Don’t be discouraged – Things always take longer than you think
There’s a great quote from Bill Gates “Most people overestimate what can be done in a year, but underestimate what can be done in 5 years”.
So the number one question to ask is are you being realistic?…… If not, reframe the goal into something that is achievable
Equally, are you overcomplicating things?….. Think about how you can simplify and still get to the essence of what the goal is all about.
Whatever you do, don’t give up. The number of people who have given up just before they make the big breakthrough is enormous
Get back in touch with your why?
Sometimes reminding yourself of the big picture is just what’s needed to re-invigorate your efforts. So It’s worth reminding yourself why you had the goal in the first place. What’s the real reason behind the goal? What does the bigger picture look like once you accomplish the goal? What are the new possibilities it opens up?
Hopefully, that helps, but equally, if you are drawing a blank with the answers to each of those questions you must really question why the goal is important. Goals without compelling reasons behind them are in my experience a waste of time.
Are you going it alone?
One of the biggest reasons for failing to hit goals is failing to enlist the right support. Your resource is limited, you can do a small number of things well, but you can’t do everything. Asking for help isn’t failure. What can you delegate that might make reaching the finishing line less of a burden?
Don’t assume you have all the skills to get the job done. Do you need some specialist support? Play to your own strengths, and get others with complementary skills to cover your weaknesses. If someone else can do something better or quicker it’s worth getting them on board to do it. If this costs money then ask yourself how important the goal really is.
Who are you accountable to?
Is anyone monitoring your progress? it makes a real difference when you are accountable to someone for getting things done. Making excuses for lack of progress to yourself is one thing, making those excuses to someone else is harder. Do you need that extra accountability?
Don’t underestimate the role of a coach or a mentor. Many people, particularly finance folk, think using a coach is a sign of weakness. The reality is it’s just the opposite. As well as giving you accountability, a coach or mentor can be a sounding board, can be a source of ideas, and someone to work with to cut through the issues.
Stay focussed
We all suffer from Squirrel syndrome, running off after the latest new thing. I’m my own worst enemy, often running off after a new idea and forgetting to push through and complete on the last one. The truth is you must focus on one thing and stay with it. You can move 1mm in a million directions or move a mile in one direction.
In short, you must learn to say no, because there is a bigger yes.
Be positive and put things right
First, it’s important to take a step back and evaluate what went wrong. Was there a specific event or trigger that caused things to go off track? Or, did you simply lose focus and veer off course? Once you’ve identified the root cause of the problem, you can begin to develop a plan for fixing it.
Next, it’s time to get organized and create a new action plan. This time, be sure to include some flexibility in your plan so that you can adjust as needed. And, don’t forget to involve your team in this process – they may have some great ideas for getting things back on track!
Remember, it’s important to stay positive and focused on your goals. Remember that even the best-laid plans can sometimes go awry. But, with a little bit of effort and perseverance, you can get your business back on track and achieve success in 2022!
When your business execution plan goes off the rails, it’s important to stay calm and focused. Take a step back to evaluate what went wrong, and then involve your team in creating a new action plan. With a little bit of effort, you can get your business back on track!
Overall, you must have the right mindset and push through. Remember you are a finisher, not a quitter. You can still achieve your 2022 goals.