Personal Journey

A Simple Model That Makes Planning Your Personal Goals Easy

By Tom on December 9, 2022

Every year, usually just after Christmas I like to sit down and set myself some personal goals. I’ve tried using other peoples models, but I’ve found they get a little complicated and prescriptive for my taste. So I’ve developed a simple model that works for me. I started using the LIGHT model two years ago and it got me thinking about many different aspects of my life. Going through the themes spurred me on to writing my book and finding a publisher. Having these goals written down in a systematic manner made them more than just a new years resolution. It made them real. As such I actively work towards achieving them throughout the year.

Have a read and see if the LIGHT model can help shape your thinking for the coming year.

Get Started with Business Development: Get Your Guide

What is the LIGHT Model?

I wanted to develop a framework that encapsulated the things that are important to me. To do this I created five buckets which could fit multiple goals. The bucket themes were: long term impact, shorter term goals, personal growth, health and relationships. Consequently, I was aiming for at least one goal per bucket to make sure each theme was represented for the coming year.

Obviously the first letters of each theme spell the word light. Which I think is an appropriately optimistic way to view your goals.

Use the LIGHT model to help define your personal goals

Achieving Personal Goals With LIGHT

I discuss each theme in more detail below.

Legacy: goals that consider the longer term impact you want to have on your world. Perhaps this is raising your children. Writing that book or starting your own business or side hustle all fit here. You could also think about your behaviours and their impact. Do you use too much plastic? Should your business be more sustainable? Be the change you want to see.

Impact: shorter term goals around immediate impact this year. How are you planning to succeed in your current job/role? Are there any behaviours or tasks to highlight for the coming year? Perhaps there are specific relationships that could be developed better.

Growth: details how you want to grow on a personal level. What are the skills you’d like to learn or improve? These may be work related, but don’t have to be. Reading more books, or learning negotiation skills bot have their place here.

Health & Fitness: health is a crucial part of our existence. If neglected you can find your existence cut shorter than expected. I believe we should all have health and fitness goals. They don’t have to be extreme. A simple goal of going for a walk everyday may be enough. However, is there a niggling thing that you’ve always wanted to accomplish? Running a marathon, climbing a mountain. Think how you might be able to achieve these and get it out of your system.

Tribe: what is life without friends and family. How often do we find our time with our loved ones eroded by work and other commitments. Perhaps you want to make sure you’re spending quality time with the kids every week. Prioritising those trips away with mates rather than putting them off to be in the office. I wanted to spend more time playing dungeons & dragons and other games with my friends. Once I prioritised it I found I had a stronger sense of connection, felt re-energized and started thinking more creatively again.

How You Can Benefit

Grab a piece of paper, or drop me an email and I’ll send you a simple worksheet. Find a quiet space away from kids, housemates and disruptive pets. Spend ten to fifteen minutes thinking about each category. Add one or two goals to each.

Let me know if this will help you focus your goals for the coming year. Make use of the comments below or reach out through the normal channels.

Light model

If you are looking to start making impact on your business development activity right away. Look no further than my guide to scaling your revenue earning in ten days. Follow these daily actions to get your work winning on track!

My book Business Development Begins Here is on sale now. Importantly, it leads you through assessing your sales ecosystem, aiming your activity and taking daily action to grow your revenues. Level up your business development, click the picture below to order your copy from Amazon now.

If you want a more proactive and personal approach to your business development I am available to help. Through face to face video calls I’ll set you on the right path and keep you accountable to future activity. I currently have space on my 1on1 personalized coaching program. To learn more click the button below.

Business Development Coaching

Sharing A few of the Authors Who Influence Me

By Tom on April 1, 2022

Writing Business Development Begins Here really made me think about those authors who have had an influence on me. Many of mine have been cited in the book and I thought it would be worth sharing a few. Codifying my thoughts on business development really highlighted a number of books that have shaped my professional thinking over the last few years.

Being curious about the world is an important part of being a successful business developer. Getting into a mindset of constant self development is key. Of course, regular reading is part of that.

Below are three of my favorites.

Story Brand by Donald Miller

Story Brand is a fantastic book dealing with the messaging of your business. Donald Miller leads the reader through a Brand script that frames your customer as the hero. As the business developer you take on the role of guide. Therefore your job becomes guiding your Hero towards greatness.

As a massive fan of all forms of storytelling Donald’s approach really resonated with me. Especially as he contextualises it within the framework of the 7 elements of a story. Following his examples (See Star Wars – one of my favourite films above) I found it easy to apply to my own business.

His mantra – “Confuse and you Lose” also aligns strongly to my way of thinking. Simplicity is king.

Donald’s book really contextualised how to message my marketing. The concepts and thinking have really shaped the way I approach business development.

To Sell is Human by Daniel Pink

Daniel Pink needs no introduction. His bestselling book To Sell is Human changed the way I viewed both sales and business development. He makes the very compelling case that all of us are selling in our day to day regardless of what job we are in. This can take the form of persuading someone to help with a project, convince them of your idea, or influence them to get on board with a particular strategy. Therefore, we have sales in every role and at every stage of life.

Unfortunately sales is often considered to be a dirty word associated with shark-like used cars salesmen. But Daniel makes the point that the easy access of information in todays world has changed all that. The role of sales now is to be honest and transparent. Guiding your customer, explaining the information and helping them make the best decision.

Reading To Sell is Human helped me finally cast off the old sales tropes and see business development as a positive force.

Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

Extreme Ownership by Jock Willink and Leif Babin showcases the leadership lessons gained from their time serving as Navy Seals. These lessons were truly tested during the Battle of Ramadi in the Iraq war.

As the name suggests one of their key principles is that of Ownership.

As a business developer you have a lot of balls to juggle. Staying systematic, contacting customers and defining strategy all need to be driven by you. To do that effectively needs you to take ownership of all aspects of the role.

This is especially true when things go wrong. Don’t blame others, take ownership of solving the problem.

This level of proactivity struck a chord with me. It inspired me to make the time to write Business Development Begins Here. It also reinforced the need keep aggressive with your level of activity.

Although not explicitly stated the Extreme Ownership ethos is baked into the Triple A Framework. From the business development perspective taking ownership of your assessment, planning and level of activity is critical to success.

Who are your Influences?

Donald Miller, Daniel Pink and Jocko Willink have all deeply influenced the way I work. I can’t recommend reading all three of these books highly enough.

I’m always on the lookout for new books to read. So, which authors have influenced you? Which writers would you recommend? Please share in the comments below so that we can all benefit from their wisdom.