As you launch into this very special new year, consider these
resolutions. Taking action on any of these could transform your
enterprise and your life.
Resolve to get wired
Businesses of all shapes and sizes are flocking to the Internet,
the fastest-growing communications medium in history. Use of the
Internet and the World Wide Web can be a cost-effective addition
to your arsenal of competitive weapons. Don't wait. Resolve to get
your enterprise in some form of ecommerce this year. Companies
worldwide are finding out you can reduce marketing costs, increase
revenues and improve service using the Internet. The world is
moving fast. Plug into it today.
Resolve to expand your comfort zone
Each of us has our own personal comfort zone. Some would call it
"a rut". Staying in your comfort zone can be very limiting. The
world passes us by as we stagnate. If we are not learning, trying
new things and growing, our jobs and businesses may be deteriorating.
Make a list of 50 things that, if you really were successful in doing
them, you would be a better person or a better company. Things like
give a speech (oh no!), write and publish an article, start an
exercise program, meditate daily, teach a class, feed a homeless
person, volunteer, climb a mountain, learn to play a new musical
instrument, sign up for a dance class, try for that promotion, and
so on.
Then, from your list, choose one or two that you are willing to do
within the next 90 days. Schedule those one or two new activities,
then go for it. Afterward, choose one or two more and do it again.
Make personal and professional growth a lifelong habit.
Resolve to get better clients
Most businesses take on any client who steps up with the money.
Consider the cost to you for dealing with the people you serve.
Have you ever noticed that some people make you feel good just to
be around them? These are the people who give you energy when they
are near you. On the other hand, there are probably others you can
think of who drain all the life out of you. Which clients would you
rather have? You can surround yourself with people who are pleasant,
easy to deal with, interesting and, oh yes, profitable. Get better
clients. You deserve it.
Resolve to get organized
Too much going on?.... Not enough time?.... Sound familiar? How
would you like to have more time for what YOU want to do? Resolve
this year to plan your days, reduce interruptions, clean off your
desk, say "No", make lists. The benefits of getting more organized
include being more effective at your work, having more positive
control of your workstyle, saving time and money, improving your
professional image with clients, bosses, etc. and taking control
the stress.
Resolve to be a rainmaker
I've seen many people who sat around waiting for rain. They would
wait by the phone, hoping a prospective client would call or come
to the business. Others, including some of the most successful,
took positive action to "make it rain". These are the ones who made
calls, ran ads, got out of the office to make their own contacts.
Through their activity, these business professionals created
opportunities for new business. More clients, more revenue, better
client relationships and happier employees are just a few of the
advantages you'll realize when you take business-building action
for your enterprise.
Resolve to cleanup loose ends
We all have messes in our lives. Messes are incomplete tasks,
disorder, disarray, or conflicts that distract you and cause you
to lose energy, break your concentration and reduce self-esteem.
Messes can include cluttered desks, relationships gone awry,
physical well-being, finances, incomplete agreements and legal
issues. Every time you eliminate a loose end, you boost your
confidence, increase concentration, and feel a surge in energy.
For the year 2000, target a mess a month.
Resolve to focus on your strengths
Conventional wisdom says we should work on improving our weaknesses.
What a terrible waste of time, talent and opportunity! Highly
successful entrepreneurs, as well as top scientists, artists,
athletes and entertainers throughout history have achieved
greatness by focusing on their areas of strength. Everybody has
a natural aptitude in some areas. No matter how hard you try, it
is unlikely you will ever be more than average in areas where you
do not have an aptitude.
Working on your weaknesses undermines your self-esteem since you
will focus mostly on your deficiencies. Developing your natural
talents is rewarding and motivating, allowing you to continually
realize higher and higher levels of ability, achievement and
success. This year, experience the immense satisfaction that
comes with being superb at something.
Resolve to take more free time
Free time isn't a reward for working hard; it's necessary for
optimum performance and productivity. We need free time, away
from the business, to rejuvenate ourselves. When you are
aggressive about getting rest and relaxation, regularly and
frequently, you'll see increased creativity and productivity.
The more free time you take, the more creativity and productivity
you will experience. To make breakthroughs in income, productivity
and creativity, significantly increase the amount of free time
away from your business.
Resolve to develop stronger business relationships
Your economic future is dependent on other people's future. Your
success in your enterprise is based on the extent that you help
other people to succeed in their lives. Ask every person you
encounter what he or she wants to have accomplished three years
from now. Focus on finding ways to help others in achieving their
goals. By adding value to their preferred future, you not only
deepen your relationship; you also create huge opportunities for
yourself.
Resolve to get in better shape
Take a hike. Or a jog, swim, or bike ride. With few exceptions,
those who are consistently successful have lots of energy. They
have the stamina and the energy to be creative, to tirelessly
serve their clients, to put in the extra effort when necessary
and to go the extra mile for their employees. The bottom line
is that regular, strenuous exercise is good for business, because
it's good for you. You can increase your well-being, jump-start
your days, boost your confidence, turbocharge your creativity,
and knock down stress by exercising consistently.
And that's not all. Think of exercise as your gift to yourself
and to your loved ones. A gift of longer life, more energy,
happier disposition, increased creativity and reduced pain. You
can increase your well-being, jump-start your days, boost your
confidence, turbocharge your creativity, and knock down stress
by exercising consistently.
Start by exercising your free will. Commit to any of these ten
new-millennium resolutions and make this a great 2000!
About the Author...
