestion makes a ton of sense. Many of us want the fourth quarter to be stellar so using this process may give you the jump start on goals that require accountability and measurement, potentially leading to greater success with goal attainment. A side benefit is that experimenting and success with this process also sets us up for achievement with 2023 goals.
The Twelve Week Year uses three principles which are the foundation for the process: accountability, commitment and greatness in the moment. Essentially, accountability means we have freedom of choice but once we make that choice we have an ownership to see it through. Commitment is the personal promise we make to ourselves once we have made the choice and from the authors’ perspective is accountability projected into the future. Greatness in the moment refers to the willingness to do the things that lead you into your greatest success-even when you may not want to.
Next, the authors share the five execution disciplines which are the foundations for consistent action. The first is vision. What is your vision for yourself? Do you have a clear picture of what you want to happen? Do your personal and business visions align? When we are able to align these two visions, it creates an emotional connection needed for sustainment of commitment and continual consistent action and it becomes our “why”.
Once the vision is in place, action begins in working the plan. The purpose of an effective plan is to clarify and focus behaviors on highest priority initiatives and action steps. This plan becomes your road map to success. John Norcross in “Changeology” also advises that we need a plan prior to engaging in our goals. The author shares that resistance to planning is fed by our drive to begin immediately on the goal relinquishing any roadmap to guide the process. One of the quickest ways to derail change efforts is to not have a plan for how one will reach success. It is only when we give structure to our goals by planning the steps to accomplish them do we increase the opportunities for success. Matthew Kelly in “The Rhythm of Life” includes the question “how am I going to get there” in his list of five questions. Having a goal without a plan to get there, typically results in missing the mark. Kelly adds that humanity has been asking this question consciously or unconsciously since the beginning of time which shows that we have understood the importance of planning for a really long time!
Planning is followed by process control which begins with the identification of tools and actions that align daily with the most important steps for ultimate success. Ensuring that you focus your time on critical actions for success is essential to creating the outcomes you want. Tools and actions are followed by measurement. Often we can identify goals and what actions steps we need in order to accomplish our goals, yet we frequently forget how and what we are going to measure. It is important to have visible measurement processes that you engage in daily. Without a consistent process for checking in with ourselves, we may find that we return to our old habits and forget our commitment to the new behaviors. The final discipline is the use of time. If we are not able to control our time, we will not be able to control our results. This can be a difficult discipline for some as it may mean saying no to some requests and people.
Whether Jack Canfield, David Allen, Brian Moran, or some other authors you like provide you with the tools to finish the year strong, it’s crucial that you have an organizing process that allows you to accomplish your goals. Make your goals visible, measure daily, and get ready to celebrate your accomplishments.
If you are in sales and would like help with reaching your 2022 goals, Global IOC has four offerings to support you. Click here for more information on the programs. Sales Coaching Programs – Global Institute of Organizational Coaching (globalioc.com)