Just a Thought: 2016 Is Well on Its Way... Are You?

2016 is well on its way! Are you already feeling behind and wondering what happened to all the free time you thought you'd have around the holidays to accomplish certain tasks? If this is where you are, you are not alone. Time has a way of ticking away, and before we know it, life has once again gotten in the way of our getting what we want. Or shall I say, we have allowed life to once again get in the way. Now don't start beating yourself up. It is not too late to have an outrageous 2016! Take control of your life NOW with these simple suggestions:Take care of yourself first: Truth time. How many of you made a New Year's resolution to get back to the gym, yet you have yet to even step a toe near one? Without really committing to your well being and being in action, how do you expect to ever feel anything but "behind"?Get your business plan finished—now: Mark off the time on your calendar right this minute. If your plan is already in place then good for you. Double-check to see if all your "by-whens" are in place to make it happen and use the plan religiously. Don't allow it to gather dust! This is your chance to give your world—your business and family—the shape and focus you want, despite the circumstances around you. Your plan can serve as a reference point—an anchor for any rough waters that may be ahead and a platform for catapulting your dreams, your company, and your family forward!Give up trying to control those things that you can't: Looking around at the goings on in the world is often worrisome. It seems like every day we hear about yet another nation threatening another with war. While controlling this spiral is not something the average person can do, who you choose to be in spite of it will make a difference. Rome was not built in a day, babies do not begin walking with giant leaps forward and tolerance and love for our fellow man are not cultivated easily overnight. Yet what if every person on the planet chose to be, in their own way, peace, tolerance, respect and care? Remember, the only thing you can control is you. As far as the rest of the world, the only thing you can control is who you choose to be in the face of it.Commit to Be: With your plan in hand, ask yourself: who do I have to be as a leader to weather these uncertain circumstances? Who do I have to be in the face of it all to have my life be the way I want it and to also contribute and make a difference in those places I can?The key is to start in your corner of the world. Write your plan. Ask your team to hold you accountable for following the plan, no matter what. Give up that you have to know right this minute "how" it will all play out, and let your commitments keep you focused. Are you committed to world peace? Then allow your family and business to be your contribution toward peace. Make your world one of respect, care, tolerance and love. With these and the other suggestions listed above, there is no way you can lose. Just a thought.