Planning for The New Year

For the past several years, I have made a point to set aside some time for myself during the holidays in order to reflect on the past year, and determine my goals for the coming year.  I make a bullet point document, and break everything down into several categories:

• ME - What are my goals for personal development? What will I do to better my health and become more self-aware?  Typically this is New Year resolution type stuff... go to the gym 2x a week, become better at admitting fault, break a bad habit...etc..etc..
• FRIENDS - With whom do I surround myself? I generally list out all of my close friends, describe our current relationship, and what I will do to bring better harmony.  The important key is to ensure there are mutual benefits.. if there are not, why am I in this relationship.  What type of new friendships will I make?
  
• LOVE - Where does my love life stand?  Am I in a relationship that I feel has potential?  How will I better the relationship, or make sure intentions are clear?  Am I ready for a relationship?
• BUSINESS / MONEY - What am I doing? What are my goals?  How much will I make this year and how am I going to do it?
  
• GIVING - What do I contribute to society? What will I do to contribute more?
  
• PASSION - What am I most passionate about?  How will I nurture that passion?  How do I let it guide my life?
  

I have found this to be a wonderful exercise for focusing both personal and entrepreneurial goals.  You should complete an "Annual Outlook" for yourself using at least the above categories, and prepare one for your business using similar categories (Overall Goals, Clients, Employees, Revenues, Community Contribution,  Mission and Purpose).

If you have not done this in the past, I highly recommend you start this year..   Here are the basic steps I'll take this year.

STEP 1
Review my goals and predictions from 2008.. and make notes.  Did I accomplish what I wanted? What went right/wrong?  What did I accomplish that wasn't on this list?

STEP 2
What will I improve for 2009?  Create a new "Outlook". I write everything in a factual manner.. using phrases like "I will" repeatedly.

STEP 3
Read often throughout the year for guidance and inspiration.

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