Looking Ahead 2021
Quotes
‘So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.’ ― Revelation 3:16
‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. ― Revelation 3:15
“Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters”— Albert Einstein
“Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities . . . because it is the quality which guarantees all others.” – Winston Churchill
“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life.”— Eckhart Tolle
“Vision without execution is just hallucination.”— Henry Ford
Quotes courtesy of bible.knowing-Jesus.com and goodreads.com
Abstract
As you start a new year it’s always worth revisiting fundamentals. What are your core values? Revisit your core mission and goals. Is your goal execution framework finely tuned?
Our long-term results and quality of our lives are derived from our core values, mission and goals. These three core factors drive our experience in life. Many events took place in Week 1 2021. The demonstrations in Capitol Hill, the coordinated ban of the US President Donald Trump in Social Media.
Here in Uganda we had a presidential election in Week 2 2021. A total internet black out was put in place. Remember these are all events in life. They will come and go but we will all be left with one stern test do we live and align to true universal core values?
What key lessons can we derive from these key developments? Truth, courage and candor are in short supply in the world. Revisit core values they do matter.
1. Start with a reflection on core values
Integrity and Honor
When you are congruent and live with integrity in all aspects of your life, it is evident in all that you do. We all have a sixth sense or gut sense which can smell a con when it’s presented before you.
Relationships and all other core foundations of life are built on integrity. Integrity in all our actions creates trust and harmony in our environment. Breaking our integrity destroys trust and without trust conflict and disorder arise.
Integrity always leaves you in serene peace. You are in harmony with nature. Rowing and fighting against this principle and value in life leaves you always looking behind your back and living in fear. The nagging question in your mind is when will I get caught?
We tend to respect those who honor and follow their values whether they are wrong or right. The worst individual you can meet is a duplicitous individual. It’s also stated in the Bible where the Lord said he will spit out the lukewarm individuals.
Fence sitters are not respected. The questions is always asked are you committed or not? Integrity and honor are perfect twins of commitment. A fence sitter will never be committed to the overall cause. They always look to see which way the wind blows before they commit themselves which is normally less than 100% commitment.
We are not perfect but we can strive to live with integrity every day. This is what cements your relationships and core foundations in life. Let’s endeavor to keep our promises we make. This is the true defining factor that shapes our destiny in the long run.
Courage
Integrity goes with courage. A combination of the two values is explosive. We always have to have the courage to do the right thing no matter what the consequences. Courage is what sent man to the moon. The courage to work hard, research, innovate, create valuable products, market these products, take care of our families and communities.
Life is really not worth living if you do not have the courage to fight hard each day for your dreams, goals, pursuits and your loved one’s well-being. It’s our duty and responsibility to live a courageous life. Courage is the mother of all virtue.
The courage to do the right thing even when no one is watching is what sets the truly significant individuals from the mediocre and average lives. It’s a fight we have to set out to win each and every day.
2. Focus
Focus on only one or two goals this year. That’s it. Don’t dilute your energy but just have one or two important, must do goals for the year. These are goals that will move the dial in your life both personally and professionally.
Focus brings clarity to your life. Do not attempt to take on multiple goals. Focus on a maximum of two hairy and audacious goals. That’s all you need to do. We all know what will make an impact in our lives. Just do it.
Choose action over indecision this year. Action is what turns your dreams into reality. Do the work and get the goals accomplished.
3. Execution 2021
Just show up each and every day and focus on the task at hand
The battle is half won when we show up each and every day. This is the core of execution. Fight hard each and every day to get better and improve in all our critical pursuits. Get those two major goals accomplished come rain or shine.
The daily slog matters. We need to take an example from a farm and its activities. The farmer will not rest until the animals are all fed, the fields are ploughed, the harvest is brought in, the weeds are uprooted. It’s these daily maintenance activities that make the difference in the long term.
Focus on the principle task at hand. Do not let up until it’s done. That’s our mission what is the task at hand. We have to ensure we get the core tasks executed. We should never lose sight of our core mission, goals and tasks.
4. Resilience and Contingency Planning
Again, events last year and recent events such as the social media bans have brought to the forefront the importance of having contingency plans and having a self-reliance motto. If your core business or critical infrastructure is dependent on a 3rd party it can be brought down by the whims of one individual.
How do you diversify risk and ensure you can continue operating if you get switched off? This applies to all critical areas in one life. We all need to undergo a hardening process. We need to look at making our lives nuclear proof.
How do we do this – gain more skills, assets and resources that are recession proof. Create more robust social networks both in our local communities and globally. Be more adaptive and resilient no matter the circumstances
Do you only have one source of income? Do you only have one source of water supply? Do you have only one source of electricity supply? Do you rely on only one payment processor? Do you only bank with one bank?
What happens if all these critical sources are switched off for a period longer than 6 months. We all need to game these scenarios carefully and prepare for them accordingly. The best time to plan for any eventuality is during peace time and rest.
Do not put all your eggs in one basket. That’s the key message
Summary
Live with integrity, courage, purpose and focus each day. Strive to align to core values that promote a sustainable life for yourself and those around you.
Borrowing from the Nike Slogan ‘Just Do It”
Individual Actions
What are your core values? Reflect and think about them
What 2 goals will move the dial and get you excited by the end of this year think about these goals carefully
How will you improve your execution in 2021 also reflect on this?
What are your contingency plans and long-term plans to gain self-reliance and independence?
Read
The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months – Brian P Moran/ Michael Lennington
The 10x Rule: The Only Difference Between Success and Failure – Grant Cardone
The 4 Disciplines of Execution: Achieving your wildly important goals – Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, Jim Huling
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