Goal!

One of my favorite things to talk about is goal-setting. And since we're quickly approaching the time of year when many of us create a fresh set of goals, I thought I would quickly post something I bumped across earlier today. After all, each and every one of us is guilty of failing to achieve a goal or two along the way - and we'll do it again in 2010. For some it will be a fitness or weight-loss goal - something pertaining to personal improvement or growth. For others, a financial goal, or perhaps a relational/friendship goal.

Whatever your goal or goals, it's important to consider the top five reasons why people don't achieve their goals:

1) Failure to write your goals on paper. No, your computer doesn't count. Paper.

2) Failure to make a plan to achieve the goals. Without a road map, all your action will be wasted. Remember, vision without goal-focused action is a daydream, and action without vision is a disaster. In your plan, include the resources you may need, including the people who can help you.

3) Failure to post your goals in plain view. This is why you need to get them off your computer and onto your desk, your wall, or your fridge.

4) Failure to live up to the commitments you made. Commit to your commitments. As a famous personal trainer says, "Decide, Commit, Succeed." Now drop and give me twenty...

5) Failure to make goals that are achievable in the first place. It's okay to have your head in the clouds as long as your feet stay grounded in reality. Aim for the stars, but make sure you're capable of building a rocket to take you there.

In addition, make sure your goals are dated and measurable. Charting your progress will build your confidence and increase your level of accomplishment and commitment. There will be obstacles along the way, so try to anticipate those and add them to your goal list ahead of time.

Sure, this is pretty simplistic stuff, but it's time-tested advice that ought to help give us a good start to the coming new year.

J.

Quick Change

For those interested, I've re-launched my leadership blog for the purpose of providing bi-monthly articles (or more), based on the lessons my new team and I learn along the way. Here is the new link, along with a new posting:

http://leaseronleadership.blogspot.com

Check it out and let me know what you think.

Thanks!

J.

South!

It's been quite a while since I have written anything here with regularity. Truth is, the past several months have been quite busy. It would seem that the next several months will be equally busy, as I begin a new work-related adventure next week. For those of you who do not know, I have accepted the District Mgr. position in Toledo for my current company. It won't be a walk through the park - in fact, the market needs a complete rebuilding job from the inside out. But I have wanted an opportunity like this for a long, long time, and look forward to the challenge. As Chesterton said, a man must have enough faith in himself to begin an adventure - and enough doubt in himself to enjoy it.

More to come...

J.

Canoe Trip

Had a great time Up North last weekend, as did all who were able to make it. The clean air and sheer beauty of nature is difficult to beat, and there just aren't many stress relievers that equal a day on the Au Sable. I definitely need to make that trip more than once every year or so.

As the saying goes, what happens there stays there. That said, I thought I'd share some pictures.

An Ode to Mio

An Ode to Mio

by Joe Leaser

I sit here working and dreaming of Mio
Staring at this quite impossible pile
Of projects and to-do's that clutter my space
With deadlines and hassles I'd rather not face

But in nine more hours and one more day
Of too much work for too little pay
I can turn off my brain and begin to think
Of stogies and rivers, and chili and drink
Of kingfishers, brown trout and a wild turkey's gobble
Of Rte 33 leading us to the Au Sable
Of sleeping bags, camp fires, and plenty of trees
Of fresh air and friendship, and Rick losing his keys

So with just one more day to deal with the hell
Of computers and faxes and calls on the cell
I turn an eye upward and give thanks to the Source
who created the wonderland known as Up North