What are you doing for 'you' this year? Make time for self-indulgence
by Jeffrey Gitomer
It's a new year. Time for a new leaf, new opportunities, new goals, new resolutions, new beginnings and new determinations.
But before you start up that new mountain, why not take a look at who's mountain you're climbing -- yours or theirs.
Most people are guided, led or told what their goals or objectives are by their company or boss. They are important objectives for the company, for your job security, for your career and for your income. But are they the ones you want to achieve?
Probably not. Those are the goals you have to achieve.
I'm not suggesting that people rebel or ignore their corporate or career responsibility. But I am suggesting that each of you take more time to look at what you're achieving in terms of yourself.
Here are a few thoughts to get your personal achievement on the right track, so this year will be your best personal year:
1. Concentrate on what you want, not just what they want. What's important to others may not be as important to you. Achieve your personal goals at the same time you're achieving your work and career goals.
Your lament: "I gave you the best years of my life."
My reply: What were you thinking? Why are you giving anyone your best years?
New year's opportunity: Have the best year of your life.
2. Spend more time alone. Invest some quality time with yourself walking, reading and thinking -- personal time. TV is nice and tempting, but it takes you away from striving to be your best. Ever hear a multimillionaire say, "I got here by watching TV?" While you're watching TV, I'm writing columns and books.
3. Do things that make you a better person. Learn something new every day. Study something for an hour each day. If you devote an hour a day to anything, at the end of five years, you'll be a world-class expert at it. If five years seems a long time, think how fast this year went by. Exercise creates new thoughts and new ideas. It also makes you feel better.
4. Do things that make you feel good. Exceptions are drinking, drugs and smoking. They may make you feel good, but they'll rob you of health, clear thinking and success. Self-indulge. Make yourself feel great more often.
5. Donate something to someone. It could be money, time or resources. Try to give it as directly as possible. If you want to donate to the Red Cross, donate blood. If you want to donate to hurricane victims, find a specific family and send a check. I just gave college students a seminar on sales in the real world, and what they needed to do to prepare for graduation. The students loved it, but not as much as I loved sharing the information. Everyone needs help of some kind. When you help others directly, it brings to focus the adage that it's far better to give than to receive.
5.5. The bathroom mirror is your reality. Take advantage of it. Answer to yourself every morning and evening. The bathroom is the one place you're alone with yourself at least twice a day. Face yourself, and admit where you are. Face yourself, and resolve where you're going. If you need help, put up a few Post-it Notes as painful reminders.
Great news: Everything above is something you can do -- starting today, at no cost. And it's all in your favor.
Here's a clue to get you moving: You already know what to do. All you have to do is take action.
Here's an idea: Wake up one hour earlier. That will give you the hour of clear thinking you need (provided you went to bed sober the night before). Morning is the best time for ideas and accomplishments.
Decide, don't choose: Some people call them "choices." Bad term. The word is "decisions." And you have to make more of them in favor of yourself. Make decisions that move you in the direction of success, not in the direction of the television.
Happy You Year!
I have a list of affirmations that will help you achieve better and faster. Go to http://www.gitomer.com/ -- register if you're a first-time user -- and write the word "affirmations" in the GitBit box.
Jeffrey Gitomer is the author of The Sales Bible and The Little Red Book of Selling. He can be reached at salesman@gitomer.com (704) 333-1112© 2006 American City Business Journals Inc.
It's a new year. Time for a new leaf, new opportunities, new goals, new resolutions, new beginnings and new determinations.
But before you start up that new mountain, why not take a look at who's mountain you're climbing -- yours or theirs.
Most people are guided, led or told what their goals or objectives are by their company or boss. They are important objectives for the company, for your job security, for your career and for your income. But are they the ones you want to achieve?
Probably not. Those are the goals you have to achieve.
I'm not suggesting that people rebel or ignore their corporate or career responsibility. But I am suggesting that each of you take more time to look at what you're achieving in terms of yourself.
Here are a few thoughts to get your personal achievement on the right track, so this year will be your best personal year:
1. Concentrate on what you want, not just what they want. What's important to others may not be as important to you. Achieve your personal goals at the same time you're achieving your work and career goals.
Your lament: "I gave you the best years of my life."
My reply: What were you thinking? Why are you giving anyone your best years?
New year's opportunity: Have the best year of your life.
2. Spend more time alone. Invest some quality time with yourself walking, reading and thinking -- personal time. TV is nice and tempting, but it takes you away from striving to be your best. Ever hear a multimillionaire say, "I got here by watching TV?" While you're watching TV, I'm writing columns and books.
3. Do things that make you a better person. Learn something new every day. Study something for an hour each day. If you devote an hour a day to anything, at the end of five years, you'll be a world-class expert at it. If five years seems a long time, think how fast this year went by. Exercise creates new thoughts and new ideas. It also makes you feel better.
4. Do things that make you feel good. Exceptions are drinking, drugs and smoking. They may make you feel good, but they'll rob you of health, clear thinking and success. Self-indulge. Make yourself feel great more often.
5. Donate something to someone. It could be money, time or resources. Try to give it as directly as possible. If you want to donate to the Red Cross, donate blood. If you want to donate to hurricane victims, find a specific family and send a check. I just gave college students a seminar on sales in the real world, and what they needed to do to prepare for graduation. The students loved it, but not as much as I loved sharing the information. Everyone needs help of some kind. When you help others directly, it brings to focus the adage that it's far better to give than to receive.
5.5. The bathroom mirror is your reality. Take advantage of it. Answer to yourself every morning and evening. The bathroom is the one place you're alone with yourself at least twice a day. Face yourself, and admit where you are. Face yourself, and resolve where you're going. If you need help, put up a few Post-it Notes as painful reminders.
Great news: Everything above is something you can do -- starting today, at no cost. And it's all in your favor.
Here's a clue to get you moving: You already know what to do. All you have to do is take action.
Here's an idea: Wake up one hour earlier. That will give you the hour of clear thinking you need (provided you went to bed sober the night before). Morning is the best time for ideas and accomplishments.
Decide, don't choose: Some people call them "choices." Bad term. The word is "decisions." And you have to make more of them in favor of yourself. Make decisions that move you in the direction of success, not in the direction of the television.
Happy You Year!
I have a list of affirmations that will help you achieve better and faster. Go to http://www.gitomer.com/ -- register if you're a first-time user -- and write the word "affirmations" in the GitBit box.
Jeffrey Gitomer is the author of The Sales Bible and The Little Red Book of Selling. He can be reached at salesman@gitomer.com (704) 333-1112© 2006 American City Business Journals Inc.
