5 tips for transitioning into the New Year and commanding your future

The new year is here. Now is your time to “reset” and start anew. This doesn’t mean you scratch and erase all that’s been done, but it does mean it’s okay to reassess, regroup and redo.

At the beginning of a new year, the focus is only setting goals and/or resolutions and crafting a plan for accomplishing them. I’m not questioning the act of doing so, but there is a misconception associated with this. Many people focus so much on putting it all on paper because we know a goal, resolution and plan not written is nothing but fleeting. It doesn’t exist or become reality until it is written. Yes, this is true, but the other reason for documenting it is so you can revise it along the way.

This is not a static process, but a dynamic one.

As a corporate trainer, I encounter leaders all over the world who create plans for their projects, teams and life, but fail to monitor and revise them accordingly. So, I remind them of one definition of insanity — doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting a different result. This is an unproductive and frustrating way to operate.

Tapping into my experience and training, I want to share with you five ways to transition into the new year stronger and better so you can command your future.

1. Create your own personal SWOT analysis

Take this classic business and organizational tool and use it to assess your performance in a non-critical way. SWOT is a tool that captures your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The goal is not to focus on the areas you have the greatest opportunity for improvement but to create a holistic view of where you are, what you have to offer, where you can improve, and how you can capitalize on them all.

2. Identify your “bright spots” and build

Because we are our worst critics, we must train our minds to not focus only on the bad, the failures, and what didn’t work. Instead, look for the things that did work, understand why they worked well and build from it. These are our “bright spots” (the signs that things are working). They help us approach our career with a positive mindset. The thing we focus on the most is the thing we will always identify with. Choose to build on a positive platform.

3. Develop a growth transition team

Success cannot happen alone. You will need a team of people to support, encourage and challenge you while holding you accountable. This is how you refocus and stay on track. It’s what we call the “law of the inner circle.” John Maxwell says, “A leader’s potential is determined by those closest to him or her.” Choose your circle wisely, and utilize them to help you grow successfully.

4. Craft a 30-60-90-180 day plan

Crafting a plan in blocks of time that represent milestones is easier to organize, and it makes the process easier to digest, complete — and it’s less intimidating. This also helps you to focus better on what’s important and know how to structure and manage your resources and time.

5. Don’t be afraid to reset

No plan is perfect. So, you must be agile and willing to adjust when the desired outcome is not being manifested. Being rigid can cause you to break; whereas, being flexible, you can bend and move more freely. Don’t get caught up in pride and be afraid of failure. Remember to look for the “bright spots” and build from them while you reset and recalibrate for stronger execution.

Remember life is a dynamic flow of events, and everything may not work out the way you desire. It’s how you command the moment and choose to move forward that govern your outcome. If you can master these five tips, you will be well on your way to having a more effective future and career.

Courtesy: http://www.forbes.com