Less is More: How to Achieve Your Big Goals This Year

Many of my clients set big goals in January, proclaiming how THIS will be THEIR year. They are super engaged, excited, and motivated to do whatever it takes to hit these goals, and so are their teams. I am thrilled for them and fully support their ambition to succeed, which leads me to post a simple yet pivotal question:

“What are you not going to do this year to be able to achieve these goals?”

And they look at me like I’ve suggested they give up coffee. They all tell me that they can’t release the gas on all the initiatives they have in place. They insist it all needs to be accomplished; otherwise, THIS can’t be THEIR year.

But here’s where our conversation takes a turn - and probably the most overlooked aspect of strategic planning. They realize that achieving their goals doesn’t mean adding more fuel to an already blazing fire. Instead, it demands sharp attention, not just on what you aim to achieve but equally on what you choose to set aside. The reality is that you can’t pile more big goals onto an already full plate of work. You have to get laser-focused on what you will and won’t do. It’s a process of elimination just as much as it is of an addition.

Remember, setting big goals isn’t just about the goals themselves. It’s also about strategizing how you will get the work done. This requires setting clear priorities and making difficult decisions about what you’ll let go of this year. Through this deliberate process of elimination, you carve out space for significant advancement, making sure that this year truly becomes the one you've imagined.