Greetings, and Happy not-quite-new Years to you, from the desk of Tanner Creative!  How has 2009 treated you?  Has it been a banner year?  Has it been a struggle to get up each morning?  Has it been more or less, a repeat of 2008?  While I hardly believe that many will say 2009 was like any of the years from before, I will say that I have heard more doom and gloom stories, than I have heard success stories. 

Yes, 2009 has certainly changed the landscape for business owners.  It has caused us to think differently, and get back to our roots - to try and light the fire that gave us the gumption to go against the odds and make a go of it for ourselves in the first place.  The problem is, many of us have enjoyed years of doing more of the same, so it is hard to break the mold.  Those who are unable - or unwilling - to change, face a greater risk of closing up shop. 

In “Who Moved My Cheese”, Spencer Johnson uses something similar to a children’s story to demonstrate people who keep going about business as usual, even though the landscape may have changed, or resources have dried up.  There are two camps mentioned here that I recall - those who stay in the same position and whine about how bad things have gotten, and there are those who focus their energy on finding the new ways to do business.  It was written years ago, but I would be willing to say that its content is more applicable today, than it was when it first hit bookshelves.   

With the rest of this week, I challenge you to think of new and innovative ways to bring in more business.  Have you ever heard of the 80/20 rule?  The 80/20 rule states basically that you spend a very small fraction of your time producing the greatest / biggest results.  What if you could take an hour or so of your day each day and LASER focus it on productive work?  Strategizing ways to network with others, or pitch other ideas to people, etc?  Take the hour that you use to normally read on facebook, take those quiz emails, etc. and be productive.  See what happens after a week.  The most important thing to do though, is not to strategize - it is to execute.  This is what separates the dreamers from the doers. 

You have heard me say it before - get out that spiral notebook and find some place quiet to think about things.  Clear your head, and then title your paper “How can I bring in new business?”  Then just start writing.  You will be amazed at what you can come up with!  Just like with everything, there may be no magic bullet, but with some changes over time, the little steps you make can make 2010 the most exciting year of your entrepreneurial life.