Where do you want to be in 6 months?

WOW! I just read Nathan's newsletter (to sign up, just send him an e-mail) about 6-month goal achievement. As a result of reading this article, I've already starting using the "process" to get started on some longer-term ideas. Here is the current issue (for more info, see his site...):

May is almost over, and the summer is almost in full swing. Before long, summer will turn to fall, school will start back up again, and then the holidays are right around the corner.

Does it seem like 2007 is zipping by to anyone besides just me? In less than 6 months we will be entering in, if not already in, our holiday schedule. Seems like now is a great time to start getting some small things done to make the end of the year a success!

"What can I do now?"
A few of my clients have asked the question "What can I do now?" when I bring up the topic of the holiday season. Even though it is 6 months (or more) away, spending five minutes on an Objective Worksheet can yield tremendous results. I have created a "holiday" Objective Worksheet to kick-start the "Brainstorm, Clarify, Sort" process (additional sheets are available for free at www.TheNewLongTerm.com – Products, Free Downloads).

Brainstorm: A quick brainstorm of a holiday dinner, for example, will quickly bring to light the following questions:
   Where will the dinner be hosted?
    Who will do the cooking (or will it be a pot-luck)?
     How many will be attending?
   Do invitations need to be sent?

Many of these questions can be answered long before the stress of the holiday sets in.

Clarify: A clarification statement about the event can then be made:
I will host a holiday dinner at my house on December 22, 2007. I will invite all of my family (a total of 14 people) no later than the end of October, and I will ask that they confirm no later than the end of November. I will prepare and cook the entire meal from scratch.

Sort: Finally, "do-able" tasks can be created.
For example
"Look through 1 recipe book to find a unique appetizer to be served at my holiday dinner"
"Look through China cabinet to make sure that I have 14 place-settings"
"Ask sister-in-law what her favorite dessert is"

While none of these actions will "complete" the dinner, they will get you one step closer to having a successful, and stress reduced, event.

Comments

[Rob]

Approaching the half way point of the year I find it important to draw back, relfect and plan. I like to review the progress I have made and determine where I am going to focus my attention for the next six months in order to progress towards my objectives. I've got lots of tools to help me think, review and gain insights - and I think I've just found another - "Brainstorm / Clarify / Sort". Looks like a browse through Nathans site is going to be added to my @web list.