In the January 2025 Newsletter
  Look Ahead and Create Your Future / Events

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Look Ahead and Create Your Future

The best way to predict the future is to create it. Now is the time to affirm your plan for the year and pursue it passionately. What's your plan for making this year better than the last?

Every company and person should have a plan. A legendary study of graduates from Harvard University showed people (and organizations) with a plan outperformed those without one. Those with a written plan greatly outperformed those with only a mental plan. Having a written plan is a key factor in reaching new heights. That's why we help leaders and organizations create winning plans.

Practical Pointers for Building the Plan to Create Your Future.

	CREATE A VISION OF WHERE YOU WANT TO GO. As the rap song goes, "You can't get what you want, 'til you know what you want." Now, pause and visualize. Jim Collins and Jerry Porras in Built to Last suggest this envisioned future consists of two parts: a 10-30 year Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) and vivid descriptions of what it will be like when you achieve it. Think of translating the words into pictures. It makes it tangible in your mind.
	COMPARE YOUR VISION TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW. Remember in last month's Szczurek Success Strategies, we looked back to our present situation. What is working? What is not?
	BRIDGE THE GAP. Establish strategic initiatives and goals that will allow you to go from your current situation to where you want to go.
	USE THE ATTRACTION STRATEGY. As described on p.156 of Pursuit of Passionate Purpose, this strategy uses several tactics. Hold a broad intention of what you want. Be open to the possibilities. Think — believe, visualize, and affirm getting it. Feel passionately about getting it. Take action and engage others to get it. Allow — let go of attachment to a certain outcome.
	CREATE A WRITTEN PLAN TO ACCOMPLISH YOUR GOALS. A 1-page strategic plan provides clarity on the top priority goals (sometimes called ROCKS) for the year and especially for the next quarter. Establish clear key performance indicators (KPIs) for each goal and a scorecard to keep track of progress of important work. What gets measured gets done. Then you can reference the scorecard regularly during weekly and monthly check-ins.
	TAKE ACTION TO IMPLEMENT YOUR PLAN. This can often be the hardest part. Don't leave your plan on the shelf. Take action to execute it effectively. Monitor progress. Check in regularly. How are you doing? Keep going!
	GET HELP. You don't have to do it alone. Find an accountability buddy. Work with a coach. Schedule a coaching or planning session with Theresa now to capture one of her remaining slots.

Summary

Pause and visualize where you want to go next. Compare where you are now and where you want to go. Craft strategic initiatives that bridge the gap. Establish goals and create the plan to get there. You don't have to go alone — get a coach or advisor to help you on the journey.

Selected Events

January 23, 2025. FREE Lightning Session: Create Your Future. Led by Dr. Theresa Szczurek. 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM MT. Location: Boulder Rural Fire Rescue, 6320 Lookout Road, Boulder. Register now for free.

January 27, 2025. Private Directors Association. Social at the Marriott DTC. Meet other like-minded executives serving on private corporate boards. 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM MT. Register now.

Book Theresa to Speak, Facilitate, Coach, and Consult

Theresa's engaging presence, original stories, actionable insights, humor, wide-ranging experiences, and practical pointers have earned her top speaker and consultant rankings at many conferences and events. Learn more at TMSworld.com and see a sample of Theresa's speaking programs.

As Shawn Parker of Elder Outreach said, "I love how engaging and actionable your session was! I've been looking for a session like this for a long time!"

Emily Jarvis at GovLoop said, "Of all the keynoters I've worked with, Theresa is among the best."

Theresa M. Szczurek, Ph.D.
C-Level Executive, Certified Corporate Director, Certified Management Consultant®, Executive Coach, Speaker, and Colorado CIO of the Year

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