We have 1 more week to go for bidding a “good bye” to 2024 and welcoming 2025 with a “hello”. My articles this month focused on the new year resolutions and specifically the kind of things that many people do i.e. wishes, aims, plans, etc. Past 2 articles looked at two common things that I personally believe contribute to the success of achieving or materialising a new year resolutions, namely “time” as an important resource, and “project” as giving an accountability to an idea. For time, we agreed that unless it is managed efficiently, then space for great things would never be available/possible. For ideas, we agreed that unless they are turned into projects, then they may probably remain in the minds of many and end up as any other baseless idea(s). This week, I would like to focus on simple steps one could follow in order to manage the projects (i.e. ideas).
First things first, define what do you want to achieve clearly. This step will set the scene/path/journey. Here, be very specific on what is it?, why do you want/need to do it? and lastly how important is this idea/project for you? Without clarity, you will not work, be motivated, or be focused on your goals. If there is clarity, trust me, it will carry you across without any courage. I like what Brian Tracy, one of the international leading motivational public speaker and self-development figure, said “Knowing exactly what you want, builds self-confidence immeasurably. Clarity is essential.” Secondly, depending on the complexity (small, medium, large) of the initiative/project in question, break it/them into milestones (i.e. manageable stages) and ensure they are time-bounded. I know many people who have clear ideas on what they want to do and why it matters (as in step one of my article today) yet do not put time-lines to them, which as a result becomes an open-ended item and sometimes indefinitely. Therefore, do not underestimate the importance of putting a time.
Thirdly, be flexible with those timelines, for I know distraction from the many things that happens in our lives will never stop creeping in. I know this for a fact and I too am not immune to them as well. The key is to ensure you get back in action (by adjusting the timelines) whenever you feel astray. The hardest part of achieving goals is to start. Trust me, the moment you do, it gets easier.
Fourth, celebrate with every milestone achieved. This step will help you take the deserved break and also ignite you to complete the rest of the milestones as a result. I have been doing this as a practice and has always served me good. Celebration can be anything small that you can do to put a smile on the achievement and energy back to you, to delivering the rest of the milestones.
Lastly, this is an important one, it is okay to sometimes miss deadlines and not be able to achieve some of the personal goals. Do not be hard on yourself. Nothing is impossible yet being perfect is also not always possible. Just try your best to have some progress with what you do, for completing is better than not. Focus on what you can do, instead of what you cannot do. Remember, Rome was not built in a day.
2025 is about just a week ahead from today. Many ideas and initiatives are probably wandering on your mind. Articles shared over this month would only guide you turn those aims into a successful reality. However, unless you put those learning, techniques and commitment into action, then 2025 plans, may most probably remain just like 2024. I always like to say “continue sleeping if you want to remain dreaming”. Until we catch up again next week, stay positive and continue winning.
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