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2011 Business Growth Strategies #1: Think Different

Guest post by: Rebel Brown

Article Overview: Thinking differently is a big deal in today’s “new economy” and a key factor in powering 2011 success.

2011 Business Growth Strategies #1: Think Different

This week is the first week of a brand-new year. We all have resolutions and revelations about our personal selves and our businesses. My question is, "Are those resolutions based on our past, and gravity, or on our future and a path to growth?"

This week I'm sharing some easy, straightforward things you can do to check your gravity and shift 100% into growth mode - right now, in time for a big impact in 2011.

Today - I want to talk about thinking differently.

Thinking differently is a big deal in today's "new economy" and a key factor in powering 2011 success.

Why? Because the negative news, the down economy, the fear that permeates our world create limitations in our thinking. It's time to let those limitations go.

2010 was a tough year with lots of negative news. But 2010 also had significant successes. For many businesses. We just don't hear about those because success doesn't sell newspapers or media.

Success is all around us. Just look here, at the Zero Gravity businesses I've profiled in 2010. I have at least 100 more small businesses to profile and more appear on my radar every day.

Zero Gravity business leaders all share one key behavior.

They know how to think differently. They question the limitations of the past, they seek new opportunities in the present and they constantly shift their perspectives to stay in sync with their dynamic markets. They constantly ask "Why?" or "Why not?" depending on their circumstances. They push the envelope of the status quo, forget the past and break out into the ways of thinking and doing.

My question for you is, are you focused on the excitement of a new opportunity that comes with the new year? Or are you focused on the negative - defending and protecting against the tough times in your business (and personal) past?

2010 is behind you - it's behind all of us. So let it go. While you're at it, let go of 2009 and 2008 too. Focusing on what's behind you will not help your business succeed in 2011, anymore than a pilot focusing on what happened 300 miles back will help him fly the plane right now.

What matters today is today - and the future. Yes, we can bring forward the lessons learned that are VALUABLE. But we can also let the rest go. Dragging along woe is me, negative vibes doesn't help anything. It does prevent you from seeing your future clearly.

2011 is a new year. We can think about it, and live it, as we choose.

• We can choose to see it as a continuation of the same challenges and problems from 2010. Or we can choose to see 2011 as a year filled with new opportunity.

• We can choose to continue to do things the way we've always done them, and wonder why it's not working. Or we can shift our perspectives, see our business through fresh eyes - and find new ways of thinking and doing.

• We can choose to hang on to what's comfortable - even if it is negative. Or we can step up to challenge our comfort zone with new ideas, critical perspectives and brave new approaches.

What do you choose for 2011?

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Article Tags: business growth, business growth strategies, gravity, new economy, think different, thinking differently



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Different Hats - CEO Sales & Marketing & Leadership Development Company Strategic Vision 10 Alliances & Growth Strategies 10 Hiring & Managing People 8 Mentoring 8-9 Strategic Planning for Clients 10 Execution of Marketing Campaigns 9-10 (i have great people who do the nitty gritty) Financial Management 9 Bookkeeping 3 (outsourced as I really hate the fine details like GST0 Administrative Follow Up 6-7 (again have great staff) Writing & Publishing 9 (getting better all the time!) Speaking 10 (so I have been told) Self Promotion 9-10 Web development & Promotion 6-7 (learning more and have brought on players who are 10+) Babysitting Employees (1 - wont do it, that's why I work so hard to hire and motivate the people I have) Great topic Kevin!! Jude
My entry - 1. The Best Business Books Ever: The 100 Most Influential Business Books You'll Never Have Time to Read - this is a fascinating book about the history of Business theory, and I'd recommend it to anybody. 2. The Big Book of Small Business: You Don't Have to Run Your Business by the Seat of Your Pants, by Tom Gegax. Ditto. 3. PADI: The Business of Diving Book Okay, so this book won't be of use to anyone who doesn't want to start a scuba store, but I did, and this book was of course invaluable to me in reaching that goal.
Merry Christmas everyone! - I'm just waiting for my son to wake up to start our Christmas traditions and I wanted to drop a quick note here to thank everyone for your support of the forums. We've have an exciting year and hopefully we can reach and help even more entrepreneurs in 2011! I hope you enjoy your families and have a fantastic holiday break... and then get ready to kick some butt with your business in 2011! Merry Christmas everyone!
Re: FREE Toronto Referral Workshop - Kevin, I'll try to get a copy of the slides and summarize the 14 Strategies. Stay tuned!
Re: Did you meet your goals in 2010? - Hey Yinka, I met some of my goals, but I didn't meet others. One of my goals was to get out of debt. I managed to do so, only to get back into debt due to an unforeseen circumstance. Business-wise, I didn't quite reach the goals I had; although, I came much closer than I did back in 2009. At least it was an improvement, and I expect to reach my goals for 2011. Best wishes for you, and I hope you can reach all the goals you set.


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