A pessimist found an optimist doing some yard work and started a conversation with his good-natured friend.
"Last year was awful," he said. "What do you think 2017 will bring?" "I think it will bring flowers," said the smiling optimist. "Really," said the pessimist. "What makes you think that?" "Because I'm planting flowers," the optimist said. There are plenty of boo-hoo'ers and naysayers in the world, but leaders can't afford an attitude that doesn't include hope. And as 2017 gets underway, you're no doubt moving forward with high expectations. You believe this will be the year when it all comes together. But, as the saying goes, hope is not a strategy. If you want the blooms of success, you'd better get to work sowing and cultivating the seeds of opportunity. So cling tightly to your hope, and consider these three steps for proactively creating your next big opportunity: 1. Clean Your GlassesAn organization has to know where it's headed so it can figure out how it can get there--each and every day. You know, the "vision thing." The same is true for individuals. We need a clear picture of the opportunities we're seeking or else we'll end up spending most days throwing trendy ideas against a wall to see if anything sticks. Instead of starting the year with the vague feeling of the kinds of things you'd like to accomplish, get very clear on one particular opportunity you'd like to create. Is it a new client? A new round of funding for your business? An important business contact you want to meet? Pick one, and set your sights on it. If it's big and grandiose, great. But make sure it's actionable, measurable, and, most of all, aligned with the passions of your heart. When Henry Ford famously predicted that "the horse will disappear from the highway," he had a clear vision of the opportunity in mass producing affordable automobiles. Make sure you're just as clear about the opportunities you plan to create for yourself this year. Read Entire Article: http://www.inc.com/steve-farber/hope-is-not-a-strategy-3-steps-to-making-2017-your-best-year-yet.html Comments are closed.
|
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
September 2017
Categories |