Here are two powerful concepts which will enable you to play your bigger game.  Not only will you learn how to enhance what is possible for you personally, these strategies are proven team leadership tools.

 

1. Transform Your Thinking & Vision from Impossible to Certain

We believe you have everything you need to play your bigger game!  We work with people every day helping them to transform their thinking and vision, to breakthrough their comfort zones, to live their potential daily.  Click here to read more…

 

2. Focus, Effective Strategies, Empowering Beliefs

So you know what you want to achieve this year?  You are clear on what your goals are and why it is important to you that they are reached.  This knowing is so powerful – clarity around goals means that you are more likely to make decisions and take actions everyday with these desired outcomes as your point of reference.  Click here to read more…

 

These concepts are just two of many included in our LEADERSHIP by DESIGN workshops.  Find out more today.

 

I was enjoying a mentoring conversation with a client (let’s call her Mary) recently – Mary told me that her partner thought it was important that I know (as her mentor) that she never finishes anything.

Some words yell at me – words like “never” and “anything”– both such BIG words – global words or statements like this play havoc with the mind (but that’s another story!).

I asked Mary what she thought – did she agree with that statement?  Mary was sure she finished projects and eventually with lots of prodding could come up with quite a few examples.

But that aside – it was clear that Mary had not clarified what “finished” looked like with her partner or with herself for that matter.

How can we congratulate ourselves on completing something successfully, if we don’t know what completed looks like or what success is?  How can we expect to be congratulated by others when they have different perspectives.

Consider this scenario which will be very familiar to some of us:

Jill asked her son to tidy his bedroom.  He made the bed and was surprised when reprimanded for not doing what he was told.  He had finished tidying his room according to his understanding of what finished looked like and he had made the bed just like he had been shown – so he also felt like he had done a good job – success was his.

On the other hand, Mum expected to be able to see the floor, dirty clothes in the laundry, magazines, sports gear etc on the shelves.

These two very different definitions of finished caused unnecessary angst and confusion.  Who has a checklist for bedroom cleaning?

The same applies in a business environment – how often do you see a bewildered look on the face of a team member who clearly thinks he has successfully completed a task only to be chastised or asked to go back and finish it?

As a leader and manager, always be clear on what ”finished” looks like – and also be clear on what a successful outcome means.  Clarify the expected standards, the steps, the time frames, the outcomes, the roles with the team – and check for understanding.

When it’s your project – something you have undertaken to do – it is just as important to write down what finished means, what a successful outcome looks like and why, why should you take this project through to the end.  And don’t forget to make sure your stakeholders know exactly what, finished successfully, means to you.

It sounds like a simple concept and it is.  However, I have found that too often these simple concepts are overlooked because we assume we are all on the same page.  Never assume.

 

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you have a read of What is Success?  Do you feel Successful?

How did you go?  Did you answer the 10 questions?

On 31st December 2013 I posted my blog 10 questions that must be answered before you set your intentions for 2014.

I developed these 10 questions as a constructive way to reflect on 2013 – questions that I have asked of the amazing people I coach, mentor and encourage.  I was amazed at how powerful the process of answering these questions were for my clients and how it changed the way they “rated” 2013 and also on how they would be in 2014.

It became very apparent that I needed to answer the questions myself – to walk my talk – and am I glad I did!

Yes, I sat down… turned my sensitivity meter off, put my ego in my back pocket (which was a little uncomfortable for ego since I was sitting down!), locked up my sensor and answered the questions with brutal honesty and love.

My insights were invaluable – what a rich and rewarding year I had as I transitioned from a predominately head based ego centric way of being to this more heart based intentional world of opportunity and purpose.  I reset some of my intentions for 2014, I became very clear on where my focus should be in terms of my own self development and growth, I elevated my understanding about what is possible for me and I took the time to celebrate the opportunities that had come my way, those exceptional wins and valuable learnings.

I urge you to do the same – to set time aside to reflect and learn from your past year.  It is not about making 2013 look better, or reliving the painful events and the challenges… it is simply seeing 2013 as it was and taking from it what will serve you in 2014.

And, if, as you answer each question… a random thought turns up, follow your thought thread through to the end – it doesn’t matter that it is not entirely relevant to the question – you will be surprised by the insights you will gain.

Click below to read the blog:

 

 

I would love to hear from you – please leave your comments.

10 questions that MUST be answered BEFORE you set your intentions for 2014

31st December, 2013… a day for reflection – not simply for reflection’s sake but for an invaluable insight into who you have become and who you are being, now –  one year on.

Answer these questions… take your time, be honest.  Don’t try to make 2013 look  better or worse than it actually was.  Own it and honour it as another precious year in your journey of life and consider how you lived it, how you felt, how you grew.

