It's goal time. I'm getting all tangled up in the complexity of goal setting and getting it right. Then it hit me - I needed to work on a goal that will help me be more effective - in every way. Read on the see what I mean.
Keeping it simple and becoming more effective go together.
It occurred to me while doing my 2008 goals, that I was making things a lot more difficult and complicated than I had to. Then it occurred to me: my Number One Goal for 2008 is to "Keep It Simple."
I know, that doesn't meet the standards of SMART goals - specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time specific. But what a relief to just say "Keep it simple, Andy" - very liberating - and with great potential to improve my effectiveness
It's not an easy goal. There have been so many years of putting together really specific, milestone charted, correctly stated goals and supporting plans. It's so tempting to expand requirements, plug in sub goals, set up precise progress and process charts - all in the name of better planning. And then I'm reminded of what our military says about plans - "They are critical, but they don't survive first contact with the enemy." In other words, you gotta plan, but keep complexity to a minimum - it has negative value when it comes to responding to the real world. I can buy that.
It's going to be a real trip to just go for the most important things, keep my eye on the ball, and keep telling myself that simple is good and complex is bad. A "ready, fire, aim" behavior. It's a real behavior shift - but I can already see how it can make me more effective and successful.
Let's face it, most of us know what we need to do, we know how to do it, and we just need to get on with it. And that's the rub - at least for me. It's easier to plan than to act - it's easier to consider all the pro's and con's than to act - it's easier to make things more complicated than it is to simplify - it's easier to analyze all the consequences than it is to act. And in all those perfectly legitimate functions lies the potential to fail. Preparation taken too far is a recipe for failure - and yet preparation seems to be leading to success. Up to a point it's true - after a point it's an illusion.
Joe Vitale, in his excellent book "The Attractor Factor" makes the statement that "money likes speed." Harry Beckwith, in "Selling The Invisible" says " don't let perfect get in the way of good." I think I know what they mean.
I'm going to start today to Keep It Simple. How? By not putting this article away and coming back to it from time to time, and revising it and redrafting it. I'm just going to submit it - now.
In whatever endeavors you find yourself right now, keep it simple. Keep it simple today.
Our Greatest Source of Security
The only real source of security any of us have in this time of change and downsizing and merging and new business models and all the other stuff we see, read and hear - is what? The only real security any of us have comes from our own accomplishments. Top performers - the people who will prosper even in the toughest of times - believe that. For others it's a frightening thought - or a frustrating thought - or just plain not true.
7 Steps To Developing Personal Power
The most successful people are those who know who they are. They know that each of us is made up of three selves. Each of us is first, the person we think we are - our self concept; second, the person we want others to think we are - our mask; and third, the person others think we are - our perceived self. These can be three very different people. Successful people know that, and work hard to closely align their three selves.
Captain Sullenberger, Preparation, Routine and Opportunities
Hats off to Captain Sullenberger and his crew and their rescue - I can't think of a better word to describe what they did - in saving the passengers and themselves when they had to ditch in the Hudson River. The accolades and gratitude and respect that the crew have received are well earned. And there is a real lesson for all of us as we go about the business of our lives
