Why I Don't Do New Year's Resolutions!
I stopped doing New Years Resolutions a couple of years ago.
As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I typically take the last couple of weeks of the year off. While spending some downtime with family, I often do strategic planning for the upcoming year as well as use the time to develop some content themes that I intend to address.
About 3 years ago while enjoying one of those vacations, I read about Sir David Brailsford and his ideas of the 1% Principle.
After reading about this idea, I started focusing on making daily, incremental, small changes working toward larger objectives as opposed to committing to yearly “resolutions”.
I found that taking and measuring those small actions were much more successful for me than what I had been doing in the past.
Chet Holmes of The Ultimate Sales Machine suggests that “Implementation (not Ideas) is the key to Success!”
I have included some links about Sir David Brailsford and his 1% Principle below in addition to excerpts and a link to my blog post for my process of implementing it.
For those checking out the book reviews, I finished The Ultimate Sales Machine by Chet Holmes. My post of notes from the book is complete. You can check it out on my blog at this link.
If you would like to read along, I will be starting Content Inc. by Joe Pulizzi soon.
Note: Book links are Amazon affiliate links.
This quote sources from my 2017 post highlighting my #OneSmallChange process. (Excerpt below)
#OneSmallChange That You Can Make Today
Why Resolutions Stink!
Focusing #OneSmallChange will win almost every time!
Consider:
- Did you make resolutions this year?
- How long did they last (because odds suggest that you have already quit)?
- Were they different than your resolutions from last year and did you get any closer to achieving them?
Resolutions fail not because of your Goal, but the distorted filter through which you eventually see it. When viewing your Goal and seeing progress toward it, your focus is not on the daily grind. Too often, we quit measuring progress made and instead focus on delays or failures.
The flaw with resolutions is that they are focused on the destination instead of the journey. Eventually, excitement deteriorates to frustration as the positive goal becomes a negative measure.
#OneSmallChange Is Better
As an alternative to resolutions and end-state focused goals, we need a structure for life change focused on the day-to-day activities that achieve them. Whereas our parents and grandparents celebrated a journey, our vacations are measured by the destination. Our view of the journey is to make it as short as possible. Lost is our enjoyment of travel with family and friends.
In the same way, for change to be successful, we should value the activities that lead to the goal as much as the desired outcome.
Goal-setting and Lifestyle Design systems tend to focus on some variation of SMART goals. As noted earlier, the problem is these attributes are describing the Goals, not the Actions that will achieve them. Our challenge is not our capacity to aspire, but our ability to following through on the day-to-day activities that produce the outcome.
The basis for this process was Sir David Brailsford’s 1% Principle. You can read more about it here.
Other Links
How To Create Top-of-Funnel Content
Reliablesoft published this great blog post giving hints for producing content-rich “top-of-funnel” content pieces. A key element of a content strategy is publishing value-in-advance materials that attract attention from your best prospects and engage their interest in a way that increases your influence and expertise in their eyes.
If you are looking to generate more leads (and nurture them into closer relationships with you), be sure to check this one out. If you need some help developing that strategy, don’t hesitate to shoot me an email.
Using Google Trends for Keyword Research
Keywords (and other SEO topics) continue to be at the forefront of marketing conversations. In 2020 alone, the growth in digital marketing overall has been exponential and shows no signs of slowing in the near future. Identifying the topics of interest (especially those that will soon trend atop conversations) is extremely important.
As SEO is such an important topic for businesses, here are a few other posts providing recent changes & actions to be included within our 2021 strategic plans.
Google Algorithm Updates: 2020 In Review
What to expect from SEO in 2021
Evolution of SERP & How brands are responding
8 Ways To Share Content on Instagram
Instagram continues to grow. Last week, I highlighted an article on publishing Instagram Stories. This one shares eight other ways to share content, attract attention, and build more engagement on the platform.
Getting Started with Instagram Stories for Business
Instagram continues to grow (especially within younger demographics) and its Stories feature is a key area for businesses to put their message in front of potential prospects and customers. As IGs organic reach within the Feed continues to track toward Facebook’s approximate 6%, businesses have to evolve and adapt their techniques to attract attention within the platform.
Niche-focused
Best Law Firm SEO Services & Agency reviews
If you are a legal firm or attorney, this link shares reviews of major SEO service providers. In the face of stiff competition for billboards, TV/Radio advertising, and other interrupt-based techniques, lead generation by search engine optimization and content development is a practice differentiator and can generate strong returns. If your advertising costs (or lead costs from aggregators like LeadsForLawyers) continue to rise relative to quality, you should look into search-targeting options.
In-house Marketing Consultants for Small-Medium-sized Legal Offices
Marketing is a large expense (especially for small-to-medium-sized legal offices). As difficult as it is to competitively deliver service for clients with some of the larger firms, it is even more challenging to market against them competitively.
Note:
While Sirus Digital has not yet made the reviewer’s list, I’d love the opportunity to listen to your needs to see how we might work together.
Until that time be sure to check out this post with details of How to create a Content Marketing Strategy for your Legal Firm. (While it specifically highlights Bankruptcy Attorneys, the fundamental principles apply across legal niches.)
Loan Office Marketing to Real Estate Professionals
What Makes a Loan Officer an Entrepreneur?
Mortgage Originators & Loan Officers need to be developing and implementing strategies to connect borrowers to lenders as interest rates continue to sit at historic lows. Working jointly with real estate professionals should be one focus area in addition to individual lead generation & engagement.
If you’d like to discuss your options between having in-house staff versus an agency handle this on your behalf, let me know. If there is a way we can help (either strategically or from an implementation standpoint), we’d love to chat with you.
