As the year is winding down and we’ve been meeting with clients, we’ve spent time looking back at 2018 through the lenses of both their accomplishments and challenges. Thinking back over our conversations, three themes have surfaced that will be valuable to you and your teams as you move into 2019.
A great 2019 starts with these three questions…
Celebrate Your Wins – “Where did we win in 2018?” It is far too easy, in the midst of all the busy-ness of business, to not slow down enough to celebrate our accomplishments. The wins come, we notice them, and just as quickly we move on to the next project without enjoying the moment. The wins are why we show up every day, and so being intentional about capturing those and rallying around them is critical for building morale, teamwork, and momentum. We’ve gone so far at OrangeBall to put bells on our desks that we can ring when the wins come in. The noise of the bell draws attention to the moment, creates conversations, and makes us stop to take it in. For you, now is the time to celebrate your wins from 2018.
Embrace Your Losses – “Where could we have improved our performance in 2018?” The other side of reviewing 2018 has revolved around spending time talking about the areas that need extra attention in the coming year. As much as we all preach the gospel of failure and how valuable it can be, the reality of looking it square in the eye when it happens can be more intimidating. That said, there is massive value in embracing our losses and failures, and using them as building blocks for creating change and transformation in the coming year. Taking the time to reflect on what we could have done better, and shining a spotlight on our gaps, is the only way to impact the trajectory of our organizations.
Envision What Perfect Looks Like – “What does perfect look like?” I have heard a specific client of ours ask this question time and again, and now it has become part of my own vocabulary. Our ability to imagine this, paint a crystal-clear picture of it in our minds, and really see “perfect” is one of the keys to defining the goals that will get us there. This simple question creates the target, and in turn gives us something to aim toward as we move into the new year. Stop and think… At the end of 2019, what would perfect look like for you and your organization? What goals will you have achieved, and how will you have moved the needle?
These are simple questions to ask, and the answers can be powerful. I’ve come to realize over the past few years that I need to be asking these questions not only within my business and professional life – they also work perfectly within my family as we’re reflecting on 2018 and envisioning what our 2019 looks like. The key is slowing down enough to ask the right questions…
The Takeaway
Start 2019 off on the right foot. Set aside some time over the next week to ask yourself these questions, and start creating the mindset you need to get the most our of the coming year, both professionally and personally.
