2016 was a year of significant losses in the entertainment industry, amazing triumphs in the Olympics, and there was a presidential election.
Now, we are gearing up for the holidays and the year-end hubbub. It is tempting to just go with the flow and be carried away. How often are you saying “I’ll deal with that next year?”
Don’t lose this time. Yes, the year-end is in sight, but think about the Olympic track athletes – they leaned forward when they crossed the finish line. Champions know how to finish strong.
How to Finish 2016 like a Champion
- Take time to…Reflect. How did you spend your time this year? What were your biggest successes? What were your biggest flops?
- Take time to…Purge. Clean up your electronic assets (email, computer, mobile devices). Clean up your workspace. Organize your contact list. Clear the decks for what’s to come next year.
- Take time to…Prepare. In 2017, what do you need to start doing that you haven’t done before? What did you do in 2016 that you need to stop? What should you continue doing?
Ready to lean forward and finish the race? Here are some tips to implement the suggestions above:
- Schedule time on your calendar. Copy and paste this article into the appointment(s) you create.
- Get an accountability partner to help you clear the decks. Purging is always more fun with a coach or colleague to help.
- Create a mind map to document your thoughts. Here are some mind-mapping tips.
I’ve written before about the need to punctuate time – to insert some commas, periods, and exclamation points in the “sentences” of our lives. Otherwise, the years blend together in a blur of activity. Don’t let the next few weeks be a smudge. Take time to reflect, purge and prepare. Lean forward and finish the race.
