If Your Communications To-Do List Looks a Lot Like Last Year's...

Got Goals? The Year is Over and You STILL Didn't Get to That Big Marketing Project?

Get last year’s projects off this year’s to-do list with one simple trick:

At this time of year, there’s a lot of talk about New Year’s resolutions. My advice?

Scrap the resolution. What you need is a plan!

Famed management guru/planning God Stephen Covey says, “begin with the end in mind.”

If you’re like many busy marketing and communications professionals, you have that end clear in your sights and you know exactly what you want to do to connect more with your constituent base.

• Maybe it’s developing a blog or a newsletter so you can communicate with your followers more frequently...

• Maybe it’s creating a series of Powerpoints so you can that present more impactfully about your work....

• Maybe it’s refreshing the copy on your web site so it really tells people who you are...

What ever your 'end', here’s how to begin:

1. Pick ONE goal for your communications this year – no more than 1!

Whatever your biggest itch is – that’s the goal to choose because your motivation will be highest.

2. Now, post that goal where you can see it. Better yet -- where you can’t miss it.

Post it on your office wall – literally.

Make it the home screen on your phone

Write it on your bookmark if you still read the old fashioned way.

3. Next, set an appointment with your goal.

Really, make an actual appointment. Make it recur in your electronic calendar so that it comes up every month without you having to remember it.

4. Make sure your appointment times are FIRM.

This is important. Keep these meetings with yourself No Matter What! Do NOT move them around to make scheduling other appointments easier.

5. Prepare for your appointments as you would any other meetings.

Check in with yourself about what you’ve done so far to achieve your communications objective and what move you need to make now. Write a quick summary report of your progress and your next steps.

6. During your appointment time…

Get to work! Use the beautiful window of time you just gave yourself to actually make your next move. Write copy. Connect with people who can help you. Hire a consultant. Whatever. Use your appointment window as un-interruptable, concentrated time to move your project forward.

You don’t need a management guru to tell you:

When you know where you’re heading,

And you attach structure and deadlines to your dream,

Results will follow.

Before you know it, the end you were working toward will have blossomed into the beginning of something new.