For the last few years I have been doing this simple little exercise at the start of the year to help me get focused around things that are important both personally and professionally.
I have found it to be really useful and it has made a big difference and as I look back at 2016 I can see the things that I have achieved as a result of this focus. In Fuzion we also ask all of the team to do this – it is important to us that everyone in the team achieves their personal and career goals.
Making plans and actually achieving them is always challenging and at the start of the year we find ourselves at the start of that loop all over again making promises that often will never materialise!
A few years ago I was inspired by a book about goal setting in a different way called “The Art of Possibility” by Benjamin and Rosamund Zander (a really interesting motivational book by the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and his wife who is an executive coach).
Benjamin Zander, the conductor has the task every year of bringing out the very best from a large group of very talented musicians for his orchestra.
His approach is rooted in the power of visualisation – the simple idea behind this is that if you visualise what you want to achieve then there is a much better chance of it actually happening (disbelievers ….stop reading now !!)
This is my application of his great idea to tap into all of Your Possibilities..
Take a quiet few moments so you can concentrate with a blank sheet of paper and a pen and I want you to do some visualisation – First take a few deep breaths and relax and close your eyes.
Now imagine the last working day of the year just before you head out the door to do some last minute shopping and enjoy a well-earned rest. You are feeling very satisfied as you reflect on your fantastic achievements during the year. Some of these were personal things and some of these were professional things – you are feeling great.
Now open your eyes and write at the top of the blank page the date:
Friday, 22nd December, 2017
Now write down this personal statement:
I had a great year because ….
Now off you go and list the things that will make 2017 a great year for you:.
Take your time and be as specific as you can including all of those business and personal goals that will give you that sense of satisfaction on that last work day.
Now you need to study this list and start figuring out how you can make this list come to life.
Put your piece of paper in a safe place so that you can refer to it throughout the year to make sure your wish list stays on track.
Enjoy realising all of your possibilities – it’s there waiting for you.
Happy 2017!!
This clip of Benjamin Zander is really motivational and well worth watching.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTKEBygQic0]
(the pic at the top of the post refers to the quote that Jurgen Klopp made when he was recruited as Liverpool Football Club manager. His message to the fans was that he wanted to change them from ‘doubters’ to ‘believers’. He gets visualisation! )
