We just finished our business planning here at work which outlines our corporate goals and priorities for 2012. This got me thinking about personal goal planning. I’m not referring to the New Years’ resolution style of promises we make to ourselves that are broken within a month – but rather real planning and goal setting. Where do I want to be in three years? Where do I want to be in a year? What do I want to achieve? And more importantly, what am I going to do to get there?

There are two camps on this one: the planners and the go-with-the-flow crowd. Which are you? Myself, I’m a planner. Whether it’s personal or professional, I’m a firm believer in “The Plan.” From setting a goal to learn the violin (still working on it!); planning my next vacation (helllloooo Peru!); planning my career path or even what I’ll be doing next month – I like to plan. Those who know me can attest that I’m not the type the person to sit around waiting for a scrap of opportunity to be thrown my way before I take action. In fact, the-go-with-the-flow crowd makes it easier for us planners to attain our goals faster because there’s less competition!

But don’t mistake my having a plan to mean that I’m not flexible. The best plans are always fluid, changing and evolving along the way. Much like with corporate planning, it’s good to do a check in with yourself to ensure you are still on the track you want to be on.  I often ask myself: What have I done today/this week/this month to get me closer to my goals? Are these still my goals?

The Dali Lama famously said: “Be the change you want to see in the world.” He was speaking on a global scale, but this can be applied in your own life as well. Be the change in YOUR world. Make opportunity happen… Good things don’t always come to those who wait.