The Green Globe: First Quarter Earnings

First Quarter Earnings

April 1 is the beginning of the second quarter of 2007. If you have a retirement account or some other investment, you will soon be receiving your Quarterly Statement telling you how your investment performed during the first three months of the year. If we valued our time as much as our money, we might track our personal performance as meticulously as investors track our financial performance.

With that in mind, I encourage you to take a few minutes to review the goals you outlined for yourself at the beginning or 2007. How would you rate your personal performance? Have you had a 'four star' quarter? Has your net income increased? Has your BMI (Body Mass Index) decreased? Are you on track for improved relationship performance? Is there an increased demand for your goods and services? If you did your homework at the beginning of the year, your goals would be clear and measurable and you'd be able to readily answer these questions. If on the other hand, you vaguely thought about what you'd like to do, you may not know whether you're headed for a banner year or a mediocre one.

This is a great time to reassess 'your portfolio' and if you're not happy with last quarter's performance, recapture your motivation and outline the specific steps you need to take to get you moving in the right direction.

A Winning Team

I don't know about you, but I hate asking for directions. I've asked myself what this is about... Is it that I relish the challenge of using a map and my wits to get me where I need to go? Is it a pioneering spirit? Or, do I simply not want to appear incompetent? It's probably some mix of all of these. And while asking for directions may not give you heartburn, you may have difficulty asking for help in some other way - and if we're not careful, our desire to be completely self-reliant, can hinder more than it helps us.

After all, athletes at the top of their game get help from others. Tiger Woods has a coach, Lance Armstrong had teammates, and NBA and NFL teams have cheerleaders. If these incredible athletes rely on others for their success, what makes us think it's better if we do it on our own?

A coach can be a friend, mentor, or professional life coach - anyone who keeps us focused on our goals and the bigger picture. If your goal is fitness, consider hiring a personal trainer. Even if you've worked out for years, the greater level of accountability is worth the investment.

Teammates are those who bring a particular interest to the achievement of a goal. Using the fitness example, seek out co-workers and others who enjoy working-out. Ask about their progress and their routine or invite them to be your work-out partner. Not only will the accountability help keep you both motivated, you may find it's more fun. Just make sure you stay focused on your goal; if they lose interest, you need to be ready to fly solo until you can find another partner.

Cheerleaders are those who are always positive and encouraging. They believe in us even when we doubt ourselves and can be especially valuable when we've suffered a set- back.

Call to Action! Invite your biggest cheerleader to lunch this week (preferably somewhere healthy if fitness is your goal!). It should be someone who energizes you and makes you feel as though anything is possible.

In the next issue where you'll hear from an incredible young woman who is about to embark on an incredible journey.