Here’s to Your Solid Year
A few weeks ago, a friend shared something profound. I knew immediately everything in it was easy and almost effortless. I had to share with you. Because I want you to have a very SOLID Year this year. Whenever you start, I guarantee the results help you see things so much clearer.
There are just five things on the list. While I can’t claim this as my original thought, rest assured, it is my spin on his categories. Here are the five things —
1. Don’t ask Permission
You have ideas; others don’t. You see opportunities; so many don’t.
Instead of asking ‘May I’ or ‘Would You’ … go ahead and make it happen! Don’t over-analyze and get all caught up in your head. Instead, take a chance, follow it and see what happens.
The absolute WORST case scenario is you beg forgiveness — after the fact!
2. Be Odd
We need odd because there is too much sameness these days — in the way we look, think, argue, produce and lead. It is all so painfully dull. Dull loses attention. Lack of attention means you never get noticed. Never being noticed means you remain sidelined.
You ARE different — so let us see your quirks. First, they prove you are a real, messy, and relatable human being. Second, they make you endearing and memorable to your particular tribe of people.
Being memorable is the name of the game. Now more than ever.
3. Stay Home
Over the past twenty years, nearly all of us have mastered playing on the web. It is great fun to network on social media, fantastic to explore Mr. and Dr. Google, and delightful to dump our opinions on strangers halfway around the world. Let’s not even cover our amazing ability to buy dirt cheap products made someplace else and have them delivered at lightning speed to our doors.
You know I believe Business IS Personal. So too is Life. And unfortunately, too many of us have sacrificed the (Real) life part for the (Online) life part.
Talking with, laughing, sharing a meal with and even helping Real people like our families, friends, neighbours, and others in our communities is the most beautiful thing about being a human being. There are real people who live, work, and play right within our own, say, ten-mile radius. And they too need acknowledgement, perhaps a job, maybe more business or simply just your ear and a hug.
Be the kind of person you admire for the (Real) people in your (Real) Life in your (Real) town.
4. Be Sincere
Snark is the one thing we have in spades. Sometimes called sarcasm, sometimes irony, occasionally just plain bullying. Snark is a reflex action mainly because we believe we are not enough or don’t measure up.
Everyone else appears to be better, sounds wittier and wiser, or is on a massive path to success, which can make us sad, jealous, depressed and even suicidal. We allow our reptile brain to take over with snark when we simply need to STOP, ignore or move along!
When you are sincerely yourself, the absolute truth is that you stand out and stand apart. You make others take notice.
Don’t cover up the good impulses in yourself. Spread them around. Lavishly.
5. Stop Competing
For far too many of us, we were raised, taught, and then pushed into believing the ultimate goal is competition. There is a race to capture the customers, the market share, the power and the cash. Today, most of us can see we have reached the point where these things only help a few and hinder the many.
You exist, I exist, we all exist to make a tremendous and lasting impact in and on our worlds. The customers, market share, power and cash are simply the bi-products of our efforts.
Stop competing and start obsessing about the impact you want to make or the legacy you want to leave. The other stuff will fall into place, as it should.
You and I will forget these five simple things two months from now. We will lose this clarity and see only the urgent matters of the day. So, how about you print this blog out now and keep it in a file in your drawer?
I started a file of ‘stuff to remember’ to keep me better focused and committed this year. The first things in that file are my big lofty goals with achievements dates. These five simple actions are next.
If you’re like me, you will likely get to a point sooner rather than later when you need a shot of adrenaline to keep you focussed and committed. So reach out and connect with me. My superpower is keeping leaders like you focused and committed.
And before I forget, may this year bring you all the abundance, health and success you desire!
