Happy Holidays Red Phoenix Nation! We're preparing for 2012, some of you are ready and some might not think about 2012 until March. Either way, I have a few thoughts that have helped me over the past few years. If you're not familiar with Roman Mythology its okay, however the Roman God Janus is one that applies to me and might make some sense for you. Janus is the God of BEGINNINGS AND TRANSITIONS! Janus is also know to have two faces, one that looks to the future and on that looks to the past. As my son says to me, put that in your head so you don't forget it! Got that?!?! He's eight, but at eight he makes sense about some things and you'll see how this applies.
People talk about starting new, forgetting about the last year, can't wait until its over, ect. That's all fine, I've said it myself. What isn't fine is not having a plan or real thoughts of how to make the new year a good one. I ask you to spend some time and reflect on your 2011, both good and bad. Get out the legal pad and write it down! Yes I'm 35 years old and I don't have a tablet or IPAD. If that's your thing, use it! Make it something that is easily accessible.
Make a list of your top 5 highlights, and your top 5 lows of 2011. It can be personal, professional, mix of both or 5 of each. Whatever you're shooting for to make 2012 better. I keep it at 5 so we don't dwell, but we do need to keep an eye on what those feelings were like as we move forward. (insert God of Janus) This short list is your tool to help shape your 2012.
It happens often that our plans for the future don't happen, its usually not the want or hope but the lack or failure to plan. If we don't have a plan, then the application of making the new year better often falls short and life goes back to the usual and there is no thought until December 31st of the next year AND REPEAT!
Here is what might help you! This is such a simple way to keep yourself accountable and make changes as needed! This simplistic form of planning a year has worked for a lot of people, hope it helps you in some way.
Break your year down into 4 quarters, Jan-Mar, April-Jun, July-Sept, Oct-Dec. then break down each month of each quarter. The simple break down allows you to stay organized, track, and make changes and most important lets you get excited as things start to take shape. I'm telling you this can all fit on one or two pages. Here is what an brief example might look like:
Top of your page would be what you're looking to get done and accomplish for 2012, could be 5 things, could be 20, ect.
1st Quarter: [insert what you want to have accomplished by the end of March]
January: The beginning of the plan and the initial steps of what you need to do.
use an outline format or whatever works easiest for you.
February: this is a continuation of Jan, however it should have some advanced thinking and assuming you'll be on track from Jan.
March: This is the when Jan and Feb will really tell you where you are at and if you are on track. If you're not, you can make adjustments but this will be a continuation of the previous two months. Then do that for the rest of the year. Its just a template, make it how you want.
The idea is to keep it simple enough to review everyday, it should only take 5 -10 minutes. I look at mine in quarters and that I'm trying to win each month. If I win two out the the three months, it was a good quarter. If I win 3 out of 4 quarters it was a pretty good year. This will also put it into your brain so you don't forget it, got that!?!?! Then what will take some work is you need to set aside some time at the end of each quarter to review how it went and what adjustments you need to make for the next. (inserting God of Janus again) That's really about it, if you're confused a little just start writing or e-mail me. More than happy to help if I can. Wishing you a happy and significant 2012!
Hope it gets you thinking and gets you excited to make your 2012 fantastic!
john@redphoenixco.com
www.redphoenixco.com
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