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Greetings!
As
we wind down 2010, many of us are breathing a big sigh of relief and
looking forward to a better 2011. But how will you make it
better? Remember the definition of insanity: doing the
same thing you've always done and expecting a different result.
In this issue we explore how to set powerful resolutions or
goals for 2011 and think out of the box. Take some time
as 2010 ends and we begin the new year to think about how you will be
better. Consider attending our complimentary seminar to kick
off the year.
We
welcome your feedback or suggestions. If you would like
to provide feedback or suggest topics for future issues, please click
on the email link for Bill or Dave.
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We welcome your comments and feedback on our
newsletter and would love to hear from you on how we can be of
service.
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Powerful
Resolutions for 2011 and Beyond
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 Have
you wondered why New Year's resolutions fail and what you can do
about it as you get prepared for 2011?
Before I delve
into the "heart" of this article, let's have some fun by
looking at a list of Top 10 Business and Personal resolutions.
Go ahead and circle those that you are considering for 2011.
Popular
Business Resolutions (in no particular
order)
- Increase sales/revenues
- Reduce expenses/costs
- Improve profitability
- Improve quality of services/products
- Increase customer loyalty and repeat
business
- Build win-win partnerships with key
suppliers and stakeholders
- Reduce debt
- Build a strong productive team
- Develop an actionable strategic business
plan
- Create a healthy work-life balanced
company culture
Popular
Personal Resolutions (in no particular
order)
- Spend more time with family and friends
- Become physically fit
- Lose weight
- Quit smoking
- Enjoy life more
- Quit or reduce consumption of alcohol
- Get out of debt and save more
- Learn something new
- Help others (works of charity)
- Get organized
Why
New Year's Resolutions Fail
Based on my
personal experience, working with clients, and research, I offer you some
typical reasons why New Year's resolutions often are unattained:
- The
focus is on failure when you do not adhere to
your plan/expectations resulting in you giving up on your
resolution. For example, my goal was to exercise at least
3 times per week and for the last 2 weeks I have only exercised
3 times in total. Therefore, since I've already
"failed" why should I continue when I've proven to
myself and others that I cannot stick to my resolution - what's
the use?
- The
resolution is set too high (unrealistic) which
sets you up to fail (see #1).
- Last
minute resolutions tend not to have a large
enough "why" or purpose that they are connected to and
therefore you lack motivation to
achieve them.
- Too
many resolutions at one time which can dilute
your focus and energy.
- The
resolution was given to you by someone else which can lead to a lack of ownership.
It becomes a "should" vs. a "want" or a
"get to". Your primary motivation is to please
someone else.
- Looking
outside of yourself as to why you are not achieving
your resolutions vs. first looking within yourself. Most
of the time what you tell yourself, your beliefs,
attitudes and the choices you make get in the way of
accomplishing your resolution - not other people or life's
circumstances.
Did you know
that:
- 80%
of New Year's resolutions are given up on by January 31st ?
- 90%
of resolutions dealing with health & fitness are dismissed
by January 15th ?
- <
5% of resolutions are still intact by
the end of the year?
What
You Can Do About It
Below are some
specific recommendations that you can employ to make this year's
resolutions a reality for you and your business.
- Turn
your resolutions into written, specific and measurable goals
with well thought out action plans.
- State
your resolutions/goals using positive language so as
to better motivate you and others. For example, improve
gross profit margin to 40% vs. cutting cost of goods sold by
10%. By wording the goal in this positive way, you allow
yourself more possibilities for achieving it vs. just cutting
costs. Another example may be attaining a 34 inch waist
vs. losing 20 lbs. Once again, there are more actions you
can take to achieve a smaller waist than just dieting.
- Set
realistic expectations. If your resolution or goal
is ambitious, establish smaller milestones along the way and
celebrate your progress toward your goal. Focus on what
you or your team is doing right vs. getting discouraged by what
has not been achieved. Success breeds success!
- Have
a meaningful "why" or purpose that your
resolution can be aligned with. Include the consequences
or cost that you and others will experience if you do not
achieve your resolution and the rewards or payoffs that will be
enjoyed when you achieve your resolution. For example, the
purpose for improving the gross margin to 40% is to increase
retained earnings that can be used in part to move into newer
facilities that our employees and stakeholders can be proud of
and which will allow us to grow our business.
