Unfinished Business
It’s February 1st, 2023 and I find myself contemplating the following question:
“Is there anything I hoped would be different a year ago… that is still the same today?”
If you’re human, you know that feeling that often accompanies the New Year- it’s a sense of potential and enthusiasm for a thing you thought would be trueby now… but hasn’t become a reality in your life. Maybe it’s a new habit, relationship goal or business idea – could be anything. Maybe it picked upsteam for a while… and then waned… eventually getting deprioritized (and sometimes for good reason.)
I like to look at what got stuck last year that I still want to activate as a meansto setting up my priorities for this year. Some ideas never convert to reality andthat’s okay – it’s because we change our minds or other opportunities take center stage. But others, they hang on… and nag. Those are the nuggets I liketo identify.
Some ideas are worth raising from the dead.
Others were interesting at the time, but turns out… aren’t interesting enough.
I’m sharing the “Unfinished Business” process with you today because it hashelped so many friends and clients get a clearer view of past and future selves.It takes just a few minutes, so don’t wait. Do it now, if you can.
Unfinished Business:
1. Take out two blank sheets of paper. Title one “Unfinished” and the other “Finished.”
2. On the Unfinished page, write down everything you can think of - from personal relationships and milestones to professional missions - that did not come to be. Big stuff, little stuff- it does not matter. Give yourself permission to pour things onto the page. If it helps, imagine what you wish you were launching this year, because most likely, those ideas occurred to you before now.
3. As the Unfinished Business items arise, so will the Finished Business. So on the Finished Business page, write down goals that did come true. This will be a simultaneous process of assigning things to one page, or the other. Eventually you’ll have two sheets of paper with two different lists.
4. Take the Finished page and re-read all the items. Take a moment to appreciate them. We don’t do this enough! Now, here’s the key: look for the circumstances that supported them coming to be. Who helped you? What were your habits and routines at the time? Where were you when there was “flow” or productive energy?
I like to take these learnings and see where I can replicate something for the Unfinished list. Often, just putting thoughts to paper triggers an idea for how to restart an idea - someone I need to call, a talent I want to hire. It also helps me see what matters less this year, which is key - managing time and resources is the first step.
Good luck and don’t feel bad if Unfinished is long. There are years like that for everyone. Here’s a snapshot of mine:
If you want to send me your lists, I’d love to read them. Just snap a photo and reply to this newsletter. It’s definitely more fun to do this together.
I also incorporate an extended version of this in my talk, “Breaking Through Unfulfilled Potential” designed to help people identify what’s holding them back in real time. I often talk to creative groups / networking communities / corporate or creative offices that need a useful kick-start to the year. Click here if you want to know more.
One reflection I had on 2022 is that because my work is split pretty much 50/50 between creative entrepreneurs and CEOs, I get to see many angles of a business.
With creatives (and business owners), I’m the left-brained operational “partner” for their right-brained imagination and talent. With executives, I can be a bat phone, confidant, advisor and mental-wing-man for the enormous load they carry.
I get immense satisfaction from leading creative minds to activate big ideas or dreams that have gotten stuck along the way. I see my clients struggle for years because operations and numbers aren’t a strength, and they feel bad about it - rather than facing the issue - and fixing those systemic lapses that would setthe stage for a more interesting future. These are often long-held dreams that haven’t been given the foundations for growth.
When I work with executives, I typically work with CEOs who have a ton of responsibility - I tend to be a whisperer in the background to help them navigate complex deals or personnel issues, or in some cases, help personal fulfillment match their vocational success. All with confidentiality.
If you see yourself in this message, let’s talk. I always make time for new introductions. If I can’t be of service, I usually have a resource that can nudge whatever process will help.
And that is it, friends.
My best to you and your Unfinished lists in 2023!
BG