HOW TO OVERCOME 7 OBSTALCES TO NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS SUCCESS

I love the New Year. I feel like I am the threshold of a new year. I am glad that there is a week between Christmas and the New Year because it gives me a chance to recover, regroup, and rethink. Of course, I would like to think of a new year as a fresh, blank, Big Chief Tablet to write whatever I like on, but that is not really the case.
Our lives are not marked off in 365 day intervals, where everything begins a new on day one. There are many things, situations, circumstances, and processes that transcend years and even decades. Example include careers, an education, a marriage, self-improvement efforts, and other long term goals like financial management. Life is a continuous process.
Even in the midst of these processes, a new year, however, gives me an opportunity to evaluate my progress, assess my accomplishments, and rethink the areas that need improvement. I can look back over the last year and determine the progress I made and assess areas that continue to need a lot more work.
I hear people say that they don't make New Year's resolutions anymore, that they subjected themselves to making and breaking them year after year for decades.
I humbly suggest that New Year's resolutions still have a place in most of our lives.
"Resolutions" only have real resolve if they are initiated and owned by the person making the resolution. If they are "shoulds" directed by nameless and/or not-so-nameless others, they are not truly resolutions. These "shoulds" dressed up like resolutions seem to reflect a recognition of a need to change, yet without the commitment and/or the plan to do so.
We have all heard of the 80% failure rate of New Year's resolutions and perhaps have thought, "what's the use?" There are many possible reasons why New Year's resolutions fail, including the following:
l. They are/were other directed at the outset.
An example would be the resolution to quit smoking because your wife/husband demands it. If your significant others are demanding that you quit, don't grumble about quitting for them. Don't approach quitting with resentment and reservations. Instead, acknowledge that even though you have some mixed feelings about quitting, put all your effort into it and focus on the reasons that you want to quit. Make quitting (and any other New Year's resolutions) meaningful to you.
2. The expectation does not fit the reality of the goal.
An example would be the resolution to lose weight. No matter what methods you may be using to try to lose weight and regardless of the ads you see on tv and on the internet, the pounds will not magically fall off. No matter what your goal, make sure that your expectations are reasonable. Otherwise, you may just give up. With the example of losing weight, consider how often have you given up upon losing "only" five or ten pounds after changing eating habits and walking daily for three months? In reality, changing how you eat, regular exercise and utilizing other lifestyle changes should yield generally improved health and some weight reduction results within a year. For most difficult goals or resolutions, setbacks and less than perfect results should be anticipated.
3. The goal may not include an appropriate method to achieve it.
An example might be the resolution to cut back on drinking. When after multiple attempts at this New Year's resolution, it may become obvious that "cutting back" is not the appropriate approach to solving whatever problems are associated with the drinking. Previous attempts to cut back or to quit drinking may signal alcoholism, an illness that often requires formal treatment/help to arrest it--and total abstinence, not cutting back.
4. New Year's resolutions may involve a veritable laundry list, including everything but the kitchen sink.
This shotgun affect just identifies some things that you might not like about yourself or your life, but does little to bring about actual change.
5. New Year's resolution(s) are verbalized but not written down and so are easily forgotten.
There is no start date, no reminders, no criteria for measuring success along the way.
6. Resolutions may even be written down, but are not fleshed out with measurable goals or short term, mid-range, and long term objectives that serve as a roadmap or blue print for how to accomplish them.
If you have a resolution, turn it into a goal, make it measurable, then plot out a strategy over time on how to get there from here. Develop a time-frame. Example: For saving money this year, I will have $50 taken out of my checking account and moved to savings each pay period. By this time next year, I will have at least $1200.00 in savings.
7. Reluctance to make a commitment or to tell others about your resolutions or goals may reduce the vulnerability that you feel about possibly looking foolish, but it undermines your efforts.
When you let others know that you have a goal/resolution, you allow others to assist you in your efforts. Perhaps some of the people closest to you have the same ones. You could team up.
Some of the most common New Year's Resolutions are to 1) lose weight/get healthy, 2) save money/manage debt, 3) get a better job, 4) get an education, 5) stop drinking/smoking/gambling, 6) improve the quality of your life by spending time with loved ones/manage stress better/learning how to enjoy life, 7) find a partner/be a better partner. Most of these goals take longer than a year to accomplish, but much progress can be made within a year, and the process is the prize

