2009 Part One: Lessons Learned

It’s hard to believe that half of the year is over – not exactly a stellar year for most of us!

I have learned quite a few things as a business owner (hard lessons learned) these past 6+ months:

•I should always look to cut expenses, even when times are good.

•I should reward creativity and innovation.

•I should look to do more with less.

•I should expect and appreciate the willingness of my staff to be flexible.

•I should recognize how my moods impact our employees, and those around me.

•It’s not what we make, it’s what we keep that counts.

I’ve also learned a few things on a personal level:

•“Shopping” in my closet isn’t that bad.

•Cooking can replace take-out.

•Time with friends doesn’t have to be expensive.

•Staying in shape mentally and physically is my choice, and under my control.

•I need to appreciate and be grateful for all of what I can give to others.

Let’s hope that the economy picks up during the last half of 2009!

Even when this happens (notice I said “when” and not “if”), however, I don’t want to lose site of these lessons learned.

As always, feel free to share your lessons learned/best practices.

Setting Goals Is Better Than Making Resolutions

Some of you have made 2009 New Year’s resolutions, and to date, have kept them. Only 359 days left to go this year.

Congratulations!

Others have made and broken their resolutions already. Personally, I don’t believe in making resolutions, which I think overall tend to be negative.

I believe in setting goals -- goals that are specific, measurable and observable. Often these goals are a stretch, but not impossible.

Let me give you a few examples. One is a goal that I had about 7 years ago. At that time, all of my reading was business-oriented -- news, training, sales, and business magazines, and also how-to books. These are things I still believe in, but I thought my conversations at parties were limited, and I was boring. My goal that year was to read 5 bestsellers, 5 business, and 5 motivational/spiritual books.

I kept a list next to my bed. After all, it was only 15 books a year, but more varied topics. Just by tracking everything – keeping the list in a visible place – I began to read more.

At this point, I don’t need that goal, I do it automatically. The results are that I am more informed, more fun, and a better conversationalist.

Here’s another example … a resolution might be to get in better shape. Instead, write a goal: Exercise 20-30 minutes four to five times a week.

Here’s another one:

Resolution: get more business. Goal: make 1 to 5 calls per day, 5 days a week.

Research shows that those who make specific goals, write them down, and share them with others, accomplish more than those who don’t.

This is nothing new, but always worth revisiting.

I hope 2009 is fabulous for you all. Only you can define what fabulous means!

Here’s my special offer to you, to help achieve your goals: Through the end of January 2009, I will offer my book Life Without Limits: A Guidebook to Turning Your Dreams Into Reality at the special price of only $5, plus any relevant taxes and shipping/handing. That’s almost $15 off the regular $19.95retail price! All you have to do is e-mail Miryam Roddy at mroddy@brodypro.com or call her at 215-886-1688.

Happy New Year!