JANUARY, 2007
Newsletter
It’s a New Year - each one is Better Than the Last!
We are into the middle of January and people are wondering what resolutions have been made and if those resolutions are being kept. Stop worrying about a number on a calendar – make new years a rolling date – every day is the first day of a new year!
One of the first definitions of ‘resolution’ in the dictionary is ‘reducing to simpler terms’. Keep it simple. You know all about:
1) Keep your resolutions to no more than three things at one time
2) Be specific so you know when you achieved the goal
3) Give yourself enough time for the ‘change’ to become
part of your routine
But the one that is often overlooked is:
4) Come from the positive.
New Year’s resolutions have become negative; all that is ‘wrong and must be fixed’. Come from the positive – what do you do well; how do you apply those skills in other areas?
When asked: “What are you good at?” most of us respond with tasks we have mastered – instead think about the skills that achieved that success. Was it persistence, attention to detail, integrity, diligence, listening, problem solving – think of the first three skills that you are good at and list them. How can you apply those skills to achieve this particular goal?
Let’s say you want ‘to get organized’. First, get specific - that is too vague. Second, what must you do to achieve the goal – what habits or work patterns need to be changed? Third, how many changes in behavior can you make and realistically follow for 30 days to begin to develop new habits? Now for the positive – look at your list of skills. How can you use those skills to achieve this change? What is the positive impact of this change?
The positive impact of removing the clutter could be a minimum of four hours per week of productive time; time not being spent, in frustration, trying to find things. It can be time you spend with your family, or playing golf, or riding motorcycles or whatever gives your pleasure. Other positives are less clutter means less stress and a professional image of knowing the value of priorities and time. Think of how it will feel to be in control of the clutter.
Remember – every day is the first day of a new year – keep it simple and keep it positive!
READ FEBRUARY, 2007 nEWSLETTER
Practical Tip beginning January, 2007
Each month we will post a simple little tip you can practice for the next 30 days. Try them out and see if they don't improve your communication, relationships and work life!
10 Second - Focus on Communication
A communication practice for the next 30 days is to wait until the count of 10 before responding to any oral communication from any other person. Ok, if the count of 10 seems too long – at least wait until the count of five.
I know, they will think you fell asleep. Not really. What will generally happen is they will finish their thought. And the amazing thing is, you will often find that this additional information is very different from your first impression of the conversation. That additional information will often change the outcome of your conversation – you may both find support for your ideas, just coming in different perspectives.
Great interviewers have learned this technique and have perfected it to be unnoticed. You can do the same. Just make up your mind to make a conscious effort to wait until at least a count of five before responding. By the end of 30 days, you should be aware of a difference in your understanding of others and improvement in how others perceive your communication skills. Remember, people judge communication skills by how much they are encouraged to talk and make their position understood – not how much you talk.
READ FEBRUARY, 2007 PRACTICAL TIP
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Trillium Advisors, LLC