Act First-Think Later? Oops too late!
If Fire-Ready-Aim is your primary mode of planning and procedure you might find yourself facing unexpected and unfavorable outcomes more often than you have anticipated. Reacting hastily on a whim or an urge without considering the potential consequences, having difficulty stopping or altering a disruptive or fruitless action once it has been set into motion, blurting out random thoughts without considering the possible consequence are some examples of impulsive behavior. Hasty, unfocused behavior complicates our lives, and we may find ourselves facing uncomfortable/challenging consequences at the professional or personal level.
Impulsivity is something many of us struggle with at times, some more than others.
If you find yourself needing to be more proactive and less reactive in your thoughts and deeds, I would encourage you to practice a simple exercise.
Try asking yourself these four questions before taking any action.
1. What am I doing?
2. Why am I doing it?
3. What outcome do I want?
4. What outcome should I expect?
Write these questions down and keep them with you. Practice referring to the page until they become automatic thoughts.
Mastering this technique will go a long way toward harnessing impulsive behavior. Ready-Aim-Fire!
Walloping Those Sales Demons
I often chuckle when reminded of an independent financial advisor, Lenny who referred to his business efforts as hunting for the biggest bear in the woods. He spent a great deal of time tracking down the largest critter in the land and every now and then bagged the grand trophy, but when his shot failed him, he became fearful of surviving leaner times. Lenny frequently ignored the opportunity to gather in the smaller yet bountiful resources that would sustain him through the harshest times and allow him to thrive when that champion trophy was out of sight.
What matters most in the world of sales? That’s easy, generating sales and reaping the rewards of the commission. Is that happening as often as you would like? Are you performing at your optimum level? Are you sitting around waiting for that big ol bear to jump out of the woods?
The key to replicable success is having a balance between structured activities and the formulation and maintenance of trusting relationships. The value of making calls, scheduling meetings and acquiring the client is obvious and an absolute to success. The importance of building quality professional relationships is undeniable, but the critical steps are often forgotten or missed.
Successful sales requires structured activity and that is easy for some. It can be quite challenging for others, especially for those who are working for themselves or have the added pressure of generating commissions. Many professionals are impacted by the pressures of having to structure their activity when business isn’t flowing as expected. Worry and anxiety frequently appear and can derail focus and intention for brief and even extended periods of time.
During times like these, I urge Action over inertia. Start with small routines that can lead back to focused and planful activity. Make a commitment to develop habits that disrupt self-defeating behaviors, such as:
· Exercising for 10- 15 minutes before going into the office or at the office. This can increase energy and concentration
· Develop a plan of action for your day the night before (identify 1-5 clients you want to reach out to in the a.m.)
· Create a daily inventory of your strengths (know what you do well and know how to communicate that), goals and successes,
· Get to the office 10 minutes earlier than usual, pick up the phone and dial as soon as you sit down at your desk (this limits the time you have to talk yourself out of the call).
· Avoid checking voice mail and leave your computer off until you make all of your planned calls.
· Alternate difficult tasks with easier or more enjoyable ones.
· Set manageable and attainable goals (remember Lenny and the Bear).
· Ask for help when you need it.
Effective follow through, mindful activity, skillful time management, focused and effective communication are critical keys to success.
Working with a coach offers an opportunity to build focused intentional routines that can lead to successful outcomes more consistently. This process focuses on maximizing strengths, minimizing self-defeating behaviors, developing strong habits that sustain success and maintaining consistent intentional and proactive activity.
Happy Hunting!
Thinking Starts The Game, Action Decides The Winner
There are many well-known stories of extremely successful individuals who are, intensely driven, other worldly regimented, creative and bright, brighter, brightest. They spy their prize and relentlessly plot out their pursuit until their Holy Grail is secured. Some names that may strike a chord are Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, John Dutton (for all you Yellowstone fans) and Steve Jobs.
These examples of high achievers and many like them do not necessarily represent the norm. There are countless numbers of us who are creative, bright, gifted and motivated towards achievement, but may not possess the natural tendency or self-awareness to be as planful, as regimented, or as persistent.
While many of us have a dream or a passion, the creative urge, the smarts, motivation to succeed, a story to tell, a mountain to climb, there may be circumstances, natural tendencies or self-doubts that derail our confidence and efforts. What these high achievers have learned is that, most desired outcomes are determined by how well we are able to plan and then turn that plan into intentional actions.
Many of us have goals and dreams worth realizing. Perhaps creating the next great business, becoming a famous chef, managing the only Rhinoceros petting zoo in Paris, creating the next blockbuster App, or designing a jacket zipper that never gets stuck (I wish someone would!), but for many of us our goals and ambitions get lost in thought or stuck in self-doubt. You might have the energy, a great idea, vision or goal, but you may not be ready to invest in yourself, to trust yourself or to fully commit to a workable plan.
Consider what we think as the lead-in to what we do. Thought, plan, action, success!
There are questions to be asked and answered to attain clarity, direction and confidence.
What are the values and rewards of my goal? What will it take to achieve it? How much am I ready to commit? What resources will I need and do I have them and where do I get them if I don’t? What level of discomfort am I willing to experience if any? What changes will be required and is the reward equal to or greater than the effort? Can I do this on my own or do I need help/support. What are my behavior patterns that might get in my way or derail me? What are my strengths and how will I use them to my advantage? What are my blind spots? Am I ready to meet the challenge with action?
Ideas/goals without purposeful planning and sustained intentional action render little personal reward. High achievers have learned this, believe this, live this. You should too!
You Can’t Complete Something Until You Start Something
You can’t complete something until you begin something.
What if, you actually took a first step towards that crucial goal that sits restlessly in your mind, rather than just thinking about it or waiting for divine intervention today? Would you be more hopeful about your potential for success? Might that small step produce more energy and confidence?
I would suggest a route that is painless and with a high reward ceiling. There is typically a beginning and an end to any path, which if never stepped upon will offer no opportunity for satisfaction or success. If you sit long enough in contemplation or apprehension you will only learn to be very good at sitting.
One small step, what might that be you ask? It could be something as simple as:
· Putting down your I Pad, Smart Phone etc. and telling someone what your goal is and why it is important to you.
· Getting off the couch and writing down a value statement regarding the effort you will put forth and identifying the reward waiting at the end of the rainbow.
· Sitting down and charting the steps you would need to take.
· Making that first contact to get the ball rolling.
· Identifying the thoughts that have held you back and asking someone you trust to give you a nudge forward.
· Researching the information you need to put your plan into action.
· Asking for help when you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed by your project.
· Identifying and gathering the resources that will bring your goal to fruition.
I’m always suspicious when someone tells me they intend to quit smoking next Monday and today is Tuesday. While I believe they are well intended, I know they are negotiating internally and chances are very high that come Monday they will still be puffing away.
Putting off the challenge of an uncertain quest or reward for another day or week or month may bring some relief but never the emotional rush, sense of achievement and success that comes from an adventure faced and conquered.
Intentional activity breeds more activity and a more determined you.
Remember
Your success is determined by your effort!
Blog Post Title One
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Blog Post Title Two
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Blog Post Title Three
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Blog Post Title Four
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.