- Establish
resolutions/goals that reflect a balance between
your professional and personal life including a few that are fun
and enjoyable. Achieving ambitious goals requires
expenditure of energy and replenishing that energy by doing
things you enjoy sets you up to "win" in life.
- Include
an accountability partner/coach to
support you in your efforts. Having a person that you
trust and respect and that sincerely cares about you achieving
your resolutions/goals is critical when you face obstacles along
the way.
So
there you have it, a prescription for making powerful resolutions
that endure throughout the year and generate the results you and
others desire.
Dave and I would be glad to support you in turning your resolutions
into reality. Attend our complimentary January 13, 2011
seminar entitled: "Tuning
into your internal gps to Live a Purpose
Driven Life" or give us a call to find out about our
limited time offer of three personalized coaching sessions for $150.
Copyright protected, all rights reserved worldwide.
©2010
Bill Spreitzer - Excellerate Solutions, Inc.
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Think
Purple
 As
2010 draws to a close it is helpful to look at what has worked and
not worked for the year and what we see as unfulfilled opportunities
that we should focus on for 2011. For many of us, the year had
plenty of challenges: the economy, doing more with less, expanding
our business, restructuring to reflect new realities, balancing our
personal and professional lives, etc.
One of the
biggest challenges I hear from many people is how to differentiate
yourself and your business in the face of the changes in the economy
which have taken place over the last couple of years.
I've read many
articles this year telling us that the changes we've seen with this
recession are so profound that many industries may never return to
the prosperity of yesterday. Even if you are not
impacted in such a significant manner, we all should periodically
evaluate how we show up in our "market" (either our
business or career). For example, each year at this
time I review the marketing activities for my business and decide
what changes to make based upon my return on investment.
I also review the messages I am communicating about what I do and how
effective those have been.
In the classic
marketing book, "Purple
Cow", Seth Godin
encourages us to dare to be different and create something
remarkable. As Godin
says, "If you are a marketer who doesn't know how to invent,
design, influence, adapt and ultimately discard products (or
services), then you're no longer a marketer. You're
deadwood." How can you reinvent your business or
yourself to be outrageous, unconventional and truly standout from the
crowd? Now might be a perfect time to consider such a
shift with so many dislocations to our markets and jobs.
If you find that you are in a position where things just
don't work like they used to, why not dare to be a bit more
"purple". Set your goals for your
business consistent with your passions and your purpose in
life. Take advantage of our January seminar or coaching
offer if you would like to learn more and work through some ideas for
you and/or your business.
Copyright protected, all rights reserved worldwide.
©2010
Dave Vogelpohl - Excellerate Solutions, Inc.
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Complimentary
Seminar and Coaching Offer!
"TUNING INTO
YOUR INTERNAL GPS TO LIVE A PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE"
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January
13, 2011
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
or
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Brier Creek Swim and Tennis Pavilion
Learn More and Register
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Check out our New Video
We've entered the world of video and invite you to see us up close and
live as we talk about how we can add value to you and your business.
Business Coaching Video
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Visit our enhanced blog with Video.
Video Blog
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Quick Links
More About Us
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- Just
Do the Next Right Thing
- Resiliency:
How Well Do You Bounce?
- Your
Board of Advisors
- Three
Circles to Success
- Happiness
Is ...
- Coaching
for Professionals In Career Transition
June/July 2010 Newsletter
- How
To Improve Your Team
- A
Productive Ego
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Motivational Quotes
"Believe
in something big. Your life is worth a noble motive."
By: Walter Anderson
"Although
the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of
it."
By: Helen
Keller
"I
have always believed, and I still believe, that whatever good or bad
fortune may come our way we can always give it meaning and transform
it into something of value."
By:
Hermann Hesse
"I
have notfailed 700 times. I have not failed
once. I have succeeded in proving that those 700 ways will not work.
When I have eliminated the ways that will not work, I will find the
way that will work."
By:
Thomas Edison
"When your values are
clear to you, making decisions becomes easier."
By: Roy Disney
"It's up to us to
determine our happiness. No one else is in charge. No one else is to
blame. No one else gets the credit. Our happiness is tied to our
willingness to be responsible for our own moods. That's a certainty -
one of few in this life."
By: Karen Casey
"You
have not lived a perfect day...unless you have done something for
someone who will never be able to repay you."
By: Ruth Smeltzer
"The journey between
who you once were, and who you are now becoming, is where the dance
of life really takes place."
By:
Barbara De Angelis
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