1.  What were the most significant events in 2013?  Why were they significant? In review, we can often see how we zig zag our way through life.  So, where there any events which turned your zig into a zag?

2.  Who influenced you the most in 2013?  Or rather, who did you allow to influence you and how you lived your life in 2013?  Why?

3.  What were your biggest challenges?  And in hindsight, would you have done anything differently?  This question often highlights the learnings.

4.  Did you practice self-care?  Did you honour your  physical body, the vessel which will enable you to do what needs to be done over your entire lifetime … to live the life you aspire to.

5.  Did you stay true to you, your definition of you, to your values?  And if you did or you didn’t… how did it feel?  Are you clear on who you are, what your definition of you is, or what your non-negotiable values are?

6.  How would you rate your passion for your life in 2013?  1 = abysmal and 10 = awesome.  Why?  Compared to other years – how did it rate in the passion stakes?

7.  Did you have a purpose?  A reason for being – Do you know why you are on this earth at this time?

8.  And did you really participate in life… I mean, give it your all?  Did you welcome each morning with anticipation? Rate it 1 to 10.

9. How did  you grow?  What did you learn?  How did you feed your intelligence?

10.  What contribution did you make beyond yourself?  How did you take your value, your core genius and transfer that value to others?  Do you know what value you have to add?

The answers to these 10 questions will help you better understand you – to begin to know yourself more intimately.  But only if you are completely honest?  Check your responses – how did you go?  Did you find yourself shutting down “the truth” and moving on to the next question?  Take your time and write down your responses.

Remember your life is a reflection of you and the choices you have and will make.

Tomorrow when you set your intentions for you for 2014 you will see that the answers to these questions give you invaluable guidance and insight.

In order to set your intentions for your future and to create a life which is perfect for you, you must know yourself intimately – otherwise you might just find you are living a life better suited to someone else – and often that someone else is the person who is most influencing you at the time…  Our LIFE by DESIGN Retreats provide a perfect forum to explore your uniqueness and enable you to design a bespoke life – an amazing fulfilling life that you aspire to.

 

 

Effective recruitment is one of the biggest challenges business owners say they face – they tell me it is impossible to get the right people.  And as a consequence they, themselves, must work harder and longer hours.  And business growth is stymied as a result.

Some tell me that all the kids of today (their potential employees) are in such a hurry, they want everything now, and with the least amount of effort.  They are not interested in working hard or putting in the hours and are so idealistic.

Firstly, let me say that there are 2 really big global statements or beliefs here –

1. “It is impossible to get the right people”; and

2. These descriptions of the attitudes of young people.

I believe that this people challenge is actually a mindset challenge… nothing more, nothing less.

With limiting global beliefs like this in tow, we will not take an expansive or creative mindset into the recruitment process.

If we go to the market thinking that we won’t find the right person – then we most probably won’t!

If we are thinking it is all a waste of time, our commitment to the process will be weak.  We will most likely revert to doing what we have always done (and we will get what we have always got – the “wrong” people).  Given that we expect recruitment will not be successful, we are disinclined to be innovative, think outside the square or to invest extra energy, funds, or time in the process.

But what if you took the attitude that the right people are out there… they are just not working for you… yet.  And who are these kids who have a sense of urgency, who are ambitious, confident, who have interests other than work and envision a better way of being?

How would your mindset change?

If you are not attracting the people you need, then why not?  Maybe it isn’t that the people aren’t out there, but rather that they are not attracted to what they perceive you have to offer.  Would you examine what you did last time and consider how it could be improved to be more relevant to the current labour market?  Would you spend more time becoming clear on exactly who this person might be, what skill set they might have, and what they might be doing now, where they could be working and what environment they are currently excelling in.

Given that you now believe the right people are out there, then:

• advertise more strategically;
• work at attracting this talent – become a talent magnet; and

Find out the answers to these questions:

• what are their hobbies and their interests?;
• where are they are studying and how they are spending their spare time?;
• how can you add value to them before they even know they will be working for you?;
• who do you know who could help you to find these stars?;
• are you fishing where the fish are?;
• how are you promoting your value in places they are shopping or browsing?; and
• what would a fast paced, value adding, exciting, balanced work place look like (and isn’t that where you would like to work anyway… and the energy of a place like that… how would that feel)?

When you change your language and recognise the limiting effect of this type of global generalised belief, then you begin to see the challenge with a new sense of possibility.

