We work with many people who describe themselves as “burnt out” – what does that mean?
In order to be burnt out you must have been on fire at some point? Were you?
“I am burnt out”… Burnt out is not who you are – burnt out is something that happened to you – burnt out is an event not a person. It does not define you.
If you think you are burnt out… then that creates a very limited mindset… you begin to think like you think a burnt out person might think?
You make excuses for your behaviour – well that is what you would expect a burnt out person to do. So it’s OK?
What if you weren’t actually burnt out? How might your mindset change? The events that caused you to feel burnt out are in the past, they no longer exist – since you aren’t burnt out, then who are you? The same amazing human being that you have always been! Or you can change your circumstances and the events that are causing you to identify yourself as burnt out and therefore change how you are feeling – no burnt out events – no burnt out feelings.
At Opening Gates we work with business owners and leaders who come to us feeling this way – and there is an alternative.
If you are feeling burnt out (or feel you are heading in that direction), get in touch with us for an obligation free chat, and we’ll talk you through the solutions.
Simply get started on your Strategy AND follow through TO reap the rewards…
We are currently in the process of facilitating annual strategy days and making plans for the new financial year. There is lots of excitement and anticipation around what is possible this coming year. And there was last year too. But according to many business owners, that was then… and almost immediately the day to day “stuff” sapped this energy as reality struck…and they wondered what on earth they had been thinking? The plan and the strategies seemed overwhelming… too overwhelming to even get started. When there is more time… we will allocate the resources and energy. And the momentum rolls to a halt.
Sound familiar? In a state of busyness, we rarely see these plans or strategies as a series of small, achievable tasks, which if accomplished one at a time will see those big goals actually realised.
Every strategy should include:
1. The OBJECTIVE – what is it you want to achieve – what is the outcome?
2. The WHY – what value will this strategy add to your business, to you and your team?
3. The CHUNKS – chunk the project down into at least 3 parts
4. The FIRST STEP – what is the first step that needs to be taken?
5. The WHO – who is responsible for making this happen?
6. The BLOCKS – what might get in the way of this strategy being implemented?
After a few months when the memory wanes it can become less clear as to what value the action will add and therefore much easier to let it fall by the wayside. By including the WHY, you remind yourself why it is important to remain motivated to implement this strategy.
The CHUNKS – most projects can be broken down into 3 parts and research indicates that we, as human beings, are able to deal with 3 tasks or actions without feeling overwhelmed.
Then be clear on the FIRST STEP – what is the first step required to get this show on the road. And WHO is responsible for making this happen? Often this is all it takes to gain momentum.
The BLOCKS is a pre-emptive measure – think about what challenges may be faced as you implement this strategy? Including the BLOCKS serves as a reminder that, yes, this was anticipated and no, it does not mean the project should be delayed – there are solutions.
The best time to consider these 6 factors is on your Strategy or Planning day – this is when you are most clear on the value this strategy or project will add to your business. You are more likely to find innovative ways to deal with potential challenges or blocks.
Remember the formulae > Decisions x Actions = Results. You can decide to implement any number of innovative projects at your strategy days. However, if you take no action, then you will not enjoy the results. If you take too long to get started, the value will be eroded.
The power of an idea is in its implementation. So invest valuable time up front to provide the impetus to get started straight away and to follow through!
Traditionally, what business owners are looking for from their consultants, coaches, mentors – is how to increase sales, increase profit, improve cashflow, build and protect business value, and to exit out of the business. All very important.
(Question: Could you be building an even bigger business which is even more misaligned with your life plan?)
After working with business owners for over 25 years what I have found is that you can have strategies to do all of these things (and a growing business needs them) – but if these strategies are to be implemented in the most powerful way then we also need a big dose of passion – yes, passion for our business. And this passion index is driven by purpose – your purpose in life, your WHY – that which drives your life plan.
So we start with the WHY – get excited about the life plan – feel the joy of anticipating or knowing that the life you aspire to can and will turn up – the passion index is through the roof and now we can build a business which is fit for purpose – your purpose.
With purpose comes new passion – passion & purpose make a powerful combination
I know, I live by this adage every day.