Category: New Year’s Resolution

2023, Growth, Leadership, Leadership Development, New Year's Resolution, Self-Improvement, Vision

Determine how you will succeed in 2023

Well, can you beleive it? We are fastly approaching the end of another year. If you have not done so, I recommend you review the year, and identify key highlights. My highlights will include the things I am grateful for, lessons learned, new adventures, and challenges.

Evaulating the year, is very important as it relates to growth. We have to identify the good as well as the bad. The good experiences are a reminder of our success, goals achieved, and a sign we are moving forward. The challenges we experienced are, lessons learned, opportunities for improvement, and a reminder of growth. Growth is a great part of our awareness, and from that awareness comes true transformation. Finally, transformation allows us to move forward and experience a greater expansion of our lives.

I also recommend everyone conduct a personal SWOT Analysis, to identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. It is an exercise, I love to use in classroom with students. When you can identify and understand these crucial areas, you can use this information to your greatest advantage, as you move through the new year.

Therefore, as we move through the final day of 2022, take a look back and identify some highlights. Conduct an analysis of your personal landscape, and decide what you will leave in 2022, and what you will take into the New Year. Celebrating the good times is always important. Learning from the challenges, helps to prepare us for growth, expansion, and success. Determine how you will succeed in 2023.

Dr. Regina Banks-Hall

2022, Growth, Leadership, New Year's Resolution, Personal Development, Vision

New Year, New You

New Year Message

Hello Everyone, 2022 is here whether we are ready for it or not.  I used the weekend to reflect on 2021, and was reminded that time continues to pass on.  As I thought about time, I thought about the goals and dreams of 2021.  I took out my list, to see what I had accomplished.  I was proud of some of my personal and professional goals.  I also spent time reflecting on the goals I had not achieved, to understand how I missed the mark.   I saw that my successes were attributed to the constant reminder that I kept in from of me.  That reminder was the true purpose and importance of those goals.   

For the goals I did not achieve, I realized that I did not place them high enough on my list.  Somewhere, I had lost touch with how important those goals truly were.  So, now I will refocus, and use 2022, to achieve those goals.  I also gave myself a break about what I did not achieve, because the goals I achieved in 2021, were relevant, specific, timely, measurable, and attainable for 2021.   

Therefore, as you think about your 2022, cast a vision for what you want your year to look like.  Choose a word for the year, create a vision board, create a journal for yourself, and/or find yourself an accountability partner.  Someone, who will be accountable to you, and someone who will hold you accountable, as well.

The one takeaway from this post, that I believe is important, is that you find the best method that keeps your vision for 2022 in front of you.  

For those of you, that would like a deeper dive, I would like to invite you to my webinar on January 20th, entitled: “A New Year, A New You.”  In this webinar, I will provide you with some strategies on how to maximize your 2022.

Let’s start the year off by identifying our strengths, skills & knowledge to create the best year ever!

Dr. Regina Banks-Hall

https://reginabankshall.leadingthebest.com/NYWE0001

Register on Eventbrite





2020, Communication, Entrepreneurship, Growth, Leadership, Leadership Development, Motivation, New Year's Resolution, Personal Development, Self-Improvement, Small Business Development, Social, Vision, Women & Leadership

Look Beyond the Wall

man in blue suit
Photo by The Lazy Artist Gallery on Pexels.com

Hello Everyone

Today is January 6th, and many of us, my self-included, have created goals that we want to accomplish for the year. As you begin to create goals for yourself, and think about how you will impact 2020, one area that I want you to focus on is looking beyond where you are. Often when I conduct vision board or leadership workshops, or do motivational speaking, I share with my audience the importance of looking beyond what is in front of them.

You may be saying to yourself, why is this important? Often as individuals we become accustomed to the status quo. We expect nothing better. We buy into other people’s comments about our abilities. We sometimes overlook the notion that they are afraid of what we might become, so they plant negative seeds. Finally, we hold back our dream, because we are waiting for someone to validate our ideas instead of moving forward with our vision.

In order to grow and truly live out your purpose in 2020, it will be important for you to look beyond what is in front of you. It is important for you to visualize success. There is no limitation to your success, there is only the limitation to your vision.
Today, find the courage to venture out. This venture can lead to a new promotion, a new book, or a business opportunity. For years, I had a dream of becoming an author, professor, life coach, and motivational speaker. Yes, I wanted it all. I knew the odds were stacked against me, because I knew there were people who did not want me to succeed. However, I was willing to look beyond what was in front of me, because what I saw was people standing in my way.

