As we finish out the first month of the year 2020, I am thinking about that old saying, “Hindsight is 20/20.” This expression implies that when we look in the rearview mirror, we can see the decisions we “should” have made. What a demoralizing and intimidating message!! And it doesn’t tell us much of anything about how to make decisions for our future.
The reality is that we are constantly evolving and changing as people and as leaders. Research shows that we make thousands of decisions daily, many of them small, unconscious choices. Sayings like “hindsight is 20/20” reinforce the notion that if we just do things “right,” there are perfect choices to be made and we will live “happily ever after.”
I don’t buy it. Life is full of uncertainty, which makes perfect choices both impossible and a stressful proposition. “Foresight” will never be “20/20.”
Your future takes time to plan and design
Yet I don’t think we spend enough time and energy considering what we really want our future to look like. What do you want to design or create over the next year?
I invite you to consider:
- What do you want to accomplish in the next year in your organization or with your team?
- What do you think the team or the organization should be focused on (even if you are not the leader of your team)?
- What can they accomplish that will benefit the customer, the employees, or the mission of the organization?
In your personal life and career, what are some important steps that can get you closer to the rich, fulfilling life you would like to create? How much time will you dedicate to reflecting on your values, your needs, and your desires for the next year?
Are daily tasks derailing your goals?
We often get so caught up in the busyness of our daily tasks that we forget to “put the big rocks in first” as Stephen Covey famously said. Instead we fill up our jar of life with the pebbles and the grains of sand, like answering our email or running errands. Only later do we try to jam in our big rocks. Your big rocks may be to run a marathon, to take that cross country trip, to start your business, or help your work group become a high-performing team.
I challenge you to find the courage to identify your “big rocks” for this year, both personally and professionally. While foresight will never be 20/20, I can assure you that you’ll look back next year with a deeper sense of satisfaction and fulfillment if you design this year’s life on purpose.
Enlist help
You may need a partner to help you figure out your big rocks and design a path toward work-life harmony, leadership effectiveness, or your organization’s success. Partnering with a coach can assist you in your efforts to both identify these goals and to hold yourself accountable.
And last but not least, when you create more in your life using your authentic talents and strengths, EVERYONE benefits—you, your family and friends, your team and organization, the community, and the world.
Go for it and let me know how it goes!
Additional Resources: What’s common in these? They both talk about fear! Find your courage!
How To Work Smarter, Not Harder On Your New Year’s Resolutions
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