The Best Year of Your Career

By Paul Montelongo

Though 2003 is under way, we would all do well to focus on what we want to accomplish in this new year.

The prospects for the construction industry and related industries that support construction are very optimistic. 2003 should be another banner year for many of you entrepreneurs.

Interests rates are low, consumer confidence is on the rise and the overall economic environment seems to be turning the corner and headed in the right direction.

With this in mind, here are my top seven suggestions for having the best year of your life in your business.

1. Get out of the construction business. Hold on!!! The entrepreneurial contractor can no longer think of himself or herself as just a contractor. The primary nature of your business activities is to market and promote your services and products. Bill Gates and Donald Trump are not in the software and apartment rental business, respectively. They both wake up in the morning and decide how they plan to "market and promote" their business. Hence, your mind set should shift from being a contractor to establishing yourself as a premier promoter of what you do.

2. Network more. The broader your network of contacts, the deeper your database, and the more contacts you have can result in more business. Can you serve on a committee in your association that will enhance your credibility? Could you get more value out of your Chamber of Commerce membership by attending one extra mixer each month? What would happen if you met another attorney, accountant, police officer, judge, mechanic, webmaster, plumber, priest or septic system designer? Each of these individuals knows someone who can refer business to you and you can do the same for them.

3. Connect more with your customers, vendors and prospects. Extra sales are made by staying in contact with people you may sometimes take for granted. Send a thank you card, a box of chocolates, a restaurant gift certificate, a potted plant or a pair of tickets to the movies to your customers. Extend kindness and a sincere thank you to your prospects with a small token that makes a huge impression. Your constant visibility in front of these folks will reap huge dividends.

4. Be more organized. Everyone knows this. It is basic. However, in the hustle and bustle of doing business, we forget to get organized for the next day, week or month. Simple "to-do" lists help. Itemized goals with time targets work wonders. The best way to get organized each day is to answer the question, "What is most important to do today?" Working to arrange your business day around the answer to this question will help you stay organized and you will feel like you are on task throughout the day.

5. Get more education. Read at least two books a month. That is twenty four by the end of the year. Attend at least one professional seminar each quarter. Obtain extra certification or licensing for your business. Listen to educational tapes or CD's while you drive around the city. By all means, watch less TV. I mean, do you really think "Joe Millionaire" or "The Bachelorette" has anything of value that will expand your mind or enhance your career?

6. Work less. Like most entrepreneurs, you may work sixty or seventy hours each week. Try working just one hour less each day and dedicating that hour to another area of your life. Go for a walk, play tennis, get a massage, collect stamps or pick up a simple hobby. Do something to balance your life. During this time, turn off your cell phone, shut down your email and enjoy these moments of life balance. Sometimes being "present" means you must be "absent" (from your business).

7. Do what you love. Stop the insanity of doing what you hate. You will be so much more productive when you focus on doing the work you absolutely love. Let someone else do the tasks that drain you. Hire it out or barter with someone who enjoys doing what you don't enjoy. You will find that your level of creativity and productivity will shoot straight up when you are doing what you love the majority of the time.

These few simple suggestions will result in more profits for you in 2003. Feel free to check this list from time to time. Use it as a reminder of everything you wish to create this year. Enjoy and prosper.