Parlay Your Wisdom

What’s your greatest business or blogging realization of 2008? Let’s give a great gift of wisdom to one another.

To realize means coming to understand something clearly and distinctly.

The time to act on a fresh realization is soon after its awakening. There’s an energy there that can be harnessed to drive positive change.  Feel the power in these synonyms for realization: enlivening, recognition, vigilance, alertness, quickening.

Yet when we fail to act, or fail to come to a decision based on the realization, it’s power diminishes.

Once aware, you have the power to act.  A realization is new wisdom, new awareness.  Realizing and not acting is walking away and leaving money on the table.

Even if your realization is personal, it can be parlayed into better business building.

What’s my greatest realization?

Getting a jump on things is essential to my personal productivity, project completions and peace of mind.

What do you need to do differently in order to capitalize on your realization? What do you need to do more of? What do you need to do less of?

My answer:

1). I’m better served to make decisions based on pre-determined, required, criteria, rather than saying yes to unplanned offers, distractions and unexpected opportunities that may not fit my criteria.

2).  I need to decide sooner, act more swiftly, and focus on chosen priorities more often.  This will help me get a jump on things and stay ahead of the game.   I need to determine how I’ll know I’m winning and keep my lead.  I function better with momentum, rather than coming from behind.  I no longer respond well to adrenaline based deadlines.

As solopreneurs, realizations are essential to business success because our personal productivity is the main driver and cause of our business productivity.

What about you? Are you willing to share this gift of wisdom?

What is your greatest business or blogging realization of 2008?

What do you need to do differently in order to capitalize on your realization? What do you need to do more of? What do you need to do less of?

For extra authenticity credit, consider answering one or more of the above questions before reading the other comments.

Comments

  1. Chrystal K. says

    Very good observations. Maybe it’s time for me to do some reflecting.

  2. Hi Tom – My biggest realization from 2008 is I need to set better priorities both for my business and blogging activities. Having learned that blogging can often be more fun than my work activities, I often blog first, work later. I’ve realized I need to flip those activities so I can truly enjoy blogging knowing my work responsibilities are done each day.

    Now it’s just a matter of using discipline. Wish me luck! 🙂

    Barbara Swafford – Blogging Without A Blogs last blog post..It’s A Time For Celebration

  3. I think the most important realization that I got and shared on my blog for 2008 was that I had been playing small and insignificant with my talents. I didn’t feel as capable as everyone else. My guides let me know that it was time to build my self worth and to be all that I was capable of being. I was told to “Quit playing small and insignificant.” because that wasn’t me. 2008 was a big year for personal growth and a shift of attitude for me.

    Patricia – Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworkers last blog post..Gratitude—No New Year’s Resolutions For Me

  4. Suzanne @ vAssistant Services says

    Geez, Tom – you want me to pick just one?? Uhhh….

    Ok, here it is: I am more capable, more successful, more able to create my best life than I give myself credit for!

    What do you need to do differently in order to capitalize on your realization?

    Give myself more credit. I need to make more public the accolades I receive from happy clients, so coming in 2009 are testimonials from my clients to be published on my site. The only person not tooting my horn is me – and that’s just silly! It’s my horn, for goodness sake!

    What do you need to do more of?

    Trust myself. Have faith in myself. I need to say ‘No’ more to projects that don’t ‘float my boat’, as my dad would say, and seek out work that does. Just because I can do things for clients, doesn’t mean I have to. Saying ‘no’ makes more room for the ‘yeses’ that bring joy into my life.

    What do you need to do less of?

    Looking outside me for the answers. They’re all in here, inside of me. When I look back over this year, I see that all the really important answers I sought, the ones that made a difference to me, my life and my business, came from within. (Though you did your fair share of helping me ferret them out! Thanks for that!)

    Ok, now I’m going to scroll up and read. 🙂

    Suzanne @ vAssistant Servicess last blog post..How to Automate Registrations and Payment for Your Paid Products and Services – Part 4

  5. Hi Tom. My biggest realization for 2008 is that when I’m excited about what I’m doing, there really is no failure.

  6. Biggest realisation. To make money I’m going to need to sell my own stuff (my traffic is too small to make much from advertising, there aren’t many affiliate products I can wholeheartedly endorse).

