| | Why you missed your mark for 2007, and what you can do Today to improve performance and production in 2008.
So you didn't quite hit the sales number you were hoping for in 2007. It was a tough year for a lot of people. There are plenty of valid excuses why your team did not meet expectations. The housing market has attracted a "Black Cloud" mentality that has permeated into the fabric of our daily expressions of attitude. However, that's not why you didn't meet your goals. The reason why you didn't reach your goals in 2007 is the same reason why you will make your numbers in 2008, despite all the excuses your competition, and most of your peers will use for their poor performance this time next year.
You are the reason why you did not achieve those numbers. As much as it pains me to tell you this, you are to blame. In fact, it is safe to say that you are entirely to blame. There may be a few exceptions to this rule. A few of you may have teamed up with your superiors, and/or colleagues. In either case, you are to blame because you did not believe you would reach your goal. Most of you never believed you could.
Be honest! Think back on your beliefs, your actions, and your non-verbal and verbal communications throughout 2007. It may not have started that way. I am sure many of you, like springtime Cubs fans, really felt like this year would be different. But somewhere between then and now the "nay-sayers" got to you and stole your beliefs. Your belief turned to hope, then to doubt. Once doubt kicked in, you never had a chance.
I will admit that on occasion we are pleasantly surprised when our doubts are trumped by the beliefs of others. There may have been times in the past when your team bailed you out and exceeded your expectations, and company objectives. When that happened, do you recall the end of month discussions? I'll bet many of your top performers said things like "I knew we were going to do it," or "I told you we would do it."
The same thing goes for investing in solutions for your company. Of course there are exceptions to every rule, but if you want to be successful it helps to believe you will be successful before you start. Take my company for example. I can deliver the best advice, consult, coaching and tools to help you Build A Better Workforce, but if you don't believe that you can Build A Better Workforce before you purchase from me, I would rather not do business with you. My success can only be measured by your success, and if you don't believe it will make a differece, then it is likely that it won't.
Author Jim Collins, in his book Good to Great, talks suggests the companies that "make the leap" share two characteristics that are critical to reaching the next level of success. You must be brutally honest, while being perpetually optimistic. I encourage you to do that. Be brutally honest with yourself, and take responsibility for your lack of belief, and be perpetually optimistic that next year will be a successful one.
So as a Holiday Gift to all of you, I am sending you the gift of success for 2008. I am sending my strongest belief that if it can be done, it can be done by you. I believe 2008 will bring you success like no other. Let my belief encourage your belief, as your belief will encourage others to believe. You have a little over two weeks to strengthen your beliefs in yourself, your company, and your team. Start 2008 Strong and believe it will be your best year yet.
Happy New Year!
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