For some, it may seem like New Year’s Day was just a few weeks ago. As hard as it may be to believe, we are already through the first quarter of another year. In a few months, it will already be halfway over. In business, and life, you should constantly be taking inventory on where you are now, what you have done and what you strive to do. Most people only do this self-evaluation at the first of the year or at major holidays. With the second quarter of the year already upon us, now is as good a time as any to take a look back on what you have done and where you want to go. How will you find yourself looking back at the first quarter?
Take a look at your new year’s resolutions and see how you are doing thus far. If you are like most people, you started out quickly, but within a few weeks you fizzled. Before you even knew it, those resolutions were a thing of the past. Instead of looking for a specific date or inspiration to get back on track, get refocused today. Take a look at what worked and what didn’t. If things didn’t work, try to figure out why. Did one day start your demise that you never recovered from? Whatever got you off track, find the root of the problem and figure out how you can avoid the same situation in the future. If you don’t know the cause of your problems, it is very difficult to find the solution.
If you are stuck in a rut, determine whether or not your goals were realistic in the first place. Most investors want to close as many deals as they can and make as much money as possible. If your work ethic and means of getting these deals is not realistic, you will not see results and this will cause a chain reaction. Fewer results will lead to uninspired work ethic – which leads to doing nothing at all. Instead of looking at the end goal, focus on smaller tasks that you can accomplish every week and specifically every day. If you can cross off one or two things from your list everyday, it will give you a sense of accomplishment and leave you wanting to do more. Before you know it, you will focus on bigger tasks that can leave you with a new outlook on business.
With every plan and goal you have for the rest of the year, you should have a corresponding action plan. In order to get 5 deals in the pipeline, you may need to market to 500 people. To market to those deals, you may have to buy lists and figure out the best way to distribute any letters or postcards. Whatever it is you are looking to accomplish, it won’t happen without a plan. Working with new realtors may be a good goal, but it won’t happen without showing up at their office or taking them out to lunch. Having goals are great, but they won’t get off the ground unless you know how to make them happen.
Regardless if you have had a great or miserable first quarter, there is still plenty of time to change the course you are on. Take the time to do some self-evaluation and put a plan in place that works for you. It is only April, but Christmas will be here before you know it.
