Like many of you, we are examining the progress we were able to make in all of our professional endeavors for 2012. One thing is for certain, the progress that occurred, was only possible because of countless people--Customers, vendors, leaders, visionaries, those who inspired and challenged us. Here are some simple things you can do to finish the year strong and get set for an exceptional year next year.
Tip #1: Now is the time to tell all these people "Thank You!" Make plans to communicate your gratitude during the Holiday Season. Personalize your seasonal cards or gifts so they don't get lost in the shuffle, or send them early.
Tip #2: Get your data in order. Make sure you know what things produced the best benefit to your business. Then begin folding them into your quarterly plan for next year. Don't just assume you know, and be honest about failures, shortcomings, and mistakes. It doesn't benefit you to minimize these when planning.
Tip #3: Hire a specialist. It doesn't matter what industry or business endeavor we are in, there is someone who specializes in precisely the thing our businesses desperately need. There is a time to "poor boy" things by learning what we can and doing our best, but at some point if we want the success we are striving for, we will need to strategically employ the best. This is true in our personal lives too.
Tip #4:
Stay Inspired. Business leaders take a lot of bugs on their windshield. The law of entropy will cause the most resilient of us to buckle. Find peers and leaders who will inspire you and help you to stay focused during blurry times. This expands those spheres of relationships from Tip 1, and keeps us humble as perpetual learners. This virtual group is a great start.
Tip #5: Create efficiencies in time and money that will allow you to pursue your passions and deeper hopes for life. Never give up on you. Don't settle, not when you are at stake.
