Today’s guest blogger is Patti Steen with The Pelsten Group located in Seattle, WA. The Pelsten Group is a recruitment firm that focuses on all levels of positions within IT. The majority of their clients are in the Seattle area but they actively support NPAworldwide across the US. Patti is currently serving on the NPAworldwide Board of Directors.
As each New Year begins everyone always talks about making a resolution. What are resolutions? The dictionary defines a resolution as the following:
- Defining and solving a problem to come to a resolution
- A firm decision to do or not to do something
- The action of solving a problem, dispute or contentious matter
I think most of us think about resolutions as an action – I am going to exercise more, lose weight, give up something, etc. Are we setting a resolution without thinking about defining and solving the problem to come to that resolution? We can all say we are going to lose weight, but it is pretty easy to lose focus by February.
Each New Year is a good time for an annual check-up. How are we doing in three key areas – self, family and professional life. Depending on the year, some areas may take a bit more focus than others.
If we really want to have the potential for fulfilling our resolutions, we may want to put a bit more thought into the resolution and the process it takes to be successful. Treat this as a strategic planning session for your life.
Decide what is important to you: Focused time with family, 10% increase in profit, lose 20 pounds, etc.
Decide what you want/need to do to make this resolution attainable: Monthly dinner with a child, add 5 new customers, determine how much weight to lose, etc.
Break it down into steps: Schedule out who you will take to dinner one-on-one each month and get it on the calendar, set your strategic goals to increase your customer base, and sign up for a weight loss program and commit to it.
Instead of just stating what you want to do this year…treat each resolution as a goal. Goals require thought, commitment and focus. I think we are all used to setting goals at work. It is part of being successful in our profession. But how often do we invest the same amount of time in really thinking through what is important in our personal lives?
There are times we can barely do the basics in this fast-paced world, so don’t make it too complicated or it won’t get done. I generally choose up to 3 things I am going to focus on in a year. That is manageable for me. Yours may be more or less…but remember to keep it simple.
This is the year to not just state your resolution but to take the time to be clear what your resolution is, break it down into attainable goals and say at the end of the year…I did it!
