Electronic House Call - January 4, 2008

ELECTRONIC HOUSE CALL - January 4, 2008

Happy New Year ... and welcome to the first issue of the new Complimentary Edition of the EHC.

As promised last fall, I am shortening the free version to make it a faster read. If you miss the longer, more detailed format, you can subscribe to the Special Edition. There's more information on that below.

I will be in Florida most of next week to present a series of programs for the Florida Club Managers Association so if you want to reach me, e-mail will be your best bet.

HAPPY NEW YEAR
Now What?
The very idea of getting a whole new, clean, unblemished, untarnished, fresh year to work with is really cool. Whoever figured this "gimmick" out, here's to ya!

What a perfect opportunity to hit "Reset." Jettison last year's grudges and resentments. Forget the old year's disappointments, frustrations and mistakes. Carry over only the good stuff. Write out a new plan on clean white paper and have at it. I mean it. Write it out.

Here is a psychological trick: always back your car into its parking place. This way, every time you get started, you are already moving forward.

And make no mistake about it, the name of the game is moving forward. We have all screwed things up in our lives and we all grew up in dysfunctional households. Get over it.

The traumas of the past now have life only as memories and if you let them go, you can move ahead unencumbered. This business is tough enough without dragging any unnecessary baggage with you.

So form a clear picture of what you want this year to look like ... write out a plan of how you plan to pull it off ... and then start taking actions that will move you in that direction. (Hint: if you want different results you must take different actions than you did last year.)

You have the better part of 52 weeks left to work with. What are you going to do with them?

THE JANUARY SURVEY
What Keeps You Awake at Night?
Since we are starting a new year, the January survey asks about your biggest concern for 2008 and what you plan to do about it. I would also like to know what issues you would like to see addressed in future surveys.

As usual, I will send copies of the survey results to everyone who participates. In the meantime, you can download copies of all past EHC surveys -- including the massive WOW Ideas collections.

Add your thoughts to this month’s survey.

THE EHC SPECIAL EDITION
My original intent with the EHC was to make it short and sweet -- a two-minute read max. Over the years it has grown well past that simple goal, partially because I also viewed it as a resource for my Gold Group members.

As the required to read the EHC has expanded, so has the time required to put it together. While it is still very much a labor of love for me, I question how well it is serving your needs these days, particularly as the volume of e-mail increases.

I'm thinking that for some readers, less may actually be more. If the value of the EHC for you is to provide a quick lift and a fresh idea, then the current format is definitely overload. At the same time, others may find the range of articles and insights to be just the right dose of medicine. (I am the doctor, after all!)

So I changed the EHC format.

I will continue to offer the weekly EHC at no charge, but I am making the free version much shorter so you can read it quickly and get back to work. You should be able to get the gist of the message in close to my original two-minute goal.

If you want more, you can subscribe to the EHC Special Edition. It contains three times the information of the Complimentary Edition ... for a nominal annual subscription of $39 -- just 75 cents an issue!

To sweeten the deal even more, I am offering a SPECIAL BONUS to those who sign up for the Special Edition before the end of the month -- an offer so good that I actually end up paying YOU to upgrade! Click here to find out more.

The Special Edition is included as part of the Gold Group membership and participation in the Peak Performers Coaching Group.

The dual format lets you choose the level of information you can absorb. My hope is that the option of receiving as much -- or as little -- as you want will help the EHC remain a welcome resource that you look forward to reading.

Here's What You're Missing in This Week’s Special Edition:
-- New Year's Resolutions - why you don't keep them and what you can do about it.
-- Who Do You Trust? -why you can't afford a lapse in taking care of the details
-- The Perpetual Question - "What Did You Learn From Your Staff Today?"
-- Special Offers on management resources and services

You can subscribe to the Special Edition for just $39 a year -- that’s 52 weekly issues at a measly 75 cents each. Click here for more information.

LIGHTEN UP!
The Noble Experiment Continues
Here is the weekly report on my personal project to lighten up:

Goal: -50 Since 7/27: -16

After two weeks in Costa Rica and the temptations of the season, I am pleased to come out of the holidays several pounds lighter than I was at the end of November.

A growing number of folks have joined me in this audacious venture. I applaud their courage in "going public" and I will start holding their feet to the fire again next week.

Do you have a goal regarding your weight? Do you have the guts to put yourself on record? We all seem to get better results when there is someone or something to hold us accountable.

Mary Jo Beniger -- Goal: -25
Cindy Casady -- Goal: -30
Tom Combs -- Goal: -65
Chris Corrigan -- Goal: -25
Trice Micheals -- Goal: -50
Steve Ulrey -- Goal: -12
Bill Breslo -- Goal: +5

If you are interested in how it's going for us, scroll down to the bottom of the EHC each week and check out the progress. If you could care less, don't!