June – can you believe it? Time is flying and the pace of our world seems to continue its increase. New technology, information, activities, choices, and decisions keep us on our toes and demand our attention in order to stay at the top of the workplace game. My friend and mentor, Barbara Eldridge contributed this issue’s article about what she calls the “2009 Dilemma” – planning and changing in order to keep up. Read below for her insight and suggestions.
Are you keeping up with the pace of change? The pace of technology? The pace of your industry? The pace of your competition? The 2009 Dilemma is how much do you have to change to keep pace? During these challenging times you need to have information at your finger tips that help you make the best decisions.
Planning is a hands on process. You might start by asking some tough questions:
Do you recognize the need for change?
Are you prepared to look reality in the face?
Are you willing to change yourself?
Will you turn a plan into action?
Do you have the guts to take yourself in new directions?
I would like to lay out a road map that will get you to view your career through a lens that eliminates the distortions of everyday business. Let me warn you, you may not like what you see. But if you are going to meet 2009 head on it is a necessary process. Let’s look at what a new strategy could do for you.
1. Develop a statement of purpose. What’s your purpose?Sometimes why we started in a career is not the same as why we continue to work it. One of my long time clients over the years has added staff, and possibly her successor, so that now she can travel more. The business was started so she could support her family.
2. Conduct a SWOT analysis. This will help you evaluate your internal strengths and weaknesses, along with the opportunities and threats you face in your career market place. It will give you a basis for developing a plan.
3. Crystallize your thinking - Determine what specific long range goals you want for yourself. It is never enough to just want more money. They should cover all aspects of your life.
4. Create benchmarks, with specific results for meeting those goals. It is easier to make adjustments along the way without losing sight of the long range goals.
5. Brainstorm strategies for reaching each of the results. There is more than one way to achieve a result, ask others for ideas.
6. Develop a Plan of Action. Plan the progressive steps, along with when you want to accomplish them. Nothing ever happens without action, but there is a world of difference between mere action and constructive action.
7. Be confident in yourself and your own abilities. Be determined to follow through on your plan, because without determination the plan will deteriorate.
The 8th step is to track your progress. Write out your numbers (yes I said write), the steps you have taken. It is a sure way of staying focused.
Barbara Eldridge is President and Founder of Mind Masters a membership organization for business owners. Her advisory experience includes leading businesses into growth, reengineering business systems and processes to accommodate the changing market place, and refocusing businesses that needed to change to survive. Contact her at Barbara@MindMasters.com or www.mindmasters.com. © 2009 Mind Masters, Used by permission.
June is a perfect time to re-evaluate your career path and progress you’ve made to date. This week, follow Barbara’s advice and steps. Revisit your 2009 goals and congratulate yourself on achievements or make some adjustments to get yourself back on track.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
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