White Christmas - not a dream this year

Subject: White Christmas - not a dream this year

You are receiving the Next Step Solutions newsletter because you are someone we know, have worked with, met at a business event, or you have specifically requeste= d inclusion on our email list. We hope you will find our newsletter interesting and useful. However, we respect your time and your privacy. So if you prefer not to receive future editions, please let us know. To ensure that you continue to receive emails from us, add margaret@nextstepsolutions.com = to your address book today.

You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our emails.

3D"

3D"http://www.nextstepsolutions.com/ccnews/header.gif"

Welcome to t= he Next Step Solutions E-Newsletter!

3D"http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs046/1101096837488/img/1= Dear Margaret,

Outside my off= ice window is a rare site for the Seattle area - deep, heavy snow covering all surfaces. I am surrounded by trees, their limbs sagging under the weight. It is very quiet. Even the neighborhood kids are staying indo= ors, along with their pets.

Weather and traffic reports continue to be ominous. The advice remains the same: If you can, stay home and off the roads. Good advice, for those able to take it. The irony here is that in the mids= t of all of this white, the traditional picture of the Christmas season, t= he weather prediction is for rain on Christmas Day. Welcome to the Northwest, the land of (mostly) liquid snow!

This type of weather and the snowy, muffled quiet gives = me pause and makes me thoughtful. A good time not only to prepare for a holiday (that is a religious one for many, not just Christians) but to reflect on many other things. For a business person, that reflection = can be a very productive exercise, as I suggest in the article below.

In the meantime, let me thank my loyal readers for their attention to my newsletter this past year. I know time is precious an= d I appreciate yours. Have a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Chanukah, and a Happy Holiday, whatever your special day happens to be. Here's to a prosperous 2009 for all of us!

Taking Stock= - How was 2008?

by Margaret Purvine

The recent mar= ket and economic turmoil has overwhelmed a lot of our impressions of the = year 2008. It makes it difficult to look at the year as a whole. However, = as business people, it is critical for us to take a broader view and foc= us on those factors more in our direct control.

Many of us are getting more of a seasonal break than usu= al, due to the severe weather and the difficulty of getting to offices and jobs. I suggest that we use the time to advantage. Take a serious, analytical look at your business and use the resulting wisdom as inpu= t to your planning process for 2009.

Start by looking back at 2008. What were your successes? Take a little time to pat yourself on the back and celebrate, but also consider why you were successful. Was there a specific process you us= ed that worked really well? Is it a repeatable process? Use what you lea= rn from past success to ensure future success.

What were your failures? Why? A good executive is compel= led to evaluate thoroughly, make changes, and avoid repeating failure. It= is sometimes easier to blame others or circumstance when things go wrong, but if we are honest with ourselves, we can probably determine how we contributed. Failure isn't fatal! It's the greatest key to learning. = Take advantage.

Look forward and consider the future. What are the main challenges you face entering 2009? How can you address those challeng= es? What resources and people do you need moving forward? Where, when and= how can you obtain those resources? Answer each question thoughtfully and honestly and you will have invaluable input for your 2009 action plan= s.

It is so easy to get caught up in the bustle and frenzy = of the holiday season in addition to the bustle and frenzy of daily busi= ness operations, particularly for business owners. Force yourself, or allow the snow days to force you, to take a big step backward and look at t= he big picture. Reflect, consider, and begin planning for the future. 20= 09 will begin to look much brighter and you can enter the New Year with energy and promise. =

Enjoy the snow and the holiday season and have a Happy a= nd very prosperous New Year!

Free Resourc= es from Next Step

Great source= s of business information and commentary

Next Step Solutions Business Book List
We are avid readers at Next Step. So it naturally follows that we wou= ld have an extensive library. Our book list is where we can share it with you. Check it out!

Words of Wis= dom <= span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareas= t-font-family: "Times New Roman";color:black'>

Quotes from movers and shakers

"When def= eat comes, accept it as a signal that your plans are not sound, rebuild t= hose plans, and set sail once more toward your coveted goal."<= /i>

Napoleon Hill

3D"http://www.nextstepsolutions.com/ccnews/footer.gif"

Forward email
This email was sent to margaret@nextstepsolutions.com by margaret@nextstepsolut= ions.com. Update Profile/Email Address \| Instant removal = with SafeUnsubscribe™ \| Privacy Policy.	Email Marketing by<= /p>
Next Step Solutions, Inc. \| 9792 Edmonds Way, #424 \| Edmonds \| WA \| 9= 8020