Boldly Move Forward

In the coming weeks, get very, very clear about exactly what you want in the coming year. What are your priorities, your values, your dreams? What’s important? What will make a difference for you and your loved ones? For now, don’t worry too much about “how” you’ll pull it off; just note what’s true and what you really want in 2012. When you’re clear about “what,” you’ll figure out “how.”

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I usually start our year-end review and planning for the new year on Thanksgiving weekend, but this year I began the process a little earlier. I don’t know if it’s the recession, the political noise, or perhaps it’s just that as I get older (wiser?), I appreciate how important it is to look back and to plan well.

I love George Santayana’s quote that, “Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it.” I’m told it applies to matters of state and world affairs, but I know it definitely applies to my budget, my happiness, and my goals for the new year. And so I always coach my clients to begin their planning with a careful review of past performance.

The future always builds on the present, and the present is the result of past choices, behaviors, investments, habits and patterns. In general, our past is the very best predictor of future performance, and we want to learn all we can in order to move forward as skillfully and boldly as possible!

It is true, of course, is that people change. Hope and ambition are based on learning from the past, making changes, and going boldly forward. We all change and grow, but we tend to change slowly. Once in a while we are transformed in a flash of insight, but mostly we evolve. We learn. We try new things, we discover better, smarter, faster ways of doing things and we use that knowledge to create a future that is different and better than the past.

And so to make next year better, it’s critical to ask; What have I learned? What has life taught me? Where am I wiser, stronger, more skilled or (perhaps) sneakier than in the past? How will I take better advantage of opportunities in the new year? What will I do differently?

These questions are usually best answered over time, with thought, insight and a few notes. Sometimes they are answered in conversation with people who know and love us. Sometimes our mistakes are our best (and most painful) teachers!

One reason we laugh at the old joke that insanity is doing the same thing over and over while expecting a different result, is that we’ve all done that! Life tends to drift forward, with small modifications in terms of technology or new toys or a few more gray hairs, but too often, too many of us go from year to year without examining the past, learning from it, and changing our behavior. That’s a common pattern, and it’s a HUGE mistake!

As this year draws to a close and you plan for 2012, challenge yourself to ask better questions.

Dare to list your two or three biggest mistakes of the year. Don’t blame yourself or get upset over them, but study and LEARN from them. Where did you mess up? Where did you delay too long or rush ahead too quickly? If you see patterns or warning signs, jot them down. You may learn something useful.

And list your best successes! How did you achieve them? What did you do right, how did you use your brilliance, your skills or your initiative to accomplish good things and powerful results? Take notes — you’ll want to repeat them in the future!

If your year-end review suggests a couple of personality or character traits you’d like to change (something to overcome or to begin), jot them down! Consider ways to become stronger, wiser or more effective in the coming year. Study people who have the quality you admire and ponder how they’ve achieved it. If you’re really bold, consider asking them for advice!

And of course, in the coming weeks, get very, very clear about exactly what you want in the coming year. What are your priorities, your values, your dreams? What’s important? What will make a difference for you and your loved ones? For now, don’t worry too much about “how” you’ll pull it off; just note what’s true and what you really want in 2012. When you’re clear about “what,” you’ll figure out “how.”

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“Success is neither magical or mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the basic fundamentals.”
– Jim Rohn

“You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don’t try.”
– Beverly Sills

“It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get back up.”
– Vince Lombardi

“We can do anything we want to as long as we stick to it long enough. ”
– Helen Keller

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Every year about this time I remind business owners and CFO’s (financial officers) to review their business deductions for the year. If you use the calendar year as your tax year (like most of us do), December 31st is a very important date. And this year, with the potential for major tax increases starting January 1st (in the U.S.), working with your tax professional is more important than ever!

Here are two important facts:

1. Depending on where you live and your tax rate, about 40% of everything you make will go to the Government, and the final accounting for most businesses comes on December 31st. The more you make, the more your “partner” will take in taxes.

2. Conversely, any legitimate business expenses you incur in the next few weeks are deducted directly from that tax bill. In the U.S., that means “Uncle Sam” is willing to chip in and pay for about 40% of whatever you buy for business purposes! Take advantage of that!

If you need new office equipment, a new computer or routine office supplies, take action! It’s like getting “40% off!” If you can pre-pay some regular business expenses (insurance, rent, supplies or fees) by the end of December, they come directly off your “bottom line,” which means lower taxes in April.

Now, obviously, the expenses must be for legitimate business purposes, and there are some limitations. And obviously you should check with your accountant or tax advisor for specific advice in your particular situation. No cheating! (It never pays.) But remember that a few months from now you will pay taxes on every dollar you make this year and if you can legally reduce that amount by stocking up now, that’s to your advantage. Think about it!

You can contact me for an initial consultation at:rodger@rodgerblaker.com

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Over the years, many people have sent me lists like the “imponderables” below. I love this stuff! I’ve published many of these before; a few are new to me. They make me chuckle and add perspective to my day. Thanks to all of you who forward humor, puns and jokes to me! I figure the time we spend laughing doesn’t count against our allotted time on this planet, and besides, it’s fun! Enjoy!

ZEN FOR THOSE WHO TAKE LIFE TOO SERIOUSLY

1. Save the whales! Collect the whole set.

2. A day without sunshine is like, night.

3. On the other hand, you have different fingers.

4. I just got lost in thought. It was unfamiliar territory.

5. Sometimes I feel like I’m diagonally parked in a parallel universe.

6. Honk if you love peace and quiet.

7. He who laughs last thinks slowest.

8. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.

9. I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol.

10. The early bird may get the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese.

11. Support bacteria. They’re the only culture some people have.

12. A clear conscience is usually a sign of a bad memory.

13. Get a new car for your spouse. It’ll be a great trade.

14. Plan to be spontaneous tomorrow.

15. Always try to be modest, and be proud of it.

16. OK, so what’s the speed of dark?

17. How do you know when you’re out of invisible ink?

18. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off immediately.

19. Everyone has a photographic memory. Some are just out of film.

20. If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?

21. Eagles may soar, but weasels never get sucked into jet engines.

22. What happens if you get scared half to death twice?

23. I used to have an open mind, but my brains kept falling out.

24. Inside every older person is a young person wondering what happened?

25. Why do psychics have to ask your name?

Rodger Blaker works with executives, small business owners and professionals who want to grow in their business and create an extraordinary life!

For info on resources for your success, visit: http://www.BlakerBusinessCoaching.com or call me at 214-485-2238.

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