    Follow-up thought (2 days old) I’ll need to have some lower maintenance ways to make money than doing courses (they would become too time consuming).

    I’ve run my own course for the first time. I’m revising the free report to publicise it for the next one. I’m thinking that I probably need to sell information – ebooks and am thinking of topics to write on. (The actual writing isn’t too hard for me once I know the form of what I want to do.) This is the more of. Probably not a lot of less of.

    Evans last blog post..Authenticity Carnival

  7. Jarrod - Warrior Development says

    Wonder less, blog more.

    Jarrod – Warrior Developments last blog post..It’s Ok to Suck as Long as you Suck Less over Time

  8. I need to do more connecting with other smart people. There are so many great people with blogs and other mediums that I become so excited. Just reaching out and making sure that they know I exist and can help them.

    I need to do less browsing around the internet on things that don’t really help me realize my goals. A little surfing is fun, but too much and I’ve wasted a whole night.

    Karl Staib – Work Happy Nows last blog post..Day 29 of 30 – No Complaining – Listen to Your Fear

  9. My realization is it’s okay to show my colors. I know I’ve been teaching this myself — “Your uniqueness is your asset, my friend.” — but I think I’d been still playing the straight A student before. Now I want to go one step deeper. I’ll make my point in my blog regardless of the potential controversy.

    That is my action statement. I also want to add to it, that it’s okay to laugh at myself. Don’t we all love a good laugh a few times a day? If someone wants to laugh at what I have to say honestly, be my guest.

  10. It’s less about what you work on, and it’s more about who you work with.

    J.D. Meiers last blog post..The Change Frame

  11. I need to begin focusing on what I know, and what brings a living to my family. I get too caught up in learning the latest methods or tools, and over analysing my next move. Its all about finding customers and filling their needs. I am facing my third layoff in three years, with two different companies. Its time for me to get off of the fence and stop being a slave to an employer.

  12. Here’s to an Outstanding 09 to All

    Thanks all for having the wisdom to know and the courage to share what you’ve learned. I always enjoy looking at prevailing themes.

    Reading our realizations so far I see these themes.

    1). Greater practiced authenticity, playing a bigger game, going within, expressing and celebrating more of who you are – Akemi, Suzanne and Patricia.

    2). Personal Productivity – greater focus, priorities, produce more, choices and focus – Jarrod, Tony, Tom, Karl and Barbara.

    3). Smarter Connection – from JD and Karl.

    4). Themes of their own.
    Evan – produce and sell his own stuff.
    Davina – Follows her own energy to success.

  13. My biggest realization came early in the year – finding my voice and passion. I was involved with different groups and acting in a way I thought I should be acting and offering services I thought I should be offering. Once I came to terms and admitted that wasn’t my passion my world opened up tremendously. Now I speak, write and develop programs/products based on my voice, knowledge and passion. And I look forward to continuing with that voice in 2009. It’s a much more comfortable way to live!

    Happy New Year!

    Stacey Shipmans last blog post..10 Ways to Meditate without Meditating…Or how to find peace and balance

  14. Tim Brownson says

    I think for me it was the realization about 8 or 9 months ago that content is not king when it comes to blogging. That some of the really successful blogs have stunningly average content but are marketed brilliantly.

    Content helps of course, but if you don’t get your marketing right you’re dead in the water. I’m kinda floating around at the moment 😉

    Tim Brownsons last blog post..Why New Years Resolutions Fail

  15. Talk about what you care about, not what you think people want to hear. Controversy is better than being bland.

    Telling a story your own way is more important than telling a unique story. The Internet is big; uniqueness is rare. But your readers want to hear your experiences, your take, your approach.

    Jason Cohens last blog post..Distinguishing constructive criticism from bad business advice

  16. Open Search Project says

    My biggest realization is that I’m not going to be great at everything I do, and just to just try hard at the things I’m not, and be happy with the results.

  17. Jessica Bradbury says

    the realization to continue focus on result oriented actions for my online business; and to look for more ways to constantly improve my sites and blogs.

    Jessica Bradburys last blog post..Looking for Credit Advice?

