Break those big goals down into smaller action steps.
I know, I know, it’s an old cliche, “If you don’t have a map how do you know where you are going?” Nowadays you can actually fake it with last minute Google searches or a GPS safety net. But that will only help from getting from A to B.
The big picture still needs planning and vision. Which sounds big over midnight New Year’s Eve toasting. Even if you are resistant, here are three steps to move forward in spite of yourself.
Skip through “I can’t” until you get to “I can.”
Another cliche that has lasted over the years because there is some sense to it is “take baby steps.” If your goal is to add “x” number of clients in 2017, begin by creating a target list. If that seems daunting (aka I can’t do it!) Begin by creating a Network Map (as in I can do that.)
Inspiration software is fantastic to write things down as you think of them–as in I know Steve who knows Jared and Maria, but wait that other Maria I know knows Ty and Corinne… Inspiration software lets you brainstorm freely and then puts it into a nifty outline when you are ready.
Take advantage of the ability to know anything.
It’s always amazing to me that we have the ability to know just about anything there is to know from throughout the history of time, and yet cat videos are still the top viewed content on the Internet.
If your goal is to target more clients who are grandparents, research cities with the largest over 60 population. Interested in marketing? What are the trends for 2017 (with an eye to what is actually applicable to your work–just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.) Want to make more of a positive impact on the world? Research the issues that move you, from hunger to refugees to children’s issues. You’re not wasting time on the Internet–you are researching! Keep a pocket list of things you want to know, and take advantage of the time spent waiting (alone, of course…people before technology) in lines, in cars, at lunch.
Do something for someone else.
And if you find yourself getting anxious about your plan of success for the coming year, stop and do something for someone else. It could be as simple as sending over a job posting you come across to someone who would be perfect for it; shoveling someone’s sidewalk; calling your mother, or maybe something more profound.
But, the simple act of doing something for someone else 1.) gets you outside of your own head and realizing you don’t have to do everything on your own, and 2.) Puts good karma out into the world. And the world always needs more of that.