Is it a little “out of date” to be saying Happy New Year a few weeks into January?  We are really cheering you on to have a great year, so  - timely or not – we hope that 2009 is full of wonderful surprises, miracles, valuable discoveries and successes in your world.

Did you have a relaxing time?  Or so much fun, that like a friend said, "I need a holiday now to recover, as we kept up such a hectic pace!"?  Perhaps our break was somewhere in between.  Since I travel so much throughout the year I was happy to not go anywhere that was more than a few hours drive from home.  We had a lovely Christmas in Dubbo with all our family, and most extended family, then set off to Grenfell to celebrate Kellie Crutcher's birthday on New Years Eve.  It was a fabulous night, catching up with friends and meeting new ones, which is always fun!

New Years Eve is always such an interesting night... there's always celebration of the year that was, and such anticipation of the year ahead, often with a sense of determination that some things will be different.  More on that below...

From Grenfell it's a quick drive to West Wyalong for a relaxing stay with Lyndon's parents and some serious play-time with Ethan - this exerise was a fun workout - we need one in our backyard!  I also made an exciting discovery in the main street, and was inspired to discuss Passion as you'll see in the video Lyndon created below. (see Video Moments)

Heading North, one hour from home is my parents farm, where Lyndon got a great sense of satisfaction from seeing what he'd done witha tractor and plough... meanwhile I was getting a great sense of delight and relaxation at the most peaceful place on earth about 2kms away.  This dam (below) is over 50 metres, and full to overflowing.  When I wasn't swimming laps (I was actually missing the gym!), I was floating and breathing in the fresh country air and contemplating how blessed I am.  What a way to start the year.

Over the break I’ve been listening to audios and reading content from our site, and seeing a common thread, not only in the reading, but in reflecting on conversations with all the successful people we’ve connected with over the past few years.  Each one of them have this in common - they keep learning and growing.  They read, they listen to teaching while they're driving, exercising, or sitting in their backyard. They write their ideas and goals down. They work with coaches and mentors and they invest in their education.  Many have left school early, so it’s not all about formal education.  I’ve heard it said many times, “Formal education makes you a living, but self-education will make you a fortune”  

It’s all about the choices you make, each day, each moment - what will you focus on, what voices will you listen to, what you will spend your time and resources doing?

I've worked with a Coach every year since 2004, and will continue to do so.  Every time I have invested in myself, it pays off.  In times of trimming back, can I encourage you to keep investing in your future, keep reading, learning, and connecting with like-minded people.

Speaking of like minded people – the success tip below is a great encouragement to choose your focus in uncertain times.  Why go with the flow?  Does that take you anywhere exciting?

So until our next newsletter, we wish you all a fantastic week and we can't wait to share some super-exciting things with you.

Lyndon and Kerrie

PS.  For more inspiration, tips and ideas keep an eye on the blog which we add to every few days - there's too much happening to keep it all in a newsletter!

Catherine DeVrye is a name that you would remember if you have read Dale Beaumont’s “Secrets of Great Public Speakers Exposed”, which is available on Create the Life Club.

Catherine is a total legend of the speaking industry and comes from a very successful corporate background, having been named the “Australian Executive Woman of the Year”.

Plus she is the author of numerous best-selling books including Hope Happens, Hot Lemon & Honey and Serendipity Road.

Recently Catherine was interviewed on National Television about what business should do in these uncertain economic times.

Below is a summary of the interview.  It contains some great information so please have a read…

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Q: What should businesses do in this credit crisis?

A: I’m not an economist and can’t prescribe what businesses should or shouldn’t do as every situation is unique.  However, I do believe that every obstacle always presents some opportunity.  Now may be an opportunity (in disguise) to assess the strengths and weaknesses of your overall business and the various operational aspects within it.  Running a business is tough in the best of times and when things go well, it’s easy to be complacent - so now is an opportunity to look at what you’re doing well in terms of adding value to your customers and keep focused on that.  Also assess what you’re not doing so well - and stop doing it.

Q: In one of your books, you write about the 7 most expensive words in business. What are they?

A: The 7 most expensive words in any organisation are….’We have always done it that way.’

Q: Does that mean businesses now need to innovate and adopt a radical new business model?

A: It’s important not to throw out the baby with the bath water but objectively assess what is or is not working.  It’s important to balance a ‘stick with your knitting’ strategy but be brutally honest with what you need to do differently - or stop doing altogether.  We get bogged down in old patterns of behaviour when we’re comfortable - and usually don’t worry about paradigm shifts until forced to do so by some external force.  I’ve never seen anything like this economic crisis in my lifetime but maybe - just maybe - there are opportunities that we can’t even imagine.  I don’t wish to sound like Pollyanna because I am indeed personally extremely concerned.  But, have chosen not to waste energy on what I can’t control - and stay focused on what I can.

Q: Any thoughts on what business can do to innovate to make the bottom line look better?

A: I’ve worked in big business with IBM and now run a very small business as an author and speaker. And, whether large or small, there are only two ways to boost the bottom line. Increase revenue or decrease expense.  Sometimes, there is little you can do to increase revenue so there’s a need to refocus on needless expense.  I’m not talking about the slash and burn of staff, but involving all staff in offering potential solutions.

For example, an airline made huge savings as a result of a suggestion from a new employee in the garbage department.  He had noticed, when clearing the trays, that most passengers didn’t eat their lettuce and suggested the airline get rid of that garnish on the trays.  Doing so saved over $1.5 million.

In another instance, a grocery store increased fish sales by listening to a junior employee who had first listened to a customer.  The story goes something like this.  A focus group was discussing the fish at the store.  One of the women commented that it would be better if it was fresh.  The manager defensively assured her that it was indeed fresh.  It was trucked from the sea every morning, hygienically wrapped in plastic, put in refrigerated stainless steel containers and any unsold fish was given to a charity at the end of the day.  In this case, the customer was wrong but her perception was 100% correct.  A young employee suggested that they attempt to modify that perception and experiment by wrapping half the fish as always and simply spreading the other half on freshly crushed ice.  As you can imagine, the fish on the ice sold more than the packaged product, with additional savings on labour and packaging.

Minimizing waste was not only good for the company - but good for the environment.

Get everyone involved in solutions to make sure you add value - not cost!

Q: You make it sound so easy…

A: It’s not easy at all.  I’m as concerned as anyone because conference budgets are being cut, interest rates are uncertain (when I’m currently building a home); my bank (which I love) has been taken over; and I leave next week to speak briefly at a conference in the US, with the Australian dollar plummeting.

At times like these that I remind myself that things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out.  I then approach every ‘challenge’ more calmly, focusing on what I can do in any given situation, rather than getting overly stressed about events over which I have no control.

End of interview

Coffee Inspired Passion

We have some awesome events and benefits coming up in 2009, so watch this space!

Don't forget to take advantage of your free Coaching session to kick-start the year with amazing clarity and inspiration.  I'll soon be introducing some fabulous coaches who are also here to cheer you on - Norma Stein from New Zealand, Judy Williams from QLD and John Gemmell from Tweed Heads.  Each one of these coaches are inspiring and successful, and incredibly generous in supporting others.

Keep an eye out for information regarding upcoming tele-calls!  The line-up is looking outstanding...

If you aren't yet a member, why not take a 21 day Test Drive and see just some of what we have to offer.  It's like an "all you can eat" opportunity! Click the link below today.

www.createthelifeclub.com/testdrive

Check out below for some of the newest material for you to download.

We would also love for you to let us know how we can support you best!