MPowerment Matters

A Lingering Look Back at 2007

December 2007

A backward glance……….

As we reach the end of another year, we can take a moment to look back over our shoulder and reflect on 2007; see all that we have accomplished or failed to accomplish; all of the goals reached and those that remain.

We can examine how we handled certain situations, and now, with some perspective, understand how we might have done things differently to achieve a better result. We can pore over how we prioritized our goals and activities and determine how that worked out for us.

Apply what we learned……

We can continue to learn from what we already did.

Over the course of a year there is much that befalls us. Things happen to us and around us. In some instances we are willing participants and in others we are bit players. But did we find ourselves in too many bad or uncomfortable situations that we “wrote off” as “not my fault?” If so, perhaps taking another look at our role in each of those situations will give us some new insight.

We can continue to gain insight from what has already occurred.


Looking ahead……..

One thing we must do from one year to the next- we must move forward. We must put one foot in front of the other and “keep on truckin’”- I knew I would get a Grateful Dead line into one of my newsletters this year.

Now is a great time to think about where you would like to be, what you would like to have achieved at this time next year. Then put together some written, concrete goals to get you there.

So, take a moment and close your eyes and imagine that it is December 2009. Just one month ago we elected a new President. With a satisfied feeling you look back at all you accomplished. List your accomplishments. Describe where you stand as you get ready for 2010. Now, compare that to where you are right now. Can you figure out how to get from where you are right now to where you want to be one year from now?



If you need help……..

If you can’t manage this process alone, Management Mpowerment Associates can work with you on goal setting and planning. Successful people set goals and hold themselves accountable to them.

I urge you all to check out my blog at www.entrepreneursmentor.net. I would love to see your names pop up on some comments. Thanks.


Being the end of the year, I want to offer my “Favorites” lists in a few areas.

Favorite Business Books of 2007

• The Secret Language of Leadership by Stephen Denning
• What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith
• The Dream Manager by Matthew Kelly
• Doing What Matters by James Kilts
• The Power of Story by James Loehr
• Influencer by Patterson, Grenny, et al.
• Blind Spots by Claudia Shelton
• Mavericks at Work by William Taylor & Polly LaBarre
• How Doctors Think by Jerome Groopman, MD
• Break from the Pack by Oren Harari

Favorite Business Journals of 2007

• Harvard Business Review
• Fast Company
• Knowledge at Wharton
• Gallup Management Journal

Favorite Blogs of 2007

www.entrepreneursmentor.net of course I love this one- it’s mine
www.allthingsworkplace.com
www.blog.guykawasaki.com
http://bobsutton.typepad.com
www.managingleadership.com/blog
http://cultivategreatness.com
http://inspired.entrepreneur.com

www.politico.com
www.farecast.com
http://trailfire.com

Favorite Music of 2007

Eddie Vedder – Into the Wild
Stephen Marley- Mind Control
Justin Timberlake-FutureSex
Lucinda Williams-West
Wilco-Sky Blue Sky
Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals – Lifeline
Neil Young- Chrome Dreams II
Bettye LaVette- Scene of the Crime
Wu-tang Clan- 8 Diagrams
Timbaland- Shock Value
Mavis Staples- Down in Mississippi
Band of Horses-Everything all the Time
Lily Allen- All right Still
Mark Knopfler and Emmy Lou Harris- All the Road Running
Michael Franti- Songs from the Front


Favorite Television Shows of 2007

The Closer
Saving Grace
Boston Legal
Damages
30 Rock
The Office
Weeds
Curb Your Enthusiasm

Favorite Movies of 2007

Alpha Dog
Breach
Zodiac
The Hoax
Fracture
The Bourne Ultimatum
Eastern Promises
Into the Wild
American Gangster
No Country for Old Men

No matter how busy we are, there is time to enjoy life. We all know the importance of balance. Make sure you focus on that in 2008.