6Qs to Reach Your Goals in 2020

Do you use some type of nav system when you travel to new locations? Personally, I have always loved maps, like the type you find at rest stops along the highway. North is at the top, the scale is consistent, and “you are here” is typically indicated with a big star. You can clearly see the right things to do to reach your goals.

Unfortunately, we’re not always a big star in our life. Sometimes, we’re a little lost. Our self-concept, and how it plays out in our life, is similar. Reality lies somewhere in the middle. Your self concept inevitably reflects some reality and some fantasy.

What it comes down to is two strategic questions:

1. How can you best use your strengths and talents to achieve the things that will make you happy, productive and successful?
2. How can you know if you’re truly maximizing your potential?

If you’re young, you may not know yourself well enough to answer these questions. If you’re older, you know by now that you can do better.

Ask yourself: “Is this the best I can do? If not, where can I focus that will really make a difference?”

This is one reason so many people are turning to a coach to help them gain perspective. In the work I do, some of my smartest clients are pretty perceptive about themselves. They know that they need another person if they want to grow beyond what they already know.

Let Go of Fear

Are you hanging on to fear? Most people insufficiently use their talents because they fear stretch goals and the prospect of leaving their comfort zones. They continue doing what they’ve always done because it’s safe, instead of taking risks and working with a professional coach. But self-discovery—especially of one’s strengths—is critical for any quantifiable success.

Most of us are reconciled to the path we’re on and rarely stop to take stock. Like the Energizer Bunny, we just keep going and going…and going.

Author Peter Bregman, in his book 18 Minutes: Find Your Focus, Master Distraction, and Get the Right Things Done (Business Plus, 2011), proposes two tactics to break this negative momentum:

1. Slow down.
2. Start over.

Simple, but not so simple.

What are Your Goals?

Answer the following questions so you can design a successful plan for 2020, avoid drifting, and ultimately reclaim your life:

1. What are your strengths? Take a look at your life, work, proficiencies and the activities you enjoy.
2. What are your weaknesses? What subjects or tasks do you naturally avoid? How can you use your weaknesses to your advantage?
3. What are your differences? What makes you unique? How can your experiences, talents, and proclivities make a difference to others?
4. What are you passionate about? Which tasks excite and energize you? How can you become more involved with them at work?

Somewhere at the intersection of these four questions lies your foundation for success and happiness. Your time is best spent on blending these components into something productive.

What do you think? Is it time to change course, and set new goals? How will you reach your goals in 2020? I’d love to hear from you. You can call me at 561-582-6060, let’s talk. And as always, I can be reached here, or on LinkedIn.