Archives for December 2006
Thought for the week - 12 - Anyone for resolutions?
It’s that time of year again
Hi and welcome back from the festive break!
Is this a great time for you when you can look back with a warm glow at your achievements during 2006? Or are you fed up that, yet again, “things” have conspired to prevent you from reaching your full potential this year?
Does the idea of making resolutions for the coming year fill you with eager anticipation or do you think “here we go again” and believe it’s just a waste of time?
I believe that for resolutions, goals, aims (call them what you will) to have a hope in the proverbial of actually coming about, they have to have a really strong feel good factor.
So anything that goes along the lines of
Is almost doomed to fail from the outset because it reeks of deprivation and self denial! So how can we get round this and still achieve the desired results?
The first might be to actually make your resolutions any time but from the 24 hour period following midnight on 31st December: Make them at a time that is right for you, not when you’re expected to. As for how to phrase them positively, answers on your virtual postcard (comments) please…
Hey - I’m providing the thoughts let’s have some of your input!
Linda Mattacks is the author of a series of training courses available at SellingForBusiness.co.uk developed to provide easily accessible training for small businesses who are not in a position (or may not want) to take time out to attend formal training sessions.
Tagged: 5 things you didn’t know about me
Mark White at Better Business Blogging has tagged me in the “5 things you didn’t know about me†meme so I thought I’d join in the fun:
1. What I can only refer to as severe errors of judgement and monumental short sightedness on my paternal grandparents side back down the line (one married out of his faith and the other ran off with her gypsy – so both were summarily disinherited from their respective well-to-do families) meant that I wasn’t born wealthy!
Do I see a disturbing familial trait? Well…
2. At the age of about five, encouraged by these same grandparents, I entered and won a colouring competition in the local Evening Argus. Great! The prize was two tickets to see Swan Lake. Mum and Dad ended up forking out for three more tickets so the whole family could go.
3. Then, at about nine I was elected Queen of the May at our school. Huge honour but, again, Mum had to buy the material and spend hours making the dress for the grand occasion. And all that fancy foot work I’d been practising for dancing round the maypole went to waste as I sat there all day on my throne watching the proceedings with a stupid grin plastered on my face.
4. I passed the eleven plus exam and was lucky enough to get into the best grammar school in the area. That was really rewarding for me but, er, meant that money for the uniform (only available from one exclusive school outfitters), sports kit and social activities then had to be found by my parents for the next five years.
5. Fast forward a few years and guess who bought into a Tessa just before the market bottomed out?
Am I downhearted? You bet not! Because that paternal grandmother of mine worked hard and worked smart and carved out success in what was then well and truly a man’s world. So I have a brilliant role model and I’m following her!
You’ll have to excuse me for now, I need to go find someone else to play tag with - have a great and glorious Christmas if we don’t “speak” before hand.
Linda Mattacks is the author of a series of training courses available at SellingForBusiness.co.uk developed to provide easily accessible training for small businesses who are not in a position (or may not want) to take time out to attend formal training sessions.
Let’s get seasonal - Thought for the week - 11
“There’s a beauty when it’s Christmas,
All the world is different then;
There’s no place for petty hatred
In the hearts and minds of men.
That is why my heart is happy
And my mind can hold a dream,
For I keep a part of Christmas
With its peace and joy supreme”
Garnett Ann Schultz
Wherever you are, whatever your faith, it’s a nice thought to hold in amongst all the commerce, partying (and subsequent hangovers!) at this time of year. And, without being a party pooper it’s worth also starting to think about what you want to happen next year - more on that next time.
Meanwhile all the best
Linda Mattacks is the author of a series of training courses available at SellingForBusiness.co.uk developed to provide easily accessible training for small businesses who are not in a position (or may not want) to take time out to attend formal training sessions.
