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by Dave Ferguson

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What Will You Add This Year?

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What will you add this year?
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In the previous article, I posed a question: “What will you subtract this year?”

Apparently, it hit a nerve, as it was one of the most-read articles to date. It was all about ways to better use time – to free up time for the things that matter most to you, personally and professionally.

If you have not read that article, take a moment and do so now…before the next distraction or demand hits.

In this article, I want to address the phase that comes after subtraction: What do you need to add?

Have you ever had a marathon office cleaning session, where you managed to clear your desk? It felt great, right? You could sit down to work with a clear mind. That usually lasts about…one day, or for some, one hour.

Why is this?

The return of overwhelm comes because there is no process for preventing it.

Step 1 was Subtraction – Declutter those things that adversely impact your time.

Step 2 is Addition – Determine focus and create a process that keeps you from returning to overwhelm.

Here is a personal example.

Several years ago, I was a successful executive. I also owned and operated several side ventures and a good amount of real estate. On the wheel of life, “Work” was taking over, which is common among executives. But with so much focus on work, as you would surmise, other areas began to suffer.

After a wakeup call with regard to my health, I realized I needed to declutter some parts of my life to create greater margin, which I did.

But that wasn’t enough.

Fill the void.

Here is a fact of life: Voids will be filled.

That empty spot on your desk; the open calendar space; that time you decided to use for exercise…these will all be filled.

The question is: Who or what will fill the void?

Jim Rohn said it well: “If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan.”

This is why Step 2 is just as important as Step 1.

Step 1 creates margin.

Step 2 determines who or what fills it.

I had managed to create margin, which is both an accomplishment…and a considerable adjustment.

I quickly realized I had to take another step – the step of intentionally filling it.

I determined my three main priorities and created boundaries on time spent working, and scheduled in time for exercise, reading, and being out in nature to fill those spots previously used for work. My calendar was full, but full of very purposeful commitments to each area of life.

“Wait a minute!” you may be thinking. “First you advocate subtracting to create margin, and now you’re refilling the margin?”

Exactly.

Only this time, I did it with great intention. And that has made all the difference.

It has provided a measure of balance in other areas of life, and contrary to what you might think, business and career have improved with the broader focus to all areas and less time in just work. In fact, I am now a healthier and more energetic leader than I was before.

No matter your position in leadership, I urge you to take these two steps. As a leader, you must be strong for your team, and energetically, you set the pace. Addressing all areas and not just one will help you be a more effective leader.

For Step 2, review your wheel of life.

Honestly assess each area as I do with my coaching clients to determine where adjustments need to be made.

  1. Spiritual Health
  2. Personal Development
  3. Physical Health
  4. Business and Career
  5. Relationships
  6. Financials

Where do you need to add?

Where do you need to subtract?

Create margin, then fill it intentionally. Be the best leader you can be.

Dave FergusonDave Ferguson is “The Leaders’ Coach”, an internationally recognized executive leadership coach, speaker, facilitator, and author. Are you interested in talking to Dave about coaching or having Dave speak to inspire and motivate your team? “ASK COACH DAVE” at 704-907-0171 or at Dave@AskCoachDave.com.

Three Ways to Effectively Deal with PEOPLE Issues

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Three Ways to Effectively Deal with PEOPLE Issues

I had an interesting conversation with a business leader once. He essentially discounted the need for coaching because (he said) he was in the business of manufacturing a certain product and not in the PEOPLE business.

With all due respect, he was missing the entire point of his business.

We are all in the same business – the PEOPLE business.

Ultimately, it is not about your product and process. It is about the PEOPLE you work with, and the PEOPLE you serve.

We have all had days when our course was changed – for better or for worse – by an encounter with just one person. Stop at the coffee shop on your way to the office and receive stellar service with a smile, and your day is off to a great start. (Granted, some of that can be attributed to a good cup of coffee as well.)

But stop at that shop and get in line behind a cranky customer being served by an unpleasant clerk who hates their job, and your day will suddenly take a turn to the dark side. The caliber of your day is very much determined by PEOPLE.

As a leader, think about how your PEOPLE set the tone for your business.

And consider for a moment that you are also one of those PEOPLE.

• What happens when clients visit your office or call on the phone?
• Are your customer service representatives trained, encouraged, motivated, and empowered to provide the best experience possible with every customer encounter?
• How well do your teams work together? Is there collaboration…or rivalry?
• Are your product development teams focused on the desires of the PEOPLE you serve?
• How would your team rate your leadership? Do you “have their back” as much as you expect them to have yours?

It is clear.

We are in the PEOPLE business.

If there is a problem, it is very often a PEOPLE problem.

Now here’s the good news: The solution is also PEOPLE.

Here is a quick way to determine if you and the PEOPLE in your organization are part of the problem or part of the solution.

