The New Year Reality

No question about it, 2009 was an unusual year and now we are blessed to look 2010 straight in the eye.

As I observe how people and business have reacted to the past, it will be intriguing to see how they will handle the "crisis" of economic and personal life issues of the future.

Some may sign up with Koler who said....

"My past depresses me, my present bores me and the future scares me to death."

Some may follow the thinking of feel good preachers and self help guru's who will proclaim "The best is out there waiting for you! God only wants the very best for your life. All you have to do is grab hold of it." This often translates in to buy my book or send in a contribution.

Then there are those who are either delusional, lazy, or risk divergent which will result in taking no action at all. They hope all will work it's self out and that things will improve with time. The Beatles had the right theme song for this group...

"No Where Man."

"He's a real nowhere man,
Sitting in his Nowhere Land,
Making all his nowhere plans
for nobody.

Doesn't have a point of view,
Knows not where he's going to,
Isn't he a lot like you and me?"

None of this can deal with REALITY. There are no quick fixes in the business market or life. People will not have instant money, meaningful relationships, healthy bodies, financial stability or a sustainable business by any of the unrealistic strategies or (as they said in the sixties) "turning on and dropping out."

The Reality for 2010 is this...

* Business will continue to be slow through 2010. Those organizations who are doing more than just "cutting back" are preparing for the New Business Reality. They will do more than just adapt. They will be coaching, they will be more customer focused than ever before. They will be disciplined with thoroughly considered plans and strategies. They are contacting guys like me to help them see things they can't see themselves. I have been privileged to help many through this process.

* "It's Relationships first and then Success." Wanna have a successful marriage? Successful business? Successful spiritual life? It all starts with seeking, building and working on healthy and realistic relationships.

* For long term financial well being, there is no substitute for sound financial planning and financial management. I know people with Doctoral degrees, super sales people and skilled craftsmen who are "financial morons. "

There are two ways to effect the bottom line. 1) Increase revenue. 2) Reduce waste. I have a system that helps identify each. Read books (Dave Ramsey is outstanding), become informed on how to hold and handle your resources so you'll be prepared to weather the financial crisis of the future.

* Having a life style of physical exercise and living healthy, has on going benefits and reduces the adverse effects of stress. Stop smoking, stop whining, stop eating and drinking to excess. Rather, get up off the couch and do SOMETHING! I, personally, will never be a body builder, Olympic athlete or pro football player, but my daily routine keeps this 'ole man looking as good as I can with what I've got ( and it's not much, but I'm thankful for it.)

* Government Reality. In the U.S. we are presently living under the most anti capitalist and free-market system in recent memory. Social and government programs do not create wealth, they consume wealth. The prevailing anti business climate is a result of arguably greedy practices, however the pendulum swing may prove to be permanently devastating to our country if corrective action is not taken.

2010 is the year that "politics as usual"must end. The old practices of bringing home the "pork" for the home state or alignment to a political party will kill us for the future. CAMPAIGN now!! LOBBY now!! VOTE now!! Remove those in D.C. who are sacrificing our future for a social agenda.

All of this is part of a reality called "life." Prepare for it. It's never too late. It's not rocket science and it's certainly is not new but I stand amazed at how few people and businesses purposely and intentionally develop the strategy and discipline to face the future. They would rather make a "new years resolution" that will leave them about the same 12 months from now, just a little rougher around the edges.

Those who are willing to do something different... be different... be disciplined and strategic will have a wonderful and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Putting The Pieces Together

While returning home I read, again, Peter Druckers statement " You ought to be able to fit your Mission Statement on the front of a T-shirt."

This past week was another great week for me! I was able to spend time working with some wonderful professional friends in Montenegro.

During my time there I was able to speak at the Chamber of Commerce in the capitol city, a couple of universities and some large businesses. It was a very busy and exciting time. As I stood in a large auditorium in front of young college kids answering questions about life and business, I was reminded of my "T-Shirt" mission statement. While listening to some executives...who are very intelligent but confused...about direction and strategy it re-enforced the fact that there are many people and companies who just don't "get it." Oh they have read the books, they have attended seminars and they have tried to follow the latest self help steps on CD's or mandates of authoritative people. However, their lack of follow through indicates that they have an "intellectual understanding but there is a disconnect between knowledge and practical application."

Many companies have training budgets. Some small...some HUGE. These budgets can provide entertaining presentations for the employees but have little connection to where the company is going because the company, as a whole, doesn't "get it."

Kids go to universities and take courses that they hope will make them "successful" but during it all, many just don't "get it."

Guys like Tiger Woods who make billions of dollars and operate with a self centered existence are destroying their influence for good and within their families because they just don't "get it".

Then you have society who will excuse guys like Tiger as having some sort of addiction. We want to excuse despicable behavior and not hold men accountable because society doesn't "get it."

Having the blessed opportunity of being a business coach all these years working with some talented people, along with the God Given gift to "see" what others can't, has given me something that most consultants and so called trainers will never get. I don't know it all, but because I'm older, wiser and still learning I know a lot and have the opportunity to help people and companies "get it" in strategic planning, behavior modification, leadership development etc. Certainly I like getting paid and I enjoy watching companies and people become successful, but there is no way to describe the thrill in my soul when, while working with folks, I watch the light come on as they "get it!!"

Oh yeah, my "T-Shirt" Mission statement all these years has been?

"Helping People Get It"

It may seem simple, but there's a lot involved in the process. I have a blessed life.

And by the way, during this holiday season, my hope is that you will get it, as you reflect on the true meaning of Christ...mas!!

Press On...