I’ve got one word on my mind.

Every year, I like to pick one word that I’ll use as a focus point for my life and my business. My word for 2012 is implement.

Say it with me, “implement.” It‘s key to you achieving your vision of victory.

Why is implementing hard for some of us? We’re afraid. We’re afraid of doing it wrong, of making mistakes. Of putting ourselves out there only to realize we are the emperor with no clothes.  But when we don’t implement, we stagnate.

I want to share a different approach with you. Rather than being paralyzed by perfection, or waiting “until”, just take action. Start with your 90 day goals. But here’s the difference: don’t worry about doing it right; instead think of every action as practice and play. I promise, it’ll take the pressure off and be so much more fun!

Test
Think of implementation as practice and play for you. Test out your new idea, your approach, your policy, your product, your delegation…your bold action.

You will make mistakes. You will feel foolish. You will get negative feedback.

You’ll bump up against the mindset that needs to shift, the idea that REALLY wants to be manifest. You might discover that you need to redesign how your family operates or whom you’ve got on your team.

Get comfortable with being uncomfortable ~ you’ll build momentum, feel more alive and be delighted by the victories.  Because there will be victories!

Recalibrate
After you’ve taken action, you may discover you need to recalibrate.

Ask yourself, what went well? How would I like to do that differently next time? Where do I need to stay committed/faithful?  Where do I need to make a change?  Which little victories will I carry forward? What will I stop doing?  Start doing?

Just pick up to 3 questions that are meaningful for you and use those to help you know what to tweak.

Note that implementation means that you will run up against new obstacles, some that point to adjustment of the plan and others that you need to face head on, embrace and keep going because you need to learn something or that’s just what it takes to get to where you want to go.

Just know that a strategic plan – any kind of plan is not set in stone, it is a living document and it will grow and change as you do.

Make the adjustments on the fly or with deliberation, and keep implementing.

Celebrate
No matter the outcome of your action, there is ALWAYS something to celebrate. (Sometimes it’s as simple as the fact that you finally took action on something that you’ve held in your head or heart for too long.)

Progress, not perfection, is how you’ll bring more success and joy into your life

What’s celebration-worthy? In addition to tangible, quantifiable successes, like more revenue, keep your mind open for ‘ah-ha’ discoveries, revelations, and breakthroughs. One of my clients just celebrated that she said “no” to a $5,000 client who didn’t fit her ideal client profile. It was a bold step that she hadn’t dared to take previously, but has freed her time and energy for opportunities that are aligned with her vision.

You’ve been given a Spirit of power and love and wisdom – so start now. Implement.  Act.  Like Goethe, I know that boldness has genius, power and magic in it.

Miracles await…