Set yearly goals/themes
I don’t have a ten-year plan. It seems every time I make a long-term goal, I either reach it very quickly, or it completely changes because the state of my industry, or the world, or whatever else.
But I do make yearly goals. Some of these come out in themes, which I do instead of resolutions. I believe 2014 was a year of yes. 2015 was a year of work. 2016 was a year of intention. This is a yearly thread in Tech Lady Mafia that really changed my life.
Sit down and think what about your work (or life!) needs your focus next year. Make it almost a mantra. I tend to pick a single word, but others write a statement.
Set SMART goals
At SRCCON: Work I participated in a great goal-setting/visioning session with The New York Times’ Jessica Kosturko where she reminded us to make SMART goals — that is Specific. Measurable. Achievable. Relevant. Time-bound.
Instead of saying “I’m going to innovate my workplace!” the goal would be more like “I am going to make sure I schedule 4 hours of project time for each of my employees so they can work on passion projects and we’ll track the projects together at our weekly check-ins.”
The idea is to make a grand idea much smaller and bite-sized.
What’s your year going to be like?
Alexandra Samuel (a brilliant human and tech writer) shared this great booklet for planning your 2018.
It’s called Yearly Compass and it might take a few hours to do, but it seems like it may well be worth looking back to look forward.  I’m actually sending this newsletter on a Sunday to give you a day to sit down and maybe accomplish which as the new year starts.
Happy New Year. If you sit down and do some goal-setting, I’d love to see the results!
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