In this Edition
1. 11 Ways to Make 2010 Your Best Year Ever
2. Monthly Inspirational Quote
3. Recommended Reading
11 Ways to Make 2010 Your Best Year Ever
January – the start of a fresh new year. This is a wonderful time to take stock and reflect on the year gone by, the triumphs you achieved, the times you shared with family and friends, the good choices you made in business. But in order to grow and develop both personally and professionally, you also have to look back at and acknowledge the things that challenged you, the things that did not go so well.
There is nothing wrong with setbacks, in fact, I believe that if we don’t have obstacles to overcome along the way we won’t learn and grow. Thomas Watson, the founder of IBM, once said, “If you want to increase your rate of success, you better be prepared to increase your rate of failure.”
We all have hopes and dreams for this New Year. The slate is wiped clean for all of us as we start afresh. Why not take a few moments in this New Year to think about your dreams and goals for 2010? In what areas do you want to grow?
What is truly important to you? What challenges do you want to take on? Most of us don’t realize what we can accomplish when we unleash the hidden talents that we possess. To help you make this New Year your best ever, take a few moments to ponder these 11 suggestions:
1. CHALLENGE YOURSELF
Have a clear vision and focus of what you want to achieve and set a time frame. Challenge yourself to be the best you can be at all times. Visualize what you want to accomplish. See it in your mind. Write down your goals, have a plan of action, and never doubt you will be successful.
2. FIND THE LOVE FACTOR
Surround yourself with loving, supportive people. Stay away from the dream stealers, the people who would bring you down. Cherish the special people in your life and let them know you cherish them.
3. DEDICATE QUALITY TIME
Life is so precious; make the most of each and every day. Rise early, spend some quality time by yourself as well as with those you care about. Go for a walk, workout, read a book. Value not only the time you spend with your loved ones, but also the time you spend by yourself.
4. STRETCH YOUR COMFORT ZONE
Do at least one thing a day that makes you feel uncomfortable. Push yourself; you will be amazed how far you can go. Remember: on the other side of fear is freedom. To remain stagnant is not to grow. To reach your full potential, you must rise above the fray and soar like an eagle.
5. BE PASSIONATE
Show passion in everything you do. Let it show in your body language, in your smile, in your voice. Let your eyes sparkle. Let the world see and hear your enthusiasm and let it feel your passion.
6. SERVE OTHERS
Be a role model and mentor for people. Volunteer in your community and help others achieve their goals. Your world will be enriched and a better place for sharing your talents and giving freely of your time. Leave a lasting legacy.
7. DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF
Let go of the little things you can’t control. Don’t take yourself so seriously. Recognize that perfection isn’t always the only option. Don’t let life’s imperfections bother you. Lighten up and see the funny side of things when they go wrong, the learning in them. Be tolerant, smile…don’t waste your energies on the small stuff, you have much bigger fish to fry.
8. LIVE WITH INTEGRITY
Always be true to yourself. Take pride in whatever you do. Be proud of who you are and what you represent. Accept others with all their flaws. Show compassion and goodwill to your fellow human beings. Be dignified. Lead a life of purpose and be proud of your values.
9. SHOW GRATITUDE
Show gratitude and say thank-you to the people who have helped you along the way. Send a handwritten letter to someone who has touched you. Call up a friend or loved one and tell them how much they mean to you. Compliment a colleague or business associate on a job well done. Show people you appreciate and care about them. Acts of kindness cost nothing but mean everything.
10. CELEBRATE SUCCESS
Be proud of your achievements. Take time to recognize yourself and others for even the small successes. But also be humble and dignified, sensitive to people who are not as fortunate as you.
11. EXUDE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE
I cannot express enough the importance of having a positive attitude and believing in yourself. Yes, you can be well intentioned, you can be determined, but without a positive attitude about yourself and about life, you will not succeed. Dreams will die, goals will fade, and gloom and darkness will replace clear blue skies and sunshine in your mind and heart.
Remember, people will frequently forget what you said to them, sometimes forget what you did for them, but they will never forget how you made them feel. Make your New Year’s resolution for this year not only to have your best year ever, but also to help those you care for achieve the same goal.
This article appeared in my first ever newsletter back in January 2001. I believe it stands the test of time and is as true now as it was back then.
Copyright 2001: Charles M. Marcus
MONTHLY INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE
“There comes a time when you have to stop revving up the car and shove it in to gear” David Mahoney
RECOMMENDED READING
The Spirit to Serve: The Marriott’s Way by J.W. Marriot, JR and Kathi Ann Brown
Fascinating book about the rise of The Marriot Hotels from a respectable enterprise to a multi billion dollar multinational giant today and a brand name recognized world wide told in the words of J.W Bill Marriot himself. The book is not new, but the lessons, success and business principles of hard work are inspirational and timeless.
