02 Jan Change in the New Year!

Happy New Year.  A perfect time to rethink how we think.  And, as well all know, to make those changes that we all want to make.

But how come so many of us try to change things and don’t succeed.  There are a few ways to ensure that real change will happen.

1. Have a goal

2. Have a plan to achieve the goal

3. Have someone to hold you accountable, so you actually follow the plan

Have a goal.  As the Cheshire cat said, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.”  The goal is the most important thing.  A specific and measurable goal.  Not I want to lose weight, but rather, I want to lose 10 pounds by March 1.  Not I want to grow my business.  But I want a 10% increase in sales by the end of the month. Put a time frame on it.  And stretch yourself.  It’s important to make the goal more than you actually believe you can achieve.  You might just surprise yourself.  But if you don’t reach for it, you’ll never ever get there.

Have a plan. Here is why the specific goal is so important.  I want to lose 10 pounds by March 1 means I need to lose five pounds a month or 1.25 pounds a week, on average.  Not only does it make it seem much more manageable, but it also allows you to figure out specific actions to ensure it will happen, such as cutting out desserts or spending 3 more hours in the gym each week.  Same for your business.  Increasing sales by 10 % means you need to sell how many more of whatever it is that you are selling.  And to accomplish this you need to see more clients, or make more follow up calls, or sell more to existing clients, make more speeches.  Whatever.  The principles are the same.  Having a specific goal allows you to develop a specific plan.  One that you can actually put into practice on a daily basis.

Have someone to hold you accountable. That is why people have bosses!  You know what a boss is…someone there to actually make sure you do your job.

You know yourself.  If you’ve tried to lose that weight for the last two years, what do you need to do that is different? Frequently, it is as simple as having an unbiased person (and I don’t mean friend and family) around to help hold you to your schedule, to achieve the smaller goals, so that you actually stay on track and get to the big one. Could be a trainer or a coach.  Someone who can help you figure out where the blocks are and how to get around them.  And for your business???  Same thing.  Someone who can hold the big picture while you are dealing with the day to day stuff.  Someone who can give you an unbiased assessment and advice.  Someone whose only job is to help you reach your goals.

And here’s the shameless plug.  I am a marketing coach.  These are the things I do for my clients.  Help them figure out the goal, and the plan.  And keep them moving forward on the plan to reach their goal.