Anyone else wondering how this happened?

Where did January go? It feels like only a few days ago that we were reading posts about starting off a sparkling new year with warm vibes and good intentions. I’m glad the days are getting longer, and that we’re inching closer to spring.

At the same time, I’m looking at my planner and it’s time to check in and do a quick review.

How was your January? Did you hit your income goal? How many of your next 5 clients (or 10, or 20) did you land? What grade would you give 2017 so far?

Here's a quick review of what we've already covered this year. What have you been able to implement.?

Did you embrace ready as a mindset?

• Ready for success.
• Ready for things to come easily.
• Ready for the right resources to show up.
• Ready for great clients who love working with you.
• Ready to see all the things you've been working on pay off.

When we’re open and ready our actions match our intentions. That’s when our power shows up and things happen in a way that feels effortless.

Go tactical this year. Outline goals and intentions with the next 2 or 3 (only) steps that you need to take to make them a reality.

Use this process to stay on track. Even better, it helps to ward off the distraction. Stay mindful of what the next step (not the next 20) is and that’s the first thing you need to work on. Also, remember to schedule time for clients and time for business building.

It’s a messy blend some days, but it means that forward progress – even tiny steps – are happening every day.

Have you been prepping and setting the stage?

Make sure your foundation is strong. That means making sure you know who your ideal client is, updating your website, making some tweaks to your processes and possibly hiring help. That last one was a big step forward for me and I’m thrilled to be clear about how I can leverage my time best.

Bonus Tip: Be Clear, Put It Out There and Be Open

I’ve said yes to new opportunities. I was asked to take on a leadership role in a group of which I’m a member. It felt great to be asked but even more important was the way it happened.

I didn’t seek it out. I had a conversation with the membership team about my expectations. I shared what I wanted to gain as a participating member. A couple of weeks later, she called back and asked if I’d consider being a team leader in a program they offer.

Being clear about what I wanted and voicing those expectations was a shift. I was clear about what I wanted and I spoke up to make sure it happened.

Clarity. It’s great when things line up and taking that next action with confidence. But what if it’s not so clear?

That’s where a review helps.

Stop and take inventory of your efforts. Forging ahead without checking in on results and projections is costly, especially months down the road.

Be honest about what’s working. Embrace the truth. We can almost always see where we’re missing the mark if we’re willing to be honest.

A trusted friend or colleague can help too. Believe me when I say that I couldn't do what I do without this one. I have a couple of friends & colleagues that I turn to and they are undoubtedly some of my most valuable resources.

Not sure how to move forward? Please feel free to email me with questions or schedule an appointment to talk with me.

We’re just one month in. There’s plenty of time to course correct or keep going full steam ahead. Let's continue to give 2017 everything we've got!

Here’s to your next 5 (and the next 5 and the next 5), new clients!