In an earlier post I shared a powerful strategic leadership tool and described how to take a strategic leadership approach to creating purposeful resolutions. Here I go deeper into how to align resolutions with mission.
As mentioned, new year resolutions typically fall into the “strategy” realm of Uncommon strategic leadership. They fall into the strategy realm because they are changes (steps) you resolve to make within a period of time toward an envisioned state (vision) that is reflective of who or what you want to be (mission). Strategic leadership both at work and in life requires a consistently holistic view. Here’s how to use strategic leadership to align your resolutions with your mission.
Align Resolutions with your Mission
You may or may not have a stated mission in your work or life. If you don’t, it’s a great place to spend some time (perhaps a resolution in the making?). You can have a mission or purpose for every aspect of your work and life. For instance my work purpose is to “create experiences designed to inspire purposeful engagement in work and life”. I have a different purpose when it comes to being a mom. UPschool, one of my products, has yet a different purpose. A mission or purpose gives you flexible direction against which you can measure your efforts. It inspires your best work, guides you on decisions and helps you to more confidently say no to things that don’t serve it (or you).
Tactic 1: Consider your resolutions and measure them against your mission(s) in work and life. To what extent are they congruent with and supportive of it/them? Be open to modifying them if they need adjustment or even discarding them if they don’t measure up. For instance, you may be chasing a resolution that you think you *should* have – rather than one that is truly aligned.
Tactic 2: Consider your purpose and ask yourself “What one thing, if changed, would make the biggest difference in my ability to live my purpose?” Spend some time brainstorming some options. Choose the one that gives you the most energy. Make this your resolution.
Whatever you choose, remember to be good to yourself. You are enough as you are. You are right where you should be. Take a deep breath, let your shoulders drop away from your earlobes and just rest.
Be Uncommon