Now’s the time we’re reflecting on the outcomes of 2024 initiatives and committing to 2025 objectives. Let’s remember that new initiatives take time. Too often we see people lose patience or get distracted and scrap good plans too quickly…start a new one…and stay in that vicious cycle
And at odds is the learning curve of technology, which is tied to virtually everything and our own expectations for instant gratification.
So as we roll into 2025 with aspirational change in mind, there’s plenty to consider, but remember that the one immovable, unstoppable element is time. Here are 5 things to consider to make the best out of YOURS:
Keep it Simple. Our world is complex enough. Start less and finish more. We rarely add more than one or two new big initiatives per year. And a lot of times our initiatives surround continuing to improve ones that we started years ago.
Expect Obstacles. Don’t underestimate challenges…and don’t underestimate the ability of your people to overcome them. We usually map out seventy percent of our plans knowing that we’re going to want to make gametime changes around challenges.
Create a sense of urgency today for tomorrow. The building blocks are the things that will get you to your outcome. We need to be relentless at nailing the benchmarks. The little things that might seem lightyears away from your goal are the keys to actually reaching your goals.
Celebrate wins along the way. Reaching a building block is a huge deal, and a lot of people around you might not appreciate the accomplishment. We even celebrate a lot of setbacks because we know they’re a part of the journey. Think about the journeyman golfer who makes it to Augusta National for the first time…it takes a few tournaments for even the best players to make it to the weekend rounds.
And finally, Maintain Absolute Focus on the Outcome. As great and as essential as it is to hit benchmarks…the outcome is all that matters. Otherwise we’re wasting our time. So those who can look at the little things and the big things at the same time will always fare better.
I hope this might help you fight through the challenges and be a bit more successful when it comes to your aspirational outcomes…cheers to a great finish to 2024 and remember that hitting our long-term aspirational goals is a series of sprints in a mega-marathon.
About the Author: John grew up in Schenectady, NY & received a scholarship to Norwich Academy. He began his broadcast management career at WOR, learning spoken word marketing from the best in the business with a specialty in financial and long form. John managed broadcast sales for some of the best known sports teams in the world, at the most legendary stations. However his true passion is in the world of direct response advertising to baby boomers and their parents. In this space he has worked with some of the best brands in America. John lives in Boston with his wife, Melissa who is also a broadcast executive, and French Bulldogs Lou and Sal.