uring Super Bowl week, I was reminded of how frequently athletes re-invent themselves. The two teams that made it to this year's storied game put in everything they had to get there. How do such teams re-invent themselves yearly, starting with a clean slate as though it were their very first season?

They start with spring training, a time for growth and renewal. With spring around the corner, maybe it's time for us to re-invent ourselves too.

With this thought, the standard questions arise: How could I be more successful, make more money? Could I be a better spouse and parent, a better friend?

What more could I do for everyone in my life? Maybe it's an opportune time to slow everything down and take a good, hard look. Maybe it's not how can I do more, maybe it's what I can do differently?

A new kind of Super Bowl

Our businesses are incredibly important to us. We spend more time at the office than anywhere else, and for many of us, it's a passion for what we do that keeps us there.

The bankcard industry also gives us freedom to make choices. It can provide us with a good standard of living: a safe neighborhood, a nice car, the little things that makes us comfortable.

But it's important to avoid being too comfortable; complacency can ruin our effectiveness. Could we work smarter and become more productive in business? Could we gain insight from all of our life experiences? Could we someday arrive at our own business Super Bowl? The answer is yes, yes and yes.

A business Super Bowl would have different objectives for each person. Personal and professional goals are unique to the individual. For me, winning my business Super Bowl would mean having no financial worries for the years ahead. It would mean having the respect of my peers and enjoying the many fruits of my labor.

If we're each going to win our own Super Bowl, then we must make some changes. We must try new things and venture out of our comfort zone. We must understand that rewards carry the price of commitment, and there may be a little sweat involved with this re-inventing.

A game plan

So, where do we start? First, observe what the leaders in the industry are doing, and consider how adopting some of their methods might improve your effectiveness. Then, examine the unproductive little things in daily life that truly waste time.

Look under every rock to make sure your personal audit is done thoroughly. Look at relationships. What ideas can the people close to you share to help you be a better family member, friend and manager? What don't you know that you should know? Be brutally honest. What are the real fears holding you back?

Once you've gathered the facts, chart a course for progress. Be ready to re-invent yourself, a little stronger, a little smarter and a little closer to your Super Bowl. Who knows, maybe this is the year you'll make it to the big game ...

Coach Ron Tunick is President and Chief Executive Officer of Nations Transaction Services in Newbury Park, Calif. E-mail him at coach@ntspays.com or call 866-222-2112.