This is the time of year that we normally look at how productive our current year has been. This is important and gives us the ability to have a comparison for the coming year. The question then is “how to have a fast start in your production for next year?”

I would like to outline three steps that will allow anyone to have great results in the first quarter of the year.

First, we need to quit shadowboxing with ghosts. This may sound like a riddle, but what I mean is we have to look at our beliefs, processes, and attitudes to see what is real for us. I was thinking about an example and the story of Christopher Columbus came to mind. The common belief was that the world was flat. Columbus had the courage to challenge that belief and discovered the “New World”.

The formula I designed to do this is to eliminate everything that isn’t there and what is left is the question that will lead you to your destiny. Many of our beliefs have no basis in fact, so what do we do about something that is invisible? Many times it’s as simple as asking the questions “Why?” or “Why Not?”  These powerful questions have allowed mankind to go to the moon, to build metal ships that float and talk on a phone without wires to speak with anyone in the world.  So, to find your new world look at your activities, beliefs and processes you have in place now. Asking the question why or why not and your destiny awaits.

Second, have your plan of action ready to implement before the New Year starts. Some suggestions would be:

  • To know who your target market is
  • To have a marketing plan in place
  • To have a time management system customized for you
  • What your reward will be when you achieve your vision
  • Who and what are your resources to achieve your goals

This may sound like old information … and it is.  The number one reason that businesses go out of business is that they fail to plan and their cash runs out. You would never think about leaving on a trip without a road map, especially if you are going to a destination that you have never been to. Take the time to lay a solid foundation by designing a plan of action for your business.

Third, know where your safe havens are. I want you to be focused with high-energy, but if you don’t know where the rest stops are you will go right by them. A common belief is that the harder I work, the more money I will make. That was my belief for many years. For one reason or another, I skipped vacations for nine years straight. Crazy right? Then I was given a seven-day vacation. I didn’t want to take it, but I did. A strange thing happened. In the following three months my income increased. While this didn’t make sense to me, I put it to the test. That year I took two months off, and my income doubled. The rejuvenation that occurs when you take time off allows you to maximize your results when you return.

I believe 2010 will be a year of unlimited possibilities and I look forward to hearing your success stories.  To leave your comment, click on the Leave a Comment link below.

Posted in Business Building, Goal Setting, Marketing, Time Management and tagged , , , , , , , ,