Happy holidays.
We'll be looking forward to 2004 in our first article this time, but I'd like to take a moment to look back. For five years in a row, thanks to a broad range of great clients, our business has increased. 2003 was our best year ever, and in the waning days of December it appears that the economy is picking up. I hope the coming year will be good to you.
But it is a personal - not a business - event that stands out most in my mind from 2003: the marriage of daughter Molly to Jim Hunt at Caneel Bay in St. Johns, the US Virgin Islands. What a romantic event it was. That reminds me of a toast: May for better or worse be far better than worse. We'll get into the subject of toasting this time, too. Let's get going.
Ty Boyd
ty@tyboyd.com
You: The 2004 Model
As you begin thinking about what changes you'll make in 2004 to improve yourself, I'd like to challenge you to consider the question of balance. Balance in your work and personal life. Balance in your spiritual, mental and physical life. Balance between learning and working.
Creating balance doesn't seem to be a part of the American psyche. Consider the world of work. Americans work more hours and get less vacation than workers in any other developed country. We all know the old saw, "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." But we can't quite seem to justify a little play, a little time devoted just to make us a little better, or time devoted to a cause about which we feel strongly.
First, I want you to do an audit. Look at each area of your life to see where you might be lacking balance. Then set some goals. Remember your goals need to be specific, measurable, challenging, achievable and have a stated completion date.
Let's start with the physical, because if you don't have a healthy underpinning, you won't have the stamina to reach your other goals. Assess your health. What can you do to improve it? Do you have any artistic goals? What are they and how will you make them reality?
How is your attitude? Is something about your behavior holding you back? What about your career. How high do you want to rise and what are you willing to do to make it there? Financially, where do you want to go and when do you want to get there?
Is there something you've always wanted to learn but have never gotten around to it? Would having this knowledge help you accomplish one of your other goals?
How is your family dynamic? Do you want to spend more time with an aging parent, or with your children? What do you enjoy doing? Set some goals to make sure you have some play in your life. How is your spiritual life? Are there causes you care about? Is there a way to combine your public service with your spiritual needs?
Start answering these questions and you will be well on the road to the new, improved 2004.
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