When I was five all I wanted to do was stay up until midnight and watch the ball drop in Times Square. I remember the struggle to stay awake but I was determined and the excitement when that moment came was immense. People celebrated and danced. It was almost as though they were all aware of the fresh start of the New Year.

Later when I was 15 it was all about having a date. Not having a date on New Years Eve was the worst fate ever. As I grew older New Years Eve became a time for ritual and we started picking Osho cards on New Years Eve with a small group. We each picked one card out of the deck and it came with a message about the coming year. It was often profound and was a wonderful way to bring in the New Year with close friends. I kept the message of that card in my heart as the year progressed.

This year most of us are focused on our entrepreneur ventures, and one thing I have learned is that the most most important aspect of becoming a successful entrepreneur is to have a clear and full vision of what you are creating. It is about seeing your business in its completion fully in your head, heart and body. I compare that with the how Michelangelo carved his masterpieces out of marble. He said he would see the completed statute in the marble and then it was only a matter of chipping amway the pieces around it.

In growing your business it is visualizing your business complete and then gradually growing it to fit that vision. So on New Years Eve a group of us will create our vision boards for 2008. As I write this I am looking at my board for 2007 that is hanging on the wall in front of my desk. It is beautiful and inspiring and I realize that almost everything on it has come to pass. I am ready to replace this with the 2008 update and am excited to see what transpires.

I encourage you to do your own vision board for 2008. You will need a piece of poster board, glue stick, scissors and a stack of old magazines. There is no right way to do this so don’t worry about getting it wrong. Playing inspiring music is nice and being with other people can be supportive. You can begin with a short meditation first to tune into to your life and what you are grateful for. See, feel or imagine your life at the end of 2008 in all its aspects. Then begin to go through the magazines and rip out any pictures or words that jump out at you until you have a large pile. Begin arranging them on your board until it feels right and then glue them on. Like magic your board will take shape. Have fun and Happy New Year!

Here is a photo of my 2007 board. Double click to see a larger image.

What are some rituals you do for the New Year?

Here is my vision board 2008. Just completed 1-6

double click to see a larger image

This past week I received three e-mail promotions from Vista Print. Before clicking delete, something grabbed my eye. They said “free postcards, free business cards, free rubber stamps.” I thought, hmm there might be a catch, but I decided to check it out. No catch. I just got my 100 free postcards in the mail along with a rubber address stamp and 100 address labels. All a paid was $9.95 for postage. Of course while online placing the order, they tried to get me to buy heaps of other stuff; more postcards, pens, etc. I managed to say no to all of it and just got my order. Here is my two-sided postcard (click each thumbnail to see a full-size photo). They are glossy and lovely and I just went on and ordered 100 more.

This is an awesome marketing strategy. Marketing is all about giving. Giving value to your potential customers gains you new customers, breeds goodwill and lets people have an experience of working with you. I am not here to promote Visa Print because I know nothing about what they are. I am happy with the products though and will likely buy more.

So in the season of giving, what do you give away to your customers or potential customers? Can you see how this is a good marketing strategy.

Another great article on the Art of Giving is featured my my free newsletter this week. Sign-up now and I will send it to you immediately.

It is brr cold outside here in the northern hemisphere and most people are already in holiday mode. It is a low time for most businesses unless you sell toys or give massages to weary shoppers. Many businesses feels like this period is a down time, which means not a lot of customers or cash flow.

If you can let go of wanting it to be different, “down time” can be a powerful time for your business planning and to get your office organized for next year. Maybe I am just projecting, as I look around at my unorganized space.

I am looking forward to the new year as an opportunity to reach some new business goals. The words, “business plan,” sounds boring and dry but the idea of creating a map of my business feels fun. It is like planning a vacation or holiday. I love the planning part of vacations almost as much as going. And it is also fun to arrive and enjoy the results of following my map.

What are you all doing this week and how are you preparing for next year? I would love to hear from you.

Small Biz Down Under

I arrived back in Portland Sunday night after a 26 hour trip from New Zealand. I left the sunny beaches of Aotearoa and it was snowing outside in Vancouver BC where I changed planes.

Small business is alive and well in New Zealand. I met people who own retreat centers, day spas and many other interesting ventures. However one man stands out for me. If you ever go to Nelson look up Ian Longley.. His business is called Concepts in Stone and he carves beautiful pounamu jewelry. He is one of the last hold-outs of someone who is choosing to not have a website in the day and age where most people would say you are just not with it if you are not online. He says, ” I prefer people to meet me in person and to be able to touch the stones. I like the personal relationships. A website would be too disconected.” He has all the work he can handle so he is happy. He is someone who knows his market and has carved a niche for himself. His carvings are beautiful and he is a true master of his craft. Pounamu is a Maori word for Greenstone or New Zealand Jade. Carving is a century old art and has survived the test of time. Ian has found a way to differentiate himself in a busy marketplace and his warm smile also helps. You can e-mail Ian at longley@xtra.co.nz. Tell him Kaya sent you.

click photo for a sharper image