“…And What Else?” December 2021 newsletter

“...And What Else?”

Newsletter and Thought Starter

December 2021

Success begins by asking the right questions. So why not a newsletter that asks a powerful question… “and what else?”

Hope these insights pierce through the clutter and create a moment to reflect on your purpose.

First Thoughts

Resolutions.

We’re all reminded this time of year of the opportunity for change. There’s an aura of freshness with the approaching New Year and the appeal of starting over. For many, that means the annual ritual of setting New Year’s resolutions. The #1 New Year’s resolution for 2021 according to Statista was “Doing more fitness / Improving my fitness.”

That was also the top resolution in 2020. And 2019.

Maybe that was yours; maybe not. Given the circumstances of 2021, maybe you stopped working on your resolutions and just wanted to survive the year.

Yet each year we set goals and begin to work on them and then (often) don’t achieve them. If you fall into that category, you’re not alone. If you’re hopeful to achieve better in 2022, try this instead: Set a weekly goal. Do something more (or less) frequently this week. Then set it again the next week. Or establish a new goal each week. A year is a long time and lots can happen. Let’s acknowledge that and use the next 12 months to our advantage.

Setting goals are critical for growth. The research is clear. But don’t get hung up on a 12-month runway to achievement. Shorten the timeline, get feedback, and adjust.

Wishing you and your family a terrific Holiday and Purposeful 2022!

Thinking Out Loud Blog

Crisis at the North Pole: A Leadership Story that Went Down in History

Once upon a time, a team faced an immense dilemma. As the story goes, it was the perfect storm—literally and figuratively. The conditions forced a rethinking of logistics, while the affable CEO faced personal challenges, the team lost confidence and direction, and everyone was looking for leadership. All seemed lost. Christmas would be cancelled.

The Forty-Two Challenge

Question #40: What will you do this month—before the end of this year—to set yourself up for success in the first months of 2022?

The Challenge: Call it the Year-End Resolution. What can you do now, before the end of the year, to give 2022 a kickstart? What project needs completion; what relationship needs mending?

Share your reflections on your favorite social channel. #FortyTwoQuestions

Worth Reading

Measure What Matters by John Doerr

The main focus of this classic book is the Objectives and Key Results (OKR) philosophy, an approach to creating goals and sustaining alignment. Let’s be honest: there are innumerable approaches to goal-setting and goal-tracking. This book outlines one terrific method. Just remember: The biggest variable to success? Picking an approach and sticking to it.

Thought Starter: Goals create alignment, clarity, and results…if they are shared. How do you share your goals and goal progress? What method can you create to make goal-setting and goal-progressing part of your personal (and corporate) culture? Are you asking those around you, “how can I help you achieve your goals?”

Worth Watching

A Quick Way to Find Your “Why.”

It’s a very popular topic nowadays—the notion of finding purpose; finding your “why.” What I like about this short video is the premise: you don’t create a “why,” you find it. And one way to find it is to hear about your impact on others. It’s just a matter of (re)discovering what that “why” really is.

Thought Starter: Call someone and thank them for being a friend. Tell them what being a friend means to you. It will start of powerful conversation you won’t regret.

Leadership Programs & Services

Need a jump start for you and your team’s success in 2022?

Our individual coaching programs and team support engagements address your specific challenges with tools, perspective, and a focus on using alignment and purpose as the cornerstone of success.