It’s amazing how one day on the calendar can cause so much commotion when faced with a new year when in reality, it’s just another day. The good news with these celebratory holidays is that they help us reflect, set goals and look forward to the future. Each year seems to feel like a reset button where you learn from your mistakes and also celebrate your successes. Either way, it’s a chance to enter the year with a new perspective and determination.
You cannot start the year without hearing about all the resolutions people make. A resolution is defined as a firm decision to do or not do something. The term “firm” in the case of most resolutions I believe is a little optimistic. As we know, most people who set new resolutions and goals have a hard time sticking with them, forget the objective, or get in the same patterns they were in previous years. I think something more drastic and impactful is needed to set and meet bigger goals. Instead of a resolution, we need a revolution.
A revolution can be defined as a fundamental change in organizational structures (which could be you or your employer) that takes place in a relatively short period of time when the population (you) rises up in revolt against the current authorities (your actions or those of your employer). So the question to ask yourself is … where do you need to make a change in your behavior or in your career? What are you doing that is hurting your productivity? Is it time to consider another employer, environment or start your own business?
To start a revolution, you need to be a leader and you need to have guts. It doesn’t take people, you can do this independently. You need to set strong goals and objectives, make no excuses, work on your weaknesses and build on your strengths. Reject your own behavior that limits productivity and embrace changes that will maximize it. Recruit positive influences and people in your life and deny the negative. Be bold, clear and never give up. The time for a significant change is now and 2017 is your year … time to take it!
Andy W. Harris, CRMS is president and owner of Lake Oswego, Ore.-based Vantage Mortgage Group Inc. and past president of the Oregon Association of Mortgage Professionals. He may be reached by phone at (877) 496-0431, e-mail [email protected] or visit VantageMortgageGroup.com.
This article originally appeared in the January 2017 print edition of National Mortgage Professional Magazine.
