I am sick of reading claims hyping me to, “have my best year ever.” FYI: The trend of “best year ever” was originated more than a decade ago by the late, great Jim Rohn. His seminars were earth shattering and life changing – and it has inspired many, albeit lesser, duplicators.
Rohn’s seminars should have been titled: “Have your best LIFE ever.”
What about your needs and desires this year?
Let me ask you a few questions about what you’re intending and hoping to do:
• How are you expecting this year to be for you?
• What are your immediate (within 30 days) goals?
• What are your present hopes and dreams? (They have a way of changing over the years. Some dream of marriage – others dream of divorce.)
• What are your genuine intentions to make your goals, hopes and dreams a reality?
• What’s your game plan to ensure success?
What three or four words, and associated actions, could you come up with as a guiding light to help you stay focused and on track to get you there? Not to have “your best year ever,” rather, have a great year. A fulfilling year. A profitable year. A healthy year. A happy year. A year of wander, wonder and fun.
Many people, like my almost sister-in-law, and blogger extraordinaire, Ali Edwards (www.aliedwards.com), pick one word to focus on for the entire year. Her word this year is “open.” She focuses blog posts and actions around the word. The process works.
Here are my 3.5 words for 2013 – I hope they inspire you to think about and select yours:
WRITE
Write every day. Tweet every day. Post every day. I have been writing almost every day for the past 21 years. Why should I let up now? This year I will publish at least two e-books and one major hardbound book (also available on kindle and iBook). I will write 52 new weekly columns, and post a variety of new ideas and thoughts both in text and in video. I selected the word write for 2.5 basic reasons:
1. It has been and continues to be the core of my success. Every penny I have earned since March 23, 1992 (when my first column appeared in print), I can trace back to something I wrote. Writing has provided me with both purpose and process, both discipline and drive, both achievement and attraction, both success and fulfillment, and both lessons and legacy.
2.5 One innovation helping me significantly is Dragon Dictate for Mac. I’m using it right now. It’s not just amazing; it’s also a miracle. I’m increasing my speed of writing productivity by more than 50 percent, while still maintaining perfect thought flow and expression. NOTE: The end of the keyboard is not upon us, but it is clearly within sight.
FINISH
Finish what I start. I have more projects and opportunities than I can say grace over. I intend to see each one through to fruition (not just completion).
In my experience, there are very few things more frustrating than the mental nag of a project undone. I’m speaking for myself, and challenging myself, at the same time I’m speaking to you and challenging you.
Finish what you start. It sounds so simple, yet time seems to fly away during the course of a day, a week, a month, or a year.
SHAPE
This is by far my most difficult word. It has several connotations.
1. Get in shape: This year for sure (even though I said that least year, and the year before). There’s a fundamental link between physical well-being and mental freedom to create. My intention this year is to put them in balance and harmony.
2. Shape up: There are several aspects of business and life that need shaping and reshaping. They range from organization to money to personal skills to relationships to sales.
3. Shape the future. My age now demands I make plans that include me and exclude me. Succession is not just a word or a plan, it’s also a reality.
These are three huge elements in leadership, life and quality of living. I’m taking personal responsibility for both actions and outcomes. •
Jeffrey Gitomer is the author of “The Sales Bible” and “The Little Red Book of Selling.” President of Charlotte-based Buy Gitomer, he gives seminars, runs annual sales meetings, and conducts Internet training programs on selling and customer service at www.trainone.com. He can be reached at (704) 333-1112 or email to salesman@gitomer.com
