2011 - I'm Resolved, Are You?

               
2010 has passed into memory now and we are two days into 2011. It is customary at the onset of a new year to reflect on the one just expired and establish resolutions for the one that stretches before us.


I have been asked several times in the past 48 hours what my resolutions for the new year might be. While I have never actually put much stock into verbalizing resolutions just because it is the beginning of a new year, the question has caused me to think about my continuing personal growth. Therefore, as I endeavor to grow in specific areas over the next year, I encourage you to join me and:

• Focus on your strengths

So much of our time is spent dwelling on our weaknesses and what we don’t do well. Instead, I encourage you to focus on what you are proficient at, your core-competency. Everyone has their talents and strengths – unique to themselves. Focus on those and delegate that which you don’t do well to capable others.


• Ask questions

We have all heard the adage regarding how to break down the word “assume.” Asking questions to clarify understanding prevents misunderstandings and misinterpretations and also reduces conflict. It's especially valuable to ask questions rather than presuming another’s intentions or motivations. Furthermore clarifying your understanding can save a great deal of time so often wasted when one proceeds on assumptions.


• Admit when you are wrong

When used in this order, “I was wrong,” are three of the most valuable words in High Road communication. Rather than indicating weakness – recognizing, owning up to and admitting when you are wrong is both a sign of character and a High Road mentality.


• Give up to go up

As Dr. John C. Maxwell shares with us in his book The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, you have to give up to go up. (Law #18 – The Law of Sacrifice) Many times it is necessary to give up what is secure, stable and, perhaps, stagnant to grow in areas that are riskier but may have a larger return in the long run.


• Find opportunity in crisis

It is so easy, especially in this uncertain time and economy, to see potential doom in a bad turn of events. I encourage you to start thinking outside the gloom and ask yourself, “How can this potential obstacle be turned into an opportunity?”



I think that is a healthy amount of paradigm shift for the beginning of my year. I am curious, what will YOU be focusing on for your personal growth as we enthusiastically embrace 2011?  Please enter your responses in the comments section, where they can inspire and motivate other readers to find their High Road Solutions for 2011.

Can you SEE it? Success is between your ears!

Several years ago I had the opportunity to interview a woman who had been crowned the Queen of Recruiting for her division in Mary Kay Cosmetics that year.  That was quite an accomplishment for her – one that she had been working toward for many years.  Part of her recognition at the annual awards convention was concentrated stage time for both her and her family, as well as roughly 15 carats worth of diamond jewelry.  I wanted to pick her brain and find out every secret she had to share with me about achieving one’s goals. 

Before we dug into the details of how she did it, I wanted to know what it felt like to be on stage and sit on that throne with 20,000 people applauding you.  “It actually wasn’t that big a deal that night,” she said, “because I have ‘lived’ it so many times in my head.  For over three years I have visualized every minute detail of the award’s ceremony.  I knew the color of dress I would wear and how I would fix my hair.  I saw myself escorted down the long stairway as a member of the top three.  At the foot of the stairs, I saw myself greeted by my National Sales Director and brought down to center stage.  I knew exactly what it would look like gazing out over the arena as they called the second runner-up’s name (not mine), and then the first runner-up’s name (also not mine).”  She went on to share her visualization with me down to the finest detail.  Then she said, “I believe that is the reason I actually achieved it – because I could see it.  Of course I worked hard to get there, but equally important was the fact that I could believe it, because I could see it.”

Last week I shared with you the need for CLEAR goals.  A second, equally important factor in the process of achieving those goals is the ability to visualize them.  You must be able to see yourself accomplishing them.  I often quote Dr. Stephen Covey, who wrote The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.  With his habit number two, Covey encourages us to “begin with the end in mind.”  This is so important because if you don’t know where you are going you won’t know how to get there.  Furthermore, if you don’t know where you are going, you won’t know when you’ve arrived!

High Road challenge for the day: As you establish your goals, take the time to dream and conjure up a mental picture of what it will be like when you achieve it.  What will it look like, feel like, sound like, and smell like?  Create a mental movie for yourself, directing it the way you want it to be.  You can begin broadly.  Then each time you play the movie for yourself you can add detail to it.  Take time every day to envision your success.  Play the movie for yourself every morning, so it is the first thing your subconscious focuses on to begin your day.  Play it again for yourself each night before you go to bed, so it is the last thing your subconscious focuses on before you go to sleep.  Visualizing your goals as already achieved is a critical factor in actually achieving them.

Man can only receive what he sees himself receiving.  - Florence Scovel Shinn