Every year, as the clock winds down on the current year and we anticipate the revelry of the ball dropping as we kiss that special someone at the stroke of midnight, I take the opportunity to sit down and do some good old-fashioned soul searching.

While most people focus on New Year’s resolutions, I encourage you to take time in the next few days – before things get really busy in the new year – for personal introspection instead.

As a business strategist, I could jump into the ineffectiveness of New Year’s resolutions, but you already know that wishful resolutions scarcely materialize without a solid sense of who we are, what we want, and what’s most important to us. In order to gain that, we must prioritize thoughtful reflection.

In fact, with 40+ years of business experience, I have found that self-reflection often goes hand-in-hand with success.

“Taking time to reflect back on the road we’ve taken to get here, and to appreciate every bump for the lessons they teach, can be incredibly helpful. Applying those lessons in ways that help us push forward, to progress in our goals, can be invaluable.”  –Gabriel Bristol

As we’ve seen what has happened to too many companies in 2020, in business there are a lot of factors beyond your control, which can sometimes make following through on your action plans daunting or disheartening. But – and this is key – you’ve got invaluable resources right at your fingertips.

I challenge you to look inward and identify what your God-given gifts and talents are.

With the right guidance, you can learn to use your natural resources to grow yourself and your business. When you do your part by learning to consistently utilize these gifts, and maintain the right mindset, opportunities will inevitably open for you.

Learning to actualize your God-given potential is, in itself, a skill that requires practice. Here are a few helpful points that will bring you closer to capitalizing on these gifts:

Focus on Your Strengths.

Now, this may seem straightforward, but it’s incredibly easy to get sucked into a negative mindset. By shifting your focus and making a conscious effort to concentrate on your strengths, you put yourself in a positive headspace that will allow you to thrive.

One way to do this is to look back at the past 10 years and think about what you’re most proud of. What obstacles have you overcome? What accomplishments do you consider to be a part of your legacy? Within your answers, your greatest strengths will be clear.

Exercise Your Unique Gifts.

Determine what you do well, and then do it again and again. As you succeed, it will give you the self-confidence to tackle other areas that may not be your strongest suits.

Look ahead to 2021 and create a plan for using your unique gifts to the best of your ability this year. How can you utilize your gifts in new ways? And what do you need – in time or support – to allow you to focus on what you do well?

Dare to be Different.

Don’t make the crippling mistake of trying to fit into a box to get ahead. Embrace the unique person you are. By being yourself, both personally and professionally, your confidence and authenticity will ultimately attract the right kind of people and opportunities into your life.

I want to share a story that illustrates this point. Back when I started my coaching business, the industry standard had very little to do with service – there was no focus on servant leadership, serving clients, or serving the community. I was really taken aback by that because I had spent my entire career with the opposite mindset. I had the renegade perspective that my job as a coach was to serve, and that set me apart from the pack. Now, 7 years later, many coaches have shifted to a service mindset and that’s where the industry is heading. The way I see it, it is the only way to do business and I’m so glad I dared to be myself.

Welcome Criticism.

Learning to cope with criticism is one of those tools that can, quite literally, transform your life. Have the humility to listen to those you respect and be open to hearing different viewpoints than your own. That doesn’t mean you need to win everyone’s approval, but sometimes constructive criticism can help you overcome roadblocks that hold you back from success.

Now is the time to seize your New Year energy and enthusiasm to cultivate the gifts you have within you. By doing so consistently, you are setting yourself up to achieve great things this year.

Need help taking action, setting effective benchmarks, maintaining the right mindset, and learning the sales strategies that will catapult your business this year? If you’re ready to make 2021 the year you finally Double Plus your income, contact me today to create a plan that allows your God-given strengths to shine today and well into the new decade.

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Celeste Giordano’s mission is to help business owners develop the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary to “DoublePlus^TM” their income and become effective and inspirational leaders in their fields. Whether it’s taking your successful business to the next level or starting a new venture, she will teach you the exact skills and strategies you need to enroll more quality prospects, build a rock-solid team, and break through obstacles to achieve real profit and lasting success. Celeste is a professional business growth specialist, a master sales strategist, and dynamic speaker with 40 years experience in direct sales and managing high-performing teams.

To learn more about Celeste, click here.

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At Celeste Giordano Coaching, I work with each client to implement the strategies they’ve been missing that will enable them to break through barriers preventing them from the success they know they are capable of. Contact me today to find your future clients who just don’t know what they’re missing.