Planning Process for a New Year
Funny how easily you can start in one place and end up somewhere completely different.
I started by looking up information on systems thinking and ended up with three words for 2020. Likely something similar has happened to you as well. The internet facilitates it so easily.
I’m bringing this up now because it is that time of year to look at the past and to the future. 2020 seems like an especially good time to do this. It is not only a new year but a brand new decade. 2020 – what better time for perfect vision? Of course, you can do it more often–quarterly or monthly for example.
This is a tool worth considering if you take part in this mental exercise. It is all at once simple and powerful because it provides focus.
I believe I’ve heard of this before but not some of the reasoning behind it as explained in the posts I came across. In essence, the idea it to choose three words to direct your efforts and provide a grand framework for the coming year.
I’m not sure this is the original source of the idea but it was helpful, providing some context and direction. Check out these two articles from Chris Brogan to learn more about the process:
I’m still thinking through this but right now my three words for 2020 are:
- Transform.
- Joy.
- Organize. (Definitely still working on the “right” word for this one.)
On the one hand I think it should take more than 15 minutes to come up with the three words. On the other hand, maybe the ones that come to mind first are the most important after all. I’m sure the time it takes in not what is most important.
Take the opportunity to reflect when it appears. I hope sharing this will give you a framework and a place to start.