The following post is courtesy of Diane Harrison who is principal and owner of Panegyric Marketing, a strategic marketing communications firm founded in 2002 specializing in alternative assets.
The year is all but over for meeting your business goals, with the holidays upon us and so many distractions threatening productivity. It’s actually a great time though for taking a breath, reflecting on the year to date, and establishing a game plan for the coming year. With just a few simple steps, you can create a 2026 action plan that will keep you on task and on track.
GOAL SETTING- Start by separating what needs to get done from what you’d like to accomplish, and set deadlines for the first group. It’s natural to spend your time and energy on what you’d rather be doing, but if you can train yourself to plow through the necessary projects first, you’ll not only enjoy the satisfaction of getting the required work completed, but will also enjoy the fun stuff that follows more.
BREAKING IT DOWN- ‘A journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.’ The ancient Chinese proverb still holds when facing a daunting task. By separating a huge job into small, manageable chunks, it’s easier both to get started and to keep progressing through the project, with victory steps along the way. For those who fall into the procrastinator category, this process really helps to lower the stress and discomfort tackling large issues tends to bring.
PROBLEM SOLVING- Most projects hit a snag or two along the way. Those who can take a step back, explore several options for proceeding, and get back to business quickly tend to have more success in overcoming the obstacles. Often, the best way through a problem is not the first try at solving it. Those who can seek help when needed, or think creatively to find a new way, are the future innovators and entrepreneurs of our time.
SETTING UP FOR SUCCESS- Some people find that they are their own worst enemies when it comes to getting things done. They can be easily distracted, find excuses to delay, look for trouble before it even presents itself, and give up when they hit a roadblock. The most successful individuals understand their natural tendencies towards these habits, and are diligent about minimizing their impact on moving forward. If you are one who can’t work through distracting noises, find a quiet place to focus and concentrate. If you need a collaborative spirit in which to brainstorm ideas, create a task group to divide and conquer a large or complex job. Stay focused on the end goal and keep moving towards it.
MEASURE RESULTS- How do we know if we’ve succeeded? Some form of objective measurement is key to understanding how you did. It may take the form of data capture, or survey results, or revenue share. Whatever the test, at the beginning of a project, take time to decide on how you can know if you’ve achieved success or not, and return to that measurement at the end to see how you’ve done.
MOVING THE GOAL POSTS- Success often breeds additional success. Bill Bradley famously said, ‘Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.’ Once you have success, it creates the drive and ambition to reach for more. With the right planning process, your next challenge will be both attainable and rewarding to take on. Make 2026 your year of success!
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