By Tom Polanski, EVP, eBrand Media and eBrand Interactive

In a down economy, marketing departments are among the first to see lay-offs. If you’re laid off and about to be, I think you have a great opportunity to pursue those passions you’ve always pushed into the background. If you could pursue a dream, and you were guaranteed success, what would it be?

One of my favorite sayings is, “Clarity, clarity, clarity. And when you think you have enough; go get some more”. If you’ve lost your job, I encourage you to grieve deeply for a period of time, and then to move into the solution. The solution for me always begins with a self-inventory. That inventory should result in three columns:

1. Personal assets or strengths. Work to maximize these.
2. Personal weaknesses or challenges. Find way’s to manage these.
3. Contrary actions. What would you do differently, based on your performance at your previous job, to become a better employee?

The inventory work I suggest takes self-honesty and courage. But the rewards are great. Take that list of contrary actions, print it out and tape it to your door so that you see it every day. It will help to make the small business which is you, run more efficiently and effectively. Remember that your future isn’t in a job. Your future is in you. 

Below is an article written by Brian Tracy. I was surprised to find he used the term “clarity, clarity, clarity”. Maybe it began with him, I don’t know. I’ve used it for years and don’t remember where I picked it up. Mr. Tracy suggests a set of seven steps which serve as a clarification process. My process will help to set you firmly in reality, while his process will set the stage for your future. When I see people suffer it’s because they lack clarity and are unable to make a decision. Hopefully this article and the steps listed will help you to decide on a path you will be better able to successfully navigate.

“Clarity accounts for probably 80% of success and happiness. Lack of clarity is probably more responsible for frustration and underachievement than any other single factor. That’s why we say that “Success is goals, and all else is commentary.” People with clear, written goals, accomplish far more in a shorter period of time than people without them could ever imagine. This is true everywhere and under all circumstances.

The Three Keys to High Achievement
You could even say that the three keys to high achievement are, “Clarity, Clarity, Clarity,” with regard to your goals. Your success in life will be largely determined by how clear you are about what it is you really, really want.

Write and Rewrite Your Goals
The more you write and rewrite your goals and the more you think about them, the clearer you will become about them. The clearer you are about what you want, the more likely you are to do more and more of the things that are consistent with achieving them. Meanwhile, you will do fewer and fewer of the things that don’t help to get the things you really want.

The Seven Step Process for Achieving Goals
Here, once more, is the simple, seven-step process that you can use to achieve your goals faster and easier than ever before.

First, decide exactly what you want in each area of your life. Be specific!

Second, write it down, clearly and in detail;

Third, set a specific deadline. If it is a large goal, break it down into sub-deadlines and write them down in order;

Fourth, make a list of everything you can think of that you are going to have to do to achieve your goal. As you think of new items, add them to your list;

Fifth, organize the items on your list into a plan by placing them in the proper sequence and priority;

Sixth, take action immediately on the most important thing you can do on your plan. This is very important!

Seventh, do something every day that moves you toward the attainment of one or more of your important goals. Maintain the momentum!

Join the Top 3%
Fewer than three percent of adults have written goals and plans that they work on every single day. When you sit down and write out your goals, you move yourself into the top 3% of people in our society. And you will soon start to get the same results that they do.

Review Your Goals Daily
Study and review your goals every day to be sure they are still your most important goals. You will find yourself adding goals to your list as time passes. You will also find yourself deleting goals that are no longer as important as you once thought. Whatever your goals are, plan them out thoroughly, on paper, and work on them every single day. This is the key to peak performance and maximum achievement.

Action Exercises
Here is how you can apply this law immediately:

First, make a list of ten goals that you would like to achieve in the coming year. Write them down in the present tense, as though a year has passed and you have already accomplished them.

Second, from your list of ten goals, ask yourself, “What one goal, if I were to accomplish it, would have the greatest positive impact on my life?” Whatever it is, put a circle around this goal and move it to a separate sheet of paper.

Third, practice the seven-step method described above on this goal. Set a deadline, make a plan, and put it into action and work on it every day. Make this goal your major definite purpose for the weeks and months ahead.

Get ready for some amazing changes in your life.”

Some good preparation for the coming year, I think.