A Newsletter Valuing Change

September/October, 1999

Tips for Change

More on Listening

• Listen with understanding.
• Don't offer advice.
• Don't try to fix their problem.
• Just let the person talk and be heard.
• Let them know you get it.

Yes or No?

When you say "yes" to working late what are you saying "no" to? Going home to your family? Stop and consider each time you say "yes" to something what are you saying "no" to? Is it truly what you want to say no to?

Scheduling

How realistic are you when scheduling the time it will take to accomplish things? Are you late for meetings? Keep track of how long it takes for you to actually do things. Then use this knowledge to more accurately schedule your time. You will be happier and more importantly, the people who rely on you will be happier.

Visualize Respect

The E Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About it, by Michael E. Gerber is a book for business owners that wish to grow their business painlessly. Michael's approach emphasizes the difference between working on your business and working in your business.

He emphatically suggests the need to plan, envision, and articulate what you see in the future for your business. He suggests you write down in detail every system for all the functions within your business. Treat your business as though you were setting up the systems for a franchise.

Always look at how you got where you are and what you must do to get where you want to go.

Buy this book

Andrew S. Grove "You have to accept that no matter where you work, you are not an employee; you are in a business with one employee – yourself."

What is the state of your business?

Enjoy Your Work

If you really enjoy your work it shows and that attracts clients, sales, and referrals. If you don't – start taking steps to increase your satisfaction in your work. Small steps every day will ultimately bring you there.