There is only one thing we can’t make more of and that’s time. The new year is nearly half over — what do we want to make of it?

I choose to look at 2022 as the year of unlimited opportunity, and I see that not only for myself, but for you too. Regardless of where we’re at today, it’s how we choose to use our time moving forward that matters.

It’s time to make some decisions. What choices can I make for this to be the best year ever?

• Saying “No”

I can’t do everything. “No” is going to play a much bigger role in my life this year. Some of the most important things this year will be those I choose not to do. I’m saying “no” to many more things than ever, and it feels good. By saying “no” to things, I’m able to open up time to say “yes” to the more important things.

That way, I can focus on being productive, not busy.

What am I saying “no” to? I must accept the fact that completing a task to 95 percent is sometimes good enough, because the time spent to get things to perfection and 100 percent is simply not worth it. I’m saying “no” to the shiny objects and the feel-good ideas that either pop into my head, or people throw in front of me. “No” is all about giving me more time.

• Having a Short List of Goals

Gone is the era of having a dozen goals that only serve to stress me out. Consequently, this causes me to not accomplish any of them well at all! In their place are three goals, and that’s it.

Three goals I review each day; three goals I assess at the end of each week to ensure I’ve made significant progress on. My short list of goals consumes my mind to keep me focused so I don’t get caught up doing things I shouldn’t be doing.

• Following the 8 a.m. Rule

I talk about the 10 a.m. rule, and the need to accomplish something significant each morning before 10 a.m. I’m putting it on steroids and I’m upgrading to the 8 a.m. rule.

Each morning I intend to accomplish something significant before 8 a.m. and this will in turn motivate me to make the rest of the day even more productive.

• Prioritizing Time With Myself

The most important meetings of the day are the meetings I have with myself. No, I’m not being arrogant, I’m being real and accepting the fact that I need time each day to think. Thinking allows me to stay focused and productive. If I can’t have time alone with myself each day, then something is wrong.

The most powerful tool I have is not my computer, or the systems I access each day, it’s my mind. I intend to give it time each day to do what it does best.

• Being Choosy

I will not allow my time to be consumed by people who do not leave me in a positive state. I’m a strong believer in surrounding myself with people who will challenge my thinking, hold me accountable, share ideas, and help me grow.

One of the ways I do this is with my mastermind group — I interact with them almost every day. For me, my mastermind group is my secret weapon in helping me grow. I’ve been part of one for years and I can’t say enough about the benefits.

Secrets to Accomplish Your Annual Plan

What’s the best way to execute your annual plan? What can I do on a regular basis to move myself forward?

The following three habits are going to apply to anybody and everybody. Let’s delve into how to execute your plan in a way that you can increase your chances of success.

1. Review Your Goals

Too many people build their annual plan and put it in a drawer and never look at it again. I want you to be reviewing your goals not just on a monthly basis, or a weekly basis, but on a daily basis. You can’t put them in a drawer, in a folder, or out on the cloud and forget about them.

If you’ve been around me a long time, you know that I talk about simplification of your goals. I have four goals, that’s it. Two primary goals and two secondary goals. And the secondary goals actually support the primary goals.

Now, I have a lot of other things I’m working on, but these are the goals. I look at these two goals every day. Over time, the more I focus on the goals, the more success I have.

You have to ask yourself at the beginning of the day:

• “What am I gonna do today to move myself forward? Is my day set up to help move me closer to achieving these two goals?”
• Then, at the end of the day, you need to ask yourself:
• “Did I do what I said I was gonna do to help myself?”

These evaluations at the beginning and end of the day help me stay laser focused on a daily basis.

2. Have a Mastermind Group

You’ve heard the phrase, “You become the sum of the five people you associate with the most.” I didn’t come up with that line, Jim Rohn did. You have to be part of a dedicated, motivating group of people because you’re challenging them on their goals and they’re challenging you. Now, when I say challenging, you’re helping each other.

I’m part of a mastermind group, we meet regularly, and we text daily, helping each other, and working with each other. We know what each other’s goals are, and as a result, we lift each other up. We are stronger together.

3. Continuous Learning

Any successful person is a continuous learner. I don’t care who it is. It could be Elon Musk, Jeffrey Bezos, Bill Gates, it could be anybody. They are continuously learning. Why are we not following suit? You need to be in a framework.

Do these three things, and you’re going to be more disciplined as an individual. I firmly believe that the reason annual plans are achieved, or not achieved, really comes down to the level of discipline and focus that we have.

Right now is the time when you have the ability to impact the year more than ever.

MANA welcomes your comments on this article. Write to us at [email protected].