On January 2, I drove to work after a nice holiday vacation, my head swirling with clarity and focus, ideas and goal setting; ready to seize the opportunity in the power of the new year. As my thoughts began to organize themselves into departments, people, whys, hows, and priorities, it quickly unraveled. I began thinking of the whirlwind of 2018 and the things that I did not get done, the goals and objectives that I had and failed to fully execute.  

“STOP!”, I told myself.  Yes, I talk to myself. I am a big believer that self-talk, what you tell yourself, is one of the biggest influencers of your outcomes, actions, and how you feel. As a leader in an organization, positive self-talk and focus on a successful vision that you control is important to your effectiveness and ability to engage the team in the thriving future ahead, the vision.    

If you are unfamiliar with the concept of self-talk or find yourself beating yourself up and/or not encouraging yourself, take control of your thoughts and your self-talk. The following article by LaRae Quy, Why Self-Talk Is The Most Powerful Hack In The World, explains and offers eight useful tips to empower yourself and your mind for 2019. “Energy follows attention—wherever your attention is focused, your energy will follow. If your inner critic is beating you up about a failure, your failing will be the one thing you focus on.”

Change and challenge, coupled with on-going CAT situations throughout the year, seemed to be a hallmark for many restorers. Michelle Blevins summed up 2018 in December’s edition of R&R's 2018 State of the Industry article, an important and relevant snap shot of the industry. The restoration industry is not unique in being an industry full of rapid change, evolution, external pressures, changing demands, work force struggles, and it is not necessarily that 2018 as a year was unique. However, it seems that it all adds up to a little more pressure on ourselves and our companies to get more done, evolve, and do it fast. 

New technology, process, changing demands of external parties and those we serve, work force challenges, and for many high loss volumes throughout the year may leave some of us feeling a little behind the ball. Shake it off, celebrate, and get to work on the future. 

Take a moment and enjoy one of my favorite motivational compilations that will get you and your team moving in the right direction: How Great I Am.  When I feel defeated, I tell myself to figure out it and hear the voice of Rocky:

“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!”

― Sylvester Stallone, Rocky Balboa

You can make it a happy year. Challenges create opportunity. There are no short cuts or magic bullets to get you moving in the direction of your vision.  Deliberate action, execution, drive for results will take you far. 

Keep your mind strong and positive as you take on 2019.

Happy Restoring Success.