Here we are! Just yesterday you opened a new appointment book for the year and now it is time to put it away and start a new one for 2012. The older I get, the more quickly this seems to happen.
But…before you do that, don’t forget to transfer all of the things you did not accomplish from this year’s “to do” list to next year’s. Just because you missed the mark on a few items doesn’t mean you should forget about them. If those items were truly worth putting on your list in the first, then move them to the top of your 2012 list.
By the way…you do have a list of projects to complete and goals to reach in 2012, don’t you? Some people I know pride themselves on the quality of their memory but few people can remember everything that needs to be done over the span of twelve months. Making a list, checking it more than twice, and posting it where it is a constant reminder of what has to be accomplished is my way of getting things done. Adding a date, your deadline for each project and possibly some other dates by which individual parts of a project need to be finished is almost as important as what’s on the list.
Deadlines are important. Without them it is too easy to put something off till next week, month, year. As an added inducement to get things done, share your list with everyone in the office. Let them know what your plans are and where they fit into the scheme of things. Everyone will be impressed with your planning skills and know what they have to do to keep things on track.
After you make your list, why not encourage everyone in the office to make their own personal list? I believe we all need to set goals, otherwise how will you know where you are?
So what’s on your list? 10% sales growth, 5% reduction in returns, updating your sound suite, computerizing your files, starting a newsletter, refurbishing the office, getting additional training, etc. There are so many things and so little time! Create your list, prioritize your items, create your deadlines and have a GREAT year.
Here’s wishing everyone the very best in 2012, and if you like what I have been writing, please pass our website on to your colleagues. Increasing our readership and providing interesting and usable information is our goal for 2012.
