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6 Crucial Actions to Take In 2007

As you read this email tip, stop for a moment.

Conduct a quick assessment of your life. Awareness, as we know, is the first step to resolving issues and growing from the experience. Take a moment to reflect.

Are you where you thought you would be at this time? Did you expect things to happen last year that didn’t? Have you put off changes you need to make? Are there people zapping your energy and robbing you of what you could achieve?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you are not alone. Here are 6 crucial actions that can help ensure that this year will be a breakthrough, “what you deserve” year. These actions can put your life on a different path. It’s like flipping the switch on a train track -- the initial change is minimal, but down the line the difference can be enormous.

1. Live 2007 from the perspective: “When I am 90 years old and I look back at 2007, what do I want to say happened? What do I want to say that I accomplished?” Be clear on what is important to you and don’t negotiate. This might sound simple, but sadly many people are not clear on what is important to them in their relationships, their job, their life. They drift year after year and let time pass by without really figuring out what is most important to them. Unfortunately, time is the one commodity we can never replenish when it is gone. Be clear, don’t settle, and live from the “90 year old” perspective.

2. Find out what the important people in your life want and then do your best to deliver what they want. And if you can’t, manage their expectations. You can use this question as a starter, “On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate our relationship/this project/my effectiveness in this job?” Wait for the answer. Then ask, “What would it take to make it a 10?” Then for extra credit, ask, “What would it take to make it a 15 -- above and beyond expectations?” Be ready for an interesting and -- hopefully -- helpful response. Then, very importantly, manage their expectations. I have found that people, groups, and organizations don’t often get the credit they deserve because they don’t adequately manage other peoples expectations of what can and can not be accomplished.

3. Let go of the past garbage that you are carrying around. Reach out to someone you have written off (but still think about), given up on, or have had some problem with. Talk to that person and use the tools we have taught you to resolve it, forgive them, agree to disagree. Whatever the case, do what it takes to reach some sort of resolution and put the situation behind you. For example, you could ask the other person, “What would it take for us to put this behind us?” Or ask, “How would you suggest we specifically resolve this?” Their input can help you create a solution that works for everyone. By reaching out and having a conversation, you are extending the olive branch. This can create a new beginning and trigger conversations and events that can ultimately change your life. Remember forgiveness is a gift you give yourself. Give that gift. (For more information, check out the last email tip on forgiveness.)

4. Acknowledge 5 really important people in your life. Consider the people you have a hard time acknowledging. Interestingly, relationships that lack acknowledgement often break down and fall apart. Not only is it important to say the hard stuff, but you need to say the good stuff too. After all who wants to be around someone who only shares bad news, complains or is negative. Also, remember to be specific and tell the person why you are acknowledging them. This will help insure that the acknowledgement is meaningful because they will see how sincere you are. (For more information, refer back to the email tip on acknowledgement or the chapter on the subject in my books “Honesty Works” and “Just Be Honest.”)

5. Commit to changing at least one behavior and being accountable in a public way. What behavior of yours do you really want to change? What if I were going to give you a billion dollars to change this? What if your life depended on making this change? What if someone else’s life depended on it? If you really want to achieve this change, you will. So make it happen. For example, if you find yourself complaining about a particular issue and you want to stop being so negative, tell five people you are going to stop complaining about the issue. Every time you complain about the issue, give them each a dollar. Or if you really want to commit to spending a specific amount of time with someone or being home by a certain time, tell that person that if you don’t, you will grant them any wish or take them out to a dinner of their choice. The point here is to send a message that you are really committed to changing the behavior, not just giving lip service. Being accountable is one of the most important ingredients to lasting change.

6. Decide on your number one goal and create a plan to achieve it. Make sure your goal is measurable and that there is a deadline for completion. You might think this is simple, and it is, but unfortunately people often are not always crystal clear on their goals and some have too many goals without prioritizing what is most important. I see this happening frequently with organizations that have so many goals, people don’t know which ones to focus on, and they subsequently don’t achieve what they could achieve if they understood what the most important goals were.

Take full advantage of this year and make sure you spend time achieving what you really want to achieve. Regrets can plague us for the rest of our lives. Don’t live with regret or doubt. Don’t wait, seize the moment and make sure that this is really, your best year ever. After all, you deserve it. If you want some additional help, please call our office.

Copyright 2006, Steven Gaffney Company, All Rights Reserved. To duplicate or reproduce this article in any way please call the Steven Gaffney Company for permission information.

To reproduce this article in any format please contact the Steven Gaffney Company at 703-241-7796.

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