During the past two weeks, 193 nations from around the world have spent a fortune, published tons of documents, burned thousands of gallons of jet fuel, and crowded the news (and the hotels) with meetings in Copenhagen. The goal was to save the planet. But the major achievement, as far as I can tell, has been to create chaos in the streets and turmoil in the meetings.
What happened?
I'm sure there are lots of reasons, perspectives and points of view on this, but for me as a coach, one of the HUGE LESSONS of Copenhagen is the importance of planning and clarity.
Any really worthwhile undertaking, from reducing greenhouse gases to running a business, raising a family or building a career, is going to involve slippage or friction. Misunderstandings and conflict are part of life.
I'm often struck by how casually people set out to achieve really important, valuable projects with far too little planning. They have a vision, and (if they have a coach!) they put time into clarifying the vision so it becomes a real goal. They define their outcomes. They picture their results in advance. They get excited! Then, without further planning, they launch.
Remember the old song, "fools rush in where angels fear to tread?" I think we're seeing something like that in Copenhagen, and I want to use it (and them, "those people over there") as a relatively safe illustration of what we too often do in our own lives.
During this time of year, we set goals for the coming twelve months. We start with a wish list of things that excite and motivate us. That part is so much fun! It's wonderful to think about what we will achieve in one short year! Our juices start flowing, we feel the adrenalin. We find ourselves smiling and laughing and dreaming of things to come! We just know that 2010 will be THE YEAR! This year we'll finally build the new house, start a new business, increase our income, improve our health, or whatever our goal is. This is good!
And, it truly is good! Always start with the end in mind! Always clarify your dream. Setting big, dramatic, audacious goals is necessary and vital to achieving anything worthwhile. Go for it!
But there are two additional pieces that are also essential, and I suspect someone forgot this in Copenhagen.
1. You Need a Plan. Someone once said, "A goal without a plan is just a pipe-dream." You need a budget and a schedule. You need benchmarks or intermediate projects to get you there. You need a map, a blueprint…a plan. Call it what you like but without a calendar and a sequence of baby-steps along the way, most goals end in frustration. As you set your goals, take lots (lots!) of time to develop elegant, detail plans.
2. You Need Partners. And not just hired consultants or staff but enthusiastic partners who are deeply committed to your success. You'll need colleagues who have "been there, done that" to show you the way. You'll need experts with skills you don't have. You'll need cheerleaders when the going gets tough. And you'll need support people who will passionately use their strengths to supplement your weaknesses and blind-spots.
Here's an example that has become painfully common in my work as a coach. Every business needs a website and there are thousands of web designers out there. Too many people hire a friend or neighbor, maybe even a student who will work cheap, and generally these people can do the technical work. But, rarely do they truly understand and get excited about YOUR VISION! Too many people end up with a website that is technically well-done but which totally fails to meet the needs of the business.
Don't do that! Hire someone who is competent (obviously!) but even more important, interview until you find a partner who "gets" what you're trying to do! You'll save time, money, disappointment and tons of heart-ache.
To achieve your goals in 2010, I encourage you to start with (1) a clear vision, which is (2) converted into definite goals. But you'll also need specific, do-able plans and committed partners. When you have all four components, your success if assured! "Don’t leave home with it"—meaning all four vital and necessary components.
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