This article about Warren Buffett (unpacked so well here by Cal Newport) is a fine primer when it comes to goal setting.
The short of it (in case you don't like clicking and reading longer things) is that when it comes to focus, not only do you need to pick the most important thing, but you also need to ignore all the other things. The biggest threat to you accomplishing a goal is distraction, not competition.
The moral of the story in the above article (seriously, why haven't you read it yet?) is that you can focus on maybe five things, but in order to succeed in those areas, you're going to have to ignore everything else.
To kickstart you on your own pathway to focus in 2015, I'm challenging you to come up with one focus word for the year. This will be a word that will define next year for you, either in work or at home, or in most cases, both.
And it will also mean you ignore all other words.
You have until the 31st - three weeks from today - to come up with your word. That's when I'll share mine. And here's what I'm offering:
For those interested in jumping in with me, to claim a word for their year and to work on it, I'm offering an email accountability option. There is no cost to join in, and you can bow out at any time.
Each Sunday in 2015, you'll get a weekly email (always on Sunday mornings) with ideas and tips to keep you focused on this word. I know that distraction is real and without someone or something to help you readjust, it's easy to get off course.
So, if you are willing to name a word that will be your theme for next year and then work hard to make it so, sign up here. I'll email you each week with reminders, suggestions, and even personal stories of how well I'm doing (or not doing).
More and more, I'm learning that choosing an area to devote our time and attention to can yield big personal and professional results. So, come along with me and let's dive deeper into 2015 together, coming out on the other side, smarter, better, and happier.