When unforeseen work challenges take priority, personal issues need to be handled or the boss kyboshed the resources, it’s common for people to lose their motivation and become overwhelmed with all there is to do. Although, we are only a couple of weeks into the year, this is NOT the time to ignore your 2017 goals. This IS the time to get in action.

Last week we addressed the basics of goal-setting and focused-action plans, 2017 – Will it Be Different This Year? This week we will delve into the first 3 of the 9 hidden truths outlined in the original article, Your 2017 Goals are Meant to be Achieved.

Get in Action!

Motivate. What’s your motivation to complete your goals? (Is it your own goal? Is it a goal given to you by your boss that you really don’t want to do? Is it overwhelming?) Initially, you were excited and enthusiast about reaching your goal and attaining the outcome. Now, there is probably some hesitation, or the goals have been placed on the backburner. Take a moment and visualize the end result. Create a visual picture and motivational quotes to share with the team. Stay in communication with each other and talk out any concerns. Remember the old quote, “Where there is a will, there is a way!” When the internal chatter begins, don’t buy into it!

Pursue. Most plans do not work out as originally written or designed without some deviation along the way. And, while every group has its nay-sayer, some are more covert than others. Get them talking out loud and upfront. While people may love playing devil’s advocate, they need to be part of the solution and help solidify the best course of action. Remember, there will be natural disappointments, mistakes and failures along the way. Instead of blaming each other or the economy or your boss, stop pointing fingers and take the time to  objectively review “what worked?” and “what didn’t work?” (See, 5 Simple Steps to Improve Your Results) Now, and only now, it’s time to brainstorm new solutions to the obstacle(s). Create a checklist and deadlines for what needs to be done. Don’t forget to complete all steps you have previously overlooked.

Trust.  It takes time to develop trust, particularly, with a new team. By staying focused on creating solutions and working out issues along the way, trust is developed. Building trust rarely happens when someone is sniping or attempting to play therapist! There will be times that action steps and outcomes just don’t look right, and intended results are not happening. Talk it out with your team by using the “what worked?” and “what didn’t work?” process (See, 5 Simple Steps to Improve Your Results). To get back on track, delegate to each person’s strengths and take baby steps. It’s important to repeat, trust is developed over time and by how well the team handles its challenges, regardless of how many setbacks you have.

Your 2017 goals are meant to be achieved! Pay attention to the motivation for the goal, understand there will be challenges, and learn to trust the process and each other along the way — these will keep everyone moving forward. Remember, there are no shortcuts!

Next week, stay tune for the next 3 hidden truths that are often overlooked.

©Jeannette Seibly, 2017

Ready? Create a powerful 2017. Contact Jeannette Seibly She will guide you through an amazing exercise designed to complete 2016 and prepare you for a great 2017! One client sold her company for $.5M by completing the exercise yearly, prior to the sale!

Jeannette Seibly is an international, award-winning business advisor. During the past 24 years, she has guided the creation of three millionaires and achieved million-dollar results for more than 25 companies. She is laser sharp at identifying the leverage points that will take a business and its team to the next level of performance and success. Check out her website, or contact Jeannette for a free, confidential conversation.

Realistically … which of these three options would most likely predict your results in 2017?

#1 Took the initiative and did the work required – including physical, mental and spiritual work – to celebrate amazing results,

#2 Took some actions, watched others take actions and hoped for similar results, or

#3 On December 31, 2017, asked yourself and your team, “What the heck happened?”

Last week we addressed 3 basics for goal setting and 9 hidden truths that are often overlooked (Your 2017 Goals are Meant to be Achieved http://wp.me/p2POui-11A). In this article, we will delve further into the basics of goal setting. Without incorporating these basics into the goal-setting and action-taking processes, you and your team will default into #3 listed above!

First Basic — Make Your Written Goals Specific

Create Your Team. You cannot go it alone! Ask the right people (people that have an interest or will be impacted by the goal) to join. Keep the group small and manageable, while ensuring they are committed to achieving the end results. Don’t forget to provide ongoing training on how to conduct effective meetings, and how to effectively work with and through each other to achieve intended results.

Complete 2016. It may feel easier to ignore what happened during 2016! (Especially, if you weren’t happy with the results.) However, objectively reviewing successes and failures opens up new possibilities. Review 2016. What worked? What didn’t work? Then, acknowledge each person for their contributions.

Brainstorm. Now, and only now, it’s time to truly brainstorm. Write down (or electronically capture) all ideas by asking each and every person to share! Include everyone’s thoughts and don’t quickly latch onto the first or second idea that appears to be “the one.” Also, do not succumb to an idea due to someone’s position in the company or because they are the loudest.

Write the Goals. By looking at your goals in black and white, it’s easier for everyone to make adjustments, fine-tune and double check numbers. Keep the goal simple and smart, and no longer than 20 words. This process engages everyone and has them on the same page.

Be Specific. Declare numeric results, and establish milestones and deadlines to reinforce goals.

Times 10. Take the numeric result and multiply it by 10. For example, if you wish to achieve $1MM, multiply it by 10 to equal $10MM. Why? The brainpower of your team is now engaged in, how are we going to accomplish that?

Cut in Half. Now, cut the milestones and deadlines in half. For example, if the deadline is December 31, 2017, it now becomes June 30, 2017. This exercise has everyone engaged to find the resources, communicate with others and focus on progressing forward now!

Second Basic – Take Focused-Action Steps

Focused-Action Steps. With the real goal and true deadline established, start with the end result and work backwards to create a timeline for focused action steps. This will help you see every critical stage required to accomplish your goal.

