A great way to celebrate these successes is to write them down:
Here are just a few of my own successes in 2013...
- I have now written over 120 weekly marketing columns in the NZ Herald online.
(A big thank you to all the Herald readers who have taken the time to comment on what I have written. I really appreciate it.)
- I helped to raise thousands of dollars for a great charity.
I was privileged to participate in the first 'Auckland Ride to Conquer Cancer' event in November this year. Over 660 riders rode 200km over two days. And collectively we raised $2.1 million for cancer research. (The event was also a lot of fun to be involved with as well.)
- I ended the year a little bit fitter and healthier. (I definitely appreciate this success.)
- I discovered a dozen new fiction authors that I really love to read.
As you can see, the successes you celebrate on your list don't all have to be big.
They can just be things you did or experienced that made you feel good about yourself.
By taking time to focus on your successes you will feel more positive.
And this is a great way to finish the year on a high note.
Success Strategy Two:
Say 'thank you' to the many people who have helped make a positive difference to your business.
These people could include key clients and customers, helpful suppliers, valued advisers, enthusiastic supporters and many more.
I think December is a great time to positively recognise all these people.
An excellent way to say 'thank you' is to send these people a hand written note saying you really appreciate what they have done for you during the year.
A hand written thank you note is very rare in business and is always appreciated when it is sent out.
You might like to say something like this in your note:
Hi Mary, just a quick note to say a big thank you for all your help and encouragement during the year. Your support made a big difference and I really appreciate it. Kind regards. John Smith. (For special supporters and clients you might like to send a small gift as well.)
Success Strategy Three:
Set up a programme of RPI for 2014. (RPI stands for 'Regular Positive Inspiration.')
This just means you expose yourself regularly to positive ideas that will help improve your results in some way.
If you own or manage a business, an important key for long term business success is your ability to attract new customers and clients and convince them to spend money on the products and services you offer.
In other words sales and marketing is a critical factor for your business success and is something you should devote time to getting good at. So look for helpful marketing resources and ideas.
One of my favourite marketing resources is the 'Direct Response Ezine' written by copywriting expert Bob Bly. This comes out several times a week and is always crammed with useful tips I can use in my business.
You can register for Bob's Ezine on his website
Have a great week.
'What the New Year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the New Year' - Vern McLellan
Action Exercise:
Take a few minutes and write down at least a dozen successes you have enjoyed in 2013. Write down big and small successes. Give yourself a nice pat on back for all these achievements.
Graham McGregor is a marketing consultant and the creator of the 396 page 'Unfair Business Advantage Report.' www.theunfairbusinessadvantage.com (This is free and has now been read by business owners from 27 countries.) You can email him at the link above.