Your Attitude = Your Success

No doubt about it, the last few weeks have been tumultuous for the US economy and its citizens. The mainstream news is primarily filled with negative outlooks and interviews with naysayers. Being bombarded with this type of information can wear us down, suck us into thinking the worst, and ultimately lead us off track from accomplishing our goals. Staying the course you’ve set for yourself and holding fast to your dreams is still possible, regardless of what others say. Make a conscious decision to ensure that the last quarter of the year brings you the success you planned on. Here are some ideas:

Associate with positive uplifting people (Author Jack Canfield says you are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with)
Take a break from the news: turn off the TV and avoid negative internet headlines and articles
Search out information that focuses on good things (I enjoy the San Diego Transcript’s electronic version, San Diego Source www.sddt.com, which focuses on the successes of area companies)
Create a support or mastermind group based on prosperity that meets regularly to discuss the positive side of finances and how to improve yours
Concentrate on honing a skill that will make you more valuable to your company and serve you well in the future
Take breaks during the workday to refresh and re-energize; take hours or days off to regroup
Fill your conversation with optimism and enthusiasm and encourage the same in your co-workers
Note your accomplishments and point out those of others
Make time to talk with a child– notice their excitement and ability to enjoy the present moment
And as Eric Butterworth says in his book Spiritual Economics, “Refuse to indulge in casual conversation about the bad economy, the high cost of living or about anything you really do not want to say “yes” to. Keep your thoughts centered in the ideas of abundance, sufficiency, and well-being.”

Yes, recent financial shenanigans and impending solutions may affect us directly; however, we get to choose how we look at the situation. By consciously choosing to put into practice some of the ideas above, plus any number of others, you are taking control of your thoughts, your career, your life. Continue heading for success!

Please post your comments and thoughts about keeping your career on track during economic uncertainties.

Recommended Reading - Simple Pleasures

I wrote yesterday about the importance of recognizing your accomplishments and taking time to genuinely celebrate them. Otherwise, they get lost in the shuffle of our daily lives and we don't see or feel the progress that we make, especially when in the midst of a career transition.

When looking for ways to celebrate those accomplishments, take a look at this great book by Susannah Seton, Simple Pleasures. It’s filled with “Soothing Suggestions & Small Comforts for Living Well Year Round”, as the subtitle states. It includes ideas, projects, activities, recipes, and quotations for helping you celebrate and appreciate your daily living. Check out other Simple Pleasures books…of Tea, of Friendship, of Home, for the Holidays, and more.

No matter how significant, each of your accomplishments warrants recognition. Don't take what you accomplish for granted. Try celebrating something every day!

Managing Your Career: Recognizing Your Accomplishments

As you continue to refocus to set yourself up for success in 2008 by making adjustments to your physical and mental work space and then by reviewing and resetting your goals, there’s one other very important task that bears emphasis: Recognizing your own Accomplishments. Need some how-to’s and why’s? Read on…

I’m sure you’ve experienced the euphoria that comes with the successful completion of a project or the achievement of a goal. Did you write it down and celebrate it? Unfortunately, in our fast-paced business culture, we tend to move very quickly onto the next thing on our to-do list, leaving that feeling of excitement and accomplishment barely noticeable. Filing it away in your memory bank doesn’t always work - we easily forget what great success we had last month or even a few days ago. That’s why you should stop, take note, and write them down.
Keep a simple list on your computer or in your organizer.
Jot down the date and a brief description.
Or, you can add more detail and chronicle your “C-A-R Stories” by describing the Challenge, the Actions you took, and the Results.
Then make it a habit to update and review regularly.

Receive an award or special memento? Post it where you’ll see it regularly and remember what work you put into its achievement.

There are several reasons why this is so important:

You’ll be ready for your next performance evaluation
You can better justify your request for a raise or promotion
You’ll be prepared for interview questions
You have substantial information to add to your resume, speaker’s bio, or website
You have your own personal log of reminders on what you’ve accomplished over time, which boosts your self confidence and gives you encouragement to tackle the next challenge.