Consider the attributes of our amazing younger generation – think about how their beliefs and attitudes can be leveraged and harnessed in your business environment.  It’s interesting that when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.  Yes, it is all about mindset and the willingness to challenge old beliefs.  This is why a business will never outperform its owners and leaders – and this is why business owners, if they give themselves permission, will enjoy incredible personal growth as a pre-requisite for leading a vibrant, relevant business that attracts great people.

So with your new empowering beliefs in place… take another look at your people challenge – you will be pleasantly surprised at the new opportunities that come with an expanded mindset.

This way of thinking is integral to becoming an even better leader in business and in life.

We build on these concepts and expand the opportunities for you and your business in our BUSINESS by DESIGN and LEADERSHIP by DESIGN workshops. 

Register your interest in these workshops today:

 

 

A 24 hour business cannot mean a 24 hour commitment from the owner, can it?

Being accessible to your customers 24/7 may be the new reality of business with on-line shopping, extended opening hours and e-commerce… but what does it mean to the small business owner?  How on earth can a business owner be expected to be “on call” 365 days a year, 24 hours a day – that is not humanly possible and it certainly isn’t sustainable.

What I have found is that when business owners go on holidays or when their team is working on weekends, they may have left the building but their minds are still firmly entrenched in the business sandpit.  When the business is operating, these owners are still mentally at work – “on call” just in case something unusual happens – something the team wouldn’t be able to handle.

The only time owners sever this mental attachment is when the business is closed (or at least for some part of that time).

I have already seen the fall-out of this 24/7 story.  Owners who have not considered or planned for the impact of being mentally and emotionally “on call” without reprieve are fast losing their passion for their business – they blame the business, the team, the customers, the industry and the increasing demands around accessibility, for their state of mind.  They see no escape, no alternative and it becomes all pervasive, impacting on family, friends, community, health – they are at a loss and feel like they are failing at the one thing they did well and which in effect, defined them.

Business owners believe that they must move with the times (and rightly so) and embrace the concept of e-commerce, social media and longer opening hours and they begin the implementation process without due consideration to how this will work from a global perspective.  There are so many questions which must be asked before the process begins.

Questions like:

• What does being open for business 24/7 mean? Is it every day? All day?

• What new KPI’s will need to be set? – What is the break-even point – the point when do you decide to be “closed”? Sales per hour, enquiries per hour, conversions per hour – and during which hours – will help you to decide when your customers are actually doing business with you.

•  And what commitments are being made around service outside of “normal” business hours?  Will all products and services be offered? What expertise will be required and offered, and when?

• What do your team think?  And how will you engage them in the process?

• What do your team need to know?  What training is required?

• Do you need to employ new skill sets?  Can you contract in the skills in a more cost effective way?

• What new systems need to be documented?

• And how will customers be interacted with – and who will take on that role?

• What will the customer or user experience look and feel like?  How will you stay on brand?

• And will your suppliers be available to assist during these additional hours?  If not, how will that play out?

• And this may be the most important question of all – how will it impact you, the owner?  What do you need to have in place to enable you to “turn off”?

These few questions just touch the surface – invest the time in this pre-implementation process – research what others are doing in your industry, ask your team for input, attend information sessions, and survey your customers and your market (which may expand).  And then continually review, measure, and reset and engage with those who are doing business with you.

Don’t enter this brave new world without doing your homework.  And be warned… too often business owners are on this journey, well entrenched in the new business model before they know it – almost by stealth, little by little, hour by hour, longer opening hours have become the norm.  And owners wonder why they feel so totally overwhelmed.

Let me go back to the last question…

• And this may be the most important question of all – how will it impact you, the owner?  What do you need to have in place to enable you to “turn off”?

If this question isn’t addressed the likely outcome is not pretty… owners lose the fire in their belly, energy levels fall and the business begins to suffer along with the health and well-being of the owner and all those who he or she connects with.

The business must be designed to be fit for the purpose of a 24/7 operation which at the same time enables the owners to live a rich and fulfilling life.  There may need to be a reset around the owner’s beliefs concerning the role a business should or should not play in their lives.  Often the owner has a misconception (often unknowingly) that the business and their role in it defines them… they are the business and the success of the business is the only measure of success for themselves personally.  There is no separation.

In these circumstances, as the business trades for longer hours, the business owner has the “opportunity” to become even more connected and reliant on the business – it becomes even more all-consuming.

The “rules” of a business must be biased towards the owner’s life plan – too often, the “rules” of life are biased towards ensuring the business plan works.

There is another way, a better way.  It is never too late to take back control.  Find out how at our BUSINESS by DESIGN Workshops. 

 

 

Hindsight is a wonderful thing… unless you are dead or it is too late to do anything about it!

