I completed the simple process we talked about last week, looking forward to the end of 2022 and writing two letters, one for my personal life and one for my professional life, detailing why 2022 was a wonderful year in both cases. What struck me from both letters, is there is much more process involved and relationship focused than in years past. There are plenty of specific goals as well, like completing my first full Ironman and getting a book contract, but the process is even more important. From the personal letter “I start each day with journaling, meditation, prayer and exercise.” And, “Mostly, this was a sweet years since I learned to play, relax, savor, and enjoy life in every moment. And this brought me so much closer to those most important to me.” On the professional side, which is rightfully much shorter than my personal one, I have “I love writing, coaching, and advising.” And “I work on all my projects in a calm way with plenty of humility, time and fun.”

Being more process focus and less outcome focused is empowering since it is in my circle of control. As we all know, but focusing inside my circle of control, I will stay calm and grow that circle. Contrastingly, if I focus on my circle of concern, it will be very stressful and shrink my circle of control.

What annual planning/goal setting process did you use? What reflections do you have that the rest of us might learn from?

Whatever your goals are this year, I hope you enjoy the process while getting there.

All the best,

Art