Time is of the essence. Will you finish the year strong? Are you on track with your annual goals? Whether you are an Advisor or Manager these questions apply to you.

This month's Champions' E-zine will give you some ideas on how to do just that. – So let's get started:

End Game Rules
Many of my clients tell me that they too want to finish the year strong, however there's a problem. When pressed as to what that means, they are at a loss to tell me an answer with any precision. So the first step to concluding the year with a bang is to get really clear about what finishing strong means. The more clearly and accurately you can define it and measure it, the better the chances are of you achieving it. The end game is played differently that the rest of the game. When it comes down to the wire, crystal clear focus on the goal and a playing field free of as many distractions as possible is both required and essential.

Key Questions
I ask my Advisor, Manager, and Management Team clients the following question to help them gain the crystal clear end game clarity they need. "If there is just one thing that you can accomplish between now and the end of the year that would make all the difference in the world to achieving your main goal(s), what would that one thing be?" We drill down and refine the answer to that question until we identify a list of measurable activities and actions that they commit to doing to achieve that one objective.

After defining that one goal and action steps to achieve it, I ask them to define a second goal to achieve that would make all the difference in accomplishing what is needed to finish the year strong along with its measurable activities and actions.

Put "B" and "C" Tasks on Temporary Hold
Sounds simple; however what comes next is not so simple. Having a very narrow focus means that you will most likely have to put several items and tasks on the back burner for a little while. Deciding on what you need to give up in the short run can be difficult, but it is absolutely critically important to do so. One way to do this is to identify the nice to have goals and delete them from your list until you have achieved your 1-3 critical objectives that you have defined using the process above.

Be Ruthless
Be ruthless with your time management. Create a plan and stick to it. Remember that this is the few minutes of the final quarter. Just as a magnifying glass can focus light to be powerful enough to start a fire, your focused activities will magnify your results.

Be Realistic
Be realistic about what you can actually accomplish. Don't take on more than you can handle. Define, measure, and track your progress daily. Keeping score every day will increase your focus and help to fend off those pesky distractions.

Celebrate
Lastly, when the game is over, celebrate victories both big and small. Take some time to reflect, relax, and rejuvenate.

Assess Results
Assess your results and think through both the positive and negative lessons you have learned. Then, take what you have learned and develop a game plan that you will apply to your practice immediately.

Good luck to you on your journey to success.