I know… that sounds really morbid and rather sensational – however, it is so real for so many.  Too often I hear – “I wish I had taken the time to think about what I wanted out of life.  Now here I am looking back and I realise I had no direction, no real purpose – I feel like I have wasted all those years. What if…”

If you come to this realisation early on, then hindsight is wonderful – you have another chance to reset, and live into your potential every day from then on.  Knowing where you are now, becoming clear on where you want to be and designing the journey to bridge the gap is one of the most empowering understandings you can have.  It sounds so simple but is so often put aside for another time because there is too much going on, too much busyness.

Your current actions are creating your future. If you want to know what your future holds, then look to your actions – they are the best predictor of your future.  As an example, if you want to predict your future health, then look at your current eating and exercise habits.  Your actions tell the story.

“People travel to wonder at the height of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars, and they pass by themselves without wondering.”  – St. Augustine

Why wait until life forces you to take a break, to pause.  Take the time now to understand what actions you need to be taking every day for the future you want, to turn up.

Take the time to come to a LIFE by DESIGN Program – you will come away being clear on what you want your future to look like and you will have the tools, strategies and actions to make it happen.

 

SUCCESS – Means different things for different people – what’s your definition?

Do you want to be successful?  Yes?  So what does “being successful” mean, what does it look like, feel like?  And how will you know when you are there?

At our LIFE by DESIGN Retreats, we use proven tools and processes to help you build your own meaning of success – putting you firmly in control of your success journey.

Success is a big word – it carries with it many different connotations, which have been attached to it by society over time from one generation to the next.

Many people are striving for success without knowing exactly what success means to them.  Given society places considerable status on “being successful”, success often forms part of what we say we want out of life – we want to be successful!  This process of aiming for an undefined outcome – this nirvana called “success” – too often sucks the life force out of people, and causes them to focus on goals that are not congruent with their hopes and dreams.

When I am successful, then I will slow down.  When I am successful, then I will celebrate.  Whatever success is!

 

Let’s consider this scenario…

University students are sitting an exam.  Bob’s goal is to pass, Bill to gain a HD, and Bevan to get 100%.  Ann is ultra-competitive and wants to be the best in the class, to come first.  Mary hasn’t set any personal goals – she has studied right up to the last minute and this is just one subject of many.

The lecturer may have a different set of expectations for her students.  The students’ parents may have yet another. If the students achieve their individual goals they should be successful on their own terms, shouldn’t they?

If Bob passes the exam and that was his goal – then he has succeeded according to his criteria – and he should acknowledge and celebrate that.  His lecturer, however, may believe that Bob is capable of a HD and anything less could not be considered a successful outcome.

So who is right?

It depends from whose point of view, in whose shoes we are standing.  You are fighting a losing battle if you allow someone else to decide when you are or are not successful, to set the bar for you.

It is important to “own” your own definition, to be clear on why you have set this standard and then stand your ground.  Don’t be disempowered because someone else holds a different definition of success for you.

What about Mary – she also passes the exam.  She had no clear goal pre-exam – maybe just getting there was a win.  Or maybe Mary measures success on completion of the course and she doesn’t check in to assess success until then.

You are more likely to be influenced by someone else’s definition of success if you haven’t taken the time to create your own.  If you don’t know what success means to you, then how will you know when you have achieved it?

We contend that you are successful at the time when you choose to do the things you need to do to achieve the outcome you desire – the outcome is a result of your success – success is a journey.  There is no better time than NOW to start your journey of success.

Take the time to design your life and then do what it takes to enable your desired future to turn up – getting started is the first measure of success!

And, there is no better place to get started than at our LIFE by DESIGN Retreat.

Join us at our LIFE by DESIGN Retreat and become clear on what a life well lived looks like to you and a big part of that is understanding what success means for you.

Don’t delay – take this opportunity to design your life’s journey – take charge and lead your way.

 

What a difference an EOFY deadline makes – Periodisation at its best!

Have you found that during the last month of your financial year there is more focused activity towards meeting annual budgets and KPI’s?

What is different?  The end of financial year is just a line in the sand.  But everybody buys into it, don’t they.  It is a deadline that creates urgency.  And this urgency means that we are focused on the most important activities – we are doing the stuff that really counts.  Energy is high, there is less procrastination, and blocks are addressed.  And we look forward, with anticipation to the new year – a fresh start!

So why not have an EOFY every 3 months?  If big goals are kicked during this deadline driven environment at year end – then why not replicate it during the year.  We become more focused, more productive, more inventive and get to celebrate the new year 4 times a year.

And have you noticed that, when you have a bad month early in the year it doesn’t seem so significant because you have plenty of time, another 10 months or so, to make it up.

