How to Have a Stellar 2022!
Cathie Leimbach • January 11, 2022
Are you ready for a stellar 2022? If not, you still have time to build a sound foundation for the year.
If you haven’t started your annual business plan yet, now is the time to:
- Sit down at the computer with your word processor open.
- Type out a few sentences that summarize what you wish your business to accomplish this year.
- Pick 3 key goals that are key to achieving success in your business. Set a measurable target for each.
- Reflect on how last year went for you. Type out the things you wish to continue doing, the things you will stop doing, and things you can start doing for 2022 to be even better than 2021.
- From your start and stop lists, pick the top 3 change areas to focus on this year. Since we have limited change energy, don’t try to make changes in more than 3 areas at once.
Once you have prepared your simple business plan, having a stellar year requires being intentional about your business activities every week and each day. This includes having a basic written plan for each week and each day, monitoring how well you implemented your plan, and gradually improving your implementation.
The steps of weekly and daily planning are simple:
- At the beginning of each week, read through your 3 key measurable goals and your 3 change areas.
- Write down the 3 tasks that are most important to complete this week to achieve your key goals.
- At the beginning of each day, write down the 3 most important things to do that day towards the week's most important tasks.
- Also, write down other things that need done as part of your regular business operations.
Monitoring and revising your plans can be simple, too:
- At the end of each day, review what you achieved, acknowledge your successes and identify things to do differently the next day.
- At the end of each week, review your achievements and develop your plan for the next week accordingly.
- At least monthly, review your progress towards your 3 key measurable goals and your 3 change areas.
- Revise your strategy if you aren’t making enough progress. Modify your big picture plan if you learn that your original plan isn’t realistic.
I wish you a stellar 2022! If you develop your plan, work your plan, monitor your plan, and revise your plan, you will be celebrating success a year from now!
As you’re wrapping presents this season, it’s also a great time to wrap up your year with intention. The end of the year offers a natural pause—a chance to reflect, appreciate, and celebrate the people who made a difference along the way. At work, we often move from one deadline to the next without stopping to say thank you. Take a moment to recognize your teammates. Maybe it’s the coworker who always had your back, or the leader who helped you stretch and grow. A sincere “thank you” or a short handwritten note can go a long way. It doesn’t need to be elaborate—just genuine. The same holds true in your personal life. When was the last time you told a friend or family member how much they mean to you? Between holiday plans and to-do lists, it’s easy to forget that our presence often matters more than any present. Every year brings both highs and lows. As this one comes to a close, choose to focus on what went right. Celebrate the small wins and acknowledge the people who supported you through the challenging moments. So, while you’re taping up gift boxes, take a little time to wrap up your year with gratitude. Send the text. Write the card. Let people know they’re valued. After all, the most meaningful gift you can give is helping someone feel truly appreciated. Want more simple, meaningful ways to express appreciation—without overspending? 👉 View Sharing Joy at Work Without Breaking the Bank for practical ideas you can use right away.
In Erica Dhawan’s book, Get Big Things Done, she defines Connectional Intelligence as the ability to combine knowledge, networks, and relationships to drive meaningful results. In today’s busy workplace, it’s not just what you know—it’s how well you connect that turns good ideas into big outcomes. Strong Connectional Intelligence within a team strengthens workplace morale and productivity by impacting four key attributes of high-performance cultures: Value Visibly – People perform better when they know their contributions matter. Leaders who highlight strengths, acknowledge effort, and celebrate progress create a culture where great work becomes contagious. Communicate Carefully – In an age of nonstop messages, clarity is a competitive advantage. Thoughtful communication reduces confusion, prevents conflict, and ensures that everyone moves forward with shared understanding. Collaborate Confidently – Connectional Intelligence flourishes when people feel empowered to contribute. Confident collaboration means inviting diverse perspectives, leveraging individual superpowers, and creating space for smart problem-solving. Trust Totally – Trust is the anchor of all high-performing teams. When leaders show reliability, transparency, and empathy, people take risks, share ideas, and stay aligned toward common goals. Connectional Intelligence helps teams innovate faster, break down silos, and accomplish what truly matters. Want to learn more? Visit Erica Dhawan’s website to explore her full body of work and deepen your understanding of Connectional Intelligence.