Write the present to right the future.
Resolutions; This is usually something done at the beginning of a new year. Resolving to do better; make a change; improve and create better partnerships. A promise to do something different in the new year. Started over 4,000 years ago by the Babylonians who celebrated the new year in mid-March which was the beginning of their year. After adopting the Julian calendar January 1st became the start of the year. January was named for the two-faced god named Janus who looked back to the previous year and ahead to the future. This evolved to the idea of looking back and resolving to do things differently in the future.
Resolutions have definitely changed over the last 4,000 years. Writing down your changes and tracking your progress throughout the year isn’t as common at least for resolutions. It might however be a good exercise for changes within an organization. Looking back it’s usually clear to see what has worked and what hasn’t. Hindsight is 20/20. If writing down future goals doesn’t work how about writing down past regrets? There’s always room for improvement. Do you utilize digital tools to build a solid future? Has your organization met or exceeded all your expectations? More importantly, has the organization met or exceeded your customers’ expectations?
Here are some tips that might help to stay focused:
Set aside time to evaluate what’s working or where improvements need to be made. Does the organization possess the tools that are right for the future? Personnel, hardware, software, and business partnerships are proven tools for success. SAP Business One is that tool. LBSi is that partnership.
- Keep it simple. No need to reinvent everything all at once or reinvent things that are working. Outline the most important changes that will produce the biggest return and build on it. Focus on improvement and success builds itself.
- Define specific and measurable goals. Write, outline, and document progress. It helps reinforce your decisions and allows for adjustments if necessary never losing sight of the direction. If obstacles arise it will be easier to adapt. Aligning with an experienced partner, like LBSi, can minimize any stumbling block.
Set a realistic time to complete your goals. You might want to even break down large projects into smaller more manageable goals. This helps to ensure control over a project as well as create a morale boost as tasks are completed.
Don’t sweat the small stuff. When things aren’t going as expected, don’t abandon the goal simply adjust. There is always more than one way to complete a task. Don’t lose focus just keep moving forward.
As we turn the corner and enter a new year let’s remember the past is in the past. You can’t change it or go back. The future is a blank slate. Let’s write down or at least compile, the changes and direction that make the organization go from good to great. Starting to write the present enables the organization to be on track for the right future.