Accomplishing the Best of Intentions in 3 Easy Steps

THE SUMMER OF GEORGE

The other day the kids were at the in-laws and Sarah was having a rare girl’s night out.  I had the house to myself!  I had a list of things (honey-do list) that I was going to get accomplished.  But first, I wanted to get a “guy’s” movie on Netflix.  You know something with a lot of car chases and shoot outs.  Fast forward to a few hours later; Sarah arrives home and I have only unloaded the dishwasher and just started Skyfall.  “What have you been up to?” Sarah asks.  I wasn't really sure.  It appears that I had been scanning Netflix, watching movie trailers, and staring into space. 

This sort of thing happens to folks every New Year.  We always start out with the best intentions, such as deciding to get back in shape, read that book that has been collecting dust, and really get organized.  Then the best intentions go awry.

This reminds me of the Seinfeld episode, “The Summer of George”.  George Costanza gets an unexpected three months’ severance package.  He plans on taking his new found cash and living it up for the summer by reading books, exercising, and enjoying life.  Instead he buys a recliner with a cooler in it, and he never gets out of his pajamas all summer.  His best of intentions were gone in an instant. 

This is a particularly big problem with entrepreneurs.

• You plan on hiring a general manager, but you never really get around to writing the job                     description and posting it online.

• You want to get the website updated, but you can’t decide on the web designer and content.

• You are going to make 10 sales/follow up/referral calls per week, but you spend hours on                    Facebook/LinkedIn/Instagram instead.

So now is the time to create the game plan, while your energy is high and your intentions are clear, by following these three easy steps.

1. Identify two or three truly worthy goals.
2. Avoid things that waste your time and set deadlines.
3. Track your progress by keeping score in your business.

And if you need any help, be sure to contact the TSBDC to get your best of intentions off the ground and running for 2015!  Oh, and don’t buy a recliner with a cooler in it.