So throw off the bow lines.

Sail away from the harbour.

Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore, Dream, Discover…

-Mark Twain

I was reading Chris Brogan’s blog today and discovered something new and interesting about goals when I did. He has a system he’s been using for the last few years that I really like, and that conincides with my decision this year to focus on three main things.

Imagine yourself lost at sea on a stormy night. Your small fishing boat bobbing like a rubber duck in the surf. Wind and water slapping you in the face. Your raincoat hood flopped down because having it up was only adding to the confusion.

Your compass broken. Your radio dead. The only thing you have to guide you home is that lighthouse you can just make out in the distance each time your struggling vessel reaches the crest of the swells. You feel queasy, homesick, tired, and very scared. Yet you know that if you can keep your vision pinned on that beautiful lighthouse in the distance, you will make it home.

Your life is that storm, and your goals are the lighthouse.

Chris has a very cool 3 word system that he uses to guide his thinking around his goals, and he equates this system to a lighthouse. I like that a lot, because I know how hard it is sometimes to stay on track toward my own goals.

A new storm seems to find you almost every day and without that light to guide you and only a broken compass in your pocket, it would be easy to sink.

The three word system Chris describes works like this…

You pick three words that will encompass ALL your goals. No matter what, these words should encompass all of your goals. And if you find or discover what you think is a goal or project that you want to work on, and yet it doesn’t fit within your three words, you put it aside – assuming you have done a thoughtful job of choosing your three words.

Here are mine and how I plan to use them…

1. Rest – Yes, Rest. Right at the top of the list because as I’ve described in a previous post about my goals for the year, Rest is something I need more of in general. Without it, I’m simply not as productive as I want to be.

In addition to sleep, this one forces me to think about practicing more yoga and meditation, continue to get plenty of exercise, and make sure to build vacation time into my hectic schedule throughout the year.

2. Efficiency – I’ve also talked about my pursuit in 2010 of what I’m calling “Ruthless Management of My Time.” Ultimately, this means running more efficienty in everything that I do. I have many projects, clients, and a family to take care of. I cannot afford mis-steps, time wasters, or anything else that is put in my way unnecesarily. I’m moving man, and nobody can stop me.

This one word focuses me on all kinds of stuff like tight management of my schedule, making sure to spend time planning and reviewing, etc. And in every task and project I tackle, I can ask myself the question of how could I be running this more efficiently?

3. Build – Currently, I have 4 very important parts of my business that I’m building. In addition, I’m also working hard to build a stronger relationship with my wife Laura and my kids.

Of course I’m also always building muscle and fitness in the gym and beyond, which provides the foundation for ALL the work I do.

I would love to hear from you about your 3 words for the year and what they mean to you.

In the mean time, find your lighthouse, focus your vision on it, and move toward that beam of light!

John