December
In This Issue
Welcome to the December edition of News from Sue Henry
This month we ask the thought provoking question "How will you plan for success in 2008?" we review the book "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz. Also in this edition the dates our office is closed for the Christmas break and announce the
exciting new program "Accelerate 08"
How will you plan for your success in 2008?
I love this time of the year, not just for the Christmas party season but to assess what the year has been like. On New Years Eve I take time to make a list of all the things I have achieved and look at what I will do differently the following year. It's often a great way to reflect not only on the successes but to also ask myself the hard questions about what I could have done better or differently and to see if I'm still on the right track. Using this method helps me to avoid making costly mistakes and repeating the same patterns in the new year (98% of the time, afterall i'm only human and still make mistakes BIG and small). I thought the process I use might be useful to you, here are the key steps I take in assessing and analysing my year.
1. Look at the big picture
What were my significant achievements and things I most proud of achieving in the year and overall how did I feel about those achievements? I started asking myself how I felt about 3 years ago because I felt as though seeing my achievements on paper "didn't look like enough" so instead of focussing on my "not enoughs" I decided I would use the how I felt about things scale and instantly thought of more things to add to my list and felt an overwhelming sense of pride and achievement which far out weighed any small list. It's a great reminder to remain focussed on what you have done well and to acknowledge yourself for it.
2. Ask yourself positive questions
Ask yourself questions that will help you uncover your achievements, asking "what did I achieve?" is a great start, I have found over the years I sometimes need to be a bit more specific. Here are a couple of examples; How many new customers did I obtain? Did my revenue meet or exceed targets set? How many people brought from me more than once during the year? Did I introduce anything new to the business? What marketing campaigns did I use and what were the results? What mistakes did I make and what did I learn from them? Did I receive positive feedback from any of my customers, suppliers and business associates? Did I have a good work/life balance? Did I have a holiday/ short break?
3. Share your achievements with friends and family
I don't know about you but my most avid fans are my family and friends, I often share my achievements with them, they are also great for reminding you of the things you have forgotten! More often than not I find speaking about achievemetns out loud can assist in clarifying my results and find it a great motivator to stay focussed on the things that are working and not being distracted by the things that don't.
4. Look for opportunity in your achievements
Examining achievements is also a great way to find new opportunities for your business, I was recently sharing an achievement with a business buddy and during the course of the discussion recognised a new opportunity for my business, I mentioned it to my buddy and they helped me to clarify and now I have a new opportunity to persue that I would not have seen!
5. Make it fun
Whenever I sit down to do this exercise I try and make it fun and lighthearted, I invite a friend over and ask them to do the exercise with me. I like to do lunch.. so more often than not we meet a great lunch spot and enjoy the process of reminding one another of our achievements in a relaxed atmosphere.
Take action today with one of these ideas
-
Make time before the end of the year to review and analyse what you have achieved by scheduling time in your diary right now.
- Call three friends or family members and share your achievements with them or organise to meet with one of them to do the exercise.
- Most importantly - congratulate yourself for another great year!
Book Review - The Four Agreements - by Don Miguel Ruiz
This is one of my favourite books and a book that I often give out as a gift because it's message is simple and can be used in all aspects of life. Briefly the books outlines four simple agreements to live by. 1. Be impeccable with your word (speak with integrity; say only what you mean); 2. Don't take anything personally (nothing others do is because of you); 3. Don't make assumptions (find the courage to ask questions and express what you really want); 4. Always do your best. I have been using these agreements in my business for a number of years and have found that when followed business flows when I deviate the business (and I) seem to attract unwanted challenges.
It is a small and simple book that can be easily read quickly. I recommend that you buy the book (simply click on the book image) and implement the strategies suggested and accelerate your business.
- Are you sick and tired of getting mediocre results?
- Do you get frustrated knowing that success is just around the corner and it feels like forever getting there?
- Are you just sick of trying to make things happen on your own or come up with innovative sales and marketing ideas? or
- Are you over spending lots of money trying to make the right connections?
Then stop NOW and Plan for your success in 2008 TODAY by registering for Accelerate 08 a 3 part program to assist you in accelerating your results in 2008. The main focus of the Accelerate 08 program is to arm you with the tools, information and activities you need to get straight into and stay in action for a productive 2008.
What you will LEARN and DO at Accelerate 08
- Conduct an audit of your 2007 results and challenges.
- Develop an ACTION plan for your success in 2008
- Develop a practical and realistic sales and marketing plan
- Organise your time and diary for maximum dollar productive hours
- Learn how to manage procrastination, fear and overwhelm.
- Track your results and adjust with new information.
- Set up communication tools for regular contact with your customers.
- Connect you with the right people at the right time
- Develop marketing templates to communicate efficiently with your customers
Who should participate in Accelerate 08
REALLY achieve what they want in 2008.
The program has been developed with some of Australia's leading sales, marketing, time management, customer service and business management experts. The information contained in this program has been structured from business experts that are getting results in their prospective fields. Sue Henry has spent 6 months researching and interviewing the best of the best to bring together this very powerful program. Sue will be personally facilitating the sessions and assiting you to achieve your results which is predominately why the program is limited 10 people. With a maximum of 10 Sue can focus on assisting making your business the best it can be and to Accelerate 08.
This is not just another training program or workshop where you do the work, Sue Henry has already done it for you, with templates, advertisements, sales call sheets, creative and innovative ideas all there waiting for you to use. In some instances Sue will write the materials to best suit your business or personally make the contacts on your behalf. This program is like having your own business manager on-board without all the expensive overheads!
To see if you qualify for this program contact Sue today on 1300 88 5650 or email to discuss.
Accelerate 08 Dates
- Sydney - Program commences Jan 9th 2008 and runs over a 12 week period.
A full timetable of activities will be given to you once you have qualified and been through the Sue Henry business audit. The program inlcudes, a comprehensive workbook, reading materials, coaching, mentoring, two half day workshops, networking opportunites, telephone and email support. Program cost is $2,200 Incl GST (payment arrangements can be made to work in with your existing outgoings, after all Sue understands what it is like to run a small business!). If you are remotely interested in this program pick up the phone and talk to Sue, she is very excited about the launch of this program and excited by the opportunites it can bring to your business. The most it will cost you today is the cost of the call (but if you use Sue's 1300 number then it's free) and your time!
Annual Christmas Break
Sue Henry's office will be closed from 20/12/07 - 4/12/08, we hope you have a great Christmas and Happy New Year!
One last thing...
"The future of belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams - Eleanor Roosevelt"
Have a great Christmas and New Year Break!
Sue Henry
PH: 1300 88 5650
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