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Published September 29, 2021 at 11:03 AM

3 Things to Do when Yearly Planning

3 min read
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Picture of Alan Gehringer

Alan Gehringer
a Rhythm Consultant

 

2021 goals

2020 was an extraordinary year on many fronts. Most people I know are very glad it is behind them, and now that it is and we are a month into the new year, it is the perfect time to reflect and make sure you are poised to make 2021 a great year.

Here are 3 suggestions:

 
1. Reflect on 2021.
  • Ask yourself what went well. List your top accomplishments or victories. You will probably have more than you thought, and it is good practice to take note and celebrate what went well.
  • Ask yourself what did not go so well and why. List them so that you can learn from them and avoid the same mistakes or make adjustments this year. 
  • List the primary things you want to do differently in 2021, and then prioritize them. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and you don’t want to take on too many things. Prioritizing will surface the items that are most important to you.

2. Set 3-5 primary goals for 2022. I suggest three so that you can set yourself up for success. Experience and research shows that if you set too many goals, you will not accomplish any of them to the best of your ability or desire.

Here are three possible categories to consider when setting your goals:

  • Personal Development
    • Health
    • Fitness
    • Learning
    • Certifications
    • Relationships
  • Professional Development
    • Training
    • Certifications
    • Accreditations
    • Licenses
    • Improved Job Performance
  • Business Outcomes
    • Financial
    • Market Share
    • New Product Launches
    • Partnerships
    • Acquisitions
3. Find an accountability partner. Ask someone to be your accountability partner, and share your goals for the year. Doing this simple act will help hold you accountable to accomplish your goals and keep you on track. You can review your progress on a monthly (or any interval you prefer with your accountability partner) to discuss how you are progressing and what obstacles might be getting in your way. Choose someone you are comfortable with—and who won’t judge you, but will still give you honest feedback and encouragement.

You can take this exercise a lot further by breaking down your goals quarterly and using a software tool like Rhythm to track them. The most important thing is to take the time to reflect, plan and set goals.

If you need help and don’t have an accountability partner in mind, you may consider an executive coach to help you work through this process to map out your year, help hold you accountable and support your growth.

Please share your thoughts, and good luck as you prepare for and execute in 2022. Alan

 

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Annual Planning Guide

 

Looking for more Annual Planning information to help get you started?
Check out our additional resources:

How to Conduct an Annual Planning Meeting

Annual Planning: 9 Tips to Focus & Align Your Team with a Great Plan

How CEOs Can Avoid High-Cost Mistakes in Annual Planning

Comprehensive Annual Plan Page

Rhythm Systems Annual Planning Resource Center

Photo Credit: iStock by Getty Images