I consult with executives of all ages who are having trouble finding their way and making goals. Being uncertain as to where your career is headed is akin to climbing into your car with no destination in mind. Without direction you go nowhere! As Stephen Covey’s advises in 7 Habits of Highly Effective People ( Stephen_Covey ), we must “begin with the end in mind.” To find your end point define your mission, set goals and plan each day. Here are some tips.
- Identify your mission, vision and values – Create a mission statement that clearly identifies your purpose. Include your vision, which reveals where you are going, and your core values and philosophical ideals. Be concise so that your statement is easy to understand and remember. As an example, this is my mission statement: “To inspire executives to become all God intended them to be through Christ-centered writing, speaking, and consulting.”
- Set goals – Once you know where you are going, determine what steps you need to take to get there. Establish 6 to 8 goals annually and make them SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Avail yourself of seminars, like my “Goals with a Purpose”, to guide you through this process.
- Review your schedule – Each Monday, review your weekly calendar. Make sure you block in time to work on your goals. Layout the next steps for your 5 top priority projects. List all planned activities so you can visualize where there are open spaces. It is sometimes difficult to see times of inactivity on the calendar alone.
- Plan daily – Review each day’s activities bringing forward the ones that need follow up. A good checklist includes: “Things to do, people to see, places to go, projects to delegate or discuss.”
Clear Purpose
Live your life with a clear purpose by committing to your values. Find your way by identifying your mission, setting goals and planning your path.
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