It is the beginning of a new year, and I wish blessings for you. This is a common time of the year when people review past accomplishments and plan for the future. In a previous article and blog, I discussed the contribution cycle. Within that cycle are important categories of life that impact our life satisfaction. It is helpful to review your accomplishments and plan new development in the following areas:
- Mental
- Physical
- Ethics/ Beliefs (Spiritual)
- Family
- Career
- Financial
- Social
Often outcomes and goals within these areas include developing further skills in productivity, time management, people management and influencing. Please notice that I have used two specific words: “outcomes” and “goals.” Let me describe the difference.
Outcomes versus Goals
An outcome is an overall result that you would like to see. For example, maybe you want an outcome of deepening your relationships with your clients or customers. You may then set a goal to “touch” each customer once a month through an email, phone call, gift, etc. The outcome is the result, and the goal tends to be a strategy.
So, what have you accomplished in 2011? What outcomes did you accomplish? What goals did you attain? Now, here is the more important question. You may have accomplished a goal, but did it get you to the outcome you wanted?
Goals are meant to focus, but not to be the end in themselves. If we become so focused on goals, without also looking at our vision and outcomes, we can get off track. Sometimes, we need to change a goal because circumstances around us have changed. If we are not careful, we can start being busy with needless activities for a goal that is no longer beneficial, and our productivity will suffer.
We also have to be aware of not being too complicated or detailed with our goals. We can become so busy with complicated goals that we miss out on seeing a larger opportunity. This may come from being too reliant on our own wisdom and strategies. We then miss out on listening to the wisdom of other people or even the wisdom of our own intuition.
Making a Meaningful Plan
So as you plan for 2012, don’t just set goals. First look at your vision and purpose. With the life categories listed at the beginning of this article, what outcomes would you like to see happen in those areas that would bring you closer to that vision? Thinking about outcomes can be fun. It is similar to dreaming. Then ask, how would I know that the outcomes are happening? This gives you a picture of visible indicators. Often then the goals you set are a strategy that will get you to the Indicator.
For example, I have a vision to “listen, coach and inspire others to act in faith.” Within my family category, I have an outcome to be fully “present” with my children. (To be fully present, I need to be listening deeply which connects to my life vision.) I know that I am being fully present, when I spend time with them when I am at my best and at a time they tend to be open to talking. So, I can then build a goal to be available daily at one of three key times with them, such as when they get home from school, at the dinner table or when they go to bed.
What outcomes do you want to see happen in your coming year?