How to Plan for 2012 - Part 5

Creating a year plan helps you to take a more active role in the direction of your life. By clearly stating your goals, objectives and priorities, you can make decisions aimed at achieving your dreams rather than being a passive reactor to external circumstances. A year plan is an evolving piece that describes what you would like to achieve during your life

Instructions

1. • 1

     Think about the end of your life and decide on key elements for which you want to be remembered. Some people want to be remembered for the relationships they've built with others, while some want to be great achievers, known throughout the world for an invention or great accomplishment. Describe how you'd like to be remembered after you're gone.

   • 2

     Examine your past. Make a timeline of the significant events in your life through today.

   • 3

     Identify your priorities. Select key areas of your life, such as your self, your family, and your career. You can have only a few components or a dozen, it depends on your personal situation. Prioritize these life components into their order of importance.

   • 4

     Set short-term goals. These goals will serve as milestones along the way to the long-term goals you identified in Step 1. Tie your short-term goals into your priorities by creating at least one short-term goal that relates to each of your life components.

   • 5

     Create a plan of action for each component you identified in the previous step. Describe steps you'll take to reach your short-term and end goals in relation to each of your life components. Include a description of your ideal future and your current situation. Identify specific actions you can take to reach your goals, such as running a mile each day to become physically fit.

   • 6

     Revisit your life plan at least once each year and revise it according to your changed priorities. Your goals are likely to change over time, and your life plan is meant to be a work in progress. For example, external events might occur that cause you to change your focus, and you'll want to update your life plan to reflect those changes.

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How to Plan for 2012 - Part 4

Sometimes life seems to go according to plan perfectly. You have a a wonderful significant other, you love your job and you just moved into a great apartment. However, it can be hard for life to go according to plan if you're unsure of your plan. Making a better plan for your life requires knowing your strengths and weaknesses and getting a firm grasp on your goals for both the near

Instructions

1. • 1

     Write down all of your assets, such as work experience or a high GPA during college. Write down all of your weaknesses, such as impatience or changing jobs too frequently.

   • 2

     Write down your short-term goals. Perhaps you want to make more money, have a more exciting romantic life or travel. Figure out what you want that you can change in the near future, and make these things into a list of goals.

   • 3

     Put a time frame on your goal. Take one goal at a time, and write down a list of specific actions you must take to achieve your goal. If your goal is to lose 15 pounds, write down that you must begin an exercise program, eat more vegetables and cut back on junk food. Perhaps you will walk around the neighborhood for one hour after work and switch from snacking on potato chips to snacking on baby carrots.

     While looking at your specific list of actions, estimate a reasonable time frame. Losing 15 pounds might take four months. Getting a promotion might take six months if you work hard and apply yourself. Repeat this step for all goals.

   • 4

     Make a list of long-term goals. Perhaps you want to change careers, go back to school or save up money for your first child.

   • 5

     Save money. If you are a single mother with little savings, you need to get your finances in order before quitting your job in hopes of changing careers.

   • 6

     Repeat step three for all of your long-term goals.

   • 7

     Refer to your list of goals and specific actions once a week to make sure you stay on track. If you find yourself unable to progress toward one goal, you might need to change your time frame or create a new set of steps for reaching your goal.

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How to Plan for 2012 - Part 3

Time management is the process of deciding how to spend your minutes, hours and days so you can achieve your goals. Without time management skills, the process of starting and eventually finishing a project is longer and more frustrating. If you want to plan your life better, it's helpful to learn a few basic time-management techniques.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Write down all of your long-term goals along with a corresponding timeline for each entry. It's important to get an "at-a-glance" view of your goals along with the estimated time when you want them completed, so you can then break down those goals into smaller time units. For example, if one of your long-term goals is to start a business within a year, you can then break down that goal into smaller time units and shorter-term goals. So, for instance, one of your shorter-term goals could be to register your business with the state that week, learn how to set up a website the next week and take training classes the week after that.

   • 2

     Set out your day in blocks of time instead of just "going with the flow" of the day. It's helpful to set these blocks either right before you start your day or the evening before. Break it down by each specific task. For instance, if you work from 9 to 5, you could break the day into two- to four-hour blocks for each major task.

