The first half of 2010 is history. It’s time to assess whether you’re on track to reach the goals you set for your business this year. If you’re not, you can still make needed course corrections, hit the ground running in the fall and achieve those goals by December. (more…)

If you’re like most small business owners, you might be overlooking an important resource right at your fingertips.

Entrepreneurs, especially those who are passionate about what they do, often live life on a fast track—after all, there’s a lot to do and much of it is up to you. It can be tough to take time out, step back, and reflect on, analyze and learn from recent events. (more…)

Subtle yet deeply held limiting beliefs could be preventing you from achieving your goals. What we truly believe — those often-unconscious assumptions about who we are and what we’re capable of — can propel us to greatness and enable us to achieve audacious dreams, or they can sabotage our efforts. (more…)

Are distractions stealing your time and revenue? In our information-laden world we’re barraged daily with a tempting array of possibilities and products — a myriad of Bright Shiny Objects all vying for our time and attention. Those BSOs contending for our interest may be good and worthwhile, but they also divert our focus and decrease productivity. As a small-business owner who must wear many different hats to keep your company going and growing, maintaining focus is vital. Without it, you’re unlikely to turn your goal — your dream — into reality. (more…)

The New Year is the perfect time to reflect on the past year and plan for the next. But entrepreneurs often have difficulty finding the time for anything other than working in their business.  Whether clients are calling and sales are up or you’re just getting a new business off the ground, running a business is demanding. The crucial daily tasks of running the business, wearing the many different hats, trying to catch up and keep up can consume all your time and energy. The thought of stopping to take time out to reflect, review and plan can seem absurd. Yet it could be what you need most. (more…)

Don’t Waste Mistakes

Before you set goals and move forward in 2010, stop and look back. If you’ve been beating yourself up over mistakes you made last year (or before), stop! They could be your best friends — teaching you priceless lessons for future success. Top athletes spend hours after games poring over film replays, examining every move, analyzing each mistake to learn and improve every nuance of their play. (more…)

1.    What was the best decision you made in 2009?

2.    What decision(s) have you made for this year that you are really intent on and serious about?

3.    What were the three biggest mistakes you made in 2009? What did or can you learn from these?

4.    What was your single biggest success of 2009?

5.    What do you expect your biggest success will be in 2010?

6.    What was the wisest advice you received in 2009?

7.    As you look ahead, what advice would you give to yourself for 2010?

8.    What one activity are you most willing to devote more time to in 2010?

9.    What was something that turned out better than you expected in 2009?

10.    What was the best idea you had in 2009?

Time to ring in the New Year and celebrate. Whether you’re celebrating last year’s stunning successes or the fact that you survived another year in business, you have undoubtedly learned valuable lessons and overcome significant obstacles, and you’re still here. You have reason to celebrate! (more…)