For years, I have tracked my personal and professional goals. But I never seemed to have the time to achieve all that I wanted to achieve. Distractions and obstacles interrupt our perfect schedule… every day!
A few months ago I implemented a new process that has helped me remain intentional every day. Then at the beginning of 2015, I have been able to integrate this process into my yearly plan.
If you want to be more intentional every day, then you may want to consider these processes:
1. Define a monthly plan. This is an annual or semi-annual process. Hopefully you have already defined your 2015 goals. In this step, make those goals more concrete by defining what needs to be accomplished each month of the year. Include your targets, your projects, your development plans, etc. In some cases, this may mean dividing an annual goal by 12. But in many cases, you need to be more tactical. You are probably not going to start all your projects on January 1st and work on them through December 31st. Develop the plan you want to follow and achieve.
2. Define your weekly intentions. This is a monthly process. At the end of each month, review your plan for the next month. Reflect on how you will accomplish your goals for the coming month. Then write your intentions for each week of the next month. What must you accomplish week by week to be successful? Put it in writing. There is no specific format. This could be your journal, or your planner.
3. Define your daily intentions. This is a daily process. What are the most important things for you today? What are your intentions today? Put it in writing. In your daily planner, write your intention for the day. How will it be successful? What needs to happen first while your energy is high? When do you need to block off distractions to accomplish a major task? Build your plan for success each day.
4. Review your day. This is a daily process. How did you do? Did you accomplish your goals? What distracted you? What needs to be adjusted tomorrow? Did you follow through on your intentions? Give yourself a grade. Use a 100 percent scale, a ten point scale, a letter grade, or any other system. Grade how well you did.
This process is not new. It requires discipline, but It is not difficult. It is effective because it aligns your goals with your actions. It requires you to put in writing your intentions every day, and then to evaluate yourself.
To achieve a higher level of success, you need to be more intentional every day. Adjust these steps to fit your life, but include the discipline to be intentional daily.
How can you be more disciplined in this approach? Make sure your goals, your projects, and your actions are in line with your passion, your purpose, and your values. The farther you stray from what you want to do, the more you struggle with discipline.
I am looking forward to a great 2015. I hope you are also!