Written by: Haseena Shaheed-Jackson, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
You are in the last inning of 2021, at the home stretch. Applaud and celebrate your success and progress. 2021 has been an outstanding year for you. Yes, there have been peaks and valleys. You are still standing, having become stronger and better.
December is the month to plan for the upcoming year. Now is the time to develop goals and a plan for 2022. It is vital to develop a plan and to strategize for the upcoming year.
By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. -Benjamin Franklin
You must allocate and commit time to developing a plan of action for the upcoming year. Having a plan of action will enable you to move forward in the new year focused and prepared.
I provide you with 5 key elements to support the launching of 2022:
Review performance in 2021 – Celebrate the progress you have made. Assess where you have come to where you are now. The gap from start to now is the utilization of your potential. Give yourself the accolades that you are deserving. Rate the performance of your goals on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the highest. Determine where you have achieved excellence, exceeded expectations, meet expectations and unacceptable. Based on the ratings examine what can be improved, modified, changed or discarded. This information will aid you in developing your strategies.
Identify lessons learned – Lessons must be evaluated to become knowledge and experience otherwise the lesson is lost. You must incorporate so you can make changes and corrections. Do not waste your lesson.
Determine your one word that will be your focus - In 2021 my one word was courageous. I could not allow fear to hold me back from pressing forward in the pursuit of my vision and living in my purpose. Taking action was paramount to my moving forward. Remaining on the fence, stuck in planning and strategizing was not an option. A dream costs you nothing. You have to be willing to pay the costs and make the sacrifices.
Develop goals – Identify at least 4 goals. Goals are based on where you seek to grow. What does the next level look like for you? Progression is paramount. You cannot remain at the same level. You must raise your lid. Same results in being comfortable and settling for mediocrity.
Focus on the priority not priorities – Do not confuse being busy with being effective. It is not priorities but priorities. Based on your one thing which is the priority what are the areas that you need to target that will increase and enhance your knowledge skills and abilities. Do not fall into the trap of thinking that you need to do everything. Everything will result in your being confused, lacking clarity and resulting in negative outcomes. Remain dedicated to your vision.
These five elements will aid you in launching the upcoming new year so that you will be focused and committed. You owe it to yourself to continue building upon your accomplishments and obtaining your vision. Make 2022 an exceptional year.
To accomplish great things, we must not only act but also dream. Not only plan but also believe. – Anatole France
Haseena Shaheed-Jackson, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Mrs. Haseena Shaheed-Jackson is a Certified Coach, Speaker, and Trainer under the John Maxwell Team. She is the author of Reflections Within and Messages from the Spirit. Her mission is to add value to people to add value to others by intentionally growing, resulting in transformation and changing their world. Growth is a continual process that never ceases. It is a lifetime commitment that must become a habit. Ms. Jackson is the Owner of Faith, Hope and Spirit, LLC, which offers training, coaching, and speaking in growth, development, leadership, and influence. For over 30 years, she has held positions in leadership and management for various companies and organizations, where her responsibilities included mentoring, coaching, development, and training. She hosts a monthly networking group, Connecting and Collaborating to Thrive (CC2T). CC2T focuses on developing relationships and establishing a community. She actively seeks to form partnerships with others to make a difference and be impactful.
