As the first requirement to thriving this year both personally and professionally, taking action comes with a few stipulations. It’s important to take action—to take control of your goals and situation—but it shouldn’t preclude careful reflection, assessment, and direction. By way of comparison, avoid at all times the tongue-in-cheek Brooklyn Nine-Nine mantra: “Eyes closed, head first, can’t lose!”
Wrong sort of action…
Looking for Ways To Improve Upon Last Year
The best action begins with reflection. It provides you with firm ground to start from and a place where you can reach for higher goals. Good reflection can give you an educated idea of what you could accomplish from this point onward. So ask yourself:
- What goals did I accomplish last year?
- How did I accomplish them?
- What did I leave unfinished that I’d like to finish this year?
- How will I achieve these new goals?
Organize Your Thoughts, Your Goals, Your Life
From those initial questions you should be able to quantify your goals as specifically as you can. Note what tools, help, or knowledge you’ll need to complete them, and remember to keep realism in sight. You can’t seize the day without taking action, but you can’t take action without a clear view of the destination—or, at least, a clear view of the next step.
Step Outside Your Door
The best leaders know when thinking should become doing. Many people never breach the reflection-assessment stage, and before they know it the day is over and they haven’t crossed out anything on their to-do list. This is why so many New Year’s resolutions drop dead in the first week of each year. So, one foot in front of the other. Set realistic goals for each day as you might do the same for the entire year. And don’t allow looking back to stop you from moving forward.
We at Superior Business Solutions sincerely hope that this post is an effective launch pad that will help you THRIVE in 2015. Stay tuned throughout the year to hear our thoughts, hints, and reminders on how you can thrive in your personal and professional life this year. Cheers!
