Welcome to my first newsletter! I am writing to share my occasional thoughts on leadership, management, the world of financial services and career and life fulfillment. I hope you find my thoughts relevant and insightful. However, if you do not want to receive these emails, please click on the "SafeUnsubscribe" link at the bottom of the page.
As it is that time of year, I wish you all the best for the Holiday Season and hope that these days have brought you much love and laughter with family and close friends. As for me, I thoroughly enjoyed the holidays and yet already I find myself looking eagerly forward to the coming year.
Goal Setting
As we enter the first weeks of 2012, it is the time that many of choose to set goals for the coming year. In thinking about your professional and personal goals, I challenge you to stretch, think HUGE and set goals that take you out of your comfort zone. Most of us spend too much time in our comfort zones, when most real growth and transformation occurs when we are in the stretch zone. When setting your goals, be sure to frame them as S.M.A.R.T. goals, as outlined below.
Specific. Your goals need to be specific to be achievable. What is it you want to accomplish?
Measurable. Your goals must be measurable and include dates for completion; otherwise, how can you know you've accomplished it?
Accountable. In moving toward your goals, make yourself accountable to someone other than yourself. This is one of the roles I provide for my coaching clients.
Resonant. Be sure to set goals that are resonant for you. Ask yourself if your goals are truly serving your highest purpose in the world. As you work toward your goals are you honoring your values?
Thrilling. Your goals must be so thrilling that you can't wait to get started! The best goals may even be scary to contemplate. Set goals that have you stretch, that will call you forth to new capabilities and power, that pull you forward into a bigger life.
In setting goals, I always ask my clients "How will you celebrate once you have achieved your goal?" Too often, we "A" types just move from one task to another without taking the time to celebrate our successes. So, I urge you to celebrate every time you achieve one of your goals.
What is your "Plan B?"
I read in Bloomberg Businessweek last month that the global financial services industry has lost 220,000 jobs this year of which 50,000 are Wall Street jobs. Furthermore, these job losses represent structural changes to an industry that is shrinking. Of course, nobody wants to think about the unthinkable happening to them. That said, it cannot hurt to develop a "Plan B." In developing a Plan B, it is important to gain clarity around your vision of where you want your life to be ten years from now. Without a clear vision of where you want to go, any road will take you there. One service I provide for clients is to help them envision their professional future to ensure they are taking the steps today that will help them achieve their vision.
Mid-Career Accelerator
Are you feeling professionally stuck? Are you having trouble breaking out to the next level of responsibility? Getting tired of seeing "Principal" or "Vice President" on your business card instead of "Managing Director?" You are not alone. Many deal industry professionals hit roadblocks, particularly in mid-career after they have proved they are highly capable deal execution professionals. If this sounds familiar, please contact me to discuss my Mid-Career Accelerator Coaching Program. I'm here to call you forth into your true potential.
That is all for now! Please let me know your thoughts regarding my newsletter. What would you like to see more of? What worked for you and what did not work?
Happy New Year to you and your loved ones!
