Shoot for the Moon

As January rolls around every year people turn to their planners and new desk calendars to jot down goals for the next 12 months.

On the list may be such things as eating healthier, losing weight, spending more time with family, and vacationing in a new place. On the business side of things it might be finding new ways to market a product, upping the culture experience of the company, or developing a new training program for employees.

All of these are worthy goals, and many others can be put on the list.

Two memorable quotes about goal-setting:

“Having goals that we are passionate about gives us something to look forward to each and every morning when we wake up,” said Lou Holtz, former football player and coach. “Not having goals is an excellent recipe for average living.”

And Canadian educator and management theorist Lawrence J. Peter said: “Highly successful organizations and individuals all have an extremely clear vision of where they are going.”

A person doesn’t start on a trip without a destination in mind. Nor does the successful business operate without a plan.

Likewise, an individual and organization shouldn’t approach a new year without at least some goals in place.

That’s my philosophy anyway.

While some people may not be fond of new year’s resolutions, believing they are trite efforts to what people should be doing every day, I find them worthy of attention.

Personally, new year’s resolutions help me reflect on how well I did during the previous year and what I may do better in the next 12 months. It’s a good measure of individual progress.

Goals are easier to manage when they are broken into smaller brackets, and 12 months is manageable for some goals. (It may be good to gauge other goals, depending on what they are, every three to four months.)

Each business owner and manager must decide what works best for them and their team when it comes to goal-setting. But whatever the method and whatever worthy goals may be set for the new year, I wish you the best as you work to achieve them.

And that’s the keyword to accomplishing any goal: Work.

Remember this: “Shoot for the moon,” motivational speaker Les Brown said. “Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”

As always, thanks for reading!

Andrew

Weeks

I look forward to hearing from you at aweeks@prairiebusinessmagazine.com or 701-780-1276.

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ANDREW WEEKS

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