I began to change my attitude and my inner circle. I began to put action behind those goals by writing the book, becoming a motivational speaker, coaching others to success, and my favorite of all, becoming a college professor. I held onto the faith I had, that I could do it. I realized that the purpose of my goals was bigger than me. These goals were associated with helping others see that, if I could do it, so could they. But most importantly, I held onto my faith in God, knowing that he had a plan for my life.

As we begin to move throughout this year, and you begin to formalize your goals, think about how your desire to change your story can affect your community, your family, your church, or your organization. Do not sit back and accept the status quo. Instead, step up and accept the challenge of looking beyond the wall. Realize that today can be the day that changes everything.

Dr. Regina Banks-Hall

2020, Communication, Entrepreneurship, Growth, Leadership, Leadership Development, Motivation, New Year's Resolution, Personal Development, Self-Improvement, Small Business Development, Social, Uncategorized, Vision, Women & Leadership

Don’t Bury Your Talents in 2020

street-artist-1279977_1280
Well, today is the final day of this year.  As part of my own goal planning process, I conducted my 2019 year in review.  I checked off my accomplishments and reprioritized my goals for 2020.

Like many people, I worked through some challenges in 2019.  But through it all, I will enter 2020 renewed and ready to use my gifts and talents in this year.  As you evaluate your 2019, reflect, evaluate, and celebrate your story.  Remember that your failures or setbacks do not define you, because you still have a chance to rewrite your own story.

I want to remind everyone of an important biblical story.  In a biblical passage, a Master gives his servants several talents, according to their ability.  He then plans to take a journey but vows to return.  The Master gave one servant five talents, which the servant doubled.  The next servant was given two talents.  He did the same.  The last servant was given one talent and he buried it in the dirt.  This servant, in his mind, played it safe.  He was afraid of the unknown, or possibly lazy, so he buried his talent.  The servant expected his Master to be thankful for protecting the talent.  When the Master returned, he congratulated the first two servants for their diligence.  But with the third servant, he was infuriated and dealt with him harshly.  The key point in this story, is that we have all been given a portion of talent or ability.  However, it is what we do with it that counts.  Do we multiply it, or do we bury it?

As you enter 2020, know that it is okay to step outside your comfort zone.  In order to change the world and leave a lasting impact, it requires that you take a risk on yourself. Do not be like the servant in the passage and bury your talents.  When we bury our talents, we hold back solutions, knowledge, skills, innovation, and creativity.  We literally rob the world from utilizing and benefiting from our giftedness.

As a professor, author, speaker, coach, and leadership expert, my goal for 2020 is to convince you not to bury your gifts.  Tomorrow is the beginning of a new year, start the year off in grand fashion by utilizing your God given gifts and talents.

Join “Dr. Regina’s World” by following me on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Tumblr, and YouTube and let’s start using our gifts together.

From my family to yours, I wish you a healthy, successful, and prosperous New Year.

Dr. Regina Banks-Hall

2020, Growth, Leadership Development, Motivation, New Year's Resolution, Small Business Development, Vision, Women & Leadership

2020 New Year’s Resolutions for Small Businesses

pexels-photo-3401900.jpeg
Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

For many small businesses, 2019 was a pretty good year.  As I spent time evaluating my  community, I saw several help wanted signs.  I noticed local coffee shops and restaurants full with customers, and I saw the opening of several new businesses.   As a small business coach, I know that many business owners sometimes just want to enjoy their success.   However, we must always take time at the end of the year to reflect, evaluate, and strategize.   As you get ready to end the year, I wanted to share five areas to review,  to ensure a successful 2020.

