We have all seen the directory maps in office buildings, malls, etc. The kind that show you the overall layout of things and indicate your location with the “You Are Here” mark. It makes me wonder. Have you ever considered where you are… in life and business?
If there was a life directory, where would it point out that you are now? You may know where you want to end up, but navigating that journey must begin with an honest evaluation of where you are in the first place.
I think most of us want to know where we are in relation to where we want to be.
So, how can we determine where we are? Sometimes it’s easy to see our strengths and weaknesses. Other times we need the objective opinion of a trusted friend or advisor.
Perhaps your business does annual performance reviews where you get feedback on areas to improve. It’s tempting to justify, argue with, or dismiss these evaluations, especially if they hit on a sensitive area.
In order to measure growth you need a starting point. How do you evaluate your strengths and weaknesses? Who would you ask to give input? Having colleagues that you can trust are a huge benefit. As distributors in this industry though, many tend to operate in relative solitude. This is why I am a huge proponent of building relationships. If you are not a part of a large company that provides this type of direction, consider connecting with other business groups in your area. There are paid groups like Renaissance Executive Forums and The Alternative Board. SCORE offers free consulting services.
I believe that just as we see the maps in buildings that let us see the path to our desired destination, we have the ability to see and get to our desired destination in life too! So where do you want to be?
Each year, I like to stop and remind myself what our lives are really about. What’s really important? We have the ability to make our own choices and choose our own path. But what are our priorities?
Here are a few business-focused questions: Where is your business financially? Where do you want to be? Where are you heading? What clearly defined steps are you going to take to get there?
Here are some personal questions to reflect on: Where are your finances personally? What brings you peace and happiness? Do you have strong personal relationships? Is your life going in the direction that points to your desired goals?
Are you going where you want to go? If our lives are in order, we’re no longer looking at “You Are Here” as a point of frustration—but a fulfilling joyous point in our journey through life.
Are you surviving or thriving? You may have heard, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” We must focus on the plans of our life, which will move us closer to the destination we want to go.
Are you stressed or are you blessed? Worry is a big distraction that we all have dealt with at one point or another. Some of us walk around and say, “I’m blessed” when actually we’re stressed! Let’s just be honest with ourselves and address the mental changes that we might need to make to allow us to move forward.
Life becomes incredibly burdensome when we function in guilt and obligation; it’s stressful, and we worry about what we might have “missed.” As we choose to apply solid principles to our lives we stop living a stressed-out life. We move closer to the destination we desire… and we do so peacefully.
As we head into the New Year let’s dedicate ourselves to allowing “You Are Here” to be a point of fulfillment rather than a point of disappointment.
This year make it a goal to look at “You Are Here” as simply a recap of where we’ve been in relation to where we’re going… not a nagging reminder of what we failed to do! Planning and good choices can make this happen!
To push forward this concept, I would like to invite you to join Ron Baron and I on the FreePromoTips SuccessTracks Motivational Cruise. We will be sailing on a Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) ship from Miami, September 17th on a 4-night trip to the Bahamas. The cost is an amazing $309.00 per person and with our referral program you can cruise for FREE or at a reduced cost. Click here for more information.
In concluding this rant, I would like to step out of the business message to touch on something more personal. At a recent event, I reflected back on a sacrifice that a friend of ours made over six years ago. She donated her kidney to a friend who needed it. They were both at this gathering. When I saw these people together, I shared with them how the “You are Here” message had affected me. In our conversation, I noted, “you are here” (to the kidney recipient) because “you are here,” (to the kidney donor.) They cried. I’m not suggesting that we donate kidneys, but I am noting that we do have the ability to have a positive impact in the lives of others. Consider where you are in life and how you can encourage family, friends and business associates along the “You Are Here” journey.
Make it a GREAT day!
This simple concept came from a message taught by my pastor, Marty Walker. With his permission, I have modified it for this article to be geared toward business.
Jeff Solomon, MAS is affiliated with a Top 10 distributor company. The FreePromoTips.com website and e-newsletters he publishes are packed with beneficial information and exclusive FREE offers from a few forward-thinking supplier companies. Don’t miss out on what’s happening! Opt in to receive their e-newsletters! LIKE their page on Facebook and follow them on twitter.
