It’s still January and many of my conversations still focus around goals for 2011, both business and personal.

Many of you know I’m a big fan of goal-setting.  It can be an overwhelming exercise, though, so here’s some food for thought…

Why not just decide on a single “theme” for 2011?  Sure, there are many things you want to accomplish, but focusing on just ONE can be very powerful.

My inspiration for this approach came from my “prematurely-wise” 12-year old son, who plopped himself down in my office recently and said, “Guess what, Mom?  For 2011, I decided I’m going to try not to procrastinate.”  Brilliant idea, Son.

Hmm…so what theme will YOU focus on for 2011?

Here are some ideas that have been shared with me:

• Simplicity.
• Living in the present.
• Gratitude.
• Re-connecting with friends.
• Getting better organized.
• Addressing conflict quickly and openly.
• Spending more focused time with family.

Think about it this way…  2011 will be the year that I will focus on _________.  You fill in the blank!

And,…would working more flexibility into your routine enable you to focus on this one theme?

Perhaps a change in your work arrangement would help?  Is this the year to incorporate flextime into your routine even just one day a week, so you could do an early family dinner midweek?   Could you negotiate a telecommute day and replace that one-hour commute with getting better organized instead?