DOES THE MARKET NEED YOU?

About ten years ago, a friend of mine built one of the best
photography studios in our area. They had a magnificent
facility, the best equipment and back office I have ever
seen, along with talented photographers. They did at least
one cover for a national magazine and business looked
great. And yet within a few years they closed their doors.
Why?
Two words: Digital photography. As my friend said, "We had
the best typewriter factory in town." They were doing
amazing work, and yet the market left them in the dust.
Given their investment and their business model, they
couldn't adjust so they folded their tent and quit.
This week I talked with a talented and passionate medical
professional who’s working harder than ever, and making
less and less. Changes in the economic realities of
medicine are forcing her out of business.
Over the years of interacting with business owners and
leaders, I've been startled at how many fail to ask the
question: Will the market buy what I'm selling?
Obviously marketing, service and pricing play a huge role
in the success of any business. Talent and passion are
vital. Efficient systems and top quality are a must, but
before any of that, there is the fundamental question, Who
will buy what I'm selling?
Are there enough potential customers out there? Can you
reach them? Can they afford to buy? Will they pay enough to
cover your costs of doing business and generate a profit?
Many business leaders focus on what I call, "arranging the
deck chairs on the Titanic." They focus on the internal
workings of their business, while ignoring the macro-
economic forces around them. Will the market buy what
you're selling? That’s an essential question and it must be
faced realistically.
Successful entrepreneurs monitor both the internal
operations of their business, and the external environment
around them.

BE REALISTIC: THERE IS NO LIMIT TO WHAT YOU CAN DO

Have you ever thought about what you could do, if you really decided to?
I’m not merely talking about what your skills, education and talents are capable of. I’m talking about what is really possible for you.
There is a very real possibility that you can do virtually anything. Not alone, not with out new information, but certainly within your ultimate grasp.
Now many people would say to me, be realistic. Some things are just not possible.” To them I say, a realist is simply a pessimist who doesn’t want to admit it. I’ve never heard a “realist” take an optimistic posture on any topic. They always say, “Let’s be realistic.” and then go on to explain why your idea can’t be done.
Imagine a realist saying, “Realistically, we don’t yet know what the possibilities are. This could be easier than we think!” Better, eh?
 One thing I have learned over the years is that luck really does come to those who commit to a goal. Scientists and philosophers call it “synchronicity.” It is when things come together in an unexplainable way to help you reach your destination. Sometimes you just happen to meet someone who has the answer you need or shares your interests. At other times it is written off as “timing” or blind luck.
I don’t see it that way. I believe that there are some universal principles at work which most people miss. There have been references to this phenomenon in philosophical and religious literature throughout history. Without waxing poetic, here is what goes on.
When any person makes a decision to bring about a certain outcome, the entire universe starts the process of making it happen. As long as the person persists in the belief that they are creating the desired result, the process continues. When doubt, hatred, or fear dominate the person, the process stops and other forces direct the world’s energies in other positive directions. This is why there is “power” in positive thinking.
 Sometimes we express a strong desire and the result occurs immediately. We call this a miracle. At other times we strive long and hard without visible progress. The operative word there is “visible”. There are too many elements in the world for us to be conscious of how they all interact. But the moment we decide to do what it takes to create a result, the universe bends toward us to assist. This continues unless we do something to stop the process.
That is why I say there is nothing you can’t do. There are things that might not be worth doing but almost anything can be done somehow. To do such things requires a certain state of mind. It requires optimism, determination, clarity, love for all mankind and humility. Optimism is the only productive way to think. Not pollyanna blind faith in spite of the facts, just the continuing belief that there is a way and that you will ultimately find it. Determination is to do what is necessary even if it is not convenient, if you are not in the mood, if it takes more than you expected, and if it is not fair, meaning that you have to contribute more than others.
Clarity of focus is essential in order to activate things in your favor. So goal setting in writing is essential to get things going. The clearer your focus, the more compelling your influence becomes. When you believe unflinchingly in your cause, others will be drawn to you.
Love of all humanity means respect for the dignity of and sensitivity to the needs of others. Contrary to Gordon Gekko’s line in the movie Wall Street, greed does not work, because it separates you from others. Only love and respect will connect you to all who might ultimately help.
And finally, humility. The biblical way of expressing this thought is, “Not my will, but Thine, be done.” If we realize how little we know, we will be a lot more humble. Emerson said, “Desire is possibility seeking expression.” If you truly want something, the possibility of it surely exists. That does not mean that it is a good idea for you. It just means that it could happen. But if you are dedicated to achieving something deeply and sincerely, then it is incumbent upon you to pursue it.
Where the problems arise is when we decide that we already know what it will take to do the job. Far too many variables exist for us to really “know” what it takes in any instance. So we must move forward based on what we know, while listening to the messages the world is sending us. We sometimes find that an even better outcome is available to us through a simple change in direction. At other times we simply need to learn the lesson life has to teach us at a given point and then move on in a new direction. We never know how valuable that life lesson will be later on as we pursue a greater goal.
So I encourage you to be realistic, there is no limit to what you can do.

