To Succeed in 2015, Make the New Year a Project

Jan 7

Too many times, we merely react to the new year. We let the year happen.

What would happen if you were proactive? What if you decided to make your year happen?

Here's the secret to success in 2015: make it a project. Let me take you on a journey to uncommon success in the new year. To make it easier, I've even made a worksheet for you. Here are the basic steps to your achievement:

STEP 1: TO PREPARE FOR THE NEW YEAR, LOOK BACK AT THE LAST YEAR

What worked in 2014? What didn't work so well? What did you learn from your successes and your mistakes?

STEP 2: LIST YOUR STAKEHOLDERS

Stakeholders are the people who can help or hinder your project. Sometimes you invite them. Sometimes they invite themselves. Either way, your project will run smoother when you identify their needs. Knowing their needs, you'll know how and when to communicate with them.

STEP 3: LIST YOUR GOAL

Choose your primary goal. Don't pick seven goals; just pick one at this time. For many people, it is a revenue goal. Write it down. A goal has three components:

A deliverable, something you can measure.
A due date. Your goal must be achieved by a specific date.
The name of the person who is accountable for achieving the goal. If everyone is in charge, then no one is in charge. Be bold! Name one person.

STEP 4: LIST YOUR MILESTONES

Major events will occur during the year. These events might include trade shows, dictated by your industry or your customers' industries. The events might be dictated by you, as mid-year check-points. List each of your milestones, with the same components as your goal:

A deliverable, something you can measure.
A due date. Your goal must be achieved by a specific date.
The name of the person who is accountable for achieving the goal. If everyone is in charge, then no one is in charge. Be bold! Name one person.

STEP 5: LIST YOUR ACTIVITIES, YOUR STEPS TO SUCCESS

These are the individual activities that comprise your day-to-day work. You will list the activities that complete each milestone. Each activity has the same components as your goal and your milestones:

A deliverable, something you can measure.
A due date. Your goal must be achieved by a specific date.
The name of the person who is accountable for achieving the goal. If everyone is in charge, then no one is in charge. Be bold! Name one person.

SPECIAL SECRET

The excitement is in the activities. When you complete your activities on time, you automatically complete your milestones on time...and you automatically achieve your goal on time!

HOW TO GET STARTED

Click Here to download your new year's project worksheet.

Mike Goss

I'm Mike Goss, PMP, DTM, Certified Coach. I help sales professionals, project managers business owners achieve more.

Project managers use my PMP Boot Camps to prepare for their PMP or CAPM certification exam. Their new certification opens doors for income and career advancement.

Sales professionals use my Sales Storytelling training to close more sales by touching the hearts of more buyers, and motivating them to buy.

Sales managers and business owners use my Sales Project Management training to turn their sales goal into a project goal. We use the principles of project management to achieve greater sales, greater margins and more referrals.

Author: I wrote "Breaking Through Walls," a business novel about overcoming obstacles.

Speaker: I present keynote speeches and educational sessions on Leadership, Communication, Problem-Solving and Project Management. Clients include the Oregon Department of Public Safety, the Oregon State Sheriffs Association, the Trauma Intervention Program and the Portland Chapter of the Project Management Institute.

https://www.gossconsulting.com