Take a look at the PEOPLE in your organization, including yourself. Which attitudes do you see? Any pilot will tell you that attitude determines altitude. With the right attitude at every level in your organization, your company can soar.

Attitudes don’t just happen. They are practiced.

How do you overcome the problems in your organization?

1. Determine the issues beneath the problems.

Very often, PEOPLE issues are tied to unmet needs. In a previous article, we talked about the “11 Essential Needs of Employees.” I urge you to read it if haven’t already. It is a powerful lesson. By meeting these needs, you can create a team of solution-focused PEOPLE in your organization.

2. Work with your team to actively practice the solutions – to be Positive, Encouraging, Onboard, Pleasant, a Leader, and Engaged.

Show me a leader who practices these attitudes and instills them in his or her team, and I will show you an outstanding organization. There is an added benefit. Leaders and teams who express the solutions mindset generate a loyal customer base who reflect those attitudes as well. It becomes a win-win situation.

3. Focus on the PEOPLE.

In business, focus is key. Process and products are catalysts. But the real focus – the one that truly determines your success – is PEOPLE. Are you focusing on the PEOPLE you serve and the team who serves with you?

Dave Ferguson is “The Leaders’ Coach”, an internationally recognized executive leadership coach, speaker, facilitator, and author. Are you interested in talking to Dave about coaching or having Dave speak to inspire and motivate your team? “ASK COACH DAVE” at 704-907-0171 or at Dave@AskCoachDave.com.

Equip Yourself with Effective Organization Skills

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Equip Yourself with Effective Organization Skills

As a leader, you have constant demands on your time. Where there was once just an inbox and a telephone, with the advent of technology, there are now multiple inboxes, multiple phones, text messages, and more meetings – in person, by teleconference, and by video conference.

This level of demand makes it more important than ever to have a well-organized approach to your work and personal life. Taking time to organize both areas will ensure you have the energy and focus you need to lead effectively.

Here are some actions you can take to protect your time:

  • Your Calendar

Take some time to review everything that currently requires your time. Cancel all unnecessary meetings and appointments, and prioritize the rest. Delegate the clutter of tasks you don’t need to complete personally, and remove those which do not need to be done at all. I recommend use of a time blocking system, whereby you block out time for certain activities. The key here is to make no exceptions during those times. I work with executives through this process often, and the results are great. Without realizing it, many have gotten caught in the practice of responding to everything immediately. A good rule to follow:  If the tasks don’t point toward your personal or business vision, why complete them?

  • Your Physical Space

To maximize daily productivity, it is important that your workspace be organized. As a busy leader, you are well acquainted with the amount of paperwork that ends up on your desk each day. Do you have a system to keep it moving? Is your desk piled high with documents to do and review, combined with sticky notes to remind you to do them?

You are not alone.

This is where an organized support staff can help you immensely. Work with your assistant to develop a system to keep the paperwork off your desk. The first step is to clear the clutter. Random contact notes and business cards? Enter them into a database. To do lists – capture them in one place and place relevant documents in a file folder or scan them into an electronic holding file. Information for meetings – have a folder for each meeting. Books should be on bookshelves, not on your desk. Documents to be filed should not be taking up residence on your desktop. Companies spend millions of dollars each year on records storage for records that are not needed for legal or documentation purposes. Regularly ask yourself if the documents you are keeping need to be retained, or if you are just putting off making a decision on them.

For ultimate focus, the only items on your desk should be those items you use daily and those documents which pertain to what you are working on each day. Clutter is a distractor. Clearing your desk helps clear your mind.

You might even benefit from re-arranging your office so things flow better. What comes in, and where does it land? How and where do you process it? How do you move it on to the next steps (the proverbial out box)? Your desk is not an out box. And who is responsible for clearing that outbox daily?

  • Your Computer

After your physical space is arranged, it is time to clean up your electronic space. This means your e-mail, computer desktop, electronic documents, and your contact list. How you choose to store your electronic files is up to you, but it is important that your electronic space is organized in a way that is easy to use.

In the online world, cleaning up your contact list frequently is not only advisable, it is essential. There is a cost associated with the number of contacts on your mailing list – and if those emails are being bounced or otherwise not delivered, you are paying for contacts who are not getting your communications.

Cleaning up your electronic files may seem like a waste of time…until you spend hours searching for something that you could have found in seconds if your system was organized.

  • Your Mobile Devices

Whether you are a fan of iPhone or android, chances are, you have some type of portable communication device connected to you at all times. Take some time to organize the files, contacts, and applications on your mobile device. If you have applications you no longer need, delete them as a matter of space and security. Consult with your IT expert to optimize your device for syncing of email and contacts. Ask for recommendations on new and better apps to increase efficiency.

Also, take the time to update your phone message, and clean out your voice mailbox. If you are thinking this is not a good use of your time as a leader, consider this: a full voice mailbox often means issues are not being addressed, or important calls are being blocked by a full voice mailbox. Go through your messages, add the contact information to your database, note the actions needed for each, then delete. Make room for new opportunities.

