Here we are, at the outset of another year. Each New Year isfull of promise, hope, and maybe even some fear of the unknown.While we all share the same mixture of feelings, we all would likethis year to be our best.

So how can we do our best to start 2016 in the right mindset forgrowth? My advice is to choose a theme. There are scores ofapproaches to goal-setting and countless tracks to run on, but Ihave found the best way to harness productive power is by settingeach year to a theme. We can then focus our thoughts and actions invery specific ways. Here are a few examples.

What's your business priority for 2016?

At the end of 2011, the pace of technological change and thegrowth of our business had me feeling very disorganized andout-of-control. We had messy client files and therefore, a messyclient experience. So heading into 2012, we chose to implement ayear-long focus on operational excellence. In fact, we named it“OE12.” We printed and hung signs around the office and includedOE12 discussions in all of our weekly meetings.

The result was a commitment to getting the business organizedand streamlined in a way that I know we wouldn't have, had we notmade it an overarching priority that year. We moved from paperfiles to paperless, implemented a new CRM and organized clients'information in a fashion that has transformed our operations tothis day. Once we did this, organization oozed into all areas ofthe business.

In other years, we focused on turning financial planning into anart-form. Not only did we begin delivering truly holistic financialplans to our clients, but we charged for them and made them intoworks of art, with the help of a graphic designer.

Enduring commitment to excellence

The benefits of each annual theme and commitment to excellenceis enduring and compounding. In order to get started on choosingyour annual theme, consider the following steps: New Year, newtheme, massive productivity gains What problem keeps you up atnight? If you're tired of feeling disorganized, make operationalorganization your theme.

Related: 4 time management strategies to turbocharge youragency

Do your finances feel out of control? Make 2016 the year offinancial excellence. What's at stake? If you were to focus on aparticular theme for 2016, what might the benefits look like?Conversely, by not working on your problem area, what could thecost be? Determine what's at stake and you'll find great power insticking to your theme. Who can help me?

Let's face it, if you're kept up at night by an ongoing andpersistent challenge in your business — that has high stakes — youmay not be the best person to lead the charge. It's likely not inyour unique ability. Enlisting the help of others may be astaggeringly meaningful investment to make toward your futuresuccess. Write down names and schedule conversations with thesepeople to enlist their help.

Make an action plan

Choose your actions. Now that you have the theme and teamdetermined, make an action plan for carrying out the improvementprocess. You know the drill: be specific, choose measurable tasksand get to it. Reward yourself. Admittedly, I'm awful at this. Butyou don't have to be. When you see improvement in your chosentheme, high-five, buy pizza, throw a party, whatever it takes tostay excited about the progress you're making.

So, what's your theme going to be for 2016? We all know industrychange is coming so the stakes have never been higher for takingcontrol of your business and not allowing the winds to carry youwhere you're not inclined to go. Make the 2016 the year thatchanges everything for you. New year, new theme, new results.

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