What do YOU want?

It's always interesting to hear the range of responses, and it's not unusual to see that most people are somewhat stumped. Often times, people don't know what they want. There is nothing wrong in it and in fact, can be a great place to start.

Other responses are, I want "more money, more time, better health, balance."  People often have a sense of what it is that they want, however, they lack the clarity behind what they want. For example, it's one thing to say "I want more time," or "more money." However, what is it about the time and money, and what would more of that bring you? Is that what you really want?

An effective way to get what you want is to be clear about what you want. Be specific. If you want more balance, ask yourself, "what would balance look like?"  Envision it.  Begin using your imagination and start to see yourself living a balanced lifestyle.  What would you do more of, and less of? Who would you be spending your time with? What would it feel like? This is called having a vision. Some of the most powerful Leaders in history created massive change from following their own visions. If you cannot see where you're going, how are you going to get there?

Also, it's very effective to write down what you want. Get your ideas out of your head and onto a piece of paper. It makes it more accessible, and in a way, becomes a testament to your goals. It's the first step in making what you want tangible.

Once you know what you want, start to take action steps to get there. If you know you want to reach a certain goal, what would it take to get there? You usually know these answers within you. You don't have to know everything, just feel free in brainstorming some ideas. Write them down and start where you are. Let go of any self-judgment or criticism. It's not about being perfect or having the perfect strategy, it's about doing it.

And that's the most important point, TAKE the action steps towards your goals. If not, notice what keeps you from doing them.

You are the only one responsible for creating or blocking your own success.

So in a nutshell:

1)    Get clear about what you want
2)    Write it down
3)    Ask yourself, "what would it take to get there?"
4)    Write it down
5)    Do what it takes without expectation
6)    See what happens, notice if you need to make changes to your "action" list to yield a better result, ask for help 
7)    Celebrate your goals/success --- treat yourself and enjoy it. It's important!

Biographers universally agree that personal insecurity factored heavily in the downfall of former American President Richard Nixon. Rather than empowering others, President Nixon clutched at power so tightly that he lost all sense of morality and ethics. Obsessively fearing his critics, Nixon authorized a domestic espionage group to spy on his political opponents. When members of the group were caught burglarizing the Watergate Hotel, Nixon tried unsuccessfully to cover up the incident. Eventually he resigned in shame, having left a dubious legacy of scandal.

Calling all entrepreneurs! This is it: fourth quarter time! Get your new pair of sneakers ready, with roller skates, if possible. The holidays are coming – and it’s time to begin implementing those projects and strategies we’ve been talking about since January – along with system improvements to prepare us for greater efficiency and effectiveness in serving our customers.

Always, but this year especially, we must be at attention with the absolute intention to serve, to WOW!, to appreciate every customer who thinks twice about driving to any destination, and then thinks cautiously and mindfully about every dollar they spend. Our job is to exceed their every expectation, not only because the value perceived is the value achieved, but because every appreciated and well-served customer becomes our best source of advertising.

There are so many choices for every consumer in the marketplace today, and so little time in most people’s busy and often frenetic lives. A question that needs to be asked, whether we are a retailer or a lawyer or a property manager or insurance agent, is: What can we do to stand out from all the rest?

Sure, as business professionals we need to know marketplace trends, economic barometers, and the demographics of our particular customer, but what is more important, is that we must know who we are as a company, how we are different than our competition, and why customers come to buy from us. What is that underlying feeling or need that we can satisfy better than anyone else? What is it that we are really selling in our company?

Let me be specific. What is Kodak really selling, besides film, and cameras, and photography supplies? Kodak is selling memories, heartfelt moments in time. Each :30 or :60 commercial tugs at our heart and moves us to tears in record time. Families. Tenderness. Moments we relate to and want to remember always – that’s what Kodak is selling.

And what about Allstate? “You’re in good hands with Allstate.” Sure they are selling insurance, but what they are really selling is security, safety, protection, peace of mind. Who wants to talk about insurance? No one. But we all want and need peace of mind, don’t we?

Besides gazillions of dollars in lipsticks, eye shadows, and mascara, what is Revlon really selling? Revlon offers all we victims of our advertising culture not only beauty, but yes, hope. Hope is what Revlon is selling more than anything else.

So what is it that you are really selling? What is the vision, the plan, the story that embodies why you are in business and why customers should buy from you?

Once you are able to clearly identify this critical piece of information, this concept will permeate everything else you do, right down to the name of your company, how you merchandise and/or market your wares, who you hire, how you train your personnel and how you buy and sell your products and services.

Ask yourself continually: How does this action or behavior communicate to my customer what I’m really selling? Is this consistent with my company’s image, niche and message? Every decision you make must be in alignment with everything else or your customer gets confused, frustrated, or even worse, bored with trying to figure out who you are.