What Are You Planing for 2008?

What percentage of your goals did you accomplish in 2007? All? Some? None? (Did you even have goals?)

Part of my annual New Year's ritual is to outline a new plan for myself and for my business. I used to think this was a common practice. I know for certain the value of planning and can't imagine beginning any new opportunity with out a plan for how to get there, never mind entering a new year plan-free. I have since learned that people have a million negative beliefs around the issue of planning. Still, I'm always surprised when I discover individuals who do not regard the threshold of a brand new year as the perfect place to pause and plan for the months and weeks ahead.

I get stuck wondering, How is it possible that people who easily plan tonight's dinner have no plan whatsoever for what they will do tomorrow to help realize their most important hopes and dreams? 

People spend more time planning their summer vacation than they do their lives.

It makes no difference whether we are planning our next meal, mapping an itinerary to the beach or the mountains or deciding how our personal lives will progress. If we wish for even a glimmer of success in any area or any endeavor, we have to know first what it is we really want and then how do we plan to achieve it. People will say to me "I don't know what to do to achieve my goals." That is no excuse for not making a plan.

My question to them is always the same: "Well if you did know what to do, what would that be?" Their answers become the beginning of their plans. You have to aim at something even if you hit the target and it's not exactly what you wanted you still get the valuable experience of knowing you can accomplish a specific result if you aim at it.

I'm sure you've heard the saying People who fail to plan, plan to fail. Of course no one actually plans to fail. But when I take time to consider this quote, I think the meanings and the labels we attach to the words plans and planning intimidate many people. 

These plans (and reports meant to inform us) can be so laborious because they involve huge amounts of paperwork, numbers, language and strategies that baffle even the experts. No wonder the mere thought of reading such plans-not to mention comprehending and committing to them-makes us cringe. I believe we tend to confuse such complicated planning vehicles with the more straightforward plans we need to create for ourselves. 

We all plan more than we realize. Even those among us who claim to be "plan procrastinators" follow a series of simple daily mini-plans.  Some such plans are so routine they do not seem like plans at all. We wake; we read the newspaper and eat breakfast; we shower and dress for the drive to work.

Other such plans change from day to day. If you're like me, you spend a few minutes each morning jotting down a number of things you need to get done that day (e.g., return five calls, go jogging, begin that new project, pay bills, etc.). Nothing revolutionary. It's called a To Do list, but it's really a simple daily plan.  

What would you think if I handed you a plan for taking the mystery out of planning? What if I showed you a Master Year-Long Plan that's as simple to set up and use as your daily To-Do list, and if used each day would guarantee you'd move towards your goals and dreams. Would you give that a try? 

Here's a formula that works for me:

1.)    Start by listing all the things you want to accomplish personally and professionally in 2008. Don't hold back; allow yourself to list everything want to make happen. This list is your Master Year-Long Plan and should include the big, important items you want to achieve. Be as specific as possible, yet broad enough to paint a clear picture of what you really want. For example, you might want to organize your family photos, create a website and new marketing materials for your business, lose 25 pounds, etc.

2.)    From each category on your Master Year-Long Plan, select and list items you are willing to work on in the next four weeks. This smaller list is your Monthly To Do List.

3.)    From your Monthly To Do List, select and list items you are willing to work on in the next week ahead. This even smaller list is your Weekly To Do List. 

4.)    From your Weekly To Do List, select and list items you are willing to work on today. By the time you reach this level, your Master List of items will be chunked down into small action steps such as, clear a spot in the basement to sort photos, surf the web for business sites to emulate and walk for 15 minutes. Notice each item has been translated into a doable action step-something you can really accomplish in the time you allotted that item for that day. Do not aim to do too much in one day (like clean the entire basement or design your entire website) or you will increase the chance you will feel frustrated and discouraged enough to abandon the whole effort. You will begin to believe in the power of small steps.

5.)    Repeat Step 4 each day of the week. At the end of the week, create a new Weekly To Do List based on what you still need to accomplish. (Tip: Drop items that seemed important at first, but that you never turn your attention to. If you cannot even begin something, it may not be that important to you; you may be better off being honest and shelving it for now or letting go of it completely. Just realize the big goal you are procrastinating about will never be reached if you stop taking steps in its direction. If you are OK with that, you can move on.)

Notice that the real goal here is to begin working consistently on your plan-just to get going and keep going. You are working on one small action step at a time knowing that each small step has been inspired by your grand Master Yearlong Plan. The finish lines will take care of themselves. I love this quote by motivational author and coach, Mike Litman; for me, it says it all:

Before you know it, the holidays will be here again. By that time, if you've routinely followed the plan I've outlined here, you will have painlessly accomplished at least 80% of your goals for 2008. And come next New Year's Eve, when conversation turns to wishes and resolutions, you will be most ready and eager to face and celebrate your solid  year-long success plans for 2009!