I don’t know about you but making plans and actually achieving them is always challenging. At the start of the year I find myself at the start of that loop all over again; making promises than often will never materialise!

We all have our own way of going about this and I have my own creative and quite practical suggestion for you inspired by the book “The Art of Possibility” by Benjamin and Rosamund Zander (a really interesting motivational book by the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and his wife who is an executive coach) that is rooted in the power visualisation.

Taking a pen and some paper, simply write your diary entry for your last working day of this year...

Imagine just before you switch off the lights in the office, before you head out the door to do some last minute shopping and enjoy a well earned rest you quietly write your diary entry.

It might go like this...

23^rd December, 2011

Wow, that was some exciting and really fulfilling year!

It was a great year because I really achieved what I set out to both personally and professionally and even more besides because of those opportunities I wasn’t expecting.

I started the year with a few really clear goals including (go for it, be specific – list at least 5!)

I thought these goals were going to be really challenging but I achieved these as I made a few important changes in my life that were necessary such as (be honest – what needs to happen for you to achieve those goals – your conditions for success).

It wasn’t all plain sailing and I had a few setbacks but I kept a clear focus on my goals, I kept a positive outlook and by digging deep and having a clear belief in myself and my abilities I managed to achieve them all in the end.

I’m glad I kept a positive outlook and kept my eyes open for those genuinely unique opportunities, which I know will only present themselves in this challenging economic climate – it made a huge difference to my business this year, which I wasn’t expecting.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

2012 – Bring it on!

Your signature (make sure you do this)

Put this in an envelope, place it in your top drawer and have a peep at it on the first day of every month (set a reminder in your computer to do this) and see what happens.

We did this with our team this year – I’ll let you know how we got on in about 12 months!

Greg Canty is a partner of Fuzion Communications