Quite often, in my management seminars & workshops, I talk about the difference between "want to" & "have to".

The point: we all spend time making wish lists: "I want to be successful; I want a new BMW; I want a summer home in the Caribbean; I want a million dollars"…. The list goes on. Wanting to may not have enough urgency to actually convert that thought into reality. "Have to," now that’s a different story.

When you swim in deep water, you don’t "want to" stay afloat, you "have to" .....or, you drown. When you take off in a plane, you don’t "want to" land safely, you "have to" .....or, you die.

The bottom line: It may serve you to mentally put more urgency, more "have to" in all aspects of your business in 2000. Insure that you’re fully prepared for the opportunities when they are presented to you.

We saw an article in Communications Briefing Newsletter & want to share some excerpts with you along with some of our own:

As psychologist Dr. Wayne Dyer suggests in his book, Real Magic, "Wishing & hoping cannot accomplish change without intention. ("have to")

What is needed is a shift from the inert energy of "wanting: to the active energy of "intention & doing." "I HAVE TO do this project &, I must succeed!"

Here, then, are our suggestions for improving things in 2000. We hope some of them become your "intentions," your "have tos":

Create an environment that encourages risk taking. To do so, we must allow people to fail & not make them fearful of making mistakes. Display this quote for all to see:

Invest in those things that will have a major impact. Avoid wasting time on goals that will make an insignificant difference.

Learn how to master change. Says Ichak Adizes in his book, "Mastering Change": "Because mgt. has to deal with change, no mgt. exists without conflict…. The trick to managing change well is: convert the conflict from destructive to constructive."

Generate a creative climate conducive for growth. Most people are more creative than we allow them to be. We must tap that creativity by openly encouraging & rewarding innovation.

Regain that pioneer spirit. We appear to have lost the spirit that made many nations great. We have to develop a new sense of mission & get passionate about exploring uncharted directions.

Determine what kind of training is needed to compete in today’s marketplace. Keep in mind; as jobs become more complicated, we have to train employees & ourselves to meet those challenges.

Invest in yourself. Best way to prepare for success: Develop additional knowledge & skills that will increase your value. Attend workshops, read widely both in your field & others, & associate with people who stimulate your thinking & creative powers.

Make a vigorous effort to hold on to every customer you have. Customer retention will be vital to survival for the rest of this decade.

Ask yourself this Robert Schuller question: "What one great thing would you do if you knew you could not fail?" Then do it.