"Don’t Wait for January: Kickstart Your Next Year’s Success Now"

As the summer vacation winds down, many of us begin to shift our focus back to work, with thoughts of what the next year will bring. While it’s tempting to wait until January to set new goals and plans, the reality is that the most successful people and organizations start much earlier. In fact, the summer vacation period is an ideal time to begin laying the groundwork for the year ahead, giving you a significant advantage when the new year arrives.

Why Start Planning During the Summer Vacation?

The summer vacation offers a unique opportunity for reflection. With the usual day-to-day pressures eased, you have the mental space to think more broadly and creatively about your long-term goals. It’s a time when you can step back from the immediacies of work and life, allowing you to consider where you are, where you want to be, and how to get there.

Research supports the benefits of early and extended planning periods. According to Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, habit #2—"Begin with the End in Mind"—emphasizes the importance of envisioning the desired outcome before starting any task. Applying this habit to your annual planning means starting now, rather than waiting until the end of the year when you’re already deep into the operational details of your work.

Additionally, Daniel Pink’s When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing suggests that timing plays a critical role in how well we execute our plans. By starting early, you can better align your strategic planning with your natural productivity cycles, ensuring that you’re not just setting goals, but setting yourself up to achieve them.

The Case for a 16- or 18-Month Calendar

One of the most effective tools for early planning is a 16- or 18-month calendar. Unlike the traditional 12-month calendar, which often feels rushed and limited, an extended calendar allows you to take a longer view of your goals and strategy. Here’s why it works:

1. Allows for Extended Planning Horizons: A 16- or 18-month calendar gives you the ability to plan well into the future, accommodating long-term projects that don’t fit neatly into a single calendar year. This is particularly useful for aligning personal and professional goals with larger life transitions or business cycles.
2. Facilitates Better Pacing and Milestones: With more time at your disposal, you can set more realistic milestones. This pacing reduces the pressure and stress that often accompany tight deadlines, leading to better execution and more sustainable progress.
3. Enables Strategic Flexibility: An extended calendar offers the flexibility to adjust your strategy as the year progresses. By planning across a longer timeframe, you can respond more effectively to unexpected challenges or opportunities without derailing your overall plan.
4. Enhances Reflective Practice: An extended calendar encourages regular reflection and reassessment. By building in checkpoints every few months, you can evaluate what’s working, what isn’t, and make necessary adjustments to stay on track.

How to Start Planning Now

If you’re ready to start planning for the next year, here are a few steps to help you begin:

1. Reflect on the Past Year: Use your summer vacation as a time to reflect on what you’ve accomplished in the past year. What goals did you achieve? Where did you fall short? What lessons did you learn?
2. Envision Your Desired Future: Begin with the end in mind, as Covey suggests. Where do you want to be in the next 12-18 months? What do you want to achieve personally and professionally?
3. Set Clear, Actionable Goals: Once you have a vision for the future, translate it into clear, actionable goals. Break these down into smaller milestones that you can achieve over the next 16-18 months.
4. Create Your Extended Calendar: Invest in a 16- or 18-month calendar, and start mapping out your goals and milestones. Be sure to build in flexibility and regular check-ins to assess your progress.
5. Commit to Regular Review: Plan to review your calendar and goals regularly. This could be monthly or quarterly, depending on your needs, but the key is to stay engaged with your plan throughout the year.

The Benefits of Working with a Coach

Starting your planning early and using a 16- or 18-month calendar can dramatically improve your chances of success. However, for many, the challenge isn’t just in the planning—it’s in the execution. This is where working with an experienced coach can make a significant difference.

As an accredited Master Executive Coach and Integrative Psychotherapist, I’ve spent over 25 years helping individuals and organizations refine their strategies, enhance their leadership capabilities, and achieve their goals. My approach is deeply rooted in the idea of "performance through meaning," which ensures that your goals are not just ambitious but also aligned with your deeper values and purpose.

By working together, we can:

• Clarify Your Vision: I can help you articulate a clear, compelling vision for your future that aligns with your values and aspirations.
• Develop a Strategic Plan: Together, we can create a strategic plan that leverages the extended calendar, ensuring you’re setting realistic, achievable goals.
• Stay Accountable: I’ll provide ongoing support and accountability, helping you stay on track and make adjustments as needed.

Ready to Plan for Success?

If you’re serious about making the most of the coming year, now is the time to start planning. By beginning your strategic planning during the summer vacation and using a 16- or 18-month calendar, you can set yourself up for success in a way that’s both sustainable and deeply fulfilling.

I invite you to join me in this journey of strategic planning and personal growth. Whether you’re an executive looking to refine your leadership skills or an individual seeking to align your life with your goals, I’m here to help you create a future that’s not just successful but also meaningful.

Let’s make this year—and the next—your best yet.

References:

• Covey, S. R. (1989). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Simon & Schuster.
• Pink, D. H. (2018). When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing. Riverhead Books.