Three To Do’s Before 2010

As we head into Thanksgiving, the last few weeks of the year are all but gone. And a couple of truths will present themselves during our final hurtle to 09’s finish line.

1) SELF-COMBUSTING CALENDAR: The end of the year represents the mother of all self-imposed deadlines. This can be a good thing. But if every. last. item. on the books with our clients is not completed? The world will NOT explode. Our job is to figure out which projects must truly get done before the calendar flips and focus on them diligently.

2) HOLIDAY HOURS: Despite the above urgency, the paradox of these final weeks is that there will be down time – people will be out of the office, parties will slow people down. This is time where we can be productive, but we probably can’t get too far on the above list.

So here are three things you should do before the end of the year. These are not resolutions. Resolutions are for health clubs and tobacco cessation products. These three things you can actually accomplish -- quickly.

1) SURPRISE & DELIGHT: Break the established brainstorm mold and mix it up with an unconventional idea fest. The goal is to start the year with one unexpected, unrequested idea for a client. Your competition may already be doing this (just sayin).

2) POP YOURSELF THE QUESTION: Ask yourself if you still love PR. Well, do you? This is a period of forced change. If you don’t like what you do, now is the time to change careers. (we’re NOT saying quit now, we’re saying FIND the job now). There are plenty of other folks who really do love this industry and will happily take your seat. This stuff is hard enough without dissenters in the ranks.

3) GET REAL. FEEDBACK: This is not your annual review. This is not a kumbaya-filled retreat. This is a suggestion box asking for anonymous feedback from everyone on how you can be even better in 2010. If you really love PR, this should be a constructive exercise.

We’re thankful for our careers and we’re hopeful you are too. Have a simply magnificent Thanksgiving.

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