Are You Going to Get What You Want in 2011?

I want to do more than “wish you the best” in our brand-spanking new 2011. (smile) I have an idea for you …

As the year turns, do you feel the urge to go single-mindedly for the results you want this year? Or are you focused on “softer” goals, such as treating well the people around you?

Sometimes it seems difficult to do both at the same time. At least, conventional wisdom is that you have to give up on your ideals in order to get results.

You may recall that I was puzzling over this last month. And I came to realize that I want both — “living ideals and delivering concrete results,” as Elizabeth Doty put it in an email to me a couple of weeks ago.

What’s more, I’ve grown even more convinced that it’s the high road that gets us to where we want to go. Contrary to what so many seem to believe, we succeed not in spite of, but because of our high ideals about the kind of world we want and how we want to treat others.

In other words, when you’re clear on what you stand for and your drive for results, you’ll attract more people to your cause.

Thank you for listening. I’m much clearer now (smile). And thanks again to those who gave me the benefit of their thinking.

Best new year to you — really,

Jim

P.S. The key to all of this is to develop your presence and let your authentic self show up.