As expected with the start of a new year, publications flood the market with articles on goal setting, planning, reviewing. As a person who likes to think medium (as opposed to big), I struggle with figuring out what I need to do to ensure a more successful year. Many successful people create loads of products, work long hours affecting family time and taking on a lot of things at once with no end in sight.
If I turn this whole goal setting and planning into a big production based on what the experts advise, I don’t think it’ll happen. At least, not for me. You argue that nothing happens without you. True. However, these suggestions overwhelm and paralyze many folks including me. For most people, they’d do nothing. As a one-person freelance shop, I need to keep it simple. And I’m sure many freelancers find themselves in the same position.
Ignore the Fancy Advice, Make Your Own Rules
The people appearing in these articles had one thing in common: passion. So, I reflected on what I love. This led to my three rules, which I cover in Drowning in Goal Setting? Go Simple along with three steps to come up with your own goals. A quick recap:
- Keep clients happy.
- Keep marketing.
- Keep mind, body and spirit in check.
It’s Never Enough
Sometimes you can’t do everything you want now. It bugs me when I read articles saying to stop putting things off, stop waiting for the “right time” to start like when the kids move out. Excuse me, but if I start grad school now, it’ll sacrifice family time and break all the rules.
No. I’m going to enjoy the time I have with my kids now. They will be adults for a much longer time than they will be kids. In Success Magazine, Zig Ziglar says his success comes from “home field advantage” — meaning he makes sure things go well at home before tackling work. A happy home means a happy person outside of home.
The problem for people like me — when you make the money you want — it won’t be enough. When you accomplish XYZ, it won’t be enough. When your resume lacks an advanced degree, it won’t be enough. Instead of focusing on the destination, I pay attention to my daily journey with an occasional review of the big picture.
Some things require going with the flow and making things happen along the way. I cannot and will not over commit. To do that will negatively affect the three rules. Taking on too much will interfere with my ability to deliver great results for current clients. It also leaves little time for marketing. And an overwhelming load affects body, mind and spirit as it’d force me to sleep fewer hours and sacrifice exercise time. When one or both of these happen, it hurts the spirit.
I exercise daily. I make time for that. But it means sacrificing something else.
Simple Works
I accomplished a big personal goal in 2010. I didn’t start on January 1. I didn’t wait until January 1. Heck, I didn’t even start on the first day of the month or a Monday. I started on a Thursday at the end of March. I made up my mind and started right then. Business is like that. I watch my business and professional lives and make decisions based on what’s happening and a little temperature taking.
Of course, I don’t stand by and let life happen or pray for clients to come to me. I go for it. I ask for it. I look for it. It works without a one-page plan or specific goals such as writing three articles a day. The key is that I need a snapshot of today to decide what I’ll do tomorrow. I adapt and change as needed.
After a quick big picture and small picture review, I figured out what I could do and accomplished two things in the first week of the New Year that I hadn’t in a long time. And I did it without complex planning. I may not be able to do this again next week because I change course as needed and the snapshot may show something different.
What are your most important rules?
That was a great post, Meyrl…Music to my ears as a matter of fact 🙂 because I am not so good with rigid goal setting rules and breathing-is-not-allowed to-do lists!
Your sentence “Instead of focusing on the destination, I pay attention to my daily journey with an occasional review of the big picture.” Reminded me of an amazing quote:”Success is reaching your goals while ENJOYING every step of the way” – Susan Jeffers (Best selling author of “Feel he Fear and Do It Anyway”)
As for our most important rules at garious, we aim at making social media drop dead simple for small businesses.
Our slogan is “Social Influence made easy”.
So, I guess we are on the same page on the “simple works” 🙂 motto.
I wish you and all your avid readers a happy and prosperous new year :).