Live Intentionally
Get what you want, not what you get.
What do you want in your life next year? What outcomes would you like to celebrate when you are ringing 2013? Too many times the year is closed out with thoughts of “I wish I did that” or “I would love to do this; I’m just too busy.”
A sure fire way to get what you want…not what you get, is by setting annual goals. Having intentions for the year will give you clarity about what to say yes to and what to say no to.
Use the following questions to reflect on 2011 and determine your desired results for 2012. Share your answers with your coach or find an accountability partner. Review your plan at the beginning of the year and schedule quarterly progress checks. Build a timeline of milestones, marking significant dates where you will see evidence of progress. This timeline will ensure you stay on track. Keep your plan and timeline in a place where you can review it consistently.
Enjoy you’re the life you live. Work hard and have fun. Most importantly, live intentionally!
Business Reflection Questions
Allow the questions that are meaningful for you to help you create your goals for 2012.
- What’s working in my business/career?
- What’s not?
- What action(s) could take me closer to my commitments in the next 30 days?
- What opportunities exist right now?
- What new strategies could I implement so I can reach my goals?
Organizing my Time:
- What are five things have I have been procrastinating about?
- Where can I be more effective in what I am doing?
- What are three areas in my work must I recommit to?
- For what problems must I ask solutions?
- Looking back over the last year, what things would I change?
- What key choices or decisions must I make now?
- What are my time wasters?
- In what areas should I obtain more education?
- What do I no longer want to do? Think about tasks that don’t nourish your passion or are not the best use of your expertise.
- What was my best business/career decision last year?
Money
- What are my financial goals for 2012? (see chart below)
- What are some ways to increase cash flow?
- What are some ways to cut costs?
- How can I more accurately measure my profitability?
- What systems can I put in place to better track my financial stats?
Marketing
- What do my clients really want? How can I provide it?
- What are my competitors and industry doing that I must respond to?
- How can I improve my marketing, sales and service?
- It’s not what you know; it’s who knows what you know. Who do you need to let know what you do this year? How can you help them (or invite them to help you, people love to help)?
- How can you attract more of your ideal clients/ business?
Support Team
Successful professionals have resources to support their growth. They know they can’t do it alone. Who is on/do you want on your support team? What does/can does each person do for you?
My Support Team
- ____________________________________________________
- ____________________________________________________
- ____________________________________________________
- ____________________________________________________
- ____________________________________________________
My Three Main Goals for 2012
- ____________________________________________________
- ____________________________________________________
- ____________________________________________________
My most important financial goal for my business/career this year is:
What I want to be able to say at the end of 2012 about my business/career:
| Area of Focus | 2011 Actual |
2012 Projected |
| Annual gross income | ||
| Business expenses | ||
| Net income | ||
| Hours worked weekly | ||
| Wage per hour | ||
| Saved for retirement | ||
| Other savings | ||
| Debt incurred | ||
| Debt paid off | ||
| Overall assessment of my finances (scale 1-10, 10 being most positive) |
About the Author
Jen Bertsch
Jen Wiczek Bertsch, a successful executive coach, uses her contagious enthusiasm to spark her clients to take actions needed to create a future distinct from their past. She works in one-on-one coaching, group coaching and personal branding.
Jen's bio is available here.