The Model Info Center

You may not accomplish every goal you set — no one does — but what really matters is having goals and going after them wholeheartedly.

Les Brown (1912 - 2000) US bandleader, songwriter

Christmas is now out of the way and the tinsel is a distant memory. Did you make a New Year’s Resolution? And have you already broken it? How about putting that Resolution behind you and consider trying something else? How about setting SMART goals instead? Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-driven. Decide what you want to achieve - write it down. Break it into steps and set dates for each step. What do you want to do? How will you do it? When do you want to do it by?

Many families are carrying the burden of debt built up over the festive season, or even before. Make this year the year you finally deal with that debt. Set small steps to achieve that greater goal - cut up the credit cards, investigate cheaper credit, talk to the bank, allocate money to pay it off, set a budget. Ignoring it will only make it worse. Focusing on what you need to do will move you towards resolving the problem.

The same technique can be used for your health. A recent Global Consumer Trends report states that almost three-quarters of Europeans are now more concerned about their health and wellbeing compared with the previous year. I am sure there are similar concerns around the globe. Which aspect of your health would you like to focus on? Fitness, weight, smoking, stress management? All can be approached systematically. Setting small, manageable goals will see you making sure progress.

Here in the UK it has been proposed that there is a ban on smoking in public places, something that will happen in Scotland where I live in March 2006. Other countries and states are introducing similar legislation. Isn’t now the perfect time to give up smoking? Decide on which method would be best for you - nicotine patches, complete withdrawal etc. Join your medical doctor’s quitting programme. Get a buddy. Having someone there to cheer you on will make all the difference, so enlist the help of family, friends or even a professional to support you. Think about your diet. Drinking more water and adding at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables every day would be a great start to improving what you put in your body. Walk a bit further and more often. Dance to the radio. Adding small amounts of activity can contribute to your overall good health.

Now is the time to take responsibility and control of your own life and to believe in yourself. The future is yours if you want it! Happy New Year - Happy New You!

Kate Harper is based in the beautiful Highlands of Scotland. Check out her website http://www.harpercoaching.com

She works with people who are fed up with moaning about their lives and have decided to do something about it. If that is you, please take a look at Kate’s website. Her special interest is in promoting Wellbeing and Self Confidence through coaching. She is happy to work with people from any part of the world.

“The distance is nothing; it is only the first step that is difficult.” Madame Marie du Deffand

Take your first step today and contact Kate.

We’ll all been there. Ballplayers call it a slump. Some call it a lull or a funk. These are the times when you don’t seem to have as much energy or passion for your work. You can’t seem to get as excited (or excited at all) about the tasks in front of you. You are less productive, and you don’t feel as good about your work either. Beyond that, the quality of your work you are getting done may be slipping as well.

This situation can be caused by many things and it can affect both individuals and teams. Regardless of the reasons for the situation, there are specific, predictable ways to get past the funk. When you apply these suggestions (and some of them you can apply within one minute of finishing this article) you will lift both your spirits and your productivity, and begin to give you your rhythm back.

Since there’s no reason to wait any longer, let’s get started!

Get started. Action is the most important force we have. Taking action, whatever it is, will make a big difference. Often our energy is drained by procrastination. Lou Holtz, the longtime football coach said, “When all is said and done, there is a lot more said than done.” Stop talking about it or thinking about it and get started. Do something. Do anything. Get started!

Fake it. Dale Carnegie taught us that if we “act enthusiastic, we’ll be enthusiastic.” This is a fundamental truth. If you don’t immediately take action, you can begin by getting yourself excited about the task. If you are having trouble getting excited about the task, get excited about getting over your slump. That will motivate you and help you get going.

Start small. The first actions we take don’t have to be large. We may even feel a bit daunted by what is in front of us. In fact, the size of the project or obstacle in front of us may have been what caused the slump to start with. The size of your actions doesn’t matter. Take a small step right now.

Think big. While you may start small, you can still think big. Having a big vision can help motivate you and get you excited. It can be incredibly helpful to have a big vision.

Set a goal. Of course the “think big” suggestion is related to goal setting. But you can have a big vision without truly having a goal. Again, at this point the size of the goal is less important than having a clear endpoint that is something you really want. I didn’t make this the first suggestion, though you could argue it should be. Why didn’t I? Because sometimes people procrastinate in setting a goal! You need this step, and if you can get that clear focus at the start, all the better.

Get some help. Sometimes a task is easier if you have someone to work with. Get a co-worker to share the load on your project, and offer to help them in return. Ask a neighbor for a hand. Their helping hand or their camaraderie may be what stimulates you, or maybe it is the accountability that comes from another person saying, “I’m ready, where do we start?”

Get some advice. Talk to someone who knows about your project or task. Ask for the benefit of their experience. Get their ideas about how to proceed. Their advice will be helpful, and you will likely feel some support for your actions.

Have a daily plan. Do a little bit more each day. A big effort today is great, but if it isn’t followed up tomorrow you might find yourself right back where you started emotionally and psychologically. Have a daily plan and work that plan. Consistently work on the task or project and you will find your energy and enthusiasm growing. Soon your slump will be a distant memory.

Set a reward. Maybe you will reward yourself with your favorite dinner, or a night out, or a new CD. Pick something commiserate with your task and something that is motivating to you (or your team). It won’t be long until you will be enjoying the rewards you set for yourself.

Johnny Cash wrote and sang a song called “Get Rhythm,” and the last chorus goes . . .

Get rhythm when you get the blues
Hey, get rhythm when you get the blues
Get a rock ‘n’ roll feelin’ in your bones
Get taps on your toes and get gone
Get rhythm when you get the blues

All of these suggestions come back to that musical advice. When we get into a rhythm, we get out of our lull and into greater joy… and productivity.

Go ahead, get rhythm today!

Kevin Eikenberry is a leadership expert and the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group (http://KevinEikenberry.com), a learning consulting company. To receive a free Special Report on leadership that includes resources, ideas, and advice go to http://www.kevineikenberry.com/leadership.asp or call us at (317) 387-1424 or 888.LEARNER.

To firmly believe we have the power and deserve to lead a
happy life: that’s the motto of this article.