METRIC FOR SUCCESS IN 2014

So, here's my solution: Assuming you'd like to achieve more
in 2014, you will have to do something differently.
That's it, really. Hopefully doing things "differently"
means doing things smarter, or faster, or more skillfully.
It might mean using your time differently, or working on
your personality, or your daily habits. It may mean
changing your priorities or your focus. It could mean
learning new skills, or abandoning some things that are not
working.
Without talking with you personally (without being your
coach), I can't know WHAT you'll need to do differently,
but simply working "more" or working "harder" probably
won't produce the joy and satisfaction, the results and
fulfillment you desire. We all work hard! But not everyone
achieves the results they desire.
Let's try to be as specific as we can in a general
newsletter.
First, "Time management" is a waste of time. No one
"manages" time! Time just flows, whether we use it well or
badly. We all have the same 24-hours in a day. The
distinction is how we USE our time. No one manages time;
high achievers manage their activities! (BIG distinction!)
High achievers focus on productive, results-oriented
activities. The majority of "average" folks spend an awful
lot of time working hard, being busy, or relaxing. They do
a lot of "have-to's" and routine maintenance activities. At
the end of the day, most people focus on relaxing or having
fun. But winners are not "most people" and they use their
time very differently!
Here's my suggestion: Begin by carefully monitoring your
time usage. Keep a log! Write down when you are productive
and when you do other things. Make notes of your most
productive actions, and the time you spend doing low-
priority paperwork or cleaning or filing. Note the time you
spend shopping, cooking, eating and cleaning-up. And the
time you spend sleeping. Then analyze your logs.
What can you eliminate or delegate? Where can you be more
efficient or more skilled? In the next week, where can you
increase your productivity, even if only slightly? The
winners in life are relentless about this!
Second, use the 80/20 Rule to your advantage. This is known
as the "Pareto Principle" after an Italian economist, and
it says that a very small number of the things we do
account for a huge percentage of our positive results.
About 80% of our time and work is largely squandered. It's
focused on busy-work and repetitious activity, while about
20% of our work accounts for most of our profits and
satisfaction.
Pareto says that, as a parent, about 80% of parenting is
focused on getting the kids to school on time, getting them
to bed, getting them fed or whatever. (All of these things
are important, but they do not create memories or mold
character!) Only about 20% of parenting involves really
talking with our children, teaching them skills, or
answering their questions. Focus on your most productive
20%! This applies to parenting. And to your career.
As those other newsletter suggested, I join them in wishing
you a productive and profitable 2014! May this be your best
year ever! But that will only happen if you change who you
are, what you do and how much you contribute. Look at what
you do with that precious 24-hours every day. Look at your
skill-set and your choices. The more productive you are,
the less you'll have to "work" and the more you'll be
rewarded in life.

KEEPING YOUR MIND TUNED FOR SUCCESS

Absolutely no one can overestimate the power of the mind and its role in our success! It is imperative to keep our minds right and on the right track if we are to achieve balanced success in our career, finances, health, emotions, relationships and spiritual lives.

The analogy I would like to use here is one of a radio station. For example, there may be a "Success" station. But the only way you can hear a radio station is to be tuned into it. Even a little off and you can't get the full effect.

The same is true with our mind and success. If our minds and our thoughts get sidetracked, our success will get sidetracked. As our minds stay tuned to "success" our bodies will then carry out our success and we will begin to experience abundance!

So here are some ways to keep tuned into success!

Use your innate ability to decide and choose.

One of the things that separates us from the animals is that we live not by instinct, but by choice. Constantly flexing that muscle of choice builds it up and keeps us on track for success. It is like working out. They more we do, the stronger we get. The more "fit" we get. Want to keep your mind tuned for success? Keep it healthy by making good choices and decisions on a regular basis. For example, do you have a bad habit? Then flex your mind muscle and choose to change - today. If you choose to stay the same way (and those are the only two alternatives) you will have just chosen to tune your mind to a different station than "success."

Put good stuff into your brain. 

There are lots of things that want to work their way into our minds (and eventually work themselves out again in our actions). There will be lots that we just get from walking around all day. But what about what we put in on purpose? We can choose to put good stuff in on a regular basis. Do you take time each day to put good things into your mind, to tune into success? Here are two things to consider when you are choosing what to put into your mind: First, is it positive? Will it build you up or tear you down? Will it make you a better person, or lesser? Will you grow from it or not? Will it tune you to success or not? Secondly, Will it move you toward your goals in the areas of your life that you want to see success and abundance in?

Keep the junk out.