In my experience with business people, it is not a lack of goals that is ever the problem. Quite the opposite. Most have too many.
When we have too many goals, it is easy to become overwhelmed, lose focus, and become distracted.
Sometimes people set many goals because they have big dreams and at the beginning of a new year, they have lots of energy. They want to be successful. They want to make things happen. They just do not have a clear enough idea of the steps required. It’s as if they want it all at once.
Often, too many goals is an indicator that someone does not understand strategy. They see setting goals as an exercise in hopefulness. Rather than, an exercise that helps them focus and become highly motivated around developing and implementing a clear strategic plan to achieve those goals.
Aiming for less will often get you to your dream faster.
Can I encourage you to think a little deeper and come up with the ONE thing you MUST achieve next to move your business towards your dreams. Invest your thinking time to understand what that ONE thing is. It will be a valuable exercise.
Please do not outsource your thinking. Business owners do not spend enough time thinking deeply about business and life. Busyness gets in the way. Urgent things too often take priority over the important things like thinking. You cannot outsource your thinking and goal setting to ChatGPT. AI can help you research, and polish ideas, and give perspective, but it cannot help you think deeply. In fact, overuse of AI will cripple your ability to think deeply.
Your BIG Word for 2026
Once you have done some thinking about what you would like to achieve by the end of 2026, and clarify the ONE key goal you MUST achieve, I encourage you to come up with a BIG WORD that can be an umbrella word under which everything sits this year.
My BIG WORD last year was MAXIMISE. I had my best year ever in business as I implemented my plans. This year my BIG WORD is ENJOY. For me this is a year to enjoy the fruits of the past 16 years in business and have some fun with my clients, but also, take some time to enjoy my business journey more.
What is your BIG Word for 2026?
John Drury Business Mentor – mentoring to develop the leader within you, and to raise up and empower the leaders around you. If you want to become a better leader within your business, please reach out for a free conversation (Book here).
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