You may have lost sight of your goals, or maybe you need to develop some new ones, says Terri Hughes, an executive leadership coach in Boise, Idaho and author of "Simple Shifts: Effective Leadership Changes Everything" (Aloha Publishing, 2013)."Because we’re so caught up in our everyday tasks, and feeling overwhelmed in the process, it’s really important to stop and reflect on what you’re doing each day," she says. The end of the year, and before the holidays take over, it’s a good time to reflect and set goals, which you can then keep front and center on a daily basis to stay focused and motivated at work.
Hughes suggests looking back at your accomplishments over the year to determine what you want to do differently in 2015. Reflect on lessons learned and any shifts in priorities. Then ask yourself what you want for the year. Goals could include less stress, more balance, a higher income or a promotion, among many others. Also try to address any obstacles that might prevent you from reaching the success you desire, she adds.
"It’s something we don’t do often enough, but it’s a simple activity that can make an enormous difference in what we accomplish," Hughes says.
The exercise also helps build self-awareness, Hughes notes, which opens you to possibilities by creating the opportunity to step outside yourself to observe your actions, reactions, emotional responses, personal strengths and your beliefs and assumptions.
"When you are able to take that step outside yourself to objectively take a deep look, the value is priceless," she says.
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Hughes says each week, you’ll also identify your goals and determine how they will help you reach your primary goals.
Schedule 15 minutes at the beginning of each day to think about the one or two things you want to accomplish that day to move you forward toward your primary goals.
Take notes on how the tasks are tied to your grater goal. At the end of the day, review your progress. At week’s end, recap how you did overall and determine the important tasks or actions for the next week. For about two hours a week, you can stay focused on your most important goals.