  • Your Habits

Practicing good habits will help you rise in leadership, and sustaining good habits will protect your leadership and reputation.

Take an organizational approach to your habits, both good and bad ones. Whether or not you realize it, your habits have a big impact on your work, your personal life, and on those you lead. When coaching executives one-on-one, we work on these extensively. Making you more effective is always the goal.

If there are bad habits you’d like to break, examine them one at a time, and create a plan for how you’re going to tackle each one. If there are good habits you want to cement, take the same approach. Then, equip yourself with the tools and an accountability partner. Adopt the habits you need to have a more fulfilled, balanced life.

  • Your Personal Life

How many executives do you know who have it all together on the business side, but their personal lives are paying the price? Maybe this is you.

You are not alone.

Part of what we consider in executive coaching and especially in our corporate retreats is the personal side of leadership. You cannot divorce the personal and professional side of you without repercussions.

Set aside some time to examine your personal time. Is it protected? How effective are you in that area? Find someone objective (like a coach) to help you with this. Make sure your schedule allows ample time for family, friends, community involvement, and hobbies.

  • Your Priorities

Clearing the physical and electronic clutter is the first step. But to sustain the organization, you must, going forward, work according to your priorities.

Consider how your priorities align with how you spend your time, at work and at home. Ask yourself the difficult questions. Realize that your life is made up of a limited amount of time. Each activity you invest time into requires a certain opportunity cost. What are the low priority items costing you? This is a powerful question, and you should ask it of yourself daily.

In today’s world, the lines between work and personal life are getting increasingly blurry. I’m happy to tell you that you can regain control of your time by taking these steps. Going through this process will not only give you peace of mind, it also will equip you with the clarity and focus your work and your team deserve.

Take a good, hard look at your priorities, and reorganize your time as needed to create and experience the best possible personal and professional life.

What are you waiting for? Get started today…and have a great week!

Dave Ferguson is “The Leaders’ Coach”, an internationally recognized executive leadership coach, speaker, facilitator, and author. For help in getting organized as a leader, “ASK COACH DAVE” at 704-907-0171 or at Dave@AskCoachDave.com.

Five Step Plan to Turn Failure into Success

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Few of us grow up thinking failure is a pathway to success. In fact, our natural instinct is to be ashamed of our failures, humiliated by them. But failure is not just a part of life, it is a fundamental element of success—a catalyst.

As a leader, you will face instances of failure – personal failures, professional failures, and failure on the part of your team members. The big question is, how are you going to handle it?

How do you quickly turn failures into successes?

Here is the five-step plan you can engage for yourself and share with your team.

1. Take a Step Back

Burnout in business is real, and it is often fed by or results in mistakes. While logic compels us to keep on going, push through, and take more risk, the fact is, there are times when you truly need to STOP. Taking a short break, a vacation, or spending time with family can reduce the burnout factor and its unintended consequences. Very often walking away for a short time helps your mind think more clearly and come up with solutions to the issues. For a team, this could be in the form of a corporate retreat. Getting away gives clear perspective to problems and begins to help formulate solid solutions.

2. Own It

It is important to openly acknowledge your mistakes, otherwise you can’t redeem yourself. You don’t have to apologize for your choices, but you do have to confront them so you can make better ones going forward. Harry Truman said it well, “The buck stops here.”

3. Reassess

Look at your situation from every angle, and talk with others about it. Look for those people who will give you honest feedback. They could be your business advisors, friends, employees, co-workers, or family. The key is to listen, synthesize everything, and get the complete picture of your failure. Figure out what happened, and why. With your new perspective, look for ideas on how to move forward.

4. Stay Confident

Failure can be a huge blow to the ego, especially after steps two and three. It’s human. But, if you want to be a successful leader, you must let go of your failure and move forward with optimism and confidence. An occasional ego correction is both humbling and healing. It teaches us to make better decisions in the future. Realizing this is normal will help you regain your confidence to move on.

5. Revise and Refocus

Now you are ready to learn from your mistakes, improve, and find success from your failure. You simply can’t afford to spend time replaying the pity party or second-guessing yourself. Form a new plan of action and write it out on paper. Then embrace your new plan, and enjoy this new beginning. Consistent action yields consistent results. The mistake that caused the downturn can be a pivot point for the upturn if you consciously adjust your plan based on what you have learned.

Our greatest lessons come from mistakes and failures. Leaders don’t just see failures as an example of what not to do again. They try to learn everything possible, embracing failure as a way to learn how to do things right.

It takes determination, and with each lesson learned, you will pave the way to success.

Dave Ferguson is “The Leaders’ Coach”, an internationally recognized executive leadership coach, speaker, facilitator, and author. For help in getting past a mistake and on to the path to success, “ASK COACH DAVE” at 704-907-0171 or at Dave@AskCoachDave.com.

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