Finish Well

As we begin week 50 of 2009, let’s take a few minutes to consider how we finish the year. I grew up in the sport of swimming, so last summer’s Olympic Games were very exciting to me. On two occasions, Michael Phelps (you remember, he won eight gold medals) faced what appeared to be a second place finish as the race entered the final five meters. Phelps closed on the leader in the final two strokes to win that race by one-one-hundredth (0.01) of a second. Later in the meet, his teammate, Jason Lezak gave the definitive performance in relays of the Olympic games, coming from way behind on the final leg to help Phelps earn one of those eight gold medals. (Click here for story)


As you reach the end of your own swim through 2009, how are you going to finish? Whether you are out of energy, battered by the changing market, or just ready for the holiday parties to begin, challenge yourself to complete the business race with a burst to the wall instead of just coasting to the New Year’s holiday. Here a few things to consider:

1. What are the key income producing activities for me to execute in the final twenty days of 2009? The holiday season offers a key time to renew contacts in person by delivering a small gift or engaging contacts at parties and holiday events. Make it a goal to bump into one person you know on every shopping trip this season. Be sure to carry some give-away items in your car as you drive through your farm neighborhood or pass by a client’s home. Who needs a touch from you to make sure that you are in good position when the clock turns to the New Year?


2. What are my most important administrative activities? Since most of us have lower time commitments showing property in late December, what are the critical catch-up activities? CE courses, banking issues, tax preparations, and a business plan for the first quarter of next year are all tasks to complete while you have some down time from clients.


3. When will I disengage from business? Like our professional schedule, or personal calendar will benefit from some reflection and care. One of the worst choices we can make is to squander our vacation time. Take a few minutes to reflect and write down what is most important to you for your personal time this season. Is there a special play to attend? A concert? Who are the people that you would most like to see? When will you really get that extra sleep that you so desperately need? The key is to initiate rather than react. When we schedule these wishes as appointments, they are much more likely to happen. Return from your holiday break with no regrets, renewed energy, and nothing tangling your thoughts for the return to business.


4. What can you do to create a spectacular finish? Create a stretch goal for yourself over the next two weeks that no one would expect you to do. It may be a push to get in more prospect contacts, an extra touch on your services to a client closing in December, or increasing the quality of your year-end communication to your network. Find something that energizes your effort, increases your revenue, and makes a difference in the lives of those you serve.


I hope you will enter your Christmas break by truly putting work down a while, but also with the heavy breathing and victor’s reward for making a great push to the finish line. Wouldn’t it be great to complete the race knowing you had performed at your highest level?
Champions finish just that way.