It’s that time of year when many of us make all sorts of plans for the coming year.
Encouraged by Mari Smith, a social media speaker and author, I am choosing one word that will act as my theme for the next 12 months.
My word for 2012 is:
STRATEGY.
Strategy is defined as:
a plan, method, or series of maneuvers or stratagems forobtaining a specific goal or result.
When you work in the online and digital space as I do, it is far too easy (even for the most disciplined) to get distracted. One link leads to another, which leads to another, which leads to yet another.
Next thing you know, you’ve read several blog posts, watched a few videos, and added some books to your Amazon cart. You are nowhere close to where you started your online journey — and four hours, or more, have disappeared.
While I can’t promise this will NEVER happen again to me, I am entering this new year with a clear cut STRATEGY mapped out for the goals I want to accomplish by the same time next year.
Starting with the end in mind and working backwards, month by month, week by week on a visual chart that will hang on the wall at eye level in my work space will not only keep me on track, but also give me concrete ways to measure my progress. I’ve dabbled in this sort of thing in the past, but never followed through on a 12-month plan.
That all changes as of now.
Over the next several days, I will be drawing and plotting and thinking and coloring my business’s strategy for 2012. Even when unexpected detours show up, I will always have my original map to lead me back to where I intend to go.
It’s going to be a really great year.
How about you? What’s your word that will define 2012 for you?
