Easing into the New Year
I don't know about you, but I'm just now easing into the New Year. Truth be told, I think I'm still somewhere back in November wondering what happened to the summer.
Time is going by much faster than it used to, do you agree? It could be that I'm just getting older, but I work with a lot of younger people and all of them are having a hard time catching up, too.
I think there's just "too much" out there. Too much to read, too much to respond to, too much to do. It seems my most important job is discerning the difference between what's valuable (choices that will bring me closer to my personal and professional visions and goals) and what's not. When I've successfully prioritized my day according to what has the most value for me and for the company, I'm closer to success. When I let the day run rampant without a firm grip on the reigns, I've set myself up for the possibility of 'standing still' or even moving further away from my goals.
So as I look at this new year in front of me (I can't deny it any longer, it's here!) I envision my best year ever - a year of excellent, value-based choices. It will be a year of more balance, more harmony, more beauty, more caring and more joy than I've had in years. This year, 2004, is the year that more and more people will get excited, passionate, and absolutely on fire with the idea of taking exquisite care of their customers. I plan on being in the right place at the right time with the right solutions for exactly the right customers. I love what I do!
Does it surprise you that I am so bold in my declaration?
This coming year will be my 55th on this planet and I'm at the very blessed time in life where I feel just fine about expressing my feelings. In fact, if I'm to teach people about feelings in the marketplace (our Customer Care Coach team calls it the 'F-Factor') I'd better be good at knowing my own. Passion comes from having strong feelings. (And sometimes strong opinions.)
When it comes to New Years, I don't set resolutions - in my mind they're things that people abandon and break sometime early in the first quarter. Me, I set intentions. I know that when I combine my intention with my attention all sorts of creation can occur. After all, less than two years ago I intended to find a way to get my expertise out to companies of ALL sizes (not just the big ones that can afford my fees). Now I can proudly say we offer a product that is (in content) a $15,000 workshop for $279. With the help of a talented team, I was able to package my knowledge. We created the Customer Care Coach™ out of the intention to spread the word about creating intention with my attentionconscious, competent and caring workplaces as far as we could around the globe.
To date we have a small, dedicated group of worldwide subscribers. I've got to tell you that feels great! I now can help managers in all size companies focus their attention and energy weekly on caring about and for their customers and their employees.
I know how powerful intentions can be. So what intentions do I have for 2004?
I intend to bring more balance into my life through movement, breathing and healthy thought. I intend to spend more time outdoors.
I intend to let go of some of the drama - the urgency and hurriedness - of life. (I don't want to let go of all of it; some of it is motivating!)
I intend to explore more ways to make it easy for customers to do business with us.
I intend to be more organized and live more simply.
I intend to continue to live with passion and spread the good word about caring. (It keeps you healthier and increases longevity!)
I intend to spend time each day being grateful for all I do have: a wonderful family, a caring staff, loving friends and fabulous customers.
I intend to continue to share my thoughts and insights and questions about how we might make the workplace and the marketplace healthier and more joyful places to spend time.
And you? I'm not shy - here are some questions to stimulate your thinking about your business and your life to develop your own intentions:
What can you do to make doing business with you easier, better, more caring, more user friendly?
How can you be one step ahead of what customers need? (Hint - use your intuition - it's a great business skill.)
In what ways could you be a better problem solver, a better resource or a better friend?
How can you (and your team) find more ways to deliver value this year than you did last year? How can you have fun doing it?
What kind of relationship skills will you be sharpening this year?
How willing are you to commit to excellence?
What skills will you put into place so you can get and KEEP more customers this year?
What old belief systems are you willing to let go of to make space for new learning?
As you answer these questions go ahead - be bold. Set some BIG intentions for the future!
May your New Year be filled with health, happiness, love, light, and success.
For those of you who set an intention for continuous improvement in your customer care efforts, take a look at our weekly training program in customer care at www.customercarecoach.com. It's the BEST way we know of to train your team in Exquisite Customer Care (sm). It's the world's only weekly training program in customer care designed for managers who want to increase customer loyalty.
