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Personal and Work Goals for 2012

It's that time of year again.

Just a reminder to draft what you want 2012 to be for you personally and professionally.

Maybe start with drafting your personal goals. And run those by the important people in your life: start with mentors, (rather than your life partner--they are too close to you for you to get the best feedback or to stomach the churn your thoughts about going forward might be), friends, and then check in with your partner. See what that might mean on the work front.

Then draft work goals for yourself for 2012 and run those through your people too.

THEN, you devise a work appropriate tool with which to share your ideas and thoughts and get your manager's feedback. At work you might even want to run your ideas by a work mentor before you approach your supervisor. A mentor can give you suggestions on HOW to present your ideas for the best outcomes: a fulfilling conversation, and brainstorming about solutions that work for you AND the organization.

Try to really start with what you want, then build towards incorporating your work into your personal vision. Often, we simply shape our vision in the corner that work provides, breeding resentment for unfulfilled lives.

Live well.

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