With the New Year fast approaching, many of us are reflecting upon the successes as well as the failures of the last 365 days. To increase the value of YOUR time, consider this coaching exercise.

Take a sheet of paper and fold it in half long ways. Then draw a heavy line down the fold. On the left side label it: Your Successes This column would contain all that went well for you and the resolutions or goals that you achieved. Then on the right side, label it: Failed Resolutions or Failed Goals. Jot down what didnt go well and those resolutions that you failed to achieve.

Now ask yourself what qualities or characteristics were present on the left side that werent present on the right side? Possibly, there is really just one significant quality necessary to bridge the gap between success and failure? Let me take a few moments to share a quick story that may help you discover that quality.

During a national conference, one of my mentors who was presenting asked the audience if there existed a multi-billion dollar diet industry within the United States. The obvious answer was YES. Then he asked this question:

• "If I would drink 8 glasses a water a day,"
• "If I would walk 30 more minutes a day,"
• "If I would reduce my calorie consumption a day by 10%,"
• "If I would avoid those foods that I know put weight on me,"

"Well," he continued, "if losing weight is so simple, then why is there a multi-billion dollar diet industry? Those in the audience looked at each other with very puzzled faces. After a few moments, this wise gentleman answered his question with one single word "Commitment."

So as you review your Resolution or Achievement list, maybe the quality that is present on the left side and not present on the right side is commitment. How truly committed are you to those areas where you did not experience success? And why are you more committed to those areas where you had success?

William F. Scolavino said it best: The height of your accomplishments will equal the depth of your convictions. What is the depth to your conviction of commitment? Possibly by honestly answering this question and taking the necessary actions, you will achieve even greater success in 2006.

Leanne Hoagland-Smith

Good Day. Thanks for visiting. I hope that you have enjoyed my articles. In 1999, I founded ADVANCED SYSTEMS because I saw that performance could and should be doubled in warp time. Individuals, small and large businesses could not afford expensive solutions that may or may not deliver improved results in 12 months.

From my corporate, small business and education experiences, I recognized the individuals must have opportunities for connecting their passion to their purpose to secure the desired performance results, but many lacked the necessary skills, strategies and tools.

With over 20 years in sales management and 10 years in education, I understand how to unite productivity with profitability by developing a proactive working culture. My previous experiences resulted in cost savings through one of the first implementations of a computer software in a wholesaler distributor to the creation of a vendor performance assessment.

Since facilitating over 500 sessions, developing and editing over 25 training programs and writing numerous articles focusing on performance improvement, I bring a results focused approach to my clients. Also, I am proud to be one of the first five nationally certified facilitators of America?s Rising Stars (a Student Leadership developmental curriculum).

My passion is to help others connect their passion to their purpose to double performance. As The small business coach in Chicago, my clients have easily doubled their performance. Since our greatest resource is our young people, I am now working with large urban schools to generate the same results.

Education Background

• Graduated with honors from Purdue University with a B.A. in Education
• Earned M.S. from Purdue University in Instructional Design and Curriculum
• Published in the national trade journal, The Supply House Times, and numerous national newsletters
• Developed seminars and training on diversity, communication, leadership, sales, effective trade show behavior, networking, knowledge management, goal setting and improved educational outcomes
• Co-authored M.A.G.I.C.A.L. Potential: 7 Capicities for Living an Amazing Life Beyond Purpose to Achievement, to be available in 2006
• Working a another book focusing on performance in public education
• Speaker in a national bureau - Resource Associates Corporation