I am implementing a new approach to blogging this year – video first, followed by the written text. In the past, I would write out the entire blog which served as a script for my videos. Moving forward I will record the video first using a simple outline. Next, I will edit the video and transcribe the script. It is similar to how some bands write their music, so I thought it might be useful to give it a try this year. Something different for 2021. Let’s get on with it – here is how to start the new year on a strong note.
2020 was a tough year
Reality check – 2020 was a tough year. I don’t think any of us expected what happened this year. Sure some of you probably had a good year given the circumstances. I actually can’t complain. I had a pretty good year. But, there’s a ton of things that happened in 2020 that was completely unexpected. I think it is safe to say that we all want 2021 to be a better year.
Goals help make your dreams come true
Bottom line up front – I believe that it takes a little planning in order to make your desired future become real. If you don’t think so I recommend you don’t read the rest of this blog – it will be a complete waste of your time. What I’m going to share this month is a process that I use for setting my annual goals. I hope that you find it useful.
It is the right time of year to set your annual goals
It is January – the typical time when a lot of us are sitting down and mapping out what we’re going to try and accomplish in the year. I bet you want to start the new year on a strong note. Each year I set annual goals. I’ve been doing this for over a decade. Many years ago I just jotted down some notes as far as what I wanted to accomplish.
My method for goal setting has evolved over the years
In 2015 I got serious and created a format for my annual goals which I still use today. It is a slide package comprised of ten or more charts. Yes – I use PowerPoint for codifying my goals. The slides map out my goals and how I plan to achieve them. This type of documentation may be way more complicated than anything you want to do. Good news – the process itself is not that complicated. I am boiling down the key components and sharing them this month. It is my recommended way for you to make 2021 a better year for you.
What is your word for the year?
Let’s start by beginning with a simple concept for how to frame the entire year. The question I want you to answer is what is your word for the year? That’s right – one single word that represents what you want to accomplish in the year 2021.
I borrowed this idea from a friend
I credit this concept to a good friend of mine – Bill Webner. Back in 2015, we were talking about what we each wanted to accomplish for that year. Bill shared that he had come up with a guiding idea for the year. He wanted to be present. What that meant was he felt like life was flying by that he wasn’t paying attention. His overall goal for the year was just to be present. I decided to borrow his approach. In 2015 I went with the guiding idea of practicing positive presence. My concern was I was going through a divorce and was in a pretty bad mood on a regular basis. I didn’t want to transmit my negative energy to others, especially my kids.
Nowadays I select a single word for the year
Last year I decided to boil the guiding idea for the year to a single word. I heard several gurus recommend this approach, and it aligned well with some of Tim Ferriss’ content. For example, Tim recommends that you make one decision that prevents you from making a thousand other decisions. That is the idea – the one word will guide your thinking throughout the year. Kim and I gave this idea a try last year and it is genius. Now, I am passing along this idea to you.
A few rules for your word
Think about what is your word for 2021. Don’t spend too much time pondering. Go with what feels right for you. A few simple rules to follow:
- It must be a single word…that means one!
- Find a quote that reinforces the word – it can be from anybody.
- Select a picture that represents the word – when you see the image you will think of your word.
What you’re going to do then is create a document to capture your one word. Put the word, the quote, and the image on a single page. This one word is going to help you start 2021 off on a strong note.
An example from last year
Last year, the word Kim and I chose was unity. 2020 was the year of unity. What that meant is that we wanted to start making decisions that would reinforce us as a unit, or a family. Pretty simple idea. Now it doesn’t mean that we would spend every single moment together, or anything crazy like that. Instead, it was a helpful question to have in the back of my mind. When I made decisions last year I would think to myself – it is the year of unity. What decision should I make with that word in mind?
The quote and image make your word more real
Next, I found a quote from an ancient Roman writer that talked about where there is unity there is victory. The image I selected was from a Spartan race showing race participants working together to overcome the obstacle. It is a powerful visual that says we’re better together. In a Spartan Race, the reality is that you cannot complete certain obstacles by yourself. They are impossible unless you work with others. I then created a PowerPoint chart that shows the word, the quote and the image. It is below.
What is the key takeaway?
Figure out your word for 2021. Your word is going to help make it a better year for you. I cannot pick it for you. Take some time and figure out what is that word. No – it doesn’t have to be profound. It can be something really simple. In fact, it might work best to start simple.
I am Doug Keating and this is my letter to sons.