I trust each of you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving, ate way too much dessert and are now fully satiated and ready to get back to work.

I am currently working with an online class, its latest focus on the planning process. It is that time of year, where all things turn to goals and objectives for the coming year, thinking that we will outdo ourselves in that optimistic quest.

And yet, if don’t achieve those (sometimes) elusive goals, we likely blame a variety of factors outside of our control, thinking, how could we possibly be held accountable for those external elements?

Here are my assumptions –

• I assume that you will do your best.
• I assume, that, in doing your best, you will study those external factors outside of your control, to determine what influence that might have on your accomplishments.
• I assume that you will create alternate paths, contingencies to be adjusted when those external forces exert their influence.

At the end of the day (year) I will not judge you on your results. I will judge you on your effectiveness. This means, no excuses, for circumstances outside of your control. How will you effectively anticipate and plan for those inevitable contingencies?