Redesigns, makeovers and other compelling changes

I just gave my website a face lift. When I announced it on Facebook and Twitter, I got 47 visits in the first hour (much higher traffic than a normal weekday hour). 95% of the content didn't change, just the appearance, and it drew people in at a much higher rate than any new bit of information.

There is something compelling about any sort of makeover. People are drawn to the story of reinvention. How many TV shows are there about home makeovers, personal makeovers and weight loss makeovers. (I don't know the answer to that, as I don't have a TV, but it seems like a lot). What are you doing to reinvent yourself? How will you create a better version of you this week? This month? This year?

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Take Advantage of Opportunities in 2011 [Video]

Many people have a lifelong dream of seeing the ball drop on New Year's Eve in Times Square. As much as I love events of worldwide importance, Times Square on New Year's Eve has never been my dream. In fact, I have resisted opportunities to go because of the crowds, the cold, and the extreme time commitment involved. However,when I was invited to a New Year's Eve office party that overlooks Times Square, it seemed like the perfect situation. A bird's eye view of the action without actually being in the crowd. We could hear the entertainment, see the ball drop, and even catch a few pieces of confetti as they floated through the air.

I knew I didn't want to see the ball drop from the crowded streets of Times Square, so eventually life presented an opportunity to participate on terms that worked better for me. Life offers what you need if you pay attention. It may not be the exact way you predicted, it may not be absolutely perfect, but when an opportunity presents itself, take advantage and do what you need to do to make it fit your terms.

In 2011, I hope that you will be more attuned to unexpected opportunities and take advantage of them.

For a peak at my view of the action, check out this video. (If you can't see it here, visit http://www.vimeo.com/18339472)

 

Contact Dawn to get your FREE 25-minute phone coaching session to set your resolutions, or give your resolutions a complete kick-start. Get the details.

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Beware: Practice Makes Perfect

The thing about resolutions is that you have to remember to do them. One of the benefits of Leveraging Consistency is that over time the resolutions become habits. And after they become habits you start a journey toward excellence in that area, as I mentioned in my last post. But what about the habits that you just fell into, and didn't make a conscious choice to incorporate into your life? The consistency could actually be harming you. One example is my daily bottle of Diet Coke. I am honestly not sure when it became daily, but it is now. I no longer consider whether I need it or whether it is good for me, I just drink it. Although I know that it is not a true necessity, I treat it as such, always buying it the night before so that I have it ready for the next day. I'm sure that the fine folks at the Coca-Cola Company are thrilled about this habit of mine, shared by millions of people, but it really can't be good for any of us.

As with good habits, bad habits become intuitive. They become a part of us. We perform these habits on autopilot. It's time to become truly aware of negative habits and start to make conscious choices again. Some of the habits might be observable actions, but some might be internal. I coached someone recently who realized that every time someone didn't do what he wanted, he withdrew from the situation and became angry. He is ready to start trying other strategies, like talking to the other person or writing in a journal or trying to see it coming before he is angry and make a different choice. Those are the habits that are harder to break, but they are also the ones that make a lasting impact.

With Great Resolve

'Tis the season for New Year's Resolutions. It is the time of year to assess what is missing from our daily lives and publicize to our friends what we intend to do about it. A resolution is embedded with possibility and hope. People imagine better lives when they make resolutions. They also communicate a certain baseline security with their current situation. After all, if you didn't even have food to eat or a roof over your head, you would hardly be resolving to watch the last 50 episodes of General Hospital (as one of my Facebook friends put into her status).

With new-found enthusiasm, we charge forward toward our goal, yet so few of us actually reach the goal. Why the low success rate? It doesn't seem to be for lack of necessary information. Any number of magazines and websites will tell you how to lower your weight, train for a marathon, or organize your home. It also doesn't seem to be for lack of desire. People appear sincere when sharing their resolutions. So what is it? Most people have not assessed their environment. They want to make a change, but Monday morning rolls around, vacation is over, and all of the same influences are upon them that caused them to not start that great new habit in the first place. When resolving to do something, consider the ways in which the people and places around you are supporting the old action (or inaction). Then, decide how you are going to deal with it. That's right, the world around you is not going to suddenly shift into place to create the ideal set of circumstances for you to train for a marathon, quit smoking, lose weight or watch 50 episodes of General Hospital. You need to make an internal change that allows you to be in the same world you've been in, with the added element of progress toward your resolution. Not sure how to do it? That's what a life coach is for. I'd love to help. www.DawnTrautman.com.