The power of a reset.
A calendar is the ultimate reframing tool.
Good morning from the cold parts of Australia.
Talking about ‘the cold’ in the Southern Hemisphere may make readers from the Northern Hemisphere confused. After all, we don’t really do snow and minus temperatures regularly down under.
It’s at these times I’m reminded that if Australia was in Europe we’d be about 15 different countries. No one really compares the weather in Amsterdam to the South of France, but in Darwin today it will be 31 degrees. Here just outside of Melbourne it’s currently 6.
Today is the last day of June and it’s time for a reset.
Most calendars provide us the best excuse ever for change.
The turning of a new year from December into January conjure up thoughts of improved health and exercise.
The start of a school year calendar brings potential for the year ahead to advance and develop.
Personally, I’m a FY fan.
The start of a new financial year (1st July in Australia) gives me perspective on setting new business and career goals.
First I focus on what I want to achieve over the next 3 years.
Why 3? First of all it helps to know the destination before you start working out the directions on how to get there.
In 1 year, I will have achieved incremental growth. That is, growth largely based on what I’ve already been doing. In 3 years, it will be growth that is leading me in the direction I want to go.
Also - 3 years is realistically about as much into the future as anyone can see.
There’s enough inputs to help make informed decisions and I’m not locked into a direction that could be totally irrelevant in 5 years time.
As an example, 5 years ago today we were in the thick of Covid lockdowns.
So my 3 year business goal is pretty simple: to help my kids successfully completing high school.
Why is that my business goal? Because I need my business to both fund the school fees and also be around home more to help and support them both.
With that in mind, less international travelling and more locally based work takes priority.
Then I can plan my activities that help me achieve that goal.
Because I run my own business this is something I have control over.
I don’t think this is any less relevant for you if you’re a paid employee at a larger organisation.
What’s your 3 year goal?
What activities will you need to undertake in the next 12 months to help achieve that?
I’m sure some things you are doing you are not in control of, but you’d be surprised the amount of activities you do daily/weekly/monthly that you actually are.
Here’s a final piece of inspo/accountability.
If someone watched you for a week, would they believe you’re serious about your goals?
Would they see discipline, effort, and consistency? Or would they see distractions, procrastinations, wasted time?
You don’t have to tell people what you want. How you spend your time already does.
See you next Monday Morning,
Wade