Photo by JakeandLindsay @ Flickr
It’s that time of year again. Mother Nature is acting strangely, the holidays are just around the corner, and the end of the year is creeping up on us. This is the time of year that many businesses and business owners create their forecasts and budgets for the following year. I have heard from many of you recently that it’s become extremely hard, if not impossible, to forecast in the current economic climate, so many of you are moving ahead with little to no guidance. Let me give you some. If you’re not a planner and strategist, this is one time in your life you cannot afford to roll the dice.
Between now and the end of the year, I am going to be writing primarily about strategies, goals, action plans, and execution. Now more than ever, you need a system and process around your business and personal plans. But first, I am challenging each and every one of you to take some time and evaluate where in your life and business you truly want and need to make PROGRESS, not change. You see, I believe that most change is automatic, and that progress is not! Change happens, progress takes momentum. Let’s build some!
If we are honest with ourselves, then we all should agree we have “gaps” in our business and personal lives. Think about where you currently are in your business and personal life. Then think about where you want to be in each. Are there “gaps”? Of course, there are. I have them and work with a coach to help me narrow some and close many. I’ve done so for years. Let me help you!
If you are like most, you make lists of things you “should” do. Some may call them “to do” lists and others may actually call them a plan. How many people do you know that go around saying, “I should do this, and I should do that.” Most of the lists go like this: I should develop a marketing strategy; I should take some leadership courses; I should hire more effective sales people; I should lose weight; I should exercise more; I should spend more time with loved ones; I should listen more to my employees; I should cut the fat at work; I should pay off my debts; I should eat healthier. Do any of these sound familiar? Unfortunately what most people do is create list like this and they do what I call “should all over themselves.” Let’s all stop doing that now and commit to developing and creating effective plans that include things we “must” execute on.
So here is your homework assignment, to be completed by next week. Take some time and evaluate your business and personal lives for “gaps”. Document those “gaps” and categorize them if possible. Then write out exactly where you want to be and visualize being there. Over the next month or so, we will discuss simple ways to develop strategies and action plans to get you there. We’ll talk about some common roadblocks that stop many from progressing; we’ll discuss the differences between the truly successful and the truly unsuccessful; we’ll hopefully put an end to the annual “New Year’s Resolutions” game many of us play, and, if you’re willing to work hard and commit to progress, we’ll see some great strides being made.
I understand that only a wet baby likes change. I also understand a driven adult needs to make progress!
Have a great week and PLEASE call me if I can assist you in any way.
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