What a waste!  And what is going to change?  Why do we think that we are going to perform above current levels in order to catch up if we are not doing it now?  This is a mindset which I have found is often the precursor to poor full year results – the underlying belief that there is enough time to catch up – the urgency hasn’t kicked in and we are kidding ourselves!

If we don’t have 10 months or so to catch up then this reasoning is invalid.  If we have an EOFY every 3 months then having a poor month really isn’t an option.

Then there is the “what’s the point” mentality that occurs when annual budgets and KPI’s seem impossible to reach.

The team gives up and becomes even less effective.  This can occur 3 months (or more) out from year end and this lack of achievement can become very demoralising.  The team can’t wait for 1 July when the slate gets wiped and a new story begins.  What a waste – so much time spent (and never to be regained!) at well below potential.

With an EOFY every 3 months, you get to start again more often – a new “year”, a new budget, new KPI’s, new energy!  You get to take time to celebrate your progress and your wins and to reset at least 4 times each year.

Warning!!  This is not just about breaking your annual plan down to more “doable” chunks – it is a mindset which must become part of the way you do things.

Your language, your thinking, your actions must all align with the new belief that there are 4 EOFY’s each financial year.  Or that your years are now 12 weeks long not 52!  It won’t work if there is an underlying belief that 30 June is the actual deadline and this is when the results that really matter are measured.  Once installed into your culture the 3 month year creates a heightened sense of urgency and an increased focus on the critical activities which drive results and fulfilment.

Don’t wait until 30 June to change to your 3 month year – it can be implemented at any time.

Businesses we are working with to create their 12 month plans, will be starting their first 3 month year from the 1st of the next quarter – the longer you wait the more time passes, the more opportunities you are missing.

You may even choose for 30 June not to be one of your year ends for your business – to take that arbitrary line in the sand out of contention.

Leave your details if you would like to learn more about this process and how it might work for you.  We will give you an obligation free call.

 

 

Consider this… you are the CEO of YOU INC – you are leading you, the corporation.

YOU INC will have a vision, which will provide clarity and direction for you, the CEO who is leading the way.  You will be clear on where you want YOU INC to be in the future so that you have the right focus.  The vision will reflect the purpose of YOU INC – your WHY.  You would be clear on why you do what you do and what YOU INC‘s role is in that.  This WHY will be way bigger than what you do or how you do it.  This WHY will generate the passion, purpose and energy required for you to create a successful and sustainable YOU INC.  You feel aligned and you are not at cross-purposes.

You will have created a culture that mirrors your values, ideals and beliefs – a culture which supports the very essence of you and YOU INC.

The YOU INC brand will reflect the culture, the vision, the why or purpose so that it attracts those who you want to connect with, who will support you and YOU INC.  You will nurture those relationships and build a strong community and counsel.

You will have goals and strategies that will take YOU INC towards the vision you have planned.  There will be actions and timelines and measures in place to keep you accountable.

You will understand that YOU INC will never outperform you as the leader and so you participate in personal growth programs and continued learning.  You will understand what it takes to be a great leader.

You will know your strengths and your position description will reflect them – you will spend most of your time doing what you do really well.

And we could go on and on…

From a business’ point of view this all makes sense – it is simply good business practice that any successful CEO would employ.

 

So my questions are…

• Do you have a vision for you and your life?

• Do you know what your purpose in life is – why you do what you do?

• And your culture – could you clearly identify the values and beliefs that are non-negotiable to you?

• Have you considered whether your behaviours align with your culture?

• And who are you attracting into your life, what is your brand?

• How strong is your community and do you have your counsel – those people you turn to, who have got your back, who encourage you?

• Do you have goals, strategies and actions – and timelines to ensure that you can look back on a life well lived, a life you aspire to?

• And who will support you and keep you accountable?

• Are you practicing self-leadership?

• What are you doing about lifelong learning, what interests you and what will add value to you and yours?

• What are your strengths?

• And who on earth are you?

 

How many of these questions could you write down the answers to, without any forethought, straight off the cuff?

Too often we pay more attention to our businesses, our life roles, our jobs, our careers – what we do – than to ourselves, who we are and who we want to be.  We have an outward looking focus – noticing more about what others are doing and thinking, or what is happening in our environment – rather than taking time to get to know ourselves well enough to answer these questions.

We are the CEO’s of our lives – we are in charge!  It is our responsibility to design our own life’s journey – this is not something we can delegate or abrogate.

Our LIFE by DESIGN Programs provide you with the tools, strategies and insights along with the time and support you will need to come up with the answers to these questions and many more.

Find out more about our upcoming LIFE by DESIGN Programs – don’t delay – take this opportunity to design your life’s journey – take charge and lead your way.