2016 will be here in about 90 minutes. Hopefully you have some plans to make 2016 better than 2015. Hopefully you realize that you have the power to be better personally next year than in the one past. We have incredible potential for self improvement and can grow tremendously when we apply ourselves. Here are a few action steps to take to improve your leadership, coaching and teaching in 2016:
-Read More. Commit to a reading plan in 2016. Decide to read more non-fiction books than you ever have in the past. My goal is 16-20 specific books that I selected to help me grow in many areas. You can check out my post from a few days ago with the specific titles I am hoping to read through this year. Pick books that will help you grow in areas that you need to improve or focus on the roles that you play in life. I have heard of some great leaders who read up to 300 books in a year. I am not there yet, but am doing far more than many. In addition to books read more blogs (mine hopefully), more "smart" magazines, journals, etc.
-Sleep More. Make 2016 the year you finally begin to give your body the rest it needs. You have never been this old before and it is time to start taking care of your body better. More sleep equates to not only more energy but more focus and alertness.
- Build and Develop one key relationship each month. For instance in January you can focus on one team key member of your team, staff or organization. Go to lunch, learn more about them and their interests. Learn how you can help them and be a better servant to them. In February find someone new to get to know and build and grow that relationship while still watering the seed you planted with the relationship in January.
-Get up earlier or Stay up later to Chase your Dream. This may sound counter productive to the second suggestion of get more sleep. I am not suggesting burning the candle at both ends, just one. According to Author Jon Acuff in his excellent book "Start" you will have fewer distractions early in the morning or late at night. Take care of your family and personal needs earlier in the day and spend some time chasing your dream once everyone is in bed. If you are pursuing your dream between 7am-9pm you will find you have constant pulls on your attention, constant problems that need addressing. Get up before everyone else in the house or stay up later and put in the work. If your dream isn't worth getting up early for it is probably not much of a dream to begin with.
-Volunteer. Find an organization, ministry or opportunity that interests you and volunteer. Give the most valuable thing you possess (time) to help those in need. You will be shocked at how much fun it can be to volunteer at something you really enjoy or have a passion for. It will likely also pay off in a major way professionally as you will gain new skills and more importantly new contacts and relationships.
-Get Your Personal Finances in Order. Check out the Dave Ramsey Plan if you need some suggestions of where to start. When you are in a healthy position financially you can really focus on your leading, coaching and teaching. Don't get bogged down by debt, worry or other financial concerns. Become financially free to grow your potential.
-Save $$$$ - See above, but more specifically, save some money this year. $1 a day can translate into close to $900,000 in 50 years, $100,000 in 30 years and $30,000 in only 20 years. The discipline gained by saving just a few bucks a month will spill over into other areas of your life and benefit you greatly.
-Quit Doing Something. All of us have many roles and responsibilities. In 2015 I was a College Basketball Coach, High School Soccer Coach, PE Teacher, Math Teacher, Youth Leader, Husband, Father, Soccer Ref. I decided to focus on the important areas and drop one role. The soccer reffing took the most time proportionally with the lowest rewards. It has been deleted from my life. I now have more energy and focus to pour into other areas. Consider dropping your least productive role in favor of bolstering your other roles. Obviously if you are married and have family those roles must stay, but is there something else you can drop?
Good Luck as you begin 2016. I hope it is a blessed year for you and your followers. Grow!
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