“In this ‘lull’ before New Year's, spend an hour a day thinking about your business and/or talking about it with a significant other or trusted colleague. Don't think about how to fix, repair, or commit to remedial work. Instead, focus on what you're already very good at and how to capitalize on that strength. We all grow by building on strengths, not by trying to metamorphose every weakness into idealized perfection. We're all imperfect. Success trumps perfection. Happy New Year! ” – Alan Weiss
The New Year always holds such promise: new ideas and plans to help us succeed. We review the past for what we have learned and create an intention for innovating new and exciting possibilities.
Inspiring leaders strategically plan to "re-invent" themselves, and successfully lead and transform their organizations into creating that future. They create a purpose-driven culture where people enjoy meaningful work and are fully engaged.
With another year quickly coming to an end, I started thinking about New Year’s Resolutions and what enlightened business owners and solo entrepreneurs can resolve to change and be more successful next year. Instead of New Year's Resolutions, make New Year's Commitments. Write them down, commit to them and then create an action plan for achieving your commitments. The following are my top twelve commitments in no particular order to help you and your business thrive in the New Year.
1. Create a Clear Vision
Every entrepreneur needs to focus attention on the big picture of the business in order to successfully grow. During uncertain economic times, the urge to get back in the business rather than work on the business is powerful. But thriving businesses are sustained when the owner drives the direction of the business allowing for flexibility and transformation. Clarity of one’s vision propels action and makes you “unstoppable.”
2. Shift Your Brain
For resolutions to occur, the goal -- the external measurement of change -- starts with an internal mindset shift. Cultivate optimism, learning agility and forward thinking.
3. Belief Influences Behavior
Self-awareness begins with paying attention to your thought process which can inform why you acted in a certain manner. Change your thinking. Tell yourself a different story about what’s possible.
4. Be Fully Present
Be authentic with your customers, clients and employees. Concentrate like a laser on what she or he is saying. Engage completely in the conversation. Resist any temptation to get distracted.
5. Positivity Prevails
Research in positive psychology and happiness has found that the highest performing work terms, marriages and relationships all have at least five positive interactions/comments to one negative, so track the positivity ratio in your professional environment. Why does it matter so much? When you are under 3:1, work teams and offices devolve into low morale, little creativity and weak relationships, while being at 5:1 or above ensures superior performance, higher profits, good worker health, better solutions, and superior outcomes. Maintaining a 3:1 positivity ratio of positive thoughts to negative emotions creates a tipping point between languishing and flourishing.
6. Think Big
Create a business, marketing or action plan. Set goals and make sure everything is in writing. Find an accountability partner to help you stay focused and on track.
7. Plan, Don't Wish
Surround yourself with people who are open minded, work toward the greater good, and are willing to help and support you. Find ways to collaborate on projects. Cultivate abundance.
8. Improve Your Money Mindset
Are you a poverty or prosperity thinker? If you have any negative thoughts toward money hidden in your subconscious, you could be sabotaging your own business success. Take a few minutes each day to remove negative thoughts about money and self-worth. Then, reprogram your money mindset for building self-confidence, abundance and wealth. The first sale is to yourself!
9. Become a Thought Leader
Delve deeply into your chosen niche and become the expert of choice. Your name must become synonymous with your area of knowledge, just as Kleenex represents all tissue products. Build your own unique brand.
10. Invest in Yourself
Take care of yourself and invest in continued improvement. Just like investing money, you need to "pay yourself first". Carve out time each day to exercise or work on personal growth before you tackle your work challenges. Read at least one business book, listen to an audio book, follow a blog, and/or participate in a webinar or teleseminar every month.
11. Create an Attitude of Gratitude
I believe the key to happiness and success in life and work is to be thankful for the gifts you have received. Appreciating others and saying thank you is good for your health and business. A large body of research on positive psychology and happiness suggests that developing an attitude of gratitude can improve psychological, emotional, spiritual and physical well-being.
12. Ignite Leadership and Thrive
Creating your best year yet will be greatly increased when businesses focus on building more resilience. Resilience is the ability to bounce back and recover after adversity.
1. Be clear on your goals and take daily action on each goal.
2. Build your team, resolve conflict and strengthen relationships.
3. Learn from the past and celebrate successes.
Millions of business people make New Year resolutions, determined to change their business practices. By the end of the first week in January, many have broken them and by the middle of the month, most have forgotten them completely.
When we look at New Year Resolutions, they are focused on changing some perceived weaknesses, rather than reflecting on a compelling vision based on core values that underpin our purpose and mission. Dare to dream and take massive action to create positive change.
As you can see, there are plenty of ideas and resources to help you achieve the success you're striving for in the New Year. What are you committed to creating in the New Year? Take some time to focus on what you really want and make it happen. The choice is yours.
As I am reflecting again on this past year and inventing the future, I want to take this special moment to truly thank YOU for your readership and wish you a healthy, peaceful and prosperous New Year. I am looking forward to helping you achieve greater success.
Are you working in a professional services firm or other organization where executive coaches provide leadership development for enlightened leaders? Does your organization provide executive coaching to help inspirational leaders develop an emotionally intelligent business environment? Enlightened leaders tap into their emotional intelligence and social intelligence skills to fully engage employees.
One of the most powerful questions you can ask yourself is “What strength am I going to capitalize on to improve business in the New Year?” Emotionally intelligent and socially intelligent organizations provide executive coaching for collaborative leaders who are curious about creating sustainable businesses.
Working with a seasoned executive coach and leadership consultant trained in emotional intelligence and incorporating assessments such as the Bar-On EQ-I, CPI 260 and Denison Culture Survey can help you create a happy and sustainable company or law firm where everyone is motivated and fully engaged. You can become a leader who models emotional intelligence and social intelligence, and who inspires people to become fully engaged with the vision, mission and strategy of your company or law firm.
About Dr. Maynard Brusman
Dr. Maynard Brusman is a consulting psychologist, executive coach and trusted advisor to senior leadership teams. He is the president of Working Resources, a leadership consulting and executive coaching firm. We specialize in helping San Francisco Bay Area companies and law firms assess, select, coach, and retain emotionally intelligent leaders. Maynard is a highly sought-after speaker and workshop leader. He facilitates leadership retreats in Northern California and Costa Rica. The Society for Advancement of Consulting (SAC) awarded Dr. Maynard Brusman "Board Approved" designations in the specialties of Executive Coaching and Leadership Development.
For more information, please go to http://www.workingresources.com, write to mbrusman@workingresources.com, or call 415-546-1252.
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