Eat, Sleep, Reflect, Repeat
December. Yep, another year almost over. And before we settle into some well-deserved R&R over the Christmas break, it’s time to reflect. Moving forward by learning from the past – what have we achieved? What haven’t we achieved? How can this help fuel what’s next?
Looking internally is crucial to good business. While it’s great to look at those minute details, it’s also important to consider the bigger picture. At BBT, we are constantly checking in with our goals and how we’re functioning both collectively and individually. This helps us to keep moving, to keep asking questions, to keep finding solutions.
It’s about the very specific art of set and reflect. Time to re-define and time to contemplate. This falls into an ever-evolving circle – across two parts.
Part 1: Reset
One clear and simple vision, supported by three clear goals, further supported by individual goals that feed into this. Working from the ground-up, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to build this structure for success. With a unifying concept at the heart of all ideation and strategy, everything will have a purpose. And with purpose, comes drive.
The security of that one vision also feeds into something else – risk – or at least, the desire to want to take it. ‘Don’t be in the business of playing it safe’ said Disney CEO, Bob Iger. ’Be in the business of creating possibilities for greatness.’
When setting new goals with my team, I ask them to think bigger, better. I believe it is these ambitious, risky goals that are the beating heart of great business. Without these, transformation doesn’t exist, for both BBT, and fundamentally, our clients.
Part 2: Reflect
With reflection, comes knowledge, and yet surprisingly, very few companies give their employees time for it. It’s usually about doubling down, not creating space.
At BBT, this time of year helps us understand what we’re great at, what we could improve on, and what we should be doing more of. It takes us out of any detrimental auto-pilot modes, and forces us to acknowledge and re-adjust.
Because we mustn’t be afraid to look back, it’s where the gold dust is. The key learnings that surpass information and provide us with wisdom. This wisdom means we don’t make the same mistakes again, and helps empower both myself and my team to move into a new chapter with fresh insights.
There will inevitably be a shift in focus and vision, but that’s a good thing. As a leader, this will allow you to allocate your time, energy, and resources to what matters to your business not yesterday, not tomorrow, but now.
And what defines a new chapter better than a new year? Before 2020, have the courage to pause. Reflect. Reset.