Well, here we are almost to the end of the first quarter of 2011.  Many of you made your usual New Year resolutions and two weeks into it, found that it was not at all what it was cracked up to be.  This is most likely because we make idealistic goals for ourselves.  Resolutions should be sensible and attainable, with reach.  So let’s look at where we are now and make adjustments before we move into the second quarter:

·         Be realistic by setting achievable goals.  Winning the lottery, for example, is out of your grasp!

·         Stop trying to be perfect.  Nobody is perfect, so stop trying so hard. Begin the New Year by allowing yourself the luxury of imperfection.  Perfection is the worst enemy of success. Consider completion to be your goal - not perfection.

·         Describe your resolutions in specific terms. Instead of "I want to be more active," opt for "I will walk every night after dinner" or "I will cut down on watching television.”

·         Break down large goals into smaller ones. For instance, commit to losing weight by resolving to join a gym and improve your eating habits.

·         Find alternatives to a behavior that you want to change, and make this part of your resolution plan. So you want to quit smoking, but you smoked to relax yourself? What other forms of relaxation are available to you?

·         Write down your resolutions and set action plans to keep you on track.

Business resolutions should also be realistic and achievable, with reach.  Every property and company has already set goals with budgets.  Budgets are your business plan for the year, but have you thought of how you were going to reach the goals of your budget?  Were you idealistic or realistic, with reach?  This will make all the difference in achieving your business plan.  Here are a few tips for preparing to reach your goals:

·         Brainstorm all the things you can do toward these goals.  Brainstorming is very powerful, as it moves energy and opens up possibilities.

·         Make a list of people who can offer you support or help in areas you feel stuck. If you don't know how to do something then find someone who does. This is a time to look at your network of people.

·         Make a List and write down everything you can think of that you will have to do to achieve this goal.  List every single step and break your goal down into tiny bite-size pieces.

·         Action is the key to success. Without action you cannot accomplish anything. With action you will accomplish great things.  Even if your plan is flawed you can accomplish a lot, simply by taking action. Action, Action and more Action.

·         Make sure your team is positive, motivated and goal-oriented. Focus your time and energy on people who bring an energetic influence to your environment. Creativity and optimism are just as contagious as negativity; they feed off of each other. The encouragement and support you’ll get from like-minded, goal-oriented people will spur you onto greater achievements.

Now that you have taken some active steps toward your personal and business goals, what are some of the new trends that could help you meet your goals?  Here are five trends from trendwatching.com that could help in 2011:

·         RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS: When it comes to the mega trend of GENERATION G (that's G for Generosity, not Greed), there’s no better way for a brand in 2011 to put its money where its mouth (or heart) is than engaging in Random Acts of Kindness (R.A.K.). Consumers' cravings for realness, for the human touch, ensure that everything from brands randomly picking up the tab to sending a surprise gift will be one of the most effective ways to connect with (potential) customers in 2011.

·         URBANOMICS:  Urban consumers tend to be more daring, more liberal, more tolerant, more experienced, more prone to trying out new products and services.  In 2011, go for products, services, experiences or campaigns that tailor to the very specific, more refined, more experienced needs of urbanites.   And don't forget to infuse them with a heavy dose of ‘URBAN PRIDE’.

·         ECO-SUPERIOR: When it comes to 'green consumption' in 2011, expect a rise in ECO-SUPERIOR products: products that are not only eco-friendly, but superior to polluting incumbents in every possible way.

·         PLANNED SPONTANEITY: The 2010 trend of NOWISM was part of a larger cultural, social and technological trend towards greater spontaneity. With lifestyles having become fragmented, with dense urban environments (URBANOMICS!) offering consumers any number of instantly available options and with cell /Smartphone’s having created a generation who have little experience of making or sticking to rigid plans, 2011 will see full-on PLANNED SPONTANEITY.

·         PRICE PANDEMONIUM:  While consumers have always looked out for special offers and discounts, new technologies and services mean that 2011 will see total PRICE PANDEMONIUM.   More consumers are constantly connected, and when they hear about new deals online can quickly and easily spread them through their social networks.  Mobile devices increasingly enable consumers to find or receive dynamic deals. 

For more information on 2011 trends, go to trendwatching.com and get all the detail on the above trends, as well as all 11 Crucial Consumer Trends for 2011. Happy New Year to all!

Terri L. Euchner

Euchner Performance Enterprises

www.EuchnerPerformance.com