   • 3

     Use a countdown timer whenever you're completing each task. Set the clock to small 20-minute to half-hour segments inside of each of the two- to four-hour blocks you set in the previous step, take a five- or 10-minute break in between and then proceed. This counting timer helps to keep you on track and motivated to complete the task.

   • 4

     Take an hour break at some point in your day to recoup, refresh and recharge. Allow your mind to rest before you get back to the task. Review your progress at the end of the day to note how much you've accomplished, and plan your tasks for the next day.

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How to Plan for 2012 - Part 2

Many of us become so absorbed in our work that we forget to look at the big picture. It’s worth your time to review your work and determine what to change up for the New Year. These questions and activities will help you with your review so you can clean up your business for the better and have a successful and enjoyable year ahead.

1. Are there any clients that bug you? It’s not failure on your part to let go of a client. While smart workers focus on the project and not people issues, sometimes we just don’t mesh well with the client. You are the expert in your field. If a client doesn’t agree with your recommendations, you may not be a good fit.
2. Are there any projects you dread doing? Does it pay when you hate the work? That can affect your health, which can badly affect productivity and profit. I’ve found that when I don’t enjoy an assignment, I tend to procrastinate. Dropping the energy-draining projects could lead to two fabulous ones that take the same amount of time and energy.
3. Review projects and activities while asking, “Why do you do this?” Asking this question identifies possible time-wasters.
4. Is there an easier or faster way to do this? If we all did things because “that’s the way we’ve always done them,” we’d never innovate or make improvements.
5. What will the opportunity cost you? Accepting everything new that comes your way could end up costing more than the revenue brings in.
6. What product or services do you sell? Are they still relevant? Is it time to drop one? Add one? What are customers saying? Are they wishing for something?
7. List all of your activities including projects, clients and marketing. How much money do they bring in? How’s the return on the time I spend on it? Do I need to spend more time here? Less time there?
8. List “want to do” projects that aren’t “must dos.” It helps to be aware of what these are so you can prioritize your activities to make these happen.
9. What’s one new thing I’d like to learn more about? If you don’t challenge yourself or keep up with changing times, you’ll get bored or left behind.

If the thought of doing a thorough review like this seems overwhelming, set the timer for 25 minutes per day for two weeks (or however long it takes you to finish this) and go. No rule says you must finish it in X hours or X days. But the sooner you do it, the sooner you can make changes to turn the New Year into a bang up one.

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How to Plan for 2012 - Part 1

With the new year right around the corner, it is important to take stock of your life and to consider where you want to go from here. It is easy to make new year’s resolutions, but without the proper planning and foresight, it is also easy to break them. Assess yourself and where you want to be throughout the coming year and you’ll find that achieving your goals can become a much clearer process.

Take stock

First, think in the immediate sense. What are you dissatisfied with in your home environment? If your home simply doesn’t look like a place that pleases you, it is time to bring home organization up and make it a priority. Check the local department stores for sales and don’t forget the all-important online offers. For example, Kohls coupon codes offer you plenty in the way of savings, and you can be sure to stock up on all of the home organization tools that you need.

When setting financial goals, consider speaking to a financial adviser. It is easy to say that you are going to save more money, but unless you know how to do it, you are going to start falling behind. A financial adviser can help you consolidate old debts, set a budget, and organize your money, giving you a better chance to move forward with your financial goals. Some financial advisers even give free service, so check at your local library or city hall for more details.

Start small

Remember that it is important to start small. Several small, cumulative goals are much easier to meet than one large goal. Get a calender and mark off small goals that you want to meet. For example, if you want to save up a large sum of money, divide the sum into four and set dates by which you want to save each amount. This allows you to look at the small goals rather than the large one. This also means that when you have minor setbacks that it will be easier to get on track. This method allows you to keep a steady pace throughout the year.

When it comes to setting goals for the future, remember that a few setbacks are normal. The important thing is to keep trying; just because you fell down one day doesn’t mean that you fall down the next. Patience and perseverance are the keys to staying on track with your goals. Think about where you want to be this time next year, and what achieving your goals could mean for you.

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