2025 is serious business. I remember years ago imagining what life would be like in 2025, and here we are.
It’s great to see everybody. I hope you had a positive turning of the year.
So we got to end 2024. And endings are important. How we leave things: relationships, jobs, clients, organizations, projects, and even the year, has a big impact on what we bring into what’s next.
But today, let’s focus on beginnings. Ahhh, fresh possibility — that new year smell! What an opportunity it is to be on the front end, with everything ahead of us. And that auspicious feeling. Remember being a kid and leaving school on that Friday right before break? So good.
To maximize our level of success this year, here are a few things to keep in mind as we move forward. And they’re applicable to both the year as a whole, as well as individual meetings — both in and out of this room.
We know that we only get one chance to make a first impression. So we need to show up on purpose and make it count.
Have a plan and be as clear and specific as possible. For the year, write down your goals. According to research by Dr. Gail Matthews, a Psychology professor at Dominican University in California, by simply writing them down (or typing them out) the likelihood of you arriving at those end points will go up by 42%.
Where else are you going to get returns like that?
For individual meetings, know what you want to get out of them. Sure, business and referrals, but maybe the focus with certain prospects or colleagues would be better served as connection and creating relationship, or maybe it would be useful to get feedback or advice? Or maybe it’s about making a positive impression by being of service to the other person. And maybe it’s all of those things.
Pay attention. Focus, and listen for what’s being presented. Opportunity comes in many shapes and sizes. Life doesn’t always bring value in the front door. Sometimes it comes in a side window.
So be open and be curious. And ask questions. When things are flowing but especially when they’re not. Dead air? Awkward pause? Ask a question. You’re providing license for the other person to take the mic and the focus. And what they share can hopefully be a new log on the dwindling fire.
The good and bad news are both the same. 2025 is on us. It’s going to be a huge year but we’re going to have to work for it.
And the cavalry isn’t coming to save us.
But guess what… we’re the cavalry. And by working together, we’ll elevate each other.
Here’s to a year filled with joy, peace, laughter and success.
A year to learn and grow, to close a ton of business, a year to Elevate!
