Posts Tagged ‘End In Mind’
“Begin With The End In Mind”
Where are you and where are you going?
We should wonder; am I living life or is life living me? Very clearly this is about control, control of your own life. So we may think: of course I am in control of my life. But if we clearly do not know how we got where we are and where we are going and also how we are going to get there then life is living us and we need to take control of our lives. So let’s take control and keep that control. How do you do that? One secret is to “begin with the end in mind,” Stephen Covey’s second habit in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. On the Stephen Covey website it says:
“Begin with the End in Mind means to begin each day, task, or project with a clear vision of your desired direction and destination, and then continue by flexing your proactive muscles to make things happen.”
So for the client I met with this morning it meant that we discussed how his different business locations have done and what “end” he wants for the coming period and the need to communicate that with his staff. He is now equipped to communicate the expectation for the coming period and empower his staff with a way to make it happen. We will do this regularly so proactive activities can be undertaken to get to the “end” he wants rather than letting the wind of life dictate his “end.”
Now make sure you understand the “end” is not only the next period but also the next year, the next few years and the rest of his life. One “end in mind” for this client is to spend more time in his favorite location scuba diving and then while he is there he will not be happy unless he has a business to run. He now sees an “end” where he can run his business in the US virtually from his favorite location. How did he develop in his mind this “end?” Well he is open to creating his own life rather than taking what life deals him. Also, he surrounds himself with people that are creative givers.
Empowered to Succeed By Giving of Your True Self
OK, here we go with another book. Well not just another book but the best book on business and life that I have read in the past 30 years, except of course for the Bible. That book is The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann. This is truly a liberating book that will help you to see the need to give yourself and success will result. Not the self you have been told to be but who you really are. No more trying to be something you are not because you read in a book or heard at a seminar that you need to be something else to close a deal with a certain technique. After reading this book you will be excited about what you can accomplish by applying what you read.
In order to surround yourself with creative givers you must first be a creative giver yourself. My client is just that and he is open to receiving as well as giving, a principle from The Go-Giver. My client listened to the eBook and created the opportunity for him to be a connector and he thinks his CPA is a connector also. In addition he saw how his CPA, who is far from retirement, realized an “end” by moving to Acapulco. My client was skeptical about how I would be able to work from Acapulco but he has seen over the last year that we still meet regularly and even do so face to face using available technology. We are even planning a software conversion on his wife’s business computer with me assisting from Mexico. Now he is not only OK with his CPA being in Mexico but he brags about it to his connections. Last week I spoke to his financial adviser who was amazed I can do this. In reality he could do it too if he created it as an “end in mind.” But let’s make sure this is clear. It is not just the available technology it is the state of mind that makes living life possible.
If you want a CPA that “begins with the end in mind” and who will be a creative influence in your life then contact me using my contact information below. Let’s work together to make your “end(s)” happen.
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Jeff Haywood, CPA
972-439-1955
jeff.jhtaxes@gmail.com
I prepare the following types of tax returns:
Personal
Business
Estates
Trusts
Federal and State Returns
Also, I am available for tax planning and discussions about business, retirement planning and life goals.
For recent US income tax content see the following links:
If the band you are in starts playing different tunes
Where Is It? Tax Refund
Deadline for 2010 Personal Tax Returns Moved
Now is the time to file those late tax returns for previous years
IRS: 8 Things to Know if You Receive an IRS Notice
IRS: Nine Fact on Filing an Amended Return
IRS: Eight Facts on Penalties
IRS Top Ten: Making Federal Tax Payments
Forming a New Business – Please Consult With Your CPA First
Questions After I Have Filed My Return
For a full list of prior posts see the CPA Tax Blog.
Standard Disclaimer:
As always keep in mind that the content provided on this site is general in nature and may or may not apply to your particular case. It is best to check with a tax professional about your circumstances and what is best for you personally. Also, IRS regulations and tax laws are constantly changing and the information on this site is not constantly updated. Again please check with me about your particular circumstances and what will be best in your situation at the given time and law.
This article was written by Jeff Haywood, CPA.
Jeff is a licensed CPA in both Texas and Illinois.
He has prepared income tax returns for the public for over 10 years.
He also has an MBA in Finance from Loyola University in Chicago and he has 24 years experience in Corporate Finance and Business Analysis.
