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Volume 6, Issue 1, January 2007
PROACTIVE NOT REACTIVE Well January is that time of the year that everyone thinks about making New Year's Resolutions or goals for their life for a better future. Although I believe in goal setting as a good thing, many people set their goals, make up their minds that this time they are going to actually follow through with their goals. Then comes March or April and those well intended goals seemed to have disappeared into the vast broken goal basket. Instead of talking about goal setting, I want to talk about how to be proactive instead of reactive as a way of organizing yourself in order to attain those goals that you have set for yourself. So, what do I mean about being proactive instead of reactive? Most of us get up in the morning and we react to the world and everything that happens to us. We trip over the same cord day after day. We argue with the same person or 2%er day after day. We are stuck in the same rut day after day and we never think to jump out of the rut or take control of the situation. For example just by asking someone a question about a situation is a big deal to a lot of people, but in order to get what we need, we need to ask for what we want. Again, it is great to set goals but if we do not have the ability to be proactive and ask the right questions that will enable us to attain those goals, we will fail. When I fly, I fly business class, left hand side isle seat. You may even say that my goal is to have an isle seat. But just having the goal is not enough. How do I attain that goal? I believe I have to look at the situation and be proactive, not reactive. Therefore, this is what I know: 1 – I need to get to the airport in enough time to make sure the seats have not been taken or I need to make sure that when I book the tickets with the travel agent, that I specify an isle seat. 2 – I need to make sure when I check in that I verify that I have an isle seat. It sounds simple and it is simple. If I don’t ask for an isle seat, then I get what the agent gives me. If I arrive at the airport late, then the chances of getting the seat I want are going to be slim or none. I knew what I wanted (my goal) and I was proactive in achieving that goal. Many of you know that I don’t eat red meat. I have not eaten red meat in over 30 years. No, I am not a vegetarian; I just don’t eat red meat. My choice for my reasons. So, my goal is no red meat. But I go to a lot of dinners at conventions and out to people’s houses. Rather than show up and look at the big piece of red meat as the plate is placed in front of me and then reacting to the situation, I do my best to make sure the hotel or the host know ahead of time that I would prefer something other than red meat; proactive, not reactive. Those are just two examples of how we can minimize our conflict and how we can be proactive not reactive. It is easy enough to set goals, the more difficult task is to figure out how to attain those goals. Here is my simple formula for being proactive and not reactive: 1 – Know what it is you need (the goal). 2 – Figure out what you need to do to get what you need. 3 – The final and most important step; ASK! “Excuse me, is it possible to get…?” “Pardon me, but can I…?” “I was wondering if…?” “Do you have…?” See how simple that is? By asking for what you need you will become proactive and not reactive and in most cases you will get what you need. Have a wonderful new year. Ted.
SIDEBAR
By Pierre R. Ouellette Hon.B.A., LL.B.
January has long been a time of resolution and renewal. For this month’s Sidebar I prepared a short checklist of matters that you might want to review with the outset of the New Year. They are not all legally related but I hope they prompt you to consider where you are today and where you want to be tomorrow. 1. Do you need to review your Will? Do you even have a Will? Without a Will your Estate will be passed on to your legal next-of-kin(s) in accordance with the provisions of intestacy legislation. Your Partner might well be cut out of the process without a proper Will in place! 2. Do you have a Power of Attorney for Personal Care? This document decides who will make medical decisions for you in the event you become incapable of doing so. Once again, without it these decisions will fall upon your next-of-kin and possibly shut out your Partner. 3. Do you need a Power of Attorney for Property? Do you want someone else to have access to your accounts and property? If your health has been compromised then it may be time to permit a trusted relative or friend to start helping you with such things as paying bills and consolidating your assets. 4. Do you have copies of all your important papers? If so, do you have a safe place for them? There is no need for a safety deposit box as a good ‘fire proof’ box should be sufficient. It is important, however, that people know about it and where you keep it. 5. Do you want to change your retirement plans? Too many of us still do not set effective goals and whatever goals we may have set should be revisited from time to time. Most financial planners can guide you through a number of scenarios in one appointment. 6. Do you need to make an appointment with your doctor? This may sound obvious but way too many of us do not see our family doctor anywhere near often enough. (I know – what’s a family doctor?? But that’s another issue!) These types of lists can obviously go on and on! I would welcome your suggestions for adding onto this particular list or for creating new ones. Please forward any suggestions to me at Pierre@CooperativeAction.com . Happy New Year!
Quote of the Month Submitted by Brodi Mouradian
Be the change you want to see in the world.
--Mahatma Gandhi
To find out how we can help you or your organization please browse our website: www.CooperativeAction.com or contact us at 905-682-7380/1-877-393-3433.
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