Perhaps you have heard this definition of insanity: “Doing the same thing over and over and expecting to get different results. “ Unfortunately, too many financial service professionals act as though they have never heard those words.
What are you going to do differently in 2011?
Are you going to take advantage of this New Year to start doing things differently? Unless 2010 was your best year ever—and even if it was—there are undoubtedly some changes that you should be considering that have the potential to take your business to the next level.
The start of a new year is a great time to evaluate your book of business.
Who do you want to do business with?
Another question that’s just as important: Who in your book do you no longer want to do business with?
The start of a new year is a great time to schedule annual review appointments with your “A Clients.”
How much business do your “A” clients provide your business?
Where should you be spending your time?
The start of a new year is a great time to practice Stephen Covey’s admonition to “Begin with the end in mind.”
Where do you want to end the year in 2011?
What is your plan to get there?
Will your current activity level get you there?
Traditionally, we all make New Year’s resolutions, and just as traditionally, we fail to keep those promises to ourselves. In 2011, let’s make a resolution to work on our business, not only in our business.
Do you need to find ways to do more with fewer resources?
Do you need to hire the assistant you always said you would have by now?
Do you need to upgrade your knowledge base by completing the professional designation program most meaningful to your growth and development as an insurance professional?
Do you need to find new markets or expand the markets you currently serve, or is this the year that you specialize, passing off C Clients to an associate and spending all your time on A Clients, or those B clients with potential?
One of the icons of this business, Charlie “Tremendous” Jones, once said, “You will be the same person in five years as you are today, except for three things: the people you associate with, the tapes you listen to and the books you read?”
Who are you going to associate with in 2011? What tapes are you going to listen to? What books will you read? Who will you become in 2011?
Last New Year’s, I wrote an article for
In 2011, I invite you regain your sanity and to remember the slogan from the old advertisement for the U.S. Army: “Be All You Can Be.”
Kevin Lynch, CLU®, ChFC®, RHU®, REBC®, CASL®, CAP®, LUTCF, CFP®, is an assistant professor of insurance at The American College in Bryn Mawr, Pa. He also is the host of "Wealth Today," a featured presentation on
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