Recently I asked some of my clients that question. I heard responses like these:
- Increase visibility.
- Achieve better work/life balance.
- Secure a big project.
- Acclimate new team members.
- Improve relationships with other departments.
- Reconnect with key clients.
- Refresh our business strategy.
These executives are being intentional about creating some kind of improvement in areas that are most likely to make a big impact in their business and/or their lives.
How would YOU answer the question: What’s your top priority for fourth quarter?
Once you’ve got your answer, try this little coaching exercise:
1. Create the action shot.
Determine what the priority looks like in action. For example, if you’re trying to increase your visibility, what would that look like?
Would you be giving a presentation? If so, to what audience? Where?
Would you attend more social, civic or business networking functions? If so, which ones?
Would you be seeking media attention? If so, where do you want to appear?
Vividly visualize what you want to see happen.
2. Identify potential obstacles.
Consider what might hold you back or impede your progress. For example, if you want to reconnect with key clients, what could stop you?
Some people might argue they don’t have a good system to track their activity. Or they don’t have a good reason to reconnect. Or they’re not sure what they would say.
Anticipate whatever obstacles (real or imagined) might keep you from doing what you know you need to do — even if the obstacle is yourself, as one executive admitted.
3. Prepare your work-around plan.
Determine what you’ll do in advance to overcome the obstacles. For example, if you want to focus on team development, you’ll probably have to deflect other distractions like unnecessary emails, phone calls, or frivolous meetings that could interfere.
Commit to specific actions and time frames that will help you achieve your goals related to the priority you’ve identified. (e.g., Conduct team assessment by Oct. 19.)
Thinking through the three steps above can increase your chances of staying focused on your top priority to achieve best results.
Here are a few other tips to bring more power to your fourth quarter top priority:
- Articulate it.
When talking about priorities in a group setting, you have the opportunity to express your goal — to clarify and reinforce why it’s a priority. Talk about your priority with your team, mastermind group, partners, coach or assistant. They may offer useful ideas you haven’t considered.
Stating your goal out loud makes it more than a fleeting thought. You’ll be more accountable.
- Put an action item on your calendar.
What can you do today that will help move you closer to your top goal? Is it having a conversation with a team member? With your assistant? With a key client?
Not sure? Maybe it’s just finding enough time to think about what actions you really need to take in the area of your top priority.
Add an action item on your calendar! (If it’s not on your calendar, how is it really going to happen?)
Put a meeting with yourself on your calendar if you have to.
- Cut your time frame in half.
It’s tempting to say that you’d like to achieve a particular goal by “the end of the year.” The reality is that fourth quarter flies by. It’s filled with major holidays and vacation time that will threaten your productivity.
Most significant business activity will come to a halt by mid-November. Be realistic.
Get your most important work done NOW.
As you approach the end of the year, don’t let your top priority slide. Let it be your guide!
P.S. Let me know if I can help you or your team achieve what’s most important in fourth quarter and beyond.