A few months ago, I looked at the New Year fast approaching, and was driven to start the year running.  I did not want to just create the normal annual resolutions that many tend to make, including me, but I really wanted to create something that had some teeth, had an element of accountability and execution and would really help me to achieve greater success in 2011.

I have received great feedback from this and have even had a few business consultants ask me if they could use the format with their clients.  I think it is important as leaders that we are not only leaders of our organizations, but leaders of our own life’s as well.

This idea of becoming leader or CEO of your life, was one of those, “Why did I not think of that” moments.  Kris Cavanaugh, wrote the book, Stuck to CEO, her “specialty” and primary message in the book and her practice is to help people become “CEO of their Life”.  I will be doing an interview with Kris sometime in the next few months.  Please check out her website and get to know her.  She is a wonderful person.

This success plan was inspired from several things I have read, heard or seen, with the main ideas coming from, Who’s Got Your Back, by Keith Ferrazzi.

Let me describe what I have done:
On the lower left-hand side, I have placed my personal vision statement: “I will not accept status quo and as such will seek after that which is efficient and effective in all areas my life, but never at the expense of my relationships.  I will focus on that which is important versus that which is critical.  I will be teachable and will strive to always learn new things that will help me reach my full-potential.  I will act with Integrity at all times and will treat others as they would like to be treated.  I will look for the good in all I experience, and remember all the blessings that I have been given.”

I placed this on the document because it is something I need to remember and keep in focus, every time I plan my schedule and look at this document, which is at least daily.  If you do not have a personal mission or vision statement, start working on it, no matter what your station in life is.

In the top-left I have placed a diagram with all the elements that I feel are important to a well-balanced life.  They are in order clockwise by personal priority.  You have to figure out what are the most important elements for balance in your life.

The right side of the image is the “meat”.  This is in order of personal priority as well.  Here I have placed actionable items that I feel must be accomplished in order to “claim” success in those areas.  I have put a LOT of thought and I requested feedback from those important to me before I finalized on these.  This is the part that takes some effort and deep thinking. It is important to get feedback from those close to you and those that will be honest and look through the reasons why you may be putting some things down.

In the bottom-right, I have placed images of things that tie back into my goals.  There is much research on the value of imagery in fostering motivation and goal achievement.

Now onto the execution side of this; the key to this are several accountability partners.  I meet with one each week and another every other week.  Each of my accountability partners is genuinely concerned about my success and they call me out when I am doing something that is not in alignment with my goals.

I also look at this daily and weekly when I do my planning.  In addition I have printed out and laminated a few copies, one to keep with me in my portfolio binder and one that is shrunk down and serves as a bookmark while reading.

Even though the year has already started, it is never too late to plan out your success.

I would love to hear your comments, if you would like a Microsoft Word copy of this document to edit for yourself, please leave a comment, share your thoughts, and I will email you a copy.