  18. What is your greatest business or blogging realization of 2008?
    Right now I’m in the process of developing professional development to present this summer. I have never done this without the backing of a school district. I am surprised at the negative self talk and hesitancy I am experiencing. My realization is the surprise as to how much I must have depended on the safety net of a school district. I am still the same person with actually more freedom to develop this how I want to. But I don’t have their resources to fall back on.

    What do you need to do differently in order to capitalize on your realization?
    I need to recognized the negative self talk and then move past it. I think understanding the root of it is helpful. I need to use a flow chart to work through all the steps of getting this done so I make executing the PD more systematic instead of letting myself feel overwhelmed by it. My partner really thinks I can pull off anything so she is very encouraging with this and her excitement has fueled my desire to make it happen.

    What do you need to do more of? What do you need to do less of?

    I need to do more tapping away the anxiety. I also need to do more visualization of pulling it off successfully. I need to do less doubting of myself.

  19. …that if you fail to follow your heart, your life will be a mess. We have the power to ignore the mess for only so long before BOOM, something big happens that makes you look again at the direction the heart is pointing. Make it easy, listen to the heart in the first place!

    Jays last blog post..It is All About Humanity- New Year’s Resoultions for a Better World

  20. Ian Peatey says

    Biggest blogging realisation … that there’s a whole mass of wisdom, inspiration and community out there. I’d never read a blog let alone written one until August this year.

    What I need to do differently? Get much more organised with what I take in (read, review, look at etc.) and what I put out (writing posts, comments etc.). More writing and sharing. Less wasting time cruising around the virtual world at random. More thinking and creating and less chasing my statistics every day.

    Ian Peateys last blog post..Success: I received an award and other celebrations

  21. Hi Tom…

    Thought-inspiring post…hmmm, my greatest realization is to write without rules as always and let it flow from the depth of my soul…no matter if it’s not the most popular “phlog”:)

    For a brief moment I allowed myself to get entangled with all the “cyber how-to’s, etc” and found myself lost and being sucked into a vortex…and in the end, though I wrote, it wasn’t true from within which left me unfulfilled to say the least.

    Good thing is…I am grateful for the lesson learned:)

    Happy Everything,
    Henie

    Henies last blog post..Henie Made a Penny!

  22. Jay – Pointing to his head but following his heart. 🙂 Yep good one sir. This time last year I was still partly following another drummer. This year it’s all me.

    Ian – Great advice for all new bloggers. I’m impressed that you got there so quickly. Wish you well – that balance is a bear.

    Laurie – Many newly self-employed folks face that same puzzle. You’d think that we’d be more energized once on our own. Keep at it. The next step will always surface. The fear is just a part of you that’s questioning your capacity. You are more than enough to charge forward right now.

    Jessica – Welcome and well wishes for your constant improvement.

    Tim – I saw that wink. You’ve got your marketing shit together from what I’ve noticed. I think your realization is spot on.

    Open – Why do I find it weird writing to a project name? Can’t you guys identify yourself? Maybe it out to be called Closed Search Project. 😉 Kidding aside, thanks for the visit and the strength based realization.

    Jason – Your realization is dripping with authenticity and one I always need to focus on. Bottom line if we do that – all is well.

    Stacey – Gotta love passion! Makes you wonder why we even mess around with anything less. You go girl! Shine like crazy – the right folks will show up.

  23. My greatest realization is that I have found an incredible community through the power of blogging. I’d like to work with others to generate win-win opportunities.

    Stacey / Create a Balances last blog post..Sending You An Enthuse Muse

  24. Hi Tom,
    My biggest realization is that connections happen – one at a time, through honest and heartfelt communication. That it’s about being real, listening, and taking the time to really feel…

    Here’s to even more and exciting realizations in this new year we’re embarking upon…

    Lances last blog post..Think And Grow Rich

  25. LifeMadeGreat | Juliet says

    Hi Tom

    I think for me the realisation is that if I don’t move on despite my fears or lack of self-confidence I am actually not going to get anywhere. I have and am doing this. It’s been quite liberating, if scary (very, extremely scary).

    Thanks for the probing topic – very constructive.

    Juliet

    LifeMadeGreat | Juliets last blog post..What Is The Meaning Of New Year?

