We all want results, and we always get them. But that isn’t enough. Because what we often don’t get are good results. The ones we really want rather than the ones we settle for. In the previous blog entry I drew an analogy between elephants in a circus held in place with a small rope and a tiny stake and the limiting beliefs we all have that serve as our rope – keeping us equally stuck in a place we would rather not be.
In order to get different results, we have to do things differently. That feels scary. For me, it takes me way outside of my comfort zone. Sometimes it feels much safer to stay anchored to what I know, even if it means settling. But I have learned in working with clients over the last 10 years that dreaming big and being brave are two requirements for having a business and a life I love.
There is a process to moving forward. Here are the steps that have helped me.
- Commit. Take a stand. Make a promise to yourself and keep it. Start thinking bigger. Set the bar for what you want, and what you will accept, higher. Change “I will try”, to “I will”.
- Be specific. It isn’t enough to say “I want to make more money”. Be specific. How much money? By when?
- Focus. State your intentions. Write down your goals. Focus your time, energy and knowledge towards fulfilling your commitments to yourself and your future.
- Take action. Take one baby step each day. Don’t wait until you “have time” to take massive action. One step. Each day. After a month you will be 30 steps closer to fulfilling your commitment.
- Break down your action plan into 90 day blocks. If you have a goal for 12 new clients this year, focus on getting the first 3. Want to develop a new product or service? Make it happen in 90 days.
- Make sure you have a system for getting things done. The “how” something will be completed (the system) is even more important than the “what” (your goal). That is the power of breaking things down into 90 day blocks. Schedule your time to plan, learn what you need to do and produce then outcome.
- Say no. Often. Focus means that you say no to anything that doesn’t support your plan. Meaningless meetings. Checking out Facebook. Taking on projects that someone else should, or could, be doing. Unnecessary distractions.
- Learn to identify the gaps. Stephen Covey taught us to begin with the end in mind. When you measure where you are today versus where you want to be in 90 days, you will find the gaps that need to be filled in order to fulfill the commitment you have made to yourself. Filling those spaces make things happen. And remember, you don’t have to do it all – nor should you. Find the resources to help you do the things you aren’t good at doing.
- Manage your energy not your time. I am really good at doing things that take focus early in the morning. By 3:00 pm I am ready for a nap. I can be somewhat brilliant at noon. Totally foggy by 5:00 in the afternoon. You have your own rhythm. Respect it. And, don’t forget to sleep at least 8 hours a night. Take breaks every 50 minutes. Get up, walk around, stretch, pet the dog. We all have the same number of hours to be productive every day. The difference between the people who get a lot done and those that don’t is in part how they manage their energy.
It takes courage to do things differently. Time passes regardless of the results we get. So, we might as well fill our days, months and years with the results we want. Need help? Give us a call. We will be waiting to make things happen for you too.