Be sure to celebrate each accomplishment, in whatever way is meaningful to you. A treat from my favorite coffee shop, a weekday walk on the beach, lunch with a friend, or a little something special from my favorite online catalog are ways I’ve learned to recognize and celebrate my accomplishments – big or small. Take some time this week to review what you’re most proud of achieving so far this year. Document it, and then decide how you will have some fun and celebrate that win. Make sure 2008 is your best year yet!

Recommended Reading - All About Goals

All About Goals by Jack Ensign Addington was written in 1977, though 30 years later, his perspective on the importance of setting and writing goals still rings true. During my mom’s recent visit, she read this book from cover to cover and took notes to share with my niece, her 16-year old granddaughter. There’s something here for everyone. Filled with tips, stories, and plenty of proof that goal setting works, it’s definitely worth a look.

Pick up a copy and get your 2008 goals on track. There's still plenty of time!

Revisit, Revise, and Re-Energize your '08 Goals!

Since September’s theme is all about Refocusing and Setting Yourself up for Success to ensure that 2008 turns out the way you planned, one of my favorite topics, Goal Setting, is right on target! Hopefully you have your 2008 Goals nearby or posted where you can see them. If not, dig them out, dust them off, and read on:

Now’s a good time to evaluate the progress you’ve made toward accomplishing the items on your list. Take this opportunity to check off the ones you’ve accomplished and celebrate those achievements. Congratulations! Take a look at the remaining ones. Are they feasible and important enough to stay on the list? Will they affect the way your success is measured come December 31st? Now, prioritize this revised list.

Remember, your brain is a “goal seeking organism” – once you commit to something, it will continue to find ways to make your intentions happen. If you have achieved some goals thus far, you must set more, otherwise you have no direction for the rest of the year. Here are some reminders for revising and re-energizing your 4th quarter goals:

Be specific – vague goals cause vague results. Answer the questions “how much?” and “by when?”.
Reach higher – stretch into new areas, even uncomfortable ones, in order to grow.
Write goals down in detail – be explicit – give your subconscious mind details to work with so it can keep directing you toward the right opportunities.
Make goals visible - read them each day, aloud if possible, and to make them even more powerful, close your eyes and envision your life with them already accomplished.
Be accountable – ask someone to help you by holding you accountable and reminding you of your goals.

At first glance, this may sound like something you don’t have time for. Studies prove, though, that those who have goals and write down what they want have much more success than those who do not. This week, plan for your end-of-year success and follow the tips above. You won’t regret going through this exercise of resetting and re-energizing your goals!

Please post your tips and success stories about goal setting. Have a great week!

Back to Work!

At a recent networking meeting, I overheard several people say they were actually glad summer is over - so they can get back to work! Kids have returned to school, summer activities have come to an end, and they now look forward to regaining that focus on their careers.

As summer weather and memories drift away and we move into fall, give your physical work environment a look. Notice what’s in place and running smoothly. See if anything’s slipped, perhaps an area needing some immediate attention: a pile of reading not yet reviewed, papers needing placement back in their appropriate files, or a process that needs some tweaking. Pick just one, focus your attention there, and get it done.

Now review your mental work environment, such as expectations and goals you or someone else set for you. Perhaps you need to improve your software skills, reach some sales numbers, cut your department’s spending, or better manage your employees. Choose the one goal that will most affect your success. Focus your attention there, and get it done!

Choose one physical area and one mental area of your work life. Create an action plan for making improvements with these areas first. Then choose another and then another. Methodically move through your list and set yourself up for being effective, calm, and clear-headed during the last 3 months of the year, when things are typically chaotic.

Once you are back on track, share this method with your work team, boss, or anyone you work closely with. Come October 1st, the first day of Q408, you’ll be fully prepared for whatever comes your way!

Please post a comment and let me know how you are easing back into work after summer.