from David Allen - Productivity guru
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE LATELY?
I mean, what have you actually finished, completed, and accomplished? If you haven't made a list in the last year, I would highly recommend that you take a few minutes and capture that.
It has always intrigued me how much a less-than-conscious part of me can still have energy wrapped up around activities and projects, until I acknowledge that they're done, to myself. Kathryn and I have made an annual exercise, at year-end, of making the list of major completions and accomplishments. We've even been saving that list in a Lotus Notes database for the last few years. It's really quite a healthy, cleansing completion in itself. It includes everything that we can think of—from projects like launching a new product, to adding new staff, to trees planted, to new places visited, to family deaths handled, to old business completed, to new skills and tricks learned.
I've noticed that there is likely some resistance to doing that process as well. I had an attorney (client) recently say in all sincerity that it was quite scary initially to go through the workflow coaching process with me, precisely because he was afraid to declare some of his projects "done"! (I mean, what if they weren't perfect yet?!)
I suggest you give yourself a treat and review the year that just past and look forward to the year ahead.
"Celebrate any progress. Don't wait to get perfect."
-Ann McGee Cooper
DAVID'S COACHING TIPS
For those of you who want more form and structure, here are some questions that can guide you in your 2009 review and 2010 goal setting. When I go through these kinds of questions I like to consider my answers in several areas:
Physical
Emotional
Mental
Spiritual
Financial
Family
Community Service
Fun / creativity / recreation
COMPLETING AND REMEMBERING 2009
Review the list of all completed projects
What was your biggest triumph in 2009? I ran my first marathon and raised almost $4000.00 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I also started graduate school.
What was the smartest decision you made in 2009? Starting graduate school
What one word best sums up and describes your 2009 experience? adventure!
What was the greatest lesson you learned in 2009? be financially responsible and plan
What was the most loving service you performed in 2009? even though I initially went into training for my first marathon for myself, I ended up learning a lot about leukemia and lymphoma in the process. I also raised money for the society and gained numerous friendships.
What is your biggest piece of unfinished business in 2009? my personal business. I need to market harder and gain more confidence in my abilities.
What are you most happy about completing in 2009? I had many friends visit me through out the year, I feel I am needed at my job, I am training for another marathon, I started my own running club that now has several amazing members, I have been able to understand what I want and I don't want in life.
Who were the three people that had the greatest impact on your life in 2009? Over this past year I have met so many amazing people in all the things I have started to do. All my coworkers are amazing. They push me to try to do better and I feel like we are all a big family. I also have made some amazing friendships from my running group and from running in general. I can't leave out my roommates-- they always get me through things and I wouldn't have the amazing place to live without either of them!
What was the biggest risk you took in 2009? relying on others
What was the biggest surprise in 2009? My parents built a new house and moved.
What important relationship improved the most in 2009? My brother and I have become closer
What compliment would you liked to have received in 2009? I actually received most of the compliments that I would have liked to received, really. I am usually verbally rewarded at work when something I do is good and I have a good support system that is rewarding as well.
What compliment would you liked to have given in 2009? In general, I feel like I could have given more compliments to everyone.
What else do you need to do or say to be complete with 2009? Show my appreciation for my job and all my friends and family. I am eternally grateful for my occupation and all the wonderful benefits I get from working there. Also, my strong network of great friends and family. I never say how much I appreciate them, but I truly do.
CREATING 2010: THE NEW YEAR
What would you like to be your biggest triumph in 2010? Become debt-free and advance my personal business
What advice would you like to give yourself in 2010? Be smart financially try to remember the little things count
What is the major effort you are planning to improve your financial results in 2010? pay off debt and aggressive save.
What would you be most happy about completing in 2010? paying off my student loan and losing 10 pounds :) (have to throw that in there somewhere)
What major indulgence are you willing to experience in 2010? Traveling to Australia and roadtripping to northern California
What would you most like to change about yourself in 2010? Try harder to have empathy for others and have a positive, optimistic attitude
What are you looking forward to learning in 2010? I am looking forward to continuing my education in leadership and also increasing my skills at photography for my job
What do you think your biggest risk will be in 2010? Unsure about that one... hmm...
What about your work, are you most committed to changing and improving in 2010? I am committed to being indispensable. I want to try to improve my efficiency and start to take on more tasks.
What is one as yet undeveloped talent you are willing to explore in 2010? Gardening! and I always have room to grow in photography and design.
What brings you the most joy and how are you going to do or have more of that in 2010? running, photography and creating and maintaining my relationships with people. I also explored gardening this last year, and plan to continue that as well!
Who or what, other than yourself, are you most committed to loving and serving in 2010? I need serve God
What one word would you like to have as your theme in 2010? Hard work and positive attitude = a fun adventure with many rewards!
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