Merry Christmas...

...and Happy Holidays!
From Victoria Cook, The Guilt-Free Coach


Every year when Christmas comes I realize anew
The biggest gift that life can give is knowing folks like you.
May the spirit of Christmas that forever more endures
Leave its richest blessing in the hears of you and yours!
(Unknown)


For a little more holiday cheer, take a listen to a medley of some unique holiday tunes with a twist. Enjoy!

Where are you headed?

By Victoria Cook

All too often when talking with business owners who are unhappy with their results, I find they haven't set many goals much less created a specific plan on how to reach them. 

 

While speaking with one owner recently, she shared that she really doesn't set annual goals, she just does as much work as she can to "hopefully" achieve the same level of success or more each year.  When business is slow she just works more hours and spends more time reaching out to her network to try and generate business. And oh, by the way, during that same conversation she mentioned that she really wanted less stress, and to get a better handle on her time so she could have more of it for fun with her spouse, family and friends. This is not an unfamiliar conversation and she's not alone in her struggles.

 

Does any of this sound familiar to you? If not, go ahead and stop reading now. But, if you are tired of working harder and harder and want to reduce some of your struggles keep reading!

Many years ago US educator and writer, Laurence J. Peter made a simple and profound statement that is still true today: "If you don't know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else!" Ending up where you really want to be, or darned close to it, requires just a couple simple steps:

1) Cast your 2011 Vision! - Schedule some quiet time for yourself to just sit for 30 - 60 minutes and write down where it is you really want to be in the next 12 - 36 months.  It's important to get a clear idea of what specifically that will look like and why it's important to you.  I began this process with my clients in October with a special 2011 Visioning Bonus call.  As a thank you for being a loyal subscriber to my e-zine, I'm making that call audio and handouts available to you too at http://www.theguiltfreecoach.com/visions/

 

2)  Create a regular reminder of what your vision looks like.  There are several ways in which to do this, but this year my clients and I created vision boards (that's mine). We got together one evening and shared our vision and vision boards with one another. Several clients who participated said sharing their visions publicly made it feel real and that it created a sense of urgency and focus to get moving to reach it. It was such an inspiring evening to see where each person is headed.

 

3) Identify Annual Goals. Review your bigger vision and pull out the things you will do this year that will move you in the direction of your vision. Many of my clients have found mind mapping to be a great way to begin this process. Be sure to make SMART goals for 2011!

 

4) Create a written plan to get there.  This is such an important and often overlooked step. Having a specific plan will help you to maintain focus and combat feelings of overwhelm.  For each goal, chunk out the top ten things that need to be completed to reach that goal. Break each of those ten things down into monthly, weekly, and daily actionable steps (with due dates) and you've got a solid plan to get to where you want to be! I have several tools on my website you can use to capture your plan.

 

5) Review progress & edit your plan monthly. Schedule time at the end of each month (or beginning) to look at your plan and check off what's completed. I believe in celebrating each accomplishment, no matter how small! It helps to build momentum and increases confidence. Don't worry if you didn't get it all done. Use what worked to help inform you about what's realistic to complete for the next month and adjust your plans accordingly.  Remember, PROGRESS is more important than perfection!

Still Struggling?

Schedule a Rapid Results Session today to assist you in creating a strong vision for your 2011 business goals.

During this 30 minute phone session we will work together to:

• Create a crystal clear vision for ‘ultimate success’ so you know exactly what you want, where you're headed, and what you need to do to make it happen. 

• Uncover hidden challenges that may be sabotaging your ability to make changes that last or that are slowing down your progress

• Leave this session renewed, re-energized, and inspired to finally achieve the change you seek- once and for all. 

Inspire Personal Accountability!

An excerpt from Change is Good...You Go First
By Mac Anderson and Tom Feltenstein

Something magical happens when we accept personal responsibility for our behavior and our results. But, it's not easy, because it's human nature to "pass the buck". I (Mac) know there have been times in my life when my business was struggling where I found myself blaming others, blaming the economy, blaming this, blaming that! 

But as I've gotten older (and a little wiser) when things go wrong in my business, or my life, I can always find the culprit...in the mirror. In every instance, it always comes back to choices I've made in my life that put me exactly where I am today. I have to say, that this one "tweak" in my attitude may sound like a little thing, but it has made a big difference in my life.

What does all this have to do with change? Plenty! As a manager, one of the most important things you can do in times of change is to get your people to understand how taking personal responsibility and recognizing problems as opportunities, will not only help the company, but will help them as individuals. In other words, sell the idea of...what's in it for them?

Authors B.J. Gallagher and Steve Ventura wrote a great little book about achieving success through personal accountability titled: Who Are "They" Anyway? I like their list showing how each individual in the company can benefit by adopting a "personal accountability attitude":

• You have more control over your destiny
• You become an active contributor rather than a passive observer
• Others look to you for leadership
• You gain the reputation as a problem solver
• You enhance your career opportunities
• You enjoy the satisfaction that comes from getting things done...the power of positive doing
• You experience less anger, frustration and helplessness - all leading to better physical health
• You realize a positive spillover effect into your personal life at home

According to Gallagher and Ventura, the most important words of personal responsibility are as follows:

The 10 most important words:
I won't wait for others to take the first step.

The 9 most important words:
If it is to be, it's up to me.

The 8 most important words:
If not me, who? If not now, when?

The 7 most important words:
Let me take a shot at it.

The 6 most important words:
I will not pass the buck.

The 5 most important words:
You can count on me.

The 4 most important words:
It IS my job!

The 3 most important words:
Just do it!

The 2 most important words:
I will.

The most important word:
Me