{"id":8491,"date":"2026-01-11T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ellevatedoutcomes.com\/?p=8491"},"modified":"2026-06-15T19:37:28","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T19:37:28","slug":"ceo-mindset-my-annual-activities-for-goal-setting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zudigitest.com\/ellevatedoutcomes\/ceo-mindset-my-annual-activities-for-goal-setting\/","title":{"rendered":"New Year, New CEO Mindset: My Annual Activities for Goal Setting"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019s been a slow and intentional re-entering into 2026 for our team. Each of us Strategists took nice, long holidays; and we\u2019re rested, refreshed, and energetically ready for the year. Dave and I went to Australia, believe it or not. When we lived in London, a few of the lifelong friends we made were Aussies, and we owed them a trip Down Under. The trip had highs and lows, and I was so ready to be back to Nashville and work. The time away made me crave my own life (and work!) back home and put me in the perfect headspace to deep dive into my annual activities for goal setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I\u2019ve noticed over the past years, that it\u2019s become out of vogue to talk about resolutions or goals. Instead, I read a lot about accepting what is, doing less, and softening the rigor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<Sigh> I don\u2019t know about this\u2026 I think this social force has created 2 negative consequences:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. People have come to de-value good, old-fashioned hard work (sorry to sound like a grandpa). But my view is: working hard and working well is fun, and it\u2019s a privilege.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Everyone wants the rewards<\/em> of hard work. But they don\u2019t acknowledge the trade-off. If you want a breather and to do less, please do. Really. I\u2019ve no judgement if you fully own it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ve come to learn accept<\/s> about myself: I really admire people who work hard<\/em>. It doesn’t mean someone who’s in burnout, humble-brags about how busy they are, or heaven forbid: doesn’t enjoy their life. I think there’s so much joy and pride<\/a> in accomplishing a hard day’s work. And if you like what you do, it can be hard and <\/em>you can enjoy it. To me, that’s fun. (There: I said it).
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How Does Setting Goals Lead to Success?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

And Why January? The Power of Temporal Landmarks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I don\u2019t know if anyone would refute the practice of goal setting in January (even though we do it with clients, year-round). But in case you\u2019re cynical about why it\u2019s everywhere this time of year, it\u2019s because… science!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In When,<\/em> Daniel Pink<\/a> talks about January 1st like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The first day of the year is what social scientists call a \u2018temporal landmark.\u2019 Just as human beings rely on landmarks to navigate space \u2013 \u2018To get to my house, turn left at the Shell station\u2019 \u2013 we also use landmarks to navigate time. Certain dates function like that Shell station. They stand out from the ceaseless and forgettable march of other days, and their prominence helps us find our way\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Temporal landmarks interrupt attention to day-to-day minutiae, causing people to take a big picture view of their lives and thus focus on achieving their goals.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

These markers can be powerful pattern interrupters, helping us step back, reflect, and realign our priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why Goals Matter for Your CEO Mindset (whether you\u2019re the CEO of a business or your life)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People often get this idea of \u201cbeing a CEO\u201d all wrong. When clients talk to us about wanting to step into their CEO role, they describe it as \u201cmore time to vision and strategize.\u201d And although that is a part of it, my gosh, it’s SO. MUCH. MORE. It’s also dealing with the hardest problems in your business. Because in fact, if you have a great team around you, they are only escalating the toughest issues. Being a CEO means you’re no longer solving the easy stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if you’re not the CEO of a business, here\u2019s another lens to consider: you can be “CEO” of a department, a team, or even as a subject matter expert. You can be the CEO within your family. You can also be the CEO governing your life<\/em>. In fact, I strongly recommend this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Embodying a CEO Mindset means that you\u2019re doing everything intentionally. You have one eye on the telescope and one eye on the microscope. You\u2019re clear-eyed about where you want to go; and each day, your decisions, actions, and systems lead you there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone should be a CEO in one way or another, so these activities for goal setting are for you, no matter where you apply the CEO Mindset.
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My Annual Activities for Goal Setting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Make Time and Physical Space.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Schedule 1 full away day. It doesn\u2019t have to be far, nor fancy (but it can be, if you want!). The important thing is to break the patterns of your day-to-day. No emails and no \u201cnormal\u201d work. Choose a space away from your usual desk: an Airbnb<\/a>, a co-working space like The Malin<\/a>, or a new-to-you coffee shop. (Confession: this year I cheated and simply switched rooms in my house. Instead of my office, I comandeered the dining room table as Ellevated Outcomes Retreat HQ). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. \u201cDream and Scheme.\u201d <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In other words, think about the big picture. You can<\/p>\n\n\n\n