Happy 2011

 

 

 

I always love this time of year - it’s the beginning again - a clean slate awaits our goals, thoughts and dreams about what this year is going to be about for us. This time of year provides us with the time to dream a little, be inspired and be creative in our thinking. 

However, we know that very soon our dreams will require action.  And, unfortunately, too often dreams, goals and new years resolutions are abandoned within weeks of declaring our promises. Now, this seems to happen for a few reasons:

 

So, to ensure that 2011 is a successful year for you, here's a simple and easy way to keep yourself accountable and realise your goals. Because when you set a goal, you are making a promise to yourself. Here’s what we advised one of our clients to do who desperately wanted to give up smoking:

His name is Rob and we recommended that he get some business cards printed with the following message: "During the next three months, if you catch me smoking a cigarette or even holding one in my hand then I will give you $100".  We then invited him to hand one to every person he came into contact with. The good news is that he never smoked again!

For you, the moral of the story is if you really want to keep your promises then start broadcasting them by closing your back doors. For some people, one of the best ways to close the back door is to have a money consequence involved in breaking your promises.  For others a reward is equally beneficial. Choose the method that will best serve you.

And, if you’ve not done so already, spend some time creating your vision for 2011 – what inspirational things would you love to achieve? Is this your year to take your business to the next level? In reflecting on your list of achievements from 2010, are there any clues about what you’d love to achieve in 2011?

Whatever your goals, I wish you a very successful 2011 and look forward to sharing this journey with you.

Author of The Invisible Partnership & The Invisible Entrepreneur