  1. As an Economics Professor and Small Business Coach, I share with students the principle, that every business must understand the market or industry in which it operates.   Therefore, it is important to understand your particular industry.   What is happening in the coffee, t-shirt, restaurant, or retail industry.  Is your industry thriving?  Is your industry maturing?   Where are opportunities for growth?
  2.  When you create goals for your business, remember that these goals may require a full year commitment.  Therefore, the first quarter of next year should be used to evaluate your year-long strategy.   You may also find that the goals you created require a longer implementation plan.  Therefore, decide what’s first, second, or third on your list.
  3.  Review your cyber security measures.  Think about how you can back up your company’s data and create a firewall that prevents hackers from accessing your corporate newtork.   Determine if you are using the latest security software for your computers.  Is there more efficient way to handle moble transactions.   Finally, encourage employees to change their passwords on a regular basis.
  4. Reduce Debt –  As a small business owner, it is important to review and understand  your financial outlook.  Therefore, look for ways to eliminate debt.  For example, can you take out a business line of credit, and take advantage of lower interest rates.  Can you consolidate credit cards, or can you pay off a loan with a year-end bonus and free up your credit cards.
  5. Review your growth plans.  Look at your product and services.   The beginning of the year, may be a great time to add a new product or expand your services.   Researching growth opportunities in your particular industry, can also help you identify opportunities in this area.

As you end the year, review your 2019.  Reflect, evaluate and determine your goals for 2020.  You may not eliminate all your business debt, but your strategy to expand your product and services may increase your profitability.   You may find through your reflection and evaluation that 2019 provided a solid blueprint for 2020.  Remember business goals are designed to provide improvements to your business. Therefore, think about your goals carefully and strategize for a profitably 2020.

Best wishes,

Dr. Regina Banks-Hall

For more information, on how we can help you create your 2020 vision, please complete the contact form below.

 

2019, Growth, Leadership, Leadership Development, Motivation, New Year's Resolution, Personal Development, Self-Improvement

Make It Count

 

We have all heard the phrase “make it count” but do we really know what it means.  When you hear the words make it count, you might be thinking that you should make your life count for something, focus on the positive and live each day to the fullest.   All of those phrases are true.  However, I want to offer a different perspective on making it count.

When I hear the words “make it count” I focus on three key areas, which are, resources, time and opportunity.   When  I think about resources, I want you to focus on the people that exist within your inner circle, and the talent and skills that you possess that support your goals.  Also, I want you to focus on the excitement and passion that you receive from helping others and the motivation that comes from making your life count.

When you think about time,  I want you to make sure you are not wasting time, but maximizing every moment.   When you maximize your time, you can focus on your goals, time with family, time for business, work or school, and time for serious self reflection.   You recognize the importance of time management, and you prioritize your tasks wisely.  Also, you recognize the need to volunteer your time to meaningful and purposeful pursuits and not wasteful meanderings.  The reason why I am hammering this point home is becuase, time is a precious commodity.  Understanding this fact, we should all examine how we spend our time as it relates to achieving our goals, and maximizing our living.   My mind goes to a famous quote, which states, “Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that’s the stuff life is made of.”- Benjamin Franklin.

Finally, I think about opportunity, and its relationship to preparation.   Opportunity allows you to do something.   The key to taking advantage of opportunity, is the preparation that takes place beforehand.  Therefore, as you think about the goals you want to achieve, ask yourself this question.  How am I preparing for my opportunities?  For example, if you own your own business, what is the elevator pitch that you will give when you run into a perspective client?  If you are looking for a new job, how can you define your skills, when asked by an interviewer.  If you are a minister, waiting to preach your next sermon, are you ready?

My mind goes to the workshops and courses I teach on leadership, human resources management, small business administration and leadership.   Without preparation, I would not be able to deliver training at the highest level, or at any given moment.   I had to prepare myself to take advantage of these opportunities.

As you navigate this year, I want you to focus on “making it count” by examining your resources, your time, and your opportunities.  When you maximize these three areas, you are opening the door to maximizing your living and “making it count.”

Best wishes for success,

Dr. Regina Banks-Hall

2019, Growth, Leadership, Leadership Development, Motivation, New Year's Resolution, Personal Development, Self-Improvement, Uncategorized

A Strong Finish

Hamster WheelE

As we say goodbye to 2018 and look forward to the coming year, I believe it is important to get off to a good start and then finish strong.   My strong finish to this year is the launch of my new podcast:  Maximizing Your Life with Dr. Regina Banks-Hall.  This is truly a dream come true.

Please enjoy my first interview with Author, and thriving Entrepreneur, Mr. Michael Hall, as we talk about his new book “The Hamster Wheel.”

