New Year’s Resolutions, by Steve Rausch

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Podcast Notes for “New Year’s Resolutions interview” part 1 & 2
What’s keeping you up at night?
How many times have you heard that?
Shouldn’t you be working on whatever “that is” first and foremost?
Today we want to talk about doing New Year’s Resolutions – or, better term, is PLANNING or GOAL SETTING.
Before we start, I want to give you a principle – an important principle to consider:
YOUR DECISIONS will shape your destiny. The future is only what YOU CHOOSE to make of it, so everyday little decisions will either take you to the life you want or to additional disaster’s by default. I’m a pilot, and when I take off heading somewhere if I’m off by even ½ of a degree on heading, by the next 365 miles I’m going to be half a state away from my desired destination. Same is true with your planning. Tiny, seemingly inconsequential decisions can become mammoth mistakes during next year.
Next “PAYOFF SECRET” is CONSISTENCY. Plan your work, in writing and then work that plan constantly – every single day, every single week, every single month, until you don’t see progress, then stop, examine, re-evaluate, modify if necessary, and start consistency again.
Here’s the New Year’s Resolution Formula:
Small, Smart Goals + Consistency + Time = Radical Differences!
LET’S START BY CONSIDERING SETTING 4 “OVER-ARCHING” BIG GOALS: (Be specific)
1. SET A GOAL FOR INTELLECTUAL GROWTH – you must NEVER stop learning so set a goal about reading/listening to positive items regularly.
2. SET A GOAL FOR PHYSICAL HEALTH GROWTH – without your body and health nothing else matters. Think about how to improve your health – eating better? Eating less? Getting more rest?
3. SET A GOAL FOR RELATIONSHIPS GROWTH – what can you do to strengthen your current relationships? Build new relationships? Do you need to join a small group?
4. SET A GOAL FOR BUSINESS GROWTH – Are you looking to expand your business? Or go for higher quality work at higher prices/earnings? Shutting down and going to work for someone else?
Now “fill in the blanks”
1. Schedule out no more than 3-5 big things to work on. Your big items can have additional “steps” but again keep it simple and work on basics to start.
2. Track your daily actions, IN WRITING, DAILY. Pay attention to habits, disciplines or behaviors you need to START and equally as important, to those habits, disciplines or behaviors you need to STOP or ELIMINATE.
3. Feed your mind . Read or listen to audio to continue to focus on education about that which you want to improve. Find and utilize a “Peak Performance Partner” and meet weekly.
Written out Business (or Life) Purpose Statement
What is your main purpose? (Or, Why does your business exist?)
Many folks call these your GOALS.
What do you want to accomplish? (What is the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd most important things?) Specific activities or steps you will undertake to accomplish your goals.
Now do a written “1st Draft” and meet with your peak performance partner to discuss.
My Personal Example – (FYI – I do this for multiple area’s or roles, in my life: Husband, Father, Church, Family member/friend/neighbor, Work, Personal Development of Self, Physical, Financial.
Work: (Title Business Consultant)
1. Study, Know, and Grow Industry Relationships
a. Follow and know segment volume, markets and opportunities, and channels of distribution
b. Know and track competitive pricing
c. Know and have relationships with major distributors and contractors within North American Tile Industry.
2. Develop and provide training
a. Administrative and Business trainings.
b. Sales and Field Marketing trainings
c. Technical Rep and installation trainings.
3. Develop and investigate new business opportunities
a. New products investigations
b. Existing products expansions
4. Track and Follow industry Quality and Building Code Standards.
Vital Functions to my business:
What are the TOP 5 most important (VITAL) functions to your business? Write them down, then just choose the most important function that ONLY YOU CAN DO, and focus on that one item daily.
Since I (like many of you) wear several hats I also have a list of vital functions: these are the “ROLES” that I must do to exist as a business.
Prospecting for new business
Negotiating a contract and opening a new account
Managing the daily business and following up existing accounts #1.
Administration of business/financial details.
Vital Priorities to my business:
Make a list of all the priorities (to-dos, tasks, key projects) in your business right now. Write as many as you can think of. Now, ONLY do the TOP 1, most important. The others will distract you. Everything else flows from this center point.
Written by Steve Rausch

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