Evaluate at Year-End

As we come to the end of another year, before holiday madness takes hold, this may be a good time to take stock of the last year and make plans to improve for next year.

· Commit to working on your weak areas. Make a list now of the areas you can improve next year. Go ahead and make a comprehensive list. Hold nothing back. Then put the list in a drawer for a few days and forget about it. Then pull it out and choose three areas you’re going to improve over the next year. Research the best tools for helping you improve, whether they are time-management classes, organization apps or a filing system.

· Decide to reframe your thinking. When you’re out networking, instead of approaching people with a “what can this person do for me” outlook. Turn it upside down and approach everyone with a “what can I do for this person” attitude. If you’re genuine about it, you will actually attract better clients, business partners and friends.

· Tackle no-brainer tasks first thing in the morning. Allot no more time than necessary to these little tasks. Save your brainpower for the really important things. If you have the nagging chores out of the way first thing, you can really concentrate on the crucial stuff.

· Make notes on the business cards you receive. Immediately after you return from a networking event, jot down details about the giver so you remember who gave it to you and what they needs, like and want. Then you won’t have to waste time reacquainting yourself. You’ll already know.

Evaluate at Year-End