Once a year, we set a few personal goals (we call them resolutions) that normally involve making lifestyle changes like losing some weight or quitting smoking. Statistically, most of us have forgotten about our New Year’s Resolutions by mid February. There’s a reason for this.
Our annual resolutions tend to fail because few of us have a plan in place for achieving them. Most dental practices operate the same way.
Five Exercises to Accomplish Your Goals This Year
When I sit down for a goal setting session with one of my clients, I normally start by asking them to make a list of all the things they set out to do at the start of the previous year. Most practices either don’t remember their goals or they didn’t have a list of formal goals identified. They simply went back to work on January 2nd and hoped for growth over the next twelve months. They weren’t focused on anything specific.
Our process is very formal and rigorous. Instead of getting into the nitty-gritty details of what I do with clients, I’m going to offer a few tips that will help you take your practice to a new level in 2015. We’ll cover the first three now and the last two in our next post.
Exercise 1: Evaluate Last Year’s Goals
When people don’t reach their goals they’re far less likely to want to set new ones. They’re afraid of failing again. The best way to get over this hurdle is by taking an honest look at the previous year.
On a flip chart, start by making a list of anything that you intentionally set out to accomplish. Circle the items you achieved with a green marker and the ones you missed in red. Give yourself “partial credit” for getting close and remind yourself that not hitting all of your goals is no reason to stop moving forward.
Exercise 2: Evaluate Last Year’s Unintentional Wins
On the same piece of paper, make another list of all the things that you accomplished but didn’t set out to do initially.
Did you implement a new marketing campaign that wasn’t on the original goal list? Did you hire a new assistant who’s working out well? Maybe you got recognition in a newspaper for doing something out in the community.
Make this list using that same green marker you used on the first one and jot down anything that you personally accomplished and would like some credit for.
Exercise 3: Burn It and Forget It
By now, you’ll have a piece of paper full of bright green writing! Those red circles from the first list will almost disappear. Seeing all that green should be energizing.
Now, using your red marker, write down one thing you personally didn’t accomplish. Then take that piece of paper outside and burn it.
Say goodbye to last year. Let go of all the successes and the failures. Create a new list of goals for 2015. Don’t roll last year’s goals over onto this year’s list simply because they didn’t get done; only include tasks from the previous year if they’re still important.
We’ll discuss the last two tips in my next post. Until then, what are some of the goals you hit last year and what are a few examples of how you might have missed the mark? Share in the comments below.
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