It’s year end, and for many of us that means reflecting on all that has happened in the last 12 months and planning ahead for the next 12. At Beehive, we have much to be grateful for – valued relationships with clients, an uncommonly sharp team and the prospect of continued growth in 2011. In a year when our country faced ongoing economic challenges and many in our industry continued to struggle, that feels pretty good. A year ago I might have said we are lucky to be in this position. Today, I say we are benefitting from starting with the end in mind and consciously working our plan. If that sounds frighteningly like a goal or a New Year’s resolution, that’s because it is. I’ve never been a big believer in setting New year’s resolutions. Most of us set resolutions to “fix” something – we are trying to force ourselves to do something that we know is good for us, but doesn’t necessarily inspire us. That’s why so many resolutions are abandoned by Valentine’s Day. Last year Beehive undertook a new approach – we set clear, measurable goals that would allow us to grow and stretch by playing to our strengths. We worked with an incredible partner, Live Dynamite, to help us set our individual and team goals and learn how to achieve them (this was part of our professional development program, SHARP. It was still hard work, but it was energizing, and it paid off. 

Now, I’m not going to get into the nitty-gritty of how all of this works Maryanne O’Brien is a far better person to explain the psychology, neuroscience and physics of it all), but here’s the short-hand on successful goal setting:

• Create It – Picture in your mind what you want to create for yourself personally or professionally.
• See It – Write your goal as if it has already happened and you are living it, not as though you are working toward it.
• Be Specific – Add detail and be descriptive. Paint a picture about what you want to happen, and by when.
• Chunk It Down – Goals can sometimes feel really big. Identify smaller milestones and create a plan to reach them so you have something to celebrate along the way.
• Open It Up – End every goal with the possibility that you can achieve it, or something better.

Here’s an example: 
Beehive is happily creating opportunities for clients, employees and business partners to do great work and prosper by 3/31/10, or something better. 

We are grateful for all we have accomplished this year, and for each of you who joined us on the adventure. Here’s to your goals and a happy, prosperous new year.