Leadership Strategies: Teleseminar Series
Read More

Feature Article:
How to Make 2006 Your Best Year Yet!
Read More

Our Garage Sale is still going on!
Read More

Leadership Strategies:
A 4 part Teleseminar series designed to help you become a better leader

In today's challenging climate, organizations are turning to proven leaders to direct new strategies and business initiatives. A rapidly changing workplace calls for new ways to work and lead. In this 4 part Teleseminar Series Ruby Newell-Legner, leadership expert, will teach you the strategies that you must have to excel today in the leisure industry.

This Teleseminar will take place in 4 sessions, each covering a different aspect of leadership,
on the following dates:

January 24th     January 31st      February 7th     February 14th

And don't worry if you can't listen in on those specific days, your enrollment gets you f.r.e.e. recordings of all of the sessions so you can listen at your convenience!

Sign up today!*

*Purchase Orders accepted, call our office for more info at 303-933-9291.

How to Make 2006 Your Best Year Yet!

This is one of my favorite times of the year. It is a time when I evaluate the year I've just had, and plan for the next one.

As many of you know my husband and I have a tradition that every New Year's Day we sit down and do our goals together for the year ahead. We share personal as well as professional aspirations. We talk about where we would like to travel together, what new things we want to do with our home, we outline investments we want to make in the business and we set specific goals for our company.

You will dramatically increase your chances of having a successful year by taking a few very simple steps. The first step is to take some serious time to reflect on where you have been, then acknowledge your successes of the past and finally set out a plan for 2006. To make this process easier for you I have given you suggestions for setting your goals:

1. Celebrate your accomplishments and recognize those who made it possible. Sometimes we just move on to the next task without taking time to reflect back on the success we had. If we take more time to thank those who helped us succeed, we will generate more positive support for upcoming projects.

2. Decide what changes you want to make. It's been said that "if you change your habits, you can change your life." If you are frustrated about something in our life, I believe that when the pain is great enough, you will decide it is time to make a change . What changes do you need to make? What aspects of your life do you want to improve?

3. Clarify why you want to accomplish each goal. If you don't have sufficient reasoning, you won't be motivated to accomplish it.

Decide if you are a "Work Towards" or Move Away From" type goal setter. Some people work towards a goal to create a better future. Others set goals to avoid problems.

It is helpful to know which one you are so you can design your goals with the most appropriate perspective. A person who likes the carrot dangled will strive to reach it but that may not mean anything to the person who is motivated to avoid negative situations.

4. Clarify your goals and make them measurable.
S.M.A.R.T. GOALS are:
Specific - Define precisely the objective or outcome you want.
Measurable - Define objectively how you will know when you've attained it.
Action-oriented - Use action verbs to describe the steps required.
Realistic - Confirm your belief that the goal is indeed possible.
Timely - Set a target date for reaching your goal. What is your ETA (Estimated Time of Accomplishment)?

5. Break large goals into reasonable chunks with mini-milestones. You need to feel like you are moving forward and working towards the end result. Achieving mini-milestones will help you feel good about your progress.

6. Establish which goals are most important to the big picture. Prioritize your goals that will help you identify what you are going to work on right now. You will probably work on many goals simultaneously but by putting them in a prioritized order, you can see what needs the most attention or has the biggest urgency.

7. Determine what resources you will need to complete each goal. Outline a budget and list what tools will be required to accomplish each goal. Will you need training? Do you need to purchase software? Etc.

8. Post your goals in a visible location. Writing down your goals is the first step in showing positive commitment. Keeping them close at hand demonstrates that you are willing to be focused on accomplishing them. Posting your goals is a powerful reminder to yourself and others that you are determined to succeed.

9. Get a support system. Announce your goals to the people around you who you trust. Request that they ask for updates on your progress and offer encouragement along the way. Be clear about what you expect from them.

10. Identify obstacles that you may encounter along the way and create a contingency plan before they cause delays or frustrations. Make a list of the potential challenges that may stand between you and your objectives. Then brainstorm with your support team how to avoid or overcome those obstacles if they appear.

11. Establish a reward system. You need reinforcement for achieving each goal and for reaching the milestones in your endeavors. Make it fun and worthwhile.

Successful business leaders develop goals to achieve their vision. Their commitment to their goals, and thus to their vision, is made obvious by both their actions and their repeated communication of what must be done, and why.

In preparing for my new Leadership Strategies Teleseminar Series that starts January 24, I came across this quote. It clearly reminds me that if we aren't personally clear where we are going or don't share our vision with those around us, we cannot succeed.

"I could detect a distinct correlation between this notion of vision and performance … The good ones had a vision. As for the bad ones, it was hard to tell why the people had come to work that morning." Donald Povejsil

In my next newsletter, I'll talk more about leadership. In the meantime, reflect on what you want to achieve in 2006. Take some serious time this week and map out the critical elements that have to fall into place for your goals to be realized. Create a game plan for your 2006 and set the gears in motion. You will be amazed at how much you can accomplish with a detailed outline of your vision. The focus will help you be re-energized, more confident and motivated to make 2006 your best year ever!

P.S. Is becoming a stronger leader one of your goals? If so, join me for my next Teleseminar series "Leadership Strategies".


© 2006 RubySpeaks, Inc. You are free to reprint or share this article providing you include Ruby's copyright information, leave it unaltered and include Ruby's contact information on the page.

Ruby's having a Garage Sale!!

Yep, that's right folks. My husband is so tired of looking at the boxes of my Supervisor-in-a-Box audio cassettes that are stacked up in the garage. He told me they need to go! My loss is your gain!

Right now you can purchase any or all of my non-boxed audio tape sets for the unbelievable price of $17 per program, or $37 for the entire Supervisor-in-a-Box Series of all four programs. Yes, you read that right...$37 for the ENTIRE SET! That's a savings of $100!

The Supervisor in a Box Series is a powerful resource divided into 4 tape albums. Each album has two cassette tapes packed with information that will help you lead others and build strong teams.

Included with each program is a web address for a downloadable workbook that guides you through all the elements covered in the tapes.

The Four Two-Hour Audio Cassette Tape Series includes:

Supervisory Skills for Success

How to Attract and Select Great Employees

How to Develop an Effective Employee Training Program

Encouraging Staff Development: The Performance Appraisal Process

Click here to purchase the tape sets at the amazing Garage Sale price!

We still have a few left! But act fast, this offer is good only while supplies last!