New Year Planning

It’s about that time of year to start peering into the New Year.  One of my favorite things to do in preparation for my annual goal-setting trip is to pull out the journal and a pen and let myself “free flow” and write about ALL of the things I want to do in the upcoming year.  I write down whatever comes to mind, without limitation.  No matter how outrageous or small, I write it down so I can see it on paper.  Remember, what is written becomes REAL!

I typically find quiet moments for like 5-10 minutes and just fill out a page or two of my thoughts. The idea is to begin to pour onto paper all of the things that you would like to achieve in the New Year. I had a plane ride from Phoenix to Dallas this past week and it was nice to put on the iPOD and listen to some motivating music for 20 minutes while I wrote down some possible 2008 goals. It was very motivating and it put me in a great state of mind.

I plan on doing this several more times this next month before I go on my annual goal-setting retreat on Dec. 14-16th in Sedona, AZ. The outcome is to have several pages written in advance of your goal-setting retreat so you can review and refine them on your private weekend.

After the goal-setting weekend is over, you will have compiled what I call an “Annual Life Plan.” This new Plan will cover all areas of your life: health, career, family, spirituality, finances, etc. In each area (I call “pillars”), you will have specific, measurable goals to guide you through the next year.

Take some time during this holiday season and start to write out all of the things you would like to accomplish in 2008. Have fun doing it and make sure to never limit your goals! Happy Goal Setting!

MJL