It’s that time again for setting goals and  aspirations for the new year. Why do some people seem to achieve so much, while others  never reach their full potential? Steven Pressfield, author of “The War of Art” says that  we have two lives: the life we live and the life we  are capable of living. How different would your  life be if you consistently performed at your  highest potential?
 
The best example I know personally of achieving more than you thought possible is my good friend, Maureen Marshall. She has worked as a high level engineer supporting all of the big three auto companies, at Booz Allen Hamilton, and currently at HARMAN International. She also holds an executive MBA, is PMP certified, and has a patent for a heating, ventilation, air conditioner performance test system. In addition, she is a mother of three (two of them are twins), a successful Mary Kay consultant, and a motivational speaker in her free time. If all of this isn’t amazing enough, Maureen has cerebral palsy, and has endured nine surgeries over the course of her life. Maureen is one of the most hardworking, accomplished, and positive people I know. Even though walking is a daily challenge for her, this has never stopped her from achieving anything she set her mind to. Maureen is a true inspiration and a positive role model for anyone who wants to push beyond their limits and achieve greatness. (Check out Maureen’s site: My Disability is My Ability.)
 
For 2016, I challenge you to achieve more than you thought possible. The book, “The 12 Week Year – Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months” shares three principles and five disciplines for doing just that.
 
Three Principles that determine effectiveness and success:

• Accountability – a willingness to own actions and results, regardless of circumstances.
• Commitment – a personal promise that you make to yourself.
• Greatness in the Moment – the moment you choose to do what is necessary to become great.

Five Execution Disciplines for Greatness:

• Vision – a compelling business vision that aligns with and enables your personal vision.
• Planning – clarifying and focusing on top priority initiatives and actions to achieve your vision.
• Process Control – a set of tools that align your daily actions with the critical actions in your plan.
• Measurement – lead and lag indicators that provide comprehensive feedback necessary for making informed decisions.
• Time Use – using your time with clear intention to achieve results.

Make 2016 your best year yet, and see just what you are capable of achieving when you set your mind to it and push beyond your limits.

“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.“ – Booker T. Washington

“If we did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.” – Thomas Edison