“If you are working on something exciting that you really care about you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.”

~Steve Jobs

Today I Googled “New Year’s Resolutions” and over 77 million search results appeared.  During the course of my coaching sessions, streaming throughout my Facebook feed, and while having casual conversation with my friends… the talk of transformation at the beginning of every year runs rampant.

What will you do differently? How can you be a better version of yourself? What desires will you fulfill?  We make promises to ourselves, we share them with others, we act with diligence… until the first distraction occurs.

And then the resolution fades away as the myriad of daily tasks unfolds. As comedian Joey Adams once said:

“May all your troubles last as long as your New Year’s resolutions”

Why have New Years Resolutions developed a bad reputation? Why are they broken as quickly as they were developed?

Because they are often statements of outcomes… “I will lose 50 pounds”, “I will eat healthier”, “I will exercise more”, “I will create more joy in my work” and so on and so forth. Statements that can feel overwhelming. Statements that lack a goal setting process. Statements that, quite frankly, are not very inspiring.

While they may indicate a desire, they don’t necessarily create a clear vision. There is no emotion. They often lack the clarity of purpose of the goal. For example, when you set the resolution to lose weight, it does not describe what life will look like as the change occurs.  Yet this end result is the vision … the inspiration that will pull you forward.

Another element that many negate to include are the small, measurable action steps that will move you towards the desired result. Without these bite size steps, or goal setting plan, the vision can seem overwhelming.

So you see, transformation is fueled by a vision and then accomplished through having a clear plan of action to arrive at your desired state.

Whether you use the coming of a New Year to assess your work or your personal goals or do it on a regular basis … whether you do it for yourself or for the teams you lead … having a clear vision along with specific, measurable action steps will ensure you achieve your goals and manifest your desires.

Here are some of the best practices leaders use to not only create an inspiring vision but to also make it a reality:

LOOK AT WHERE YOU’VE BEEN

Before looking at where you want to go, valuable information can be derived by looking at where you have been. By reflecting on both the peaks and valleys of the past, patterns and best practices can be identified. Take some time to reflect on your core strengths and preferences. What generates energy? What tasks are fulfilling? Now use those sources of energy to pull you and your team forward.

Also consider the activities, projects, tasks that are draining. What is not working? Why is time being wasted? Identify the factors that are causing the distraction and determine what can be done differently to make a positive change. As you create your vision for the future, build on what is working and change what is not.

DEVELOP CLARITY ON WHERE YOU WANT TO GO

How will it look when you get there? What will the transformation feel like? How will things be different after you reach your desired state? Creating an energetic and vivid description of where you want to go can be of great assistance in creating excitement and enthusiasm for the future. This can be done as a free flowing brainstorm to identify the numerous qualities and aspects desired within the organization. If you are creating a vision for your team, items may include descriptions of employee interactions, communication flow, teamwork, customer service, product innovation, ideas for growth, methods to leverage strengths and so on. What is most important is that every item is clearly and energetically outlined creating a vivid picture of what the organization looks and feels like making the intangible…in fact…tangible.

IDENTIFY “3-FOOT” TOSSES

Often when establishing a vision, many of us negate to break it down into small, achievable goals. We tend to look at the Hail Mary pass, rather than much more achievable series of 3-foot tosses. So very quickly the goal seems out of reach. It is much more effective to focus on your next step that will pull you forward rather than worry about the larger task. If you are trying to lose weight, the thought of 50 pounds can seem daunting, but going to the gym 4 days in the coming week is doable. And when you have success, it creates energy and pulls you closer to your vision.

In a recent conversation with a client, she told me that she has to create procedures for the 40-50 processes within her area. She has not taken one step towards this goal as it seems completely overwhelming. She has not yet found the 3 full days necessary to achieve this assignment. Because this assignment is not urgent, nor does it have a defined deadline, it has no energy.

To gain confidence and energy in achieving this goal, we identified a manageable 3-foot toss, “Block off 1 hour every Friday for the next 4 weeks to write procedures”. She will give this scheduled event the same weight and priority as a meeting with her most important client. During each hour she will complete a minimum of 2 procedures. As a result she will have at least 8 procedures documented by the end of the month. Breaking a large goal into small, manageable steps greatly increases the chances that the vision will be realized.

BUILD IN MILESTONES & CELEBRATE THEIR SUCCESS

As you move forward in taking the 3-foot tosses, identify the significant milestones that will allow you to know you are moving in the right direction.  Using my client’s example, her milestone will be “document half of the procedures in 6 weeks”. This milestone becomes worthy of a celebration.  Take the time to enjoy the progress. You, like many, may have a tendency to become so focused on the ultimate goal, that you may forget to recognize and celebrate the many successes that occur on a regular basis. Yet acknowledging the small achievements often becomes the motivation to reach the end.

SPEAK WITH ENTHUSIASM

When talking about the vision, avoid using words like “try” or “might”, rather say “will” and “are”. You will create what you focus on and if you focus on the obstacles, barriers, and negativity…that is what you will manifest. While it is okay to acknowledge the challenges that may be encountered, it is never helpful to dwell on them or use them as an excuse for not moving forward. Whether you are working on a personal goal or creating a vision for your team, speak with positivity and confidence. There is tremendous power in your words and you can either build people up or bring others down just by the words that you choose. In the book The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz, his first agreement is Be Impeccable With Your Word.  Ruiz goes on to say “Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using words to speak against yourself or to gossip about others.” This concept is equally true when speaking about your vision and dreams.

You, as the leader, are modeling the way. Others are noticing both your behaviors and attitudes. As you enthusiastically talk about the vision and goals and celebrate milestones, no matter how small, your energy becomes contagious.

So, as the calendar turns to a New Year, use these steps to ensure you and your team are set up to realize all your resolutions!