It’s THAT time of the year…….to reflect on how you’ve done over the past year and to begin to write your goals for the next year-look out 2011! I’m a firm believer that if you want something to happen, you must first write it down-or type it! I remember being at a place several years ago looking around at other photographers and thinking to myself…”HOW” did they do it? They were no smarter than me but how did they end up so successful? As cheesy as this sounds, I think I’ve realized the answer. Successful people have goals, aspirations, dreams and then work towards them. When they reach those goals, they make new ones. They make a ton of mistakes and aren’t afraid of the word NO. The only thing that was holding me back from being successful was myself.
**Keep in mind-success is defined differently for everyone. Your idea of success will differ greatly from the next. Define what success means for you…..then go get it!
I am happy to annouce that I have not only met almost ALL of my goals I had set for 2010, but I have surpassed several of them. Next year, it’s time to dream bigger. This could work not only for my business, for your business but I honestly believe it can work in your every day life. What are your goals for 2011? I recently listened to a motivational/keynote speaker during The Joy of Marketing-Joy Start Your Year. His name is Brian Tracy, you may know him, but he talks about things that are so simple and obvious, yet most people simply don’t do. Just by changing your mind set from reasons why you can’t, to reasons why you CAN…….I promise will make a world of difference.
As I continue to write my goals for 2011-not only for my business but for my personal life and my financial future, I hope you can do the same. Remember, the only thing holding you back is YOU.
1. Choose your destination- What are your Goals?!
-here’s an exercise: take a piece of paper and write at the top…”2011 will be the best year of my life because” and list 20 reasons why. By doing this you’ve created an unconsciouss blue print to motivate you to do the things you wrote down. One of mine? 2011 will be the best year of MY life because I will be finally be opening a photography studio space to meet, consult and create images for my clients.
2. Take off-Take Action-Take the first step-MOVE.
– this may require you to step out of your comfort zone. Courage is the ability to take a step towards your goal without any guarantee of success. You will make tons of mistakes on your way to success BUT you have to take the first step.
3. Make continual course corrections.
– keep getting back on course. Don’t get upset if you get off course, every difficulty you have on your way contains a lesson. You can’t learn the lesson if you don’t go looking for the lesson. When things go wrong, look at it and think, “What can I learn from this?” then get back on course.
4. Surround yourself with love.
– keep those who are positive around you. I believe that you are the average of the 5 individuals you spend the most time with. Are they supportive of your dream, of your goals? If not, perhaps you should do some reorganizing.
5. Don’t be afraid of “NO”.
– Welcome the word “NO”. You will hear it 9 times before hearing Yes. The more No’s you hear, the more chances of finding a YES.
6. No one can stop you but yourself.
Last year when I attended WPPI (which by the way was one of my goals for 2010) we ate dinner at this fantastic Chinese restaurant on the very last day we were there and hours before we were to leave for the airport. Below is the fortune I was given……..what a fantastic way to end a trip! 🙂
Happy 2011!!
