Leadership

2010-2011

As encouraged from afar by my invisible mentor, Seth Godin, I am compiling a list of things I achieved and accomplishments I am proud of from 2010. As Seth mentions, this is not an easy thing to do, because first, we don’t like to feel like we’re peddling or hawking our “stuff.”

I suspect it’s also that we don’t want to come across with too much braggadocio — but a list like this isn’t really about that, is it? By taking a look at what we actually got done, it helps us to benchmark our progress, to see where we’re coming from in order to remind us where we’re going. By posting it for the world to see we add an extra layer of accountability to keep producing, which, in these increasingly self-motivated times, isn’t a bad thing either.

Here are a few of the things I am proud that I “got done” in 2010:

  • Completed my MBA and graduated with a 4.0 GPA (this actually happened at the end of December 2009, but close enough)
  • Helped organize and initiate a new PCMA chapter in Pasadena
  • Launched completely redesigned website and blog at joshallan.com
  • Completed manuscript for The Mosaic Mind (my new book)
  • Secured agent to pitch book to major publishers
  • Completed book proposal, sent to initial wave of publishers
  • Created and launched my consulting firm, Strengths Doctors
  • Helped produce and performed in the world premiere previews of Group: A Musical at the Powerhouse Theatre in Santa Monica
  • Adapted content from The Mosaic Mind into a visual presentation and presented it to an ASTD special division group

Forward-focused goal-setting is important, but while creating this list it occurred to me that the above kind of list might be just as important. Here’s why: if you’re any kind of “achiever” personality (like I am), it’s very easy to let a year go by without realizing or recognizing the progress that was made and the goals that were met. Before writing the above items down, I would’ve regarded 2010 as a very “unquantifiable” year for me — but, it turns out, I accomplished a great many of the things I set out to do.

Looking forward, I have a few simple goals for 2011:

  1. Secure publishing arrangement with a major business book publisher
  2. Average one speaking engagement per month
  3. Build Strengths Doctors into a viable consulting firm (doubling 2010 revenues)

If you’ve created a list like this, please post it in the comments so we can share in your success!

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5 Replies to “2010: Year In Review”

  1. Wow Josh. I always love your blog posts as they’re concise, creative, and to the point; but I love this one because where as your others are great “advice” (or consulting), I feel like I got to know you a bit better here and got to know how you “spent your year” – and what an amazing year. Congratulations. I love the new book title and theory; and am en route to your consulting site now. Great stuff.

  2. Thanks so much, Jamie! Always great to hear from you. Wishing you an amazing 2011!

  3. Scott Asai says:

    Looks like you had a nice year Josh! It’s important to track our achievements and see the progress we’ve made over time. Confidence is about building on past success and using the momentum to push us forward. I also like your simple goals for 2011. They are measurable and achievable. Looking forward to sharing in success with you this year!

  4. Congratulations on your 2010 success. All the best in 2011.

  5. Thanks Scott and Michael! Looking forward to rocking this year alongside quality folks like yourselves.

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