Written by Machen MacDonald

It’s common for business owners to look back on last year and begin to plan out what they want to accomplish for the year and how they will achieve their goals. If done correctly, this process can be a liberating and inspiring exercise that enables great momentum going forward. If done incorrectly, it may be a sentencing to “paralysis by analysis”.

The challenge, for many, is that they are playing the Compare game. How did we do compared to our competitors? How did our business do compared to other investments we could have made?

News flash! Nobody ever wins the comparing game. So, stop it! Even if you rationalize that you are winning the comparing game, you are losing. There are simply too many variables and unknowns that affect the outcome of what you may be comparing.

Understand your metrics and the key performance indicators for achieving growth and stability in the new year.

Contrast, on the other hand, can be a very valuable ally. Through contrast, we become aware of what we don’t want or what’s not working. Don’t wallow in the contrast; use it to gain clarity in what you want so you can move toward that goal. When you are clear, and you know you are clear, confidence replaces fear and you can move into action to achieve your goals.

Note the contrast and commit to achieving your goals!

The magic ingredient to achieving your goal is - FOCUS! Find the best way for you to stay focused on your goals and avoid becoming distracted.

Ways to stay focused and achieve your goals:
• Set SMART (specific, measurable, actionable, relevant, time-bound) goals
• Share your goals with someone who will hold you accountable (coach, partner, mentor)
• Each day, imagine in your mind, and in your gut, you achieving your goals
• Set up an environment that enables you to achieve your goals

Ways to avoid distractions:
• Limit or eliminate exposure to anybody that is not “on board” with you achieving your goals
• Stop watching news that has no relevance to your business
• Delegate what you don’t enjoy or are not proficient at doing

When you focus on what you don’t have, you have nothing. Focus on what you do have and you can have it all. It’s a matter of your focus when you use contrast vs. compare to achieve your goals.

Make it up, make it fun, and make it happen.