Stay on Track for Long-Term Success - Our First Check-in for 2025

Episode 131: Chart your course for 2025 with insights that could redefine your approach to goal setting. Inspired by the legendary race car driver Mario Andretti, this episode steers you toward maintaining focus amidst life's inevitable distractions. Discover how to craft a process to achieve what's truly important, sidestepping the petty interruptions that threaten to derail your progress.

As January wraps up, it's time for a candid self-assessment. This episode encourages you to confront those internal barriers—like laziness and complacency—that can sabotage your long-term strategy. Reflect on your progress, cherish good distractions involving family and friends, and adjust your plans to ensure success in 2025. Stay committed, stay strong, and keep those future goals in sharp focus.

Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com.

The Office of the CFO Bootcamp Training Workshop: CFO Bootcamp

Transcript

Stephen McLain: 0:04

We are one month into 2025 and it is time to check in on how everyone is doing. January is nearly over and we each need to assess how the new year is going for us. How are your goals? Have you been consistent in going after what is most important to you? Like I have said before, I believe in a solid, realistic goal-setting process. Let's continue to achieve your most important goals this year by using a written plan and a solid process. Don't let frivolous distractions stop you from achieving your long-term plans. Please enjoy the episode.

Stephen McLain: 0:45

Welcome to the Finance Leader Podcast, where leadership is bigger than the numbers. I am your host, Stephen McLain. This is the podcast for developing leaders in finance and accounting. Please consider following me on Twitter, facebook, instagram and LinkedIn. My usernames and the links are in this episode's show notes. You can also follow Finance Leader Academy on LinkedIn. Thank you, this is episode number 131, and I'll be checking in with you to see how your goal achievement is going so far in 2025 with this short episode.

Stephen McLain: 1:19

Today, race car driver Mario Andretti said Circumstances may cause interruptions and delays, but never lose sight of your goal. Prepare yourself in every way you can, by increasing your knowledge and adding to your experience so that you can make the most of opportunity when it occurs. Now I'll ask again how is 2025 going so far? I wanted to do a quick check-in this week regarding your goal setting and goal achievement. Have you run into any major obstacles to your plan? Have you surrendered to the usual life distractions For example, friends asking you to go out after work and then you do that instead of working on a class for a CPE credit? There are many distractions that we face. There are good ones, like going to a sports event that your child is participating in, and then there are events, like I mentioned a moment ago, that add no lasting value. They derail you from getting your goals done Now.

Stephen McLain: 2:19

Last week, in episode 130, embracing Change and Driving Success for Finance Leaders, I talked about adding leading change to our list of essential duties so that our organization and our team does not become static. When we don't actively change, we become unable to adapt to the market and our industry specifics. Then our organization is at risk of becoming obsolete. This means that finance leaders must build change into the culture. If you did not listen to that episode, please go back and listen. It can definitely help your leadership development.

Stephen McLain: 2:54

Now we face barriers from within ourselves. We get lazy or we get too comfy, so we don't work on a goal when we get tired. When this happens, you have a decision to make. You have to decide right there to keep moving, to get up and get to work on that goal. Now don't let laziness or the urge to get comfy distract you from the long-term strategy you committed to a few weeks ago. For example, if you had a physical fitness goal, are you still going to the gym? Have you eaten too much comfort food? Have you stopped working out because you are too tired? Now, what excuse are you going to say next? Now let's stop with the excuses and get back to our plan. Also, have you completed any CPEs yet? Did you set a plan? Did you schedule a few courses? Now, don't wait. Did you set a plan? Did you schedule a few courses? Don't wait. Earn CPEs every quarter and monthly is even better. Don't wait until the end of the year to start earning your CPEs.

Stephen McLain: 3:59

I have said this many times what you have done so far and what you may need to change. Keep going with your plan and make any necessary adjustments. When you have a big goal, it can be tough, but the reward will be great if you sacrifice now so that you accomplish what you want in the future. Set your future now. Keep the distractions to a minimum. Good distractions from your immediate family are okay and required. Build and maintain those close and important relationships and avoid the bad distractions. I am working through my goals, too, and I will be updating my plan over the next few days. Keep going and stay strong. Don't forget about your family and your team. Now for action. Today, this is a great time to assess your progress so far in 2025 and document any accomplishments and any changes you want to make to your plan. Stay on course. Accomplish those goals and earn your CPEs on time.

Stephen McLain: 4:56

The Office of the CFO Boot Camp has launched. This is a three week virtual training event to help you unlock critical skills so you can reach for higher roles in finance and accounting. Topics include the CFO mindset, strategic influence, change leadership and executive presence and communication. You can find more information on how to sign up at financeleaderacademycom Select Boot Camp in the top menu. I'll also drop a link in this episode's show notes. There will be a wait list for future workshops, so keep checking back at the link. Today was just a needed check-in with everyone after one month into the new year. Don't give up. Keep going, adjust your plan and keep moving forward. I hope you enjoyed the Finance Leader Podcast. You can find this episode wherever you listen to podcasts. If this episode helped you today, please share with a colleague. Until next time, you can check out more resources at financeleaderacademycom and sign up for my weekly updates so you don't miss an episode of the podcast. And now go lead your team and I'll see you next time. Thank you.