A new year has dawned once again!
I find that this is the time for the major review of my goals and objectives that I set for the previous year, and to document the new goals and objectives for 2025. I challenge you to do the same. Begin by identifying the major achievements and highlights for 2024. These could include work achievements, financial objectives, family highlights, personal development, educational achievements or personal success outcomes.
I use a visual journal with white pages to document my goals and objectives at the start of the year. Once I complete this activity I then develop Action Plans for the major goals and objectives. Throughout the year I periodically review my goals and revise any action plans that are not progressing as expected.
Like most people I also identify a few missed opportunities or disappointments for the year. This allows me to learn from the experience so that I can strengthen my future plans moving forward. Go ahead and document the missed opportunities and disappointments. Ask yourself, “What could I have done differently to capitalise on the missed opportunities or overcame the disappointments?”, and document potential changes and actions for the future. Don’t spend too much time regretting the missed opportunities. The rest of your life starts now, therefore focus on your future goals and plans for 2025. Some of these goals could also be carried over from 2024. Particularly goals that were over ambitious, which is common amongst high achievers.
One of the significant goals that I set revolves around my personal development program. Brian Tracy states in many of his programs that you should work on yourself more than you work on your job. By working on yourself you will always be improving your skills and knowledge, that will ultimately improve your job outcomes. Therefore, I document my personal development plan that is aligned with my goals and objectives for the year. That is, what do I need to develop to achieve the outcomes I desire? My personal development plan generally includes a reading list, personal development CDs and DVDs, a few home study courses, a target list of seminars and networking events, and a couple of online courses.
What does your personal development plan look like?
Good luck and I wish you every success for 2025!