Set Your Mind to It

Source: Partner Insights

The following includes excerpts, reproduced with permission, of an article by August Aquila.

Philip E. Humbert, PhD wrote, "The human brain is a goal-seeking, problem-solving machine, and the things we think about, focus on, and worry about inevitably shape our destiny."

Let's take this down to the reality of a managing partner. What do you focus on and what do you worry about? If your answer is everything, you are filling your mind with too much "stuff."

There are ways to focus yourself on what is truly important for your firm and for you. I firmly believe that managing partners, more than anyone else in the firm need to have specific goals.

The Power of Written Goals

Just writing your goals down is not enough. You need to share them with your other partners, direct administrative support staff and family members.

Once you have a draft of your goals, start getting input from those you trust the most. Ask them for honest feedback as to how this particular goal will affect them. Frame your goals and keep them on your desk.

How many goals?

Break them down into three categories – personal, family, and business. If you develop three in each category, you already have nine goals to accomplish.

The Acid Test

Many consultants tell you that effective goals need to be SMART - specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely. However, even if you meet all of these criteria and your written goal does not light a fire in your belly, you have the wrong goals. When setting goals for yourself and others in the firm, make sure that you are true to yourself and do what you love.

For the complete article, read “Even Managing Partners Need Goals.”

From Partner Insights, Aquila Global Advisors, LLC, December 18, 2010, www.aquilaadvisors.com.