A VERY GOOD YEAR.
Why will some businesses thrive this year, while others will close their doors?
Could it be a matter of expectation?
I know, that doesn't appeal to our human nature of making things more complicated than they need to be. Yet there is a simple truth here that I'd like to serve up. Straight up.
A Guessing Game
Every one of us has made guesses, which upon coming true, proved our ability to tell the future. Probably every one of us has made a prophecy, or a "guess" when we were pretty darn sure of the outcome. Sometimes it's a no-brainer; we just know. Other times it's pure braggadocio.
Expectation is the Key
In those moments when we must declare certainty, can we alter a plain guess into a prophecy? Most people tend to do this only when there is an intuitive nudge in one direction or the other, but there is something to be said for making a bold affirmative statement. And what about intentionally creating expectation in the desired direction?
Expect the Best!
Try it! Expect the best possible outcome from the next situation you go into. Want a new client from that networking event, or a new contract from that sales meeting, or a raise from your next performance review? Make a bold affirmative statement, declaring your desired outcome!
Figure out exactly what you want, believe it is possible, then go into it expecting success.
Let's apply this to a whole year's worth of transactions...think of the cumulative effects! When you expect the best you will make decisions differently, you will have a spring in your step, you will look for opportunities rather than succumb to failure, and you will likely have a much better year in 2009 than someone else guessed.