by Karima Mariama-Arthur | Featured Contributor
This year is almost over and you’re probably taking inventory of what you’ve accomplished and what you haven’t. With only two months left in 2014, most people are looking for a fresh start. What about you? Do you prefer to simply cut your losses and start planning for 2015? Not if you know what’s good for you.
Now is the perfect time—far more perfect than January—to hunker down and focus on key goals and strategies, implementation and accomplishments before the New Year rolls around. Why? You need momentum. Momentum builds commitment and creates excitement for accomplishing your goals. Why wait until January when you can harness incredible momentum right now?
Resolve to end 2014 strong using these three strategies:
1. Take a closer look. Now is an excellent time to take inventory of the last ten months. What have you accomplished? Where did you fall down? What goals are still outstanding? What mistakes have you made and what have you learned? What do you want to do differently in the coming year? Do you have the tools you need to make a greater impact in 2015? Once you’ve taken inventory of your unique situation and can see the lay of the land, you can determine the best way to proceed personally and professionally.
2. Push yourself. Let me be perfectly clear: With only 2 months left in 2014, you don’t have time to engage in procrastination, distractions or doubt. It’s time to dig deep and push beyond your comfort zone. Why not enlarge your vision of what’s possible and cross off a few additional items from your 2014 goals list? Why not create a new goal (or two!) and accomplish it in advance of 2015? Tell me, who couldn’t use the extra time to accomplish other tasks—or perhaps do nothing at all? It’s your choice. If you push yourself –I mean really push yourself—you’ll be shocked at what you can accomplish between now and December 31st. What a wonderful way to boost your performance and build incredible momentum for everything you plan to do in 2015.
3. Make strategic decisions for 2015. Obviously not all things can be accomplished before the end of 2014. That being said, you need to think about how to strategically position yourself for 2015. Good decision making is the foundation for every key accomplishment. How can you plan for greater success by aligning yourself with people and processes that will help to catapult your success in 2015? How can you connect with those persons and implement those strategies now? Also consider, for example, that some opportunities require 9-12 months of advanced planning with early submissions, like RFPs, Call for Speakers and certain corporate opportunities. If you’d like to nail a similar kinds of opportunities, start sifting through the sand now. Spend next year walking into opportunities, rather than chasing them down, when you’ll more than likely be behind the curve ball.
Bottom-line: Recognize the gift of time allotted to you during these next two months. Harness momentum and strike while the iron is hot. 2015 will be here before you know it…
*Bonus Tip: Need a little extra help building momentum into your business? Here are five forgotten resources that will you build it now.
To your success!
Photo credit: satit_srihin via FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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Karima Mariama-Arthur is a corporate attorney and the Founder and CEO of WordSmithRapport, an international consulting firm specializing in professional development. For helpful tips on increasing confidence and solving performance challenges, connect with her on Facebook, and for a quick dose of #Leadership inspiration, follow her on Twitter, @wsrapport.
