Stage 1 – It is Time for Change

Welcome to 2013! I sincerely hope you had a memorable and successful 2012. Some of you are celebrating your best year ever in 2012 while others are glad to see 2012 in the rear view mirror. Whichever camp you’re in, it is now Time for Change!

This new year brings it’s own set of new challenges, new opportunities, new frustrations and new victories. The big question for you is: Are you READY for this Year? Are you READY to make 2013 far better than 2012?

I want 2013 to be the year you win your race – whatever race that is for you! So throughout this year I’ll be taking you through each stage of my book, Tour de Profit – a 52 Stage Race to Grow Your Business. Each week I’ll share a tip, tool or technique you can use to improve your business right away. Nothing complicated. Nothing difficult. Just specific, focused actions you can take to make 2013 your best year ever.

Think of this as your weekly guide to success – no matter what your business is or where you are starting from. Let’s work together this year to “GO BIG” in your business. And it starts with Stage 1 – Getting Started!

The hardest part of any journey is taking the first step! This is the first week of the new year and we need to take that first step this week. It doesn’t require you to do anything physical. It is not strenuous, challenging or time-consuming. This first step, this Stage 1 is all about MAKING A DECISION and PREPARING FOR CHANGE!

To win this week’s Stage 1 race you must resolve that it is TIME TO CHANGE. If you don’t have the right mindset going into this new year, you are destined to repeat last year. I’ve seen it time and time again. Those who do not resolve – make a commitment – to CHANGE will find themselves doing the same things, getting the same results and blaming the economy, the government, the regulations, the weather, global warming, el Nino, or something other than themselves!

Your assignment this week is to MAKE A DECISION that it is TIME FOR CHANGE!

It sounds simple, but unless you know how, you’ll find yourself falling back into your same old bad habits – doing exactly what you are comfortable with, staying in your comfort zone. But if you’re willing, 2013 should be about stretching yourself, expanding your horizon, growing, learning and taking a few risks.

Here are 2 things for you to do this week:

1) Take 30 minutes alone, away from your computer, phone or distractions. Now answer this question: If you were just now informed that you had only 6 months to live, what must you do in these next 6 months before you die? I know this sounds a bit morbid, but the reality is we don’t know how much longer we’re each going to be here on this earth. And the last thing you want to to leave this life with regrets.

Write down the 3 or 4 things that you MUST do if you only had 6 months to do anything. You may have a relationship issue you need to resolve. You may have something on your bucket list that you must get done. You may have something that needs to be said to someone you care about. What are the MUST DO things in your life right now? Write them down! Put them on the priority list. Make a DECISION that you are going to resolve these things RIGHT AWAY!

You see, many of the other “business related” things we have to do are trapped behind other more personal hang-ups or issues. You’ve got to clear the decks before you can get to the other less important things. No regrets! That’s goal number 1!

2) Become familiar with the Change Formula. The Change Formula is the math equation that determines whether change can or will happen in your life. It goes like this: (D x V) + F > R

You must get to know and understand this formula if you want change to happen – no matter what kind of change. (D x V) + F > R It’s a math equation. Math is logical. Making Change happen is logical – you just need to recognize each element and make sure you’ve got your math right!

D stands for Dissatisfaction. The dissatisfaction you have in your current situation. You need to identify it, write it down, acknowledge it, claim it.

V stands for Vision. The vision you have of a better future. It needs to be clear, specific and real – so real you can describe it in color!

F stands for First Steps. The first steps to moving from your current dissatisfaction towards your vision. These must be simple, easy, small steps. You must identify the first steps otherwise the change seems like just a leap of faith.

R stands for Resistance. The resistance to doing anything different. It may be your comfort with the status quo, a spouse who is not supportive, the lack of available money or resources, etc.

Take time to write each of these down for your situation right now. What are your dissatisfactions with where you are today? What is the vision you have for your life or your business? What might some easy first steps be to get started? What is the resistance you must overcome?

When you think of it as an equation, you will see why most people never change. They may be very dissatisfied but they have no vision of a better future. A big number multiplied by zero is zero! They nay have a clear vision but haven’t thought through how to take the first steps. A zero in first steps does not help overcome the large number that most of us have in our resistance column.

Does this make sense to you?

If you want 2013 to be significantly better than 2013, your Stage 1 race is to prepare yourself mentally for the challenge. Do these exercises and you will be ready for the races that lie ahead!

If you have questions, just ask. I’ll do whatever I can to help you WIN in 2013!

Ride Hard!

Rich

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