  26. Hi Tom

    I don’t know whether my biggest business realisation for 2008 is really a realisation, or more a confirmation of things I realised a while ago.

    I guess the BIGGEST would be the awesomeness of finding that when you do the thing you are passionate about yourself, it really helps other people. The business connection comes from seeing more customers come because of all this “helping”.

    My partner Frank and I run an open mic night at a popular groovy pub in Melbourne. Frank does the sound engineering, and I organise it. The people who perform are ECSTATIC about the opportunity to perform in a friendly, caring and technically competent environment, and are very grateful. Then they decide they need CDs made, and they come to Frank, to record in our studio.

    Everyone who has come through our studio – whether they are from the open mic or not – is very, very, happy to have a quality recording done at an affordable price, and also that they felt comfortable working with Frank – you can’t perform well if you don’t feel comfortable!

    The same sort of thing happens when Frank mixes live bands – about 2 or 3 times a week, on average.

    My point is that Frank and I are simply doing what we ourselves love doing. We live totally “selfish” lives – flitting about pleasing ourselves. It astonishes us that we are truly helping people so much, just from pleasing ourselves. We have both come from a background of doing things we didn’t want to do for a living – so we are thrilled that money is coming in from things we are passionate about.

    I also have a substantial annual income from books I have had published, and the story there is similar – I was trying to eek out an income doing things I wanted to do, when I fell into book writing.

    So what do I need to do more? We have plans for expansion of the “music services” things we do – so we need to get on with them! So I guess my answer isn’t really any different to yours, Tom – I need to get on with implementing ideas right away!

    Cheers – Robin

    Robins last blog post..What If? The Movie – Clip 4

  27. Stacey – Ah, the community realization – bravo!

    Henie – Welcome – Cheers for authentic writing!

    Lance – Warm and powerful, just like you. 🙂

    Juliet – Yep that’s a biggie. Bold action works, come on in, the water is fine.

    Robin – Well said, you and Frank have lined up things very well from the inside out. 09 is your time for action.

  28. Tom,

    This post made me do some thinking. I’m making a lot of changes in my life right now and some are scary, but they feel right! And that’s what I’ve been working on regarding realizations.

    My greatest realization from 2008 is to pay attention to what life/the universe is telling me and not get caught up in what I think I should be or do. When I do this, things seem to flow so much easier.

    I also realize that when I feel I’m going in the right direction, I need to commit to my goals and not just be a leaf blowing in the wind.

    It’s a balancing act.

    Thanks for the post…

    Sara

    Saras last blog post..Happy New Year: clean your life closet!

  29. Sara – Those are powerful realizations. The Universe is always nudging us in a certain direction but we can override that wisdom with by instead listening to what we think we should do. It’s also very wise of you to commit to following all the way through on your goals. Without completion we don’t get the benefit of reward.

  30. It is foolish to sit on a great idea when it the moment strikes. I always try to keep a pen and paper nearby to right my good idea’s in case I cannot act on them right away.

  31. Taylor – Welcome. Yep when we get that flash of inspiration we need to capture it so we can act on it later. I love tape recorders because then I can play them back and hear the excitement form when the idea first appeared.

  32. As a person evolves to love and accept everything about him or herself, then everything that person does is meaningful and the urge to judge better or worse dissolves. Everything becomes useful experience and the vision of hierarchy disappears.

    Liara Coverts last blog post..5 Ways to gain new insight into the real you

  33. Liara – That’s quite the evolutionary realization you’ve come to. Very true and very wise. Awareness with that acceptance would seem to be an unbeatable combination. Powerful stuff, thank you.

  34. Hi Tom, excellent observation. I think as entrepreneurs, it is very important to constantly self explore and understand what makes us tick as individuals. Understanding this will enable us to better perform and leverage our strengths while figuring out ways to correct our weaknesses.

    My biggest realization in 2008 is how important constant learning is to business development and personal growth.

    Matt Thomass last blog post..Book Review: The Art of Learning

  35. The most important thing is to not stray from your path even in the face of resistance…no path to success was ever smooth.

Leave a Reply to Jessica Bradbury Cancel reply

*