The best way to predict your future is to create it.
- Abraham Lincoln
When I was growing up, I was the youngest of four, with three older brothers. I spent a lot of time on my own playing make believe. My imagination was my best friend.
I created my own “play days”. I would make up leading roles for myself that made me feel happy.
Teacher, dancer, cowboy, or movie star.
I got to choose my part because I was the writer and director.
As adults, we stop playing make believe. We face the tough realities of day to day life. Yet our best future lies not in what we’re doing in this moment, but what we can imagine for ourselves.
A vision is like a motion picture of your dreams.
You are the writer and director.
Looking Back
As you prepare for 2022, before you start creating your future, consider these three questions about 2021.
- What rich insights have you learned from this extraordinary year?
- List all the accomplishments you feel most proud of from 2021.
- Who are you working with that you love and appreciate? Co-workers, customers, colleagues in your business – particularly ones who weren’t there a year ago?
Looking Forward
“Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”
- Napoleon Hill
Imagination and inspiration are the two most important elements to looking forward.
Look to the future and consider these questions:
- How big do you imagine your future to be?
- How many delighted customers will you serve and where will they travel to?
- How much money would make your heart sing (not just pay the bills)?
- What would a perfect day look like?
“The way you begin your day really does determine the extent of focus, energy,
excitement, and excellence you bring to it.”
- Robin Sharma
Pulling it all together!
The purpose of looking back is all about leveraging the lessons. Do more of what was working and stop doing things that don’t matter.
- Find more customers like the ones you most enjoyed working with
- Focus more on selling what you love
- Repeat promotions that attracted new customers
- Question time spent on various tasks and ask yourself, was that the best way to spend it?
The purpose of looking forward is to keep the dream alive! Without the dream, there is nothing to aspire to. You get caught up in the daily whirlwind.
- Write your personal mantra to remind you of your goal: “I AM …”
- Find an inspirational quote and tape it where you can see it
- Do one action everyday that takes you closer to your goal
Planning for 2022 is not a single event, it’s a continuous journey, especially in these turbulent times.
Keep checking in on your dreams. Look back each day with gratitude at how far you have come!
