If it's to be . . . It's up to me!

As most people do when they go into a new year, they tend to become reflective. I am no different. I started to think about what I could have done differently, what I did well and what I want to do for this year - 2010! It is an exciting time, a time of rebirth and renewal. Then I stumbled on this quote:

“The best way to sell yourself to others is first to sell the others to yourself.” Napoleon Hill

I realized that unless I truly believe in myself, I will not be able to pass that on to my clients. This is not new information, just a reaffirmation. So today I pledge to continue the path of self-development. I will read good books, listen to good lessons on CD, watch great videos and spend time with great people.

What are you going to do with this year?

Lessons from my Launch

I have learned a lot about myself and how to launch a program. Mostly I learned that I can do it. Yeah!! I am enjoying the process as much as the outcome. My most recent discovery is that you need to have an enrollment form ready at the end of the introductory session to allow people to make a decision to buy. I had a flyer and then scheduled a follow up session. I realized that prolonged the process and was not a clear enough call to action. I love that I am not too old to learn and I that I am still enjoying the process.

A Stop Doing List - What a Concept!

In our society we get caught up on doing so much that we keep list after list of things we need to do. In business it is very much the same. Most people mistake activity with productivity. Interestingly enough, Jim Collins in Good To Great noted the companies that make it to great learn not only what to do but what not to do.

Today I received a call from one of my first clients. We met at a Chamber Business Expo in 1994 and have been working together ever since. He asked me if I knew anyone who could handle the bookkeeping end of his business. He was throwing his hands up in disgust. He was done trying to do everything himself. Of course I had a great contact for him.

For me it was a valuable reminder of two things:

• It pays to be a human Rolodex! One of my gifts has been, when my clients need something done, they call me first to see if I know anyone who can get it done. I have always made it my business to meet contacts, get to know what they do and then refer them when appropriate.
• When you outsource the areas of your business that don't make you money but actually cost you time, you can focus your effort and energy on making money in the areas that you can make the most money.

So while you are creating your to do list, make sure you start a stop doing list. Enjoy and be profitable.

Picture of Success

I recently started working with a large sales organization that is pretty amazing. They have an amazing program and spirit. Even though they are spread out all over the United States they use technology to run their business like they are next door. I had the privilege to go to one of their regional conferences to speak. I felt like I was preaching to the choir. They were so amazing I remember feeling, what is left to be said. I recently came across a quote by John Maxwell that epitomizes what I saw at this conference and their team.

"To achieve all that is possible, we must attempt the impossible.
To be all we can be, we must dream of being more.
To reach our dream, we must reach out to others."

This team does all of the above and it shows.

It's a New Year . . . So Now What

We've all been there. It seems like months of preparation and the holidays are over in just a few hours. Then you find yourself looking in the mirror and wondering, now what? What have I accomplished? What's next? Or is that just me.

I must say I had a good year. I had my ups and downs, but overall I feel like I accomplished a lot and found my grove. The most important part of 2007 is realizing that I need to build a business around the lifestyle I want and not build a lifestyle around my business. When I tried to fit in a lifestyle around my business, it never happened. When I planned my business activities around my lifestyle, I was actually doing what I had hoped I could do. Looking back on that now, it seems so simple, but it was not so when I was working too much and not having the lifestyle I wanted.

So what did you learn from last year? What are you going to do differently this year? How will that change your life? I'd love to hear from you.

Coaching Super Summit

I just got back from an amazing weekend in Baltimore, Md. I attended Milana's First Coaching Super Summit and it was just mind shifting. I hope over the next few days to pull my thoughts together and share some of my "ah ha" moments. For now I wanted to share this:

Do, Document & Delegate

Everything you do in your business, document the process down to every letter and email you send. Create a file to store all this information. This will then become your SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) or your Business in a Box/File. Then assess what someone else can do more effectively both in cost and time. Let it go, delegate it and then you do what you do best. Do those things that bring out the brilliance in you and your clients. If you do this you will create a business with the lifestyle you have always wanted. You will also have a business you can sell or license later on.

More to come . . .