Nothing Changes If Nothing Changes

The beginning of the year always brings reflection, introspection and maybe regret or disappointment at things left undone or still the same. Yet, this new year kicks off giving us the opportunity to be optimistic, start fresh, or set some new goals. Every year we get the chance, just by the changing of the calendar, to have a line in the sand starting a point to do something new.

A couple of years ago, I hit the age 50 milestone. It was quite a shock how much it affected me. 50 is a big number. When I talked to friends, those under 50 agreed…50 is big and scary. Those over 50 said…it’s no big deal. For most people, it also closely corresponds to being an empty nester too which adds to the scariness.

Turning 50 is a little like having a line in the sand to start the second part of your life.

So, I decided to set an age 50 personal goal….to show I still have it…. that I can be the same as I was in high school…….weigh 185lbs and bench press 250lbs. My theme was 250 at age 50. I told friends and family about it and worked towards it. The accomplishment was documented in a video of me benching 250lbs that I showed to the entire company. Also, to celebrate turning 50 (I figured if I can’t stop it, I might as well embrace it) I had t-shirts made for everyone to wear on the same day and handed out $50 bills.

At age 51, I decided my goal was to leg press 650lbs…and I did it. This past year at age 52, my goal was to do a Spartan race (and finish in the top 10 in my age category). I competed in 4 races and finished in 4th place.

In addition to these goals I had other personal enrichment goals that I accomplished: read through the Bible, read 24 books, take a vacation in Europe, and eat mostly vegan just to name a few.

Here, we publish a business plan each year setting out our goals and initiatives. It is a combination of sales, financial, equipment, upgrades, and process improvements. I give a “state of the company” report telling everyone where we stand and laying out what we are working towards next year. We print one for every person plus put a copy up in our shop.

Having written goals that you make public is a powerful thing.

If goals are not written down they are just wishes. If they are not public there is no accountability. Goals also must be specific to be meaningful. I am always amazed at how many we accomplish each year…sure there are always some that don’t happen, but not many.

Give it some thought, I mean real thought. What do you want to change about your life? How do you want to be better next year…mentally, financially, spiritually, with your health or family? Just wishing it will get you nowhere. Write it down, tell others…make it public. I laminate my goals and tape them to my desk. Just by reading them every once in a while, it keeps me focused and reminds me of what I want to accomplish. Amazingly, sometimes a goal is fulfilled without me actively, consciously pursing it. By reviewing your goals regularly it allows your subconscious to work on them and causes you to be alert to the opportunities to complete them.

Doing the same thing over and over again and wishing for a different outcome is the definition of insanity. I am always amazed at sales people who say they want to sell more yet do nothing to make themselves better, try different techniques, make more calls, or pursue different prospects. Or, how people say they want to stop smoking, lose weight, eat better or get in shape. Yet, they have no plan, no direction, nothing written down, and no accountability. So guess what happens? There may be a little flurry of activity or some progress made but soon enough ordinary life happens, they get distracted, forget, or just lose interest.

So, what are you waiting for? If nothing changes, nothing changes. January 1st is your new line in the sand. Make some goals, write them down, and make them public. Then, get started creating the life you want.

Cheers till next time, Taylor