WINNERS PREPARE TO WIN

You have only a few days until the end of the calendar year.
For most of us, that's the end of the tax year, the end of
at least some deadlines we set for our goals, and the
beginning of a new chapter in our lives. Don't blow it!
As I write almost every year, there are some purchases you
should make by December 31st. You need new supplies, new
equipment, new software or tools to make next year more
productive. And the really nice thing is that if you take
action by the 31st, the government will help pay for them!
How cool is that? Don't cheat (it never pays!) but be smart
and use the law to your advantage.
Do your bookkeeping! Are there contributions you should
make? Is there any tax-loss selling you should do to balance
your investments? Be smart about this. Take time. Take a
look. Plan wisely and act boldly.
Ask yourself smart questions. Review your performance this
year. Are there things you should change next year? Things
you should stop or re-think, or modify? Write them down!
And plan wisely. The new year brings endless opportunity. It
has enormous potential! What will you learn and do in 2012?
Who will you become in the next twelve months? What will you
achieve or create, what will you build in the coming months?
Decide thoughtfully. Not every impulse or whim deserves to
become a goal, but there are a few essential items that you
should write down, put on your calendar and commit to.
Choose well and follow-through.
And note that this is a common and powerful time to begin
working with a personal coach for the coming year. If you
are not satisfied with your results for 2011, consider a
personal coach, someone to show you the ropes and hold you
accountable for the new year! This is your time! Make sure
2012 is your best year ever!

BE A BETTER SPEAKER

At one point or another, those of us in business are called upon to do some public speaking. The way we present ourselves is important because it is representative of who we are, our competencies, and how people will view our businesses.
In doing speech-coaching I find that most people are initially concerned with adding things to their presentations, such as props or humor, or in developing techniques such as hand gestures.
The truth be known, the majority of people can improve their speaking skills dramatically simply by focusing on eliminating the negatives from their speaking before even thinking about adding anything else.
That said, here are some simple rules to help you improve your speaking skills and give you better presentations, and thus, better results in your business.
1. Keep it simple
Speak naturally
Make eye contact
Don't do crazy things with your hands
2. Be impassioned.
No matter what you speak about, people want to know that you are excited about it. Now, don't fake it, but let you passion for your business or product come through!
3. Balance the format of your information.
Don't try to cram too much into the presentation. Instead, when speaking, cover the basics and leave the details to a handouts that can be read later. Use a powerpoint slide or a few but don't overdo it.
4. Manage the relationships beforehand.
If at all possible, get to know the people who will be listening to you prior to your presentation. This will give them a built-in trust of you and what you have to say.
5. Show, don't tell.
Show them with stories, examples and personal experience. Don't just list facts.
6. Get rid of distracting idiosyncrasies.
Ummms and Ahhhs have got to go. So does jingling coins in your pockets.

WHO'S YOUR MENTOR?

Who shows you the ropes, teaches you the tricks and
encourages you when things go wrong? Who shows you the way?
This week I had several people contact me about coaching,
which is a very good thing. But, I also had several
conversations with people who "don't need a coach" and don't
seem to have any mentors. I noticed they didn't seem as
happy, as fulfilled or as clear about their goals as the
people who do have mentors. Is that you?
Over and over again, I'm struck that the real winners in
life always stand on the shoulders of those who went ahead
of them. Winners ALWAYS have mentors! They learn from the
experts and benefit from the success of others.
Sometimes they have a personal coach--and I think that's a
good thing! But often they have informal relationships with
men and women who are willing to teach them. Sometimes, they
have mentors who aren’t even alive anymore--they read
biographies and learn vital lessons from men and women who
preceded us and left clues along the way.
One of my most valuable sources of information are the
seminars, workshops and lectures I attend every year. I
remember hearing a colleague say he wouldn't attend anymore
seminars "because they cut the budget and (his employer)
won't pay for it anymore." How terribly short-sighted!
The cost of workshops is nothing! The cost of travel,
tuition and hotels is trivial if you learn one new idea or
avoid one mistake. The chance to rub shoulders with the best
and brightest in your field is priceless! In 2012, "just do
it!"
Double (or triple!) your budget for books and seminars, for
coaching and teaching. Call the most successful people you
know and buy them lunch at the best restaurant in town so
you can pick their brains. If appropriate, hire a coach.
(Isn’t it about time you had your own coach?!) Are there
seminars you "might" attend next year? Register now! Make it
a Christmas present or use any excuse you have to, but get
the "helping hand" you need to make 2012 your best year
EVER!

