This is an activity-based blog, so get out a pen and a piece of paper or open up the Notes App on your phone. Are you ready? Don’t worry, there won’t be a quiz at the end, but you will have to wait 365 days to see your results. Yes, you read that correctly, one full year. Is a year too long for you to wait? Don’t fret, you’ll be able to see your small wins if you follow along.
Take a deep breath and clear out all the thoughts that may be rolling around your brain. No thinking about the holiday shopping that still needs to be done, decorating the house, or finishing up the end-of-year newsletter.
Now think about where you want to be at this time next year. Is there a revenue goal for your firm? A new client count goal? Document production time goal? Or are your goals personal? Do you have a goal of reading X number of books by December 31, 2023? Do you want to focus on your physical health by participating in a race by the end of the year? Do you want to learn a new language? Fill up the page with specifics on how to meet your goals. The more detail you add, the better. Paint a picture of how this looks and how you will feel one year from now. Focus on one goal at a time so you can fully visualize each goal.
Next, think of what will get in the way. What roadblocks do you anticipate? What’s your kryptonite? Is it overscheduling so you don’t get to everything you want to do? Do you procrastinate and then lose motivation? What emergencies keep popping up and ruining your plans? What can you do to mitigate that? Think in terms of small steps that will help you gain traction. What will you still want to do in March once the luster and excitement of a new goal has worn off?
Now is the crucial step. Go to your calendar, and create a reoccurring appointment to check in weekly. You can look at your progress from the previous week. This is a chance to celebrate your progress or tweak what you’re doing in order to stay on track with your goal. But what are you tracking towards? If you have not set smaller goals that will lead to your overall goal, how will you know if you are on track? You need to take your goal and break it down into smaller ones. Once you’ve established your smaller incremental goals, break them down, even more, so you are able to check in regularly on your progress. For example, if you want to complete something by the end of the year, what steps need to be completed by the end of each quarter? From there, look at what needs to happen weekly. By taking your overall goal and breaking it down into smaller and smaller steps, you create a roadmap for success!
Finally, be sure to make it fun! There is stress everywhere, how can you make this something you enjoy doing? Instead of something you should do or must do, think of it as something you get to do. If you want to read more – create a book club with your friends. Don’t have friends who are interested in a book club? Find one online. If you have a revenue goal, come up with creative marketing ideas. If you’re not a part of our Point Peeps Program, talk to your Practice Building Coach. This free Academy program is full of some of the most creative marketing minds that will inspire and drive your creativity.
Bonus tip, add an accountability partner. Is that your business partner? A spouse? A co-worker, a trusted employee, or a friend?
Academy Members, be sure to talk to your Practice Building Coach about your goals on your next call so you can create accountability and get constructive feedback on your goals.
Cheers to a successful and fulfilling 2023!
Erin Mathew
Director, Projects and Event Planning
American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.
9444 Balboa Avenue, Suite 300
San Diego, California 92123
Phone: (858) 453-2128
www.aaepa.com
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