If you have spent time reflecting on the past year and considered the questions contained within the December Leadership Journal, you are now ready to develop your focus for 2020. If you have not completed that exercise, I suggest you read the December Leadership Journal and complete the suggested exercise.
Ask yourself, after reflecting on what happened in the past year, what does my focus need to be in order to make 2020 my best year ever? Think about your physical, mental, intellectual, and spiritual wellness. Consider the state of your finances both in the short term, as well as long term, including retirement. Think about your marriage (partner/spouse/significant other), children, family, friends, colleagues, mentors, and associates. Think about your professional life and where you are at and where you would like to be.
Ask yourself the following questions and jot down your thoughts using the notes from your 2019 reflections and assessment:
- What do I want to accomplish in 2020?
- In what areas do I want to improve?
- Am I happy with my weight and physical fitness? Do I eat healthy and exercise regularly?
- Am I intentional in my personal development? Am I a life-long learner?
- Would I like to improve my leadership skills? If so, how?
- What do I need to focus on this year to maintain and/or improve my marriage or most significant other relationship?
- What areas do I want to work on to improve relationships with children, family, friends, colleagues, and mentors?
- What are my long-term financial priorities and where would I like to be by the end of 2020?
- What vacations would I like to take? What hobbies and activities will I spend time on?
- What are my personal development priorities?
- What are my professional priorities?
Take a look at what you wrote and look for interrelations. Group similar priorities together and think about importance to you. Think about what needs to happen to make progress on priorities and be honest about your commitment. Focus on the highest priorities and pick a personal and professional priority that you will focus on in 2020.
Figure out how you will measure progress to achieve the highest priorities and then take the time to develop and write down a detailed plan to accomplish these priorities. Make sure you ultimately create something that is reasonable and can be accomplished. Use your plan to determine your focus on a weekly and daily basis. Stay committed and focused.
Actionable steps planned in your day throughout the year will ultimately result in accomplishment of priorities.
Here’s to 2020 being your best year ever.
