Many of us know what we want to accomplish in our minds.  We are sure that we are headed in the right direction.  However, are your goals really clear?  Does anyone else on your team know what your goals really are?

Most of us put off writing down our goals since we feel it is just a waste of time.  We think that just having a basic idea in our minds is enough.  Instead, what researchers have found is that by writing down your goals, they become concrete, clear, and obtainable.  In fact the vast majority of those who reach their goals have them written down.  Not only are written goals imperative  to success, but it is also imperative to your team's ability to contribute.

If you think about most team sports, (basketball for example), everyone on the team knows their role and knows the game plan.  To succeed it is not enough for the center or the forward to know the game plan.  Everyone on the team must know when they are to execute their role.  This game plan provides an ability for each player to rise to the occasion and assist the team in succeeding.  The same is true in business.  Each person on your team needs to know where you are headed and how you plan to accomplish the goal.

If you have not already done so, it is not to late to begin creating your plan for 2011 and beyond.  Begin by asking yourself, what will it mean to be successful?  How will we know when we have achieved that goal?  Who needs to be involved?  Before long you will be on your way to creating a great road map to your success!

Many of us have heard it said that we should shoot for the stars.  That sounds inspiring, but it is also rather limiting.  Why are we shooting for the stars in our own night sky when we could be going for the next galaxy?  My point is simply this, that our growth is often capped by the goals we set.  If we think we can only grow by 5 % this year, we probably will only grow by that amount.

Our thoughts impact our attitudes, which then impacts our actions.  If we are only planning to grow by 5 or 10%, we will slow our pace and our vision to match that amount.  So one of the first rules of growth needs to be setting our vision high.  Is your vision too big for one person to accomplish?  Does it take 2 or 3 people or even a whole team to accomplish?  Is it stretching to the point of being incredible?  Those are the kinds of goals that get you out of bed in the morning and excited to be about your work. 

This kind of goal will not only excite you, but it will draw new clients to your organization who will want to be part of something this big and daring.  Too often we settle for "realistic", which is a code word for being safe, instead of really putting a huge goal out there that  commits us to give our very best.  Start by reflecting on why you started your business.  What was compelling about the idea of doing this work, producing the goods or services that you are providing?  Reflecting on this can creat renewed energy and focus on larger and more significant goals.

Make 2011 a year to remember!  Invest in something huge and incredible--you may be surprised how much more you can accomplish!

It is all about people.  Let me say that again-- It is all about people.  You can have a great facility, you can have an incredible product, you can be a genius; but without people it means very little.  Your team is what allows you to succeed and it is their creativity and dedication that will propel organizations to greater heights. 

As a leader, here are a few ways you can invest in your team.  First, invest in their development and future growth.  This may include classes, seminars, coaching, or other formal learning processes.  However an often overlooked means is to open up new opportunities for them to experience and learn from during their normal work.  New challenges will excite your talented team members and allow them to grow.

Another way in which you can invest in your team is through feedback and accountability.  When you provide feedback you are telling the team that their work is important.  Further your feedback allows them to benefit from your insight and learn things they had not known before.  This process of providing feedback allows everyone to learn and grow towards excellence.

Finally, invest in the team by freeing them to try new ideas.  Many of the people on your team work more directly with clients than you do.  Therefore they often see solutions quicker, understand where your product or service is not meeting the needs of clients, and are able to see issues related to various options.  By empowering your team members they will experience greater satisfaction and ownership of their work.

These are just a few of the ways in which you can invest in your team and build for long term success.  None one can go it alone--it is all about people!