Please click on the links below to hear this interview.   https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-9ij8e-a310e6

https://anchor.fm/drreginabanks-hall/episodes/Are-You-on-the-Hamster-Wheel-e2rlsf/a-a89dsm

Dr. Regina Banks-Hall

2018, 2019, Growth, Motivation, New Year's Resolution, Personal Development, Self-Improvement

2018 Reflection, 2019 Focus

board chalk chalkboard close up
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Hello everyone,

We are fastly approaching the end of the year, and it is important for all of us to conduct a year in review and celebrate our 2018 accomplishments and strategize for 2019.      Therefore, I want you to find a journal or notebook and list all the things you have accomplished this year, and the items you know you will accomplish by December 31st.   As you make this list and begin your review, ask yourself a couple questions?

  1.  What stands out as it relates to your accomplishment.
  2. What seemed impossible at the beginning of the year, but now is now on your list of successes.
  3. What were some of your biggest lessons.

As you begin to focus on the year ahead, think about December 31, 2019, and identify the goals you want completed.   When you identify the goals you want completed by the end of the year, you know what you must focus on throughout the year.

Finally, as we complete the year, I want you to take your lists of accomplishments and celebrate youself.   When you celebrate your accomplishments, you connect to your success, reflect on your mistakes,  remind yourself of your gifts and strengths, and most importantly, remind yourself that you are able to achieve what you desire.

If you would like to receive a blueprint for 2019 success, plan now to attend my local Achieving Success Workshop held on January 5, 2019 or our virtual Achieving Success Workshop which will be held on January 12, 2019.   Click on the following link and you will be directed to register for the upcoming workshop.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/achieving-success-vision-building-for-2019-tickets-53800227930

It’s time to execute your vision.

Dr. Regina Banks-Hall

2018, Growth, Leadership, Motivation, New Year's Resolution, Personal Development, Uncategorized

Live Life to the Fullest

playing game royalty free darts
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Hello everyone,

Can you believe it, we are quickly approaching the end of the year.   Today, I had time to think about my 2018 goals and determined, that I had a pretty good year.   I began to think about all the goals I accomplished, and the few goals that are still on my list.   I realized that one of my strategies was living life to the fullest.

As I sit here thinking about what living life to the fullest truly means, I want to share my Version of this today.

  1. Do not allow others to control you.  It is important that you make the rules.
  2. Follow your own path.  Sometimes we allow other people’s opinions to derail our  progress.  We allow them to determine our steps.   When they determine your steps they control your destiny.
  3. Take chances on yourself.  One of my goals this year was to create an online course.  It required a lot of commitment but I finished, and now the course is available on Udemy.   Now I am working on my second course.   I took a chance on myself and it paid off.
  4. Identify something that scares you, and make a conscious effort to overcome it.   When you face that fear, you free yourself to move forward.   This may require a change in jobs, relationships or business opportunities.
  5. Let go of past hurts and mistakes, so you can grow.   At the beginning of the year, I put some experiences and some people behind me.   I knew that the only way for me to move forward with my business goals, was to let go of some pain and press toward my purpose.   It was the best decision I ever made.

As we wrap up the year, think about some of the things that you can still do to move forward with your life.   Make an effort to accomplish one goal and use that achievement as a jump start to your successful 2019.

Dr. Regina Banks-Hall

2018, Growth, Leadership, Motivation, New Year's Resolution, Personal Development, Self-Improvement

2017 What I learned, and What I will do in 2018.

Fireworks isolated on black background
Fireworks isolated on black background

Well, we are almost at the end of 2017, and this chapter in our lives will end.   I was talking to a friend of mine today, and we were talking about possibilities, opportunities, and lessons learned.   We each made a list of what we learned from this year.   We determined that respect, determination, and hard work were the keys for our survival.  Overall, it was a good year.

As you see this year come to a close, focus on what you learned and be thankful you are here to provide your own evaluation.   As you celebrate the coming new year, think about the opportunities and possibilities for 2018.   What do you want to accomplish? What are your dreams?  Take a moment and reply.  Let me know what some of your goals are for 2018.   Some of my goals are to release two new books, grow my coaching business, and take piano lessons (they say you are never too old to learn).

Reply in the comment section, and let me know what some of your goals are, and let’s make this a great year for us all.

New Year, New Opportunities, New Possibilities, New YOU!!!!!!!!

Dr. Regina Banks-Hall