Three Words for 2012 Goals -- Live, Grow, Produce
Posted by Tony Meister on Mon, Jan 02, 2012
It’s a New Year, you’ve made resolutions, set goals, and I’m sure you’ve gleaned all you can to plan to make 2012 a great year. In 2011 NetSolutions learned a lot of lessons and many of those lessons surrounded people. Optimizing people, process, and technology has been a theme for us and our partners for years. The “people” part of the equation is the most important. This year I’m going to invest in people and that will start with me. So maybe what I share will help you as well.
I can’t take someone higher unless I’m soaring there as well. If I don’t love myself I can’t properly love others. This year I’m investing in areas within me that will reap a greater reward for others using 3 Words – LIVE, GROW, & PRODUCE.
This year I’m taking on an idea from blogger Chris Brogan. Chris calls it “my 3 words,” and uses this as guidance for how he should “conduct his efforts in the year to come.”
What I like about this idea is that I often find myself revamping direction throughout the year if 1) I achieve my goals, or 2) if I realize that priorities have shifted and I need to refine my existing goals. To set goals around these three expressions sets a guideline for me to work in and set deadlines around my priorities. Some people don’t set concrete goals and with 3 words alone one may find a nice compass for achievement.
LIVE
We’re human beings not human doings. Being alive is prioritizing what gives life and having more life to give. When I die I’m not looking back at how much money I’ve made, how many contracts I’ve closed, or what car I drove. I find true fulfillment and joy in living positively and spreading that life to others. From this creativity, passion, and business will flow. Helping others goes beyond happiness but brings joy. Producer George Lucas gives some great advice at the end of this talk related to happiness versus joy. (scroll to 8:16 on the timeline). So what I do will come out of how I live. I will be freer this year from responsibilities that aren’t mine to take on. I will simplify by focusing on my spirituality, my wife, son, and family. I know my business will prosper as a result because I will be focused on what matters in life and that will drive greater efficiency in other areas including business.
GROW
This year I will grow in the areas that I love and know I’m good at. I learned in the corporate world that my employees didn’t thrive or grow when I didn’t guide them in what they already did best. I learned from Marcus Buckingham that we need to make the most of each person's particular combination of strengths, weaknesses, talents, interests and abilities. Grow in your strength and passion this year and set goals around that.
PRODUCE
My goal is to produce more this year. With a greater sense of purpose I will have more energy and that will result in greater productivity. If you don’t know the purpose of a thing you’ll abuse it. This past year my purpose has become clearer as I have learned more about myself and my strengths. I encourage you to identify your purpose based on your strengths and talents and then focus on that. I also want to mentor this year. Producing the essence of what has been produced in me, in others. In 2011 I ran 10 men through a 24 week course on “Authentic Manhood.” and learned quickly that men don’t truly understand their identity because they’ve never been taught what it means to be a man. Purpose, identity, and passion will produce results in your life as you understand who you are.
So let me know what your plans are for 2012 and your thoughts on the 3 words.