I've been stripping wallpaper this week; it's the winter home project, refreshing the front guest room, finally removing the mural of a Caribbean Beach chosen by our youngest many years ago. And when one is working with a steamer and putty knife for many hours, one must listen to country music - a recipe for Reflection!
1 year into retirement and in building my consulting business, reflection has been challenging. It's easy to take stock of the successes - completing complex projects in businesses wherein I have limited experience (not-for-profit, for example), and actually getting paid for it; in addition, navigating a substantial home renovation and rapid sale for my sister, celebrating the marriage of our middle son to a wonderful woman this December. It's been a busy year, with moments of great satisfaction and purpose delivered - much of which I could not have accomplished had I still been working a full-time corporate job.
But when your accountant calls and questions if the revenue merits a real business, and most of my engagements are pro-bono (my choice, and the right thing to do), it's tough to claim the year a success!
In reflection, what are the goals for 2019? And what will I do differently in order to accomplish more? What can I do to make the situation better, and what is the definition of "better"?
Great questions - and remarkably positive questions, given my recent immersion into country music (ha ha); applying my own framework (Reflect/ Reframe/ Chart New Course), here are my thoughts:
Reflect: what do I want to accomplish?
Goals, Long Term:
"Expertise in Demand" - realize a reputation as a Cultural Architect and Strategic Transformation resource for business leaders
Certify others in execution of the CLEAR methodology
Revenue covers college education of my youngest son (elite private school, of course)
Goals, 2019
Complete CLEAR novel/ methodology book, with collection of case studies and business novel (fictional story) to demonstrate the methodology. Publish and sell copies beyond friends and family.
Complete >$50K revenue through projects with businesses and individuals
Establish presence in local networks and 2 on-line communities
Stretch: complete 1-2 projects outside of Indiana
Reframe: What's the Contrast (what's different)?
Writing/ Book is part of formal goals and work, not a "spare-time" activity
Networking and Community participation is a point of emphasis; everyday engagement with LinkedIn is more focused, less "social perusal"
Networking for purpose, communicating expertise and value
Leadership - who is influential, formally and informally
Formal leadership is myself; engage a board of advisors to help me think through strategy and approach
Informal leadership: those who can help me accomplish Goals via expertise sharing [Editorial support, Speaker broker, Community/ Networking mentor]
Informal leadership: targeted potential clients, at senior leadership level
Next Assignment is Chart the New Course: establish key experiences, access, and reinforcing measures
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