10 SECRETS OF MARKETING SUCCESS

In today's competitive world, there are many different beliefs about how to market a product or service. Regardless of approach, however, there are some core concepts that are found in every successful marketing program, effort and plan. By incorporating these traits into your marketing activities, you will increase the effectiveness of your marketing communications.
Commitment: No matter what your produce or service is, a solid commitment to the marketing process is required for success. Fervency, passion and dedication are all essential.
Investment: Famous author and critic of his day, Mark Twain once wrote that if you can't afford to advertise, place one last ad saying "Going Out of Business." Rather than thinking how much you "have to" spend on marketing, consider "what investment" you want to make to ensure your organization's future.
Consistency: Keeping in front of your customer's eyes and in their ears ensures you're also in their minds. Marketing is not effective when it is here today and gone tomorrow. A constant stream of messages increases top of mind consumer awareness.
Quality: Ensure your marketing is top quality. Your ads, newsletters, brochures-whatever you do-sends a message about your organization, product and service. If the visuals are poor, so will be the reader's perception. Your marketing must confidently go head-to-head with your competitors.
Patience: The rapid rate of technological advancement has tricked us into thinking that our marketing must be an instant and huge success. On the contrary, since our marketing is building a relationship and perception in people's minds, success comes much more slowly.
Assortment: Effective marketing uses a variety of tools to get the job done. There are many traditional mediums everyone uses, so sometimes doing something a little bit different may provide you the edge you need. Don't get fooled into believing that one size fits all.
Adaptive: Because our world is changing on a daily basis, so must our marketing efforts. Stay away from the "We've always done it that way" mentality and constantly ensure your marketing efforts are focused on today's customers-not last years.
Convenience: Elaborate and complex marketing programs or efforts tire people out. Make sure your communications or programs are simple and easy for the recipient to use or read. Successful marketing and red-tape don't mix.
Amazement: Seek to astound, amaze and surprise through your marketing efforts. Today, successful marketing is about differentiating yourself by the experience you provide your customers. Don't just try to satisfy, but amaze!
Measure: Successful marketing employs clear evaluative tools and check points to measure its efforts. Most everything we do in business has clear goals and evaluation processes tied to it. Measuring our marketing allows us to make course corrections as needed and provides confidence in the investment made.

LET THE TAX MAN HELP YOU

Every year about this time I remind business owners and
CFO's (financial officers) to review their business
deductions for the year. If you use the calendar year as
your tax year (like most of us do), December 31st is a very
important date. And this year, with the potential for major
tax increases starting January 1st (in the U.S.), working
with your tax professional is more important than ever!
Here are two important facts:
1. Depending on where you live and your tax rate, about 40%
of everything you make will go to the Government, and the
final accounting for most businesses comes on December 31st.
The more you make, the more your "partner" will take in
taxes.
2. Conversely, any legitimate business expenses you incur
in the next few weeks are deducted directly from that tax
bill. In the U.S., that means "Uncle Sam" is willing to chip
in and pay for about 40% of whatever you buy for business
purposes! Take advantage of that!
If you need new office equipment, a new computer, or routine
office supplies, take action! It's like getting "40% off!"
If you can pre-pay some regular business expenses
(insurance, rent, supplies or fees) by the end of December,
they come directly off your "bottom line" which means lower
taxes in April.
Now, obviously, the expenses must be for legitimate business
purposes, and there are some limitations. And obviously you
should check with your accountant or tax advisor for
specific advice in your particular situation. No cheating!
(It never pays.) But remember that a few months from now you
will pay taxes on every dollar you make this year and if you
can legally reduce that amount by stocking up now, that's to
your advantage. Think about it!