How the 80/20 rule can change your life in 2012?

The New Year is now two days old. How are you feeling about those SMART Goals you made? Remember to remain positive about what you hope to achieve in this New Year.

I love to read and recently I came across a concept which isn’t new to me and I am sure is not new to many of you. However, I am certain it can help you to achieve those SMART goals you have made for 2012.

It is the Pareto’s Principle also known as the 80/20 rule. This principle demonstrates that in most things you do, 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. It also means that 20% of your results could result from 80% of your efforts! The latter definition is mind opening and depressing isn’t it?

So of course, we should seek to get the greatest results from the least amount of effort. Makes sense right? So how can you apply the Pareto principle so you see benefits at work, in your pay check and in life in general?

It is simple...spend most of your time and other resources doing things which bring you the greatest amount of success and happiness. Keep at the top of your mind that usually 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts.

Let us look at an example of a small business owner or entrepreneur.  

Firstly, you need to pay attention to who your clients are. Get to know them. Keep track of what they buy and how much they spend. Analyse the data. You will soon see a trend. Most of the money you make comes from a small number of clients. Focus on these clients. Call these clients first when you get new stock. Ensure that you can always make time for these clients. These clients are your 80% results with 20% effort. They become loyal customers and you don’t have to do much work to keep them happy.

Compare this to focusing 80% of your time, money and other resources trying to encourage and find new customers who may never buy. Stay focused and you will reap positive rewards.

Let’s look at another example.  If you work extremely long hours with no added benefits or recognition, it may suggest that you may not be working smart.

Take a look at your daily tasks. Try to figure out which 20% of your tasks bring the greatest results. Focus on these first. Often times, some of the task which takes up a big portion of your day are really not important and I dare say no one will notice if they are not done. Always focus on the important task first – your 20% which produce the 80% results. At the end of the day your boss is really interested in seeing results.

Apply this concept in your  personal and professional life today and for the rest of the year and you will see amazing benefits. I certainly did.

Feel free to share this blog with others and do comment and let me know what other strategies have been successful for you.

10 Things to Do Before the Start of 2013

Hi guys

Today is  New Year’s Eve, so that means you still have time to prepare mentally for the start of a new year.  Remember start the new year positively and optimistically!

Before the start of 2013, here are some things you should do

1)    Decide where you will Ring in the New Year and with whomJ. Seriously, this simple decision will save you a lot of stress in the last moments of 2012.

2)    Ensure you have money on your phone, gas in your car…and a spare tire…self explanatory but important …believe me!

3)    Think about and then write out your SMART Goals for 2013. Stick them in various places at your home and office so you will constantly be reminded of them. Share your SMART Goals with others.

4)     Start putting in place, the steps needed to make your SMART goal or goals a reality…pick up an application form, buy a book, buy exercise outfits, select an exercise route or find an exercise partner.

5)    Try to complete as many activities on your TO Do List as possible. The less things you have on your TO DO List, the less stressed you will feel on Tuesday 01^st, 2013.

6)    Do your laundry, wash your car and clean your house. Knowing that these ‘pesky’ tasks are completed will work wonders on your mind and body and will help to set the tone for the New Year.

7)    De-clutter something - your hand bag, your computer, your phone or your closet …a more organized space leads to a more organized mind.

8)    Let go of the Past. Make peace with yourself and with others…often all it takes is a prayer and/or a phone call.

9)    Give your partner a kiss and a hug and say ‘I love you.’ Not only will that help you, it will help your relationship and both of you will benefit.

10)                       Take a walk on the beach or if you don’t have a beach near you, somewhere quiet and beautiful, and reflect on the past year. Give thanks for God’s grace and mercies. You are still here. 

May you have a healthy and prosperous 2013. See you Next Year!

SMART Goals NOT Resolutions for 2012!

Season’s Greetings everyone!

Wow it’s been almost a month since my last post. I have been super busy but that is certainly no excuse for me failing to post blogs regularly. I promise to do better in 2012. In fact that will be one of my goals. I will post at least one blog entry per week in 2012. I will also increase circulation and readership of this blog by 20 percent. Are these SMART Goals?

I set a number of SMART goals for myself for 2011, one of which was to train for and run the 5k for Anguilla’s Race against Aids. Guys, I did it! In fact, I won the first place prize in my age category. It really is irrelevant that I was the only female running in that age category J ...the point is I set a goal and I achieved it and won a trophy on top of that. It is a great feeling to accomplish a goal.

So there are about 15 days remaining in the 2011 year. I know many of you are probably thinking about and writing out your New Year’s resolutions. The thing is-you know as well as I do that resolutions seldom work. That resolution to lose weight, to further your education, to increase your savings, to buy a piece of land....is nothing more than a wish list. Instead, let’s focus our energies this year on creating SMART goals for 2012.

So what is a SMART Goal? A SMART Goal is Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely.  Let us look at a specific example – To get fit in 2011. A SMART goal would be

Specific – We all have a much better chance of achieving a specific goal than a general goal. For e.g. a general goal would be, “Get in shape.” But a specific goal would say, “Join a gym and workout 3 days a week” or eat a healthy fish meal at least 4 days a week.

Measurable – Establish criteria for measuring progress towards your goals...maybe it can be a downward change in numbers on your scale.

Attainable - You can attain almost any goal you set when you plan your steps wisely, establish the right attitude and establish a time frame that allows you to carry out those steps.

Realistic - To be realistic, a goal must represent an objective toward which you are both willing and able to work. If you are unable or unwilling to put in the effort and time to lose 50 pounds, don’t set this goal. Instead select goals which you truly believe you can achieve.

Timely –This is perhaps one of my biggest drivers – setting a time frame for what I want to achieve. A timeframe creates a sense of urgency. When I started running a year ago – I was aware of the exact date of the Race against Aids. I knew my timeframe. Without that time frame, many days I may have stayed home in bed rather than exercise at 5:30am, three days a week. Setting time frames throughout the year may be helpful. State clearly, what you want to accomplish by for example, March, June, September, and December 2012?

So, I am really happy with what I have accomplished in 2011 and I am already writing my SMART goals for 2012. For example, I am going to train three days a week and by November 2012 I will be able to comfortably run an 8k. Why - because I want to beat the lady with the baby in the stroller next year! I am not going to share my other goals with you yet but do stay tuned to this blog for new developments.

I would like to encourage all of you to set SMART Goals for 2012. In fact send me an email at shellecia.brooks@gmail.com or post a comment on my blog and share your goal. It has been proven that persons who share goals are often more successful in achieving them.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all of you!! Continue to Say Yes to Today and Set your SMART Goals for 2012 now!