Newsletter for November 2004:
The Power of Positive Self-Direction
Contents:
- This Months Thought
- The Power of Positive Self-Direction
- Quotes of the Month
- Strictly Business: Your Customers Buy Benefits
- Humor: Eight Gifts You Can Give at No Cost
This Months Thought
Whatever your most important personal goals, decide what you want and take positive action to make it happen, every day. The saying that "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" is still true. Creating and living the life you want is a fairly simple matter - not easy, but very, very simple: Decide what you want in your life, and go after it.
The Power of Positive Self-Direction
This month one of my clients noted that while he's achieved a great deal in life, he has never been comfortable setting goals. He doesn't use written goals and he has never found goal-setting workshops and programs very helpful. I don't think he's alone in that.
Many people need to achieve more and go further, but traditional goal-setting exercises don't work for them. This comes up frequently in coaching - many people who do use written goals also hire a coach for additional support, while people who do not use written goals often hire a coach as an alternative.
What I've noticed over time is that regardless of their attitude toward goal-setting, highly effective people ALWAYS have a powerful sense of "Positive Self-Direction."
They know where they are going and how to get there.
Other variables are all over the map. Some high achievers have advanced degrees, others do not. Some are rich, while others are broke. A few have a clear vision of the future, but most work day-to-day. The key difference that seems to make all the difference is that HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE KNOW WHERE THEY ARE GOING!
They have a positive sense that they are in charge of their own lives. They take full responsibility for their schedules, their attitudes, and the details of their lives. Whether their goal is far in the future, or as near as next weekend, they know what they want and they take action to make it happen.
Some people are blessed with vision that lets them see many years in advance. Some even have a life-time passion, although most focus on more short-term goals, but the one thing successful people always have in common is that they take Positive Daily Action. (This is the true meaning of "PDA" - no matter what you Palm Pilot(TM) owners might think!).
High achievers decide, in advance, to get tickets for Saturday's game, or to go on a family outing. High achievers decide, in advance, to maximize their retirement savings. High achievers decide, in advance, to take care of their health, to spend time reading to their children, or planning a trip to Europe.
The key is not that high achievers necessarily have a sense of mission, but that on a daily basis, they know what they want and where they are going.
Most people do not make these decisions. After dinner, they wonder, "What's on television tonight?" Or on Friday night they ask, "what are we doing this weekend", or worse, they ask, "what do I HAVE to do this weekend?" Too many people drift through life rather than setting their own course and running their own ship.
To achieve more, decide what you want and determine that today - not tomorrow or next week or "someday" but TODAY - you will take action to make it happen. Want to double your income? Make an extra call or take some other action, but begin today.
Want to lose weight, start a business or enrich your family life? Decide what you want and take some positive action to make it happen. Then, do it again tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after that.
The old saying that "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" is still true. Creating and living the life you want is a fairly simple matter - not easy, but simple. Decide what you want in your life, and go after it.
Every day, take some positive action, no matter how small. Every morning remind yourself of your values, your direction, your desires, and take a moment to commit to an action that will move you in that direction.
Quotes of the Month
"If you can DREAM it, you can DO it." -- Walt Disney
"In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing." – Theodore Roosevelt
“A day will never be anymore than what you make of it. Practice being a 'doer'!" -- Josh S. Hinds
"Motivation is when your dreams put on work clothes." -- Ben Franklin
Strictly Business: Your Customers Buy Benefits
One of the biggest mistakes professionals and business owners make is being unclear about what their customers and clients are actually buying.
Very few people hire an attorney because she was editor of the Law Review. Almost no one buys a car because of the color, just as few customers remain loyal to a dry-cleaner, Chiropractor or auto mechanic because of their catchy jingle or the pretty logo on their advertising.
People buy benefits. Yes, we also like nice features and we certainly appreciate good prices, but in the end, we hire a professional or patronize a business because we think we will receive significant benefits at a fair price.
When you market your services, focus on the BENEFITS you provide!
One local dry-cleaner advertises that they check and tighten all buttons, free of charge. They also check for and remove minor stains, free of charge. They are open evenings and weekends, and even have a free pick-up and delivery service. Now, the truth is that they charge considerably more than their competitors (as far as I can tell), but I've literally had to wait in line to drop off my dry-cleaning!
Why would I knowingly pay MORE for dry-cleaning? Because I believe I get more benefits for my money!
Your customers think the same way. Don't we all? In your marketing, focus on what your products or services do FOR your customers and help them see, understand and WANT those benefits. Price is, typically, only one small factor in our decision about buying a product or service.
More often, we buy benefits.
Humor: Eight Gifts You Can Give at No Cost
I receive tons of neat humor from friends, and the following is one of those I received from a friend to remind us that "it's the little things" that make all the difference in life. Enjoy, and once again, "Thanks to all of you who send me stuff like this to use in my news letter!"
- THE GIFT OF LISTENING But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening.
- THE GIFT OF AFFECTION Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.
- THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."
- THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.
- THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.
- THE GIFT OF A FAVOR Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.
- THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE There are times when we want nothing better, than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.
- THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really it's not that hard to say, Hello, Good Morning! or Thank You!
Rodger Blaker is a Professional Coach who partners with individuals and groups to help them bridge the gap between where they are today and where they want to be! For info on resources for your success, visit: http://www.rodgerblaker.com
GIVE A GIFT TO A FRIEND! Please forward this copy to your friends and colleagues! That's how I grow!