2018 New Year's resolutions

As we approach the end of 2017, I would like you to invite to take a moment to think about your achievements this year. 

Make a list with five things you are proud of. This list will be the starting point for your objectives and dreams for next year. 

If you already reached leadership in 2017, what is going to be your next move and steps for 2018? Make a list of five macro-objetives and then, as we mentioned before, slice it into smaller steps. Use a timeline and numbers. Metrics for your goals will help you to keep in mind what is the level you need to reach in order to be successful, and that will help you to achieve your objetives. If you are still a promoting leader, then you know what your next step is.

Persistency and consistency are key elements to grow, and for those, you need effort, understanding, focus, and the most important; positive attitude in the workplace. 

Happy New Year 2018!

Lead by example

‘Be a reflection of what you’d like to see in others.’

One of the main keys to be a successful leader is to do what you say others they need to do. For example, if you say everybody needs to be in the office at 5.30 pm, do not show up later. Consistency and coherence between your words and actions are the pillars of your credibility within the team and the organization. 

Your colleagues will trust you when they see that you stick to your own rules, and even more, you believe on your credo and values, and you act according to it. Once you achieve success, your team members will become your followers, as they will desire to be like you. If you are successful with your own strategy, your followers will try to copy it in order to achieve success as well, and you will become their example.

There is nothing better that lead by example.

How to focus on your goals

• Know what you want: In order to accomplish any purpose, you need to have clear what you want. Set the goal, and write it on a piece of paper, visualize it, and try to quantify it.
• Set a deadline for your goal: How many days will you work to make it happen? Having a timeline creates the necessary ‘positive stress’ to activate yourself to find solutions. 
• Plan a strategy: How are you going to achieve your goal? This is the way to get from point A (where you currently are) to point B (where you want to be). A good exercise is to break the process into smaller ones, where in each you have micro-goals. This will have an impact on productivity and motivation.
• Keep in mind the magic number. Be conscious and visualize your numerical goal.  
• Review the process. Where am I? Track your achievements in a piece of paper. Have a general view on where you are, in regards with your goal and timeline.  
• Learn from the process. What did I do well and what could be done differently and better? Learning from mistakes helps to refine your strategy, and to grow professionally. 
• Be persistent. Maintain your eager to reach your goal, no matter what the circumstances are. Go for it.

Six ways to make people like you

1. Become genuinely interested in other people

Showing real interest on your customers, helps to build trust along the sales process. 

2. Smile

A good smile is one of the most powerful sales and marketing tools. 

3. Remember that a person's name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language

Dealing with your customers by their name is a sign of respect and empathy. 

4. Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves

Always take advantage to get to know your customer's needs and preferences.

5. Talk in terms of the other person's interests

Showing understanding of their needs, while offering solutions.

6. Make the other person feel important - and do it sincerely. 

Sales opportunities and loyalty increase, when the customer feels valued,

13 things to consider, if you want to be successful

1. Change an unhealthy lifestyle. 

Maintaining a healthy diet and practicing sports that involve physical activity are the two main pillars for taking care of your body and your mind.

2. Abandon the short-term mindset. 

Successful people dream big. They set for themselves long-term goals, and they take the necessary actions in order to achieve them. A good way of achieving a long-term goal is slicing it into different short-term goals. This practice will increase motivation, and will help to develop and long-term mindset.

3. Forget about playing small

Similar to the previous one, successful people play and dream big. They know they want to put their stamp and signature wherever they go. Each of us have the potential to shine.  So voice your ideas, don’t be afraid to fail, and certainly don’t be afraid to succeed.

4. Eliminate excuses

Everyone has obstacles on their way. The difference between losers and winners is that losers create their own excuses that limit their potential to succeed; meanwhile, winners take responsibility for their life, learn from failures and find solutions to overcome the obstacles in order to reach their goals. The winners practice helps them to grow personally and professionally.

5. Get rid of the fixed mindset

Successful people are always learning skills, and acquiring knowledge in order to expand their potential. They constantly look for new and creative ways of doing their work and develop themselves.

6. Cease on believing in the “magic bullet.”

Success does not appear one day by magic. Success is the result of continuous effort made day by day. You know your skills, know your goals, and how to get there, so if you work everyday, you will compound over time the results expected. ‘Success is 10% of inspiration, and 90% of perspiration.’ 

7. Give up your perfectionism

Sometimes we win, sometimes we learn. Do not be afraid of failing, that is a natural part of life. Learning from failures helps us to grow and be ready and improve for next times.

8. Give up on continuous multi-tasking

When you focus your mind to do one thing at a time, you will be more likely to achieve your goal earlier. Mindfulness helps to increase performance, and therefore success.

9. Abandon your need to control everything

Focus only on those items that are under your control, and detach from the things you can’t control. Remember that you can always control your attitude towards things you can´t control. 

10. Do not say YES to things that don’t support your goals

Successful people know how to say No, to those things in life that are not aligned to their goals. Those initial sacrifices will at the end worth when achieving your goals.

11. Get rid of the toxic people

“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”― Jim Rohn

Surround yourself with people from you can learn, in order to create an even better version of yourself. If you go with successful people, there are big chances than one day you will become one of them. 

12. Forget about your need to be liked

You cannot be liked by everyone. There will always be people who won´t like what you do or that will disagree with you. That is a natural human being. Remember to be yourself, authentic, and to improve day by day. 

13. Decrease your dependency on social media and television

Focus first on your obligations, and then you will have time for devotion.