Raise your hand if you’re still carrying around your paperbound daily planner! Throw it away and get software to keep track of your appointments and those of all your employees. You’ll appreciate how easy it is to know who’s doing what and when.

And think about how much time you spend each year gathering paperwork your accountant needs at tax time to prepare your company income taxes. Why allow your accountant to charge you his or her hourly rate to do type of data entry you could have been doing all year long IF you had only purchased AND installed business accounting software.

If you think, “Well, I do this only once a year,” you are right, but remember, there are many more income-generating things you can do with time you are wasting. Every second of saved time helps your business operate more efficiently.

Even most automated of offices is doomed should your hardware ever crash and your data not be backed up. And we’re not talking about “if” this crisis will occur; we’re talking about “when” it will occur. There are so many easy-to-use and affordable backup software programs available that you’ve no good excuse for not backing up your valuable data.

There are many other business tasks you can automate but there’s not enough room to list them all. Tasks like project management, employee management and inventory management are more efficient when they are automated. You can even translate your paper marketing and sales information for fast and easy delivery via Internet.

There’s no end to list of office tasks that can be automated using software that is readily available today. Put together an office automation budget and decide which tasks are most important to automate. Then get going – you’ve got work to do!

5. Lead with Empathy

No matter what position you hold currently, you are always leading others through your influence. You influence others with your thoughts and actions even if you are not aware of doing so.

Think of three leaders who you admire. What traits and leadership skills do you admire most in these leaders? This question will reveal your deepest leadership values. Leading with empathy is leading from your deepest values. These values allow you to focus on strengths of those you lead; they allow you to lead others in ways you would want them to lead you.

6. Maintain Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Fitness

A healthy body helps to maintain a healthy mind and vice versa. Spiritual strength nourishes both body and mind. Cultivating our faith in God strengthens our resolve to overcome adversities and focus on outcomes rather than roadblocks.

Follow a sound wellness program, get regular physical checkups, and pray or meditate each day. Schedule a daily time for relaxation. Physical, mental, and spiritual fitness contribute to steady growth and maximum excellence in fulfilling our individual purposes.

7. Serve with Love, Faith, and Gratitude

We receive in this life only that which we first give. That includes our thoughts and attitudes. Fill your thoughts with spirit of love for those you serve. Communicate your deepest gratitude to customers and clients for their trust in you. Show gratitude in special ways that provide more value than expected.

Trust clients and customers to make decisions that are right for them. If you have faith in those you serve, they will have faith in you.

Take this Challenge Now

Make a list of at least twelve different ways you could implement each of these stepping-stones during next 12 months. Select seven items, one item from each list of twelve. Then put them into action over next week.

Continue to implement more of your ideas throughout coming months. Refer back to your list frequently, and write down changes that you see taking place. You will see positive changes both personally and professionally.

In Summary

Career growth and excellence contribute significantly to life satisfaction. They require acting with commitment and integrity. We need to set our standards high and continually acquire new knowledge to grow and perform with excellence. People are essential to success, and we must listen deeply to communicate powerfully. Leading others from our deepest values allows us to lead with empathy.

Growth requires physical, mental, and spiritual strength. Love, faith, and gratitude will provide an integral framework for career growth and excellence. Taking deliberate action to excel and grow today will set process in motion and bring rewarding results throughout future.