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Step 1: Decide what you want to do this year
in 2009 for yourself. Quit smoking? Lose weight?
Save money? Cut out extra expenses? Taking into
consideration the reasons that most resolutions fail,
ask yourself if this is important to you. If the
answer is YES, then add it to List #1 - For YOU. List
#2 is for all those things that you want to get done at
work (or at school) that will make a difference in your
career. These are NOT the strategic objectives of your
company or department or division. These are the
actions that will make you a valued player within your
company (or future company). Of course, they are
most valuable if they can be linked to company
objectives. Cross-training, learning a new skill,
mentoring a junior employee, volunteering for a
special project in another area - these are only
examples. Let your imagination and initiative fly!
Step 2: This addresses the need to start with a goal where it makes most sense! For those of you who have taken my leadership class, this is the time to use a Priority-Impact Matrix. Prioritize the items in each list based on the positive impact that each will have in your work and personal life as HIGH, MEDIUM, LOW. Then prioritize each item by the amount of effort (time, energy, resources, and dollars) that each item will cost you. Use the same HIGH, MEDIUM, LOW scale to rate effort. Those items that bear the low-hanging fruit (HIGH impact and LOW effort) are your starting goals for 2009. Step 3: You've identified one goal for each list to begin 2009. Now - here comes another big reason why goals fail: biting off far more than you can chew! Look at your #1 goal in each list. Break each apart into several actionable items. You can determine which action gets priority by going through the same Priority Matrix exercise above OR just decide which one appeals to you the most! I'm a firm believer in that change of any kind affects other changes in your life, so start out with what's most important to you and what you WANT to do first! For those of you who have decided to get physically fit for 2009, here is my FAVORITE website for fitness: For a real assessment of how healthy you are, click here to take a real age quiz. Upon completion of the quiz, you'll be provided with a resource of tips, strategies, and techniques to ensure a healthy 2009! |
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Save Time, Money, Energy
Step #1: Build Your Network . Tap into the
knowledge, expertise and connections of others. Get
out of your office and network. Go to association,
professional or chamber meetings and join a
committee. Take up a hobby, join a club or take a
class to learn something new and meet more people.
Volunteer in a hospital, nursing home, shelter, search
and rescue team, elementary school, participate in a
fun run.
Step #2 - Now that you've expanded your network, see how you can help the people you meet. Discover what others need and share your resources! Learn from each other!The people we know and the places we frequent (both physically and virtually) may be just what they need. Consider these resources for those who are seeking jobs in today's marketplace:
Many jobs are filled before the ad has even hit the streets. Check your own company openings and share the insider scoop with others. Companies often offer employees referral bonuses as well. Everyone wins! If you've been unemployed or know someone who has, getting back into the open marketplace can be a bit daunting. Suggest that they sharpen the saw with books, online courses and personal coaching to secure the job of their dreams. |
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Our financial crisis may be just the wake up call that
we need. Too many times, in the name of
convenience (or is that just a politically correct term for
laziness?), we throw away many items that can be
recycled for other purposes. We have found it easier
to buy whatever we need, whenever we need it, rather
than think about using substitutions that are within our
reach already. This convenience mentality not only
wastes our money, it wastes our opportunity for fresh,
new creative ideas that can lead to innovation. WIth
less money being devoted to R&D labs during this
economic meltdown, our companies need to be
looking at ways to encourage creativity and innovation
on tighter budgets. Take a cue from others: I love the
story in a recent issue of the Houston Chronicle about
the builder in Huntsville, TX who takes 100s of items
that everyone else would see as disposable and turns
them into an amazingly creative and affordable
house. His genius and innovation is sparking the
imagination and interest of other builders across the
nation. It's a creative idea which will innovate the
building industry. I also think it's fascinating that the
use of the internet for clipping coupons is on the rise.
From an organizational perspective, how can we look
at the needs and habits of consumers like us and
apply this in our own workplaces - for both internal
and external customers? Trend watching is not only
incredibly fascinating, it offers companies the
advantage of being able to identify and provide just-in-
time customer service.
When we simplify, eliminate clutter, and choose to recycle, possibilities and opportunities open up to us. Here are some great resources to get yourself and your team started on cleaning up, clearing out and staying creative:
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It's Never Too Late
In the final scene of Gone With The Wind, Scarlett
O'Hara said, "Tomorrow is Another Day." Annie told
us, "The Sun Will Shine Tomorrow." Never, never give
up on your dreams, your hopes, your goals. Take one
day at a time. You may fail today, but there's always
tomorrow and you can try again. Have courage, be
strong, and be resilient. Failure is underrated
because at least it shows you gave it a try! But keep
on trying because there's NO GLORY staying flat on
your @@@....... (I meant "back" - what did you think
I meant???)
Best wishes for a productive, creative, meaningful and ACTIVE 2009!
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Services & Products
Jill Hickman Companies provides expertise in three
critical areas for your success:
Jill Hickman was recently honored by her graduate university, the University of Houston - Clear Lake, as one of 48,000 alumni selected for outstanding leadership. Read the entire article in the latest issue of the Egret, UHCL Alumni magazine. |
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Refer a friend to the 2009 Webinar Series and receive 30
minutes of personal coaching for yourself or for your
friend!
There are two webinar series offered this year:
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