Each year I take two simple steps to move forward and keep me growing professionally and personally. This has proven to be a more effective New Year's sales strategy than setting New Year's Resolutions and has contributed to steady sales growth. The difference I believe is in the action steps versus a resolution that tends to be something we are 'going to do'. Hopefully sharing these steps will inspire you too.

These simple steps are:

1. Select a theme for the New Year.
2. Invest in yourself.

Success Step 1: Select Your Personal/Professional Theme For The New Year

The purpose of my personal/professional annual theme (or motto) is to provide inspiration and serve as a reminder of my aspirations throughout the year. It is easy to get complacent, bored, stagnant or disconnected from our bigger goals. Carrying a theme and posting reminders in my office helps to keep me going., stay energized, and focused on what matters.

My theme for this year is in honor of my M.O.M..
It is….
M - More/
O - Of/
M - Me

For those of you that have been following me for a while, you know that my mom has been a source of inspiration to me throughout my life. She passed away peacefully with my brother and I at her bedside on Dec. 14. After taking care of her affairs for the last four years with increasing time commitments…I realized it was a privilege to help my mom fulfill her ultimate wish, to live out her life independently. Often without her knowledge, I was following behind her and as she could no longer complete tasks or functions, either I picked them up or I organized support services for her so that she could remain in her own apartment.

Without her here, there is an enormous void, emotionally and physically yet also there is a new space. After reflection, and thinking how mom might have advised…I am choosing to fill this void by making More Of Me available to be of service to others this year. There will be a little More Of Me to give to my family, my clients, charitable causes and even for me this year. Through it all, what I know for sure is that the most gratifying experiences come from making a difference in others lives. In giving more of me, I will be honoring my mom and all she has taught me.

Take Your first Success Step:
Write your response to… What is your theme for the New Year?
Who is inspiring you to be the best you can be?

Success Step 2: Invest in YOU
In alignment with my theme for the New Year, I am enrolled in a new Coaches training and have joined a new Professional Coaching organization, Worldwide Association of Business Coaches. This puts me in line to be registered as a corporate coach with a new international professional organization, thus expanding my potential for international travel and work in the future. This decision will hopefully equip me with new tools to better serve my clients and lead to new connections which may open new doors.

You will always get a great ROI (return on investment) when you continually invest in your own professional development. Take Your Second Success Step: Make a decision to invest in yourself to grow personally/professionally this year. Write down your responses to… What will you do to invest in your own professional development this year? What steps are you taking that might open new doors? Help you serve others in a bigger way? Lead to new connections?

When you take these simple two steps annually, you are setting up your New Year for success and focusing forward. When you commit to these two simple steps in writing, tell others, and revisit them frequently throughout the year, you are more likely to stay connected to your inner motivation. Follow my suggestions and take your two steps to success NOW! I have my theme and inspiration clearly in front of me for this year.