24 Hours Later. Setup your timeline, schedule conversations and take at least one action now! If you put off doing this important step, it will only create procrastination, send off the team chasing shiny-objects and leave everyone frustrated. Stay focused and in focused-action!

Third Basic – Track Your Progress

Manage and Track Progress. Design simple motivational visuals and communication methods to keep everyone on the same page and in focused-action. Review current results each day (week, month and quarter) to ensure everyone is on track. Ask the right questions when stuck, “What needs to happen right now? Why does it need to be done that way? How will it support our intention? How can we help each other move forward?”

Celebrate! Celebrate all victories, large and small.

Do not change the goal to fit the actions taken! Let me repeat this very important point, do not change the goal to fit the actions taken! If you change the goal, this easy way out will not provide the intended results and is counter-productive for developing a healthy high-functioning team. (See #2 in the beginning.) When you and the team go off-track, contact the boss or coach for objective insights to get back on the right track. Do it now.

Brag! Share new brag factors reflecting your achievements. These remind everyone of the progress being made and keep everyone engaged.

Following these 3 basics for goal setting will give keep you in action pursuing your intended results.

Next week, stay tune for how to effectively handle the 9 hidden truths that are often overlooked.

©Jeannette Seibly, 2017

Ready? Create a powerful 2017. Contact Jeannette Seibly @ https://SeibCo.com/contact  She will guide you through an amazing exercise designed to complete 2016 and prepare you for a great 2017! One client sold her company for $.5M by completing the exercise yearly, prior to the sale!

Jeannette Seibly is an international, award-winning business advisor. During the past 24 years, she has guided the creation of three millionaires and achieved million-dollar results for more than 25 companies. She is laser sharp at identifying the leverage points that will take a business and its team to the next level of performance and success. Check out her website, https://SeibCo.com , or contact Jeannette for a free, confidential conversation at https://SeibCo.com/contact.

It’s that time of year to create resolutions, establish goals and visualize your successes! Sounds easy, doesn’t it? However, without designing the process for success and being aware of the hidden truths required to achieve your goals, you will probably ditch 2017 intentions within the next couple of weeks. How can you prevent that from happening?

3 Basics to Create 2017 Successes

Make your written goals specific. Create goals that are meaningful to you, your company, and family. For example, over 71% (a Gallup poll) of employees, business owners and entrepreneurs are working in jobs that they dislike. If you dislike your work responsibilities, your goal may be, “receive a job offer of _(fill in the blank)__ by June 1, 2017.” Or, since most employees are only unhappy because of their boss’s style and/or co-workers’ attitudes, your goal may be, “respect my boss and co-workers by finding value in their ideas daily.”

Take focused-action steps. Put together an action plan that will actually move you forward and produce the intended result. For example, receiving a million-dollars during 2017 may not be financially possible. However, creating a 5-year plan (or longer), learning about investments, saving instead of spending, and living within your income will get you there!

Track your progress. Success breeds more success. There are more ways to do this than I can ever describe. For example, I have posted on my bulletin board a graphic with boxes. Every time I receive $100 (you pick your amount), I color in a box to visually show my progress (there are days I color in a lot of boxes!). And, my 2017 goal is written on the back of the graphic.

9 Hidden Truths Required to Achieve Your Goals

Motivate. There will be times you just don’t feel like it! Remember, that little voice in your head is not necessarily your friend or the truth! In my newest book, It’s Time to Brag! Business Edition, Chapter 14, there are easy exercises to remind you of how amazing you really are and keep you motivated!

Pursue. Since most plans don’t work out according to the original plan, learn how to work through disappointment, mistakes or failures as they occur. Pursue solutions now before the challenge grows larger.

Trust. Learning to trust yourself only requires you to take one step daily. Create a realistic plan so you don’t attempt to run the entire marathon on your first, second, or third day (or week) of training. For example, if your goal is to write a book, trust yourself to write a chapter daily or weekly by scheduling the time and doing it. When you fail to do so, simply reschedule and get it done before you stop trusting yourself.

Forgive. Forgive yourself for what you said you would do and haven’t done, and things you’ve said and didn’t mean, etc. Clean up misunderstandings directly with the person, team or boss. Forgive others for what they have said or done. Remember, your perceptions aren’t always right, and sharing those perceptions with others will only create mischief!

Get a Coach. Too often we believe we need to rely only on ourselves. However, it’s a fact that successful people hire coaches! With the right tools and coach, you will blast through areas that are holding you back, create the right team and achieve the best solutions.

Organize. Organization helps you get things done faster by not wasting time looking for things and getting distracted. (Hint: schedule 20 minutes at a time to declutter and stay organized).

Expand. Open your mind by attending a class or workshop to learn something new.

Celebrate! Take time to celebrate the small and big successes, with yourself and with your team.

Believe! In yourself, your team, and your goals. This is your number one intention for the year! Without it, everything listed above will be for naught. (For additional insights, Is 2017 Your Year to Achieve Amazing Results?)

Your 2017 goals are meant to be achieved! Doing so will build success now and for your future.

©2017 Jeannette Seibly

Ready? Create a powerful 2017. Contact Jeannette Seibly @ https://SeibCo.com/contact  She will guide you through an amazing exercise designed to complete 2016 and prepare you for a great 2017! One client sold her company for $.5M by completing the exercise yearly, prior to the sale!

Jeannette Seibly has been a business advisor and executive coach for 24 years; along the way she’s guided the creation of three millionaires. She is laser sharp at identifying the leverage points that will take a business and its team to the next level of performance and success. Check out her website, https://SeibCo.com , or contact Jeannette for a free, confidential conversation at https://SeibCo.com/contact.