STOP! Stop right now!Written by Peter Simmons
These days we are all busy and under pressure to squeeze ever more into our working day. Often, we are so busy working and earning a living that we lose sight of our goals. This is especially true when you run your own business. You are so busy actually running your business that you lose sight of reasons that you started it in first place and goals you want to achieve. The problem is that all time you are not absolutely focused and working towards your goals, you and your business are going in another direction altogether. The wrong direction! How do you get back on track and heading in right direction?Okay, admit it, when was last time you actually scheduled some quality time to identify your goals and a direction for your business? Last week, last month, last year, never? If you are like most busy business people, you probably havent done it for some time at least. Well, today I'm here to tell you to STOP! Yes, STOP RIGHT NOW and take a breather. Renew that vision, that passion, that excitement. Take some time out and put yourself and your business back on track. Its not difficult to do, it just takes a little investment of your time thats all. Start by getting out of your usual work environment altogether. Go somewhere relaxing like a coffee bar or a park. Now, think about what you and your business do and how you do it. Reassess all aspects of your business and work life. Try to think creatively and of bigger picture rather than your usual point of view. Consider how others fit into picture. Ask yourself some difficult questions and explore your answers a little. Write your answers and thoughts down as you work through them - it makes it easier to see them clearly. Here's some questions to consider and get you started in right area. Add other questions as you feel necessary: Why did you start your business? How do you do things now? How could you do things better? How do your competitors compare? What do you offer that is unique? What direction are you going in? What direction do you want to go in? What are your goals? What steps are you taking to reach those goals? What opportunities are you missing? What opportunities do you want? What position do you want to be in 5, 10, 15, 20 years time?
| | What Do You Get From Telling People They're Wrong?Written by William Montgomery
I have done it, and still do it unconsciously. It can be something as subtle as simple look in your eyes or a facial gesture. It can be more obvious as an eloquent string of harsh words or even tone of words you speak. Nevertheless, telling them they're wrong, is wrong foot forward. Nobody appreciates an attack on their intelligence, on their rational judgment, and especially their pride. You're looking for a positive outcome, and most likely going to receive a negative response. Why not just challenge them to a duel and decide it there? Whenever you begin by turning it into an opposition of "smarter vs. dumber" you automatically begin a battle between you and listener before you even start. >From this point on it is most difficult to make any impressions or change their minds in a positive manner. If you are going to prove your point, do it very subtly. So subtly that they hardly realize it's happening. When I am positive about something and want to get it across, I often use a statement such as, "Well, I'm
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