Adding Value, and Why it is so Important in 2017

Every year, we all sit down and write out our goals for the year. According to the Huffington Post, only 8% of people actually keep their New Year’s goals. WOW! Only 8% of people keep their New Year’s goals. The rest, well, they resort back to their old ways.

Personally, I think setting goals is a vital part to achieving your definition of success. You can set goals at the New Year or any time throughout the year, but the key is that you are setting goals and taking action to achieve them.

Every goal should be challenging, yet achievable. It all starts with taking a small action each day that will lead to bigger results. You have to actually change your habits in order to create new ones.

Forget about the statistics for a minute. Forget about your personal goals. For 2017, I want you to focus on one thing: ADDING VALUE!!!

I want to challenge you to make adding value a priority for yourself this year. Every successful person will tell you that adding value is one of the best qualities to have when you are looking to get hired or promoted.

Start small by saying “please” and “thank you” or organizing files no one else wants to. Show up early and leave late. Send an email to a contact and ask if there is anything you can do for them. Look around at the people in your inner circle and ask yourself, “What can I do to elevate the group?”

A professor at the University of Southern California once told me that in order to make a name for yourself, you have to add value. Add so much value that you become irreplaceable in the eyes of the company or decision maker. This advice has stuck with me to this day, and now I am sharing it with all of you.

In every aspect of your life you can add value. You can add value in your family life by telling your family you love them. You can add value in your relationships by doing something nice for someone you care about. You can add value to your financial situation by promising to save money when you can. You can add value to your body by working out. You can add value in your professional life by being proactive about a task and taking initiative.

Take a second to think about your life. Think about what is important to you and jot down a few ways you can add value to your life. 2017 is about to be a big year for me and for you, so let’s start adding value and elevating our lives together.