Living to Lead

by Dave Ferguson

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Why Resolutions Don’t Work

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Last week, I opened with a discussion around how in December many people start making resolutions for the upcoming year, and less than 1% of them are still attempting to execute these resolutions 30 days later. If you are reading this week, then you must be willing to try something different this year. Are you really? Remember, lists (or as most people call them in December, “resolutions”) are useless without proper focus and a deliberate mindset. Once you have those two things, you still need to develop action plans; but wait, you’re not done yet.  What about executing your plans?

As I mentioned last week, this coming year, I am challenging you to try something new. You’re reading again this week, so I’m assuming you’re on-board. You see, I don’t like seeing busy people waste their time and energy on activities that are fruitless. They may feel like they are being efficient, but are their activities effective?

This week, I’m going to share a few more reasons why I believe resolutions don’t work. My goal here is to get you to move over to a system of progress, not one of change. Wouldn’t you be much happier if you had plans that you continued to execute on because you consistently see progress?  Of course you would.

Let me tell you why I believe most people fail at this type of setting resolutions process.

First, let me recap the first four I gave you last week (if you missed last week, email me, and I will gladly forward them to you, in detail):

1. They get too greedy with their resolutions.

2. They don’t make their resolutions personal.

3. They actually don’t write them down.

4. They don’t make their resolutions visual.

Here are the three additions for this week.

5. They don’t review their resolutions often enough. If you’re serious about making changes and/or progress, you have to review them periodically to check your progress. Just as pilots have to check and adjust flight plans, so must we with our business and life plans. Makes sense doesn’t it?

6. They keep their resolutions to themselves. Why do you think people are afraid to make promises? I believe it’s because most people are afraid to put themselves on the line. It’s not different when we make these annual resolutions. We share them with few to no people. I suggest people tell everyone – and if you’re really serious, take out an ad in your local paper and post your goals for the year. Any takers on this one? Look for mine in the next few weeks.

7. They don’t have a support group. Why be out there on an island all by yourself? I believe you will stand a much better chance of success if you have a support team and/or group. That is one of the reasons I have started my “Synergy Circles” groups. What’s better than having a team of motivated business owners   around you, strategizing to grow each other’s businesses?  Not to mention, a coach leading the group.

I’m sure many of you have been setting New Year’s resolutions for years. While I’m sure some of you accomplished things through the years, think about how much you could accomplish with a proven process and system in place. Next week, we will get into these and I hope you’ll seriously consider giving them a shot in 2014. Of course, I’m always available to assist. Have a great week!

Believe YOU Can Make Progress in 2014

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If you are one of those people who sit down in December and make a list of things you’re going to do differently in the next year, or how you’re going to change, or how you’re going to lead in business more…stop right now! Lists – or as most people call them in December, “resolutions” – are useless without proper focus and a deliberate mindset. Once you have those two things, you still need to develop action plans. But wait, you’re not done yet. What about executing your plans? Scary, isn’t it?

This year, I am challenging you to try something new. If you’re willing to do that, continue on with me. If you’re not, good luck with your lottery ticket! You see, I don’t like seeing busy people waste their time and energy on activities that are fruitless. Do you realize that less than 1% of the people that make New Year’s Resolutions execute on them.

This week, I’m going to share a few reasons why resolutions don’t work, and the following week, I’ll share a few more. I will then introduce you to a system and process that really work. My goal here is to get you to move over to a system of progress, not one of change. Wouldn’t you be much happier if you had plans that you continued to execute on because you consistently see progress? Of course, you would.

Let me tell you why I believe most people fail at this type of setting resolutions process:

1. They get too greedy with their resolutions.
Don’t take on too many big ticket resolutions. What most people end up doing is stretching themselves too thin, and they end up making no progress at all. I have found that the best approach is to pick a few biggies and a few smaller resolutions; then, spread the execution of these throughout the year. Don’t start them all on January 1st!

2. They don’t make their resolutions personal.
Get personal! What will it mean to you if you can achieve these goals? How will you feel when you achieve them?  If you can’t give clear answers to these questions, chances are you don’t want them badly enough to execute on them all year. Get clear about the significance of your resolutions…crystal clear!

3. They actually don’t write them down.
Can you believe this? How can you be crystal clear if you don’t even write down your goals for the year? If you don’t write them down, they will always remain vague ideas and plans. Normally, that equals poor to no results at all. Write them down, and your chances of succeeding are much higher.

4. They don’t make their resolutions visual.
Even people who write them down rarely create an environment where they are less likely to forget about their goals. Put your resolutions in a place where you will be able to see them frequently. Put them in several places. I keep mine in my portfolio, in my computer, on my desk, and in my kitchen. I also carry a handy little planner that I supply to each person who attends my quarterly strategy sessions. Everybody loves them because they can fit in a guy’s pocket or a gal’s purse. Often, I see clients out and about, and they always flash their little planner at me.
 
Next week, we will continue on the same path.

Share your comments below about what absolute progress and success you will commit to in 2014. Thanks and have a great week!

Ready to Make MORE Changes?

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Ready to Make MORE Changes?

Last week, we began the journey of how we can develop “Winning Strategies for Life and Business”.  We talked about examining your talents, daily activities and clutter, good and bad habits, and all the roles you possess.

As we continue, today, I’m going to challenge each and every one of you to take some time and evaluate where in your life and business you truly want and need to make PROGRESS, not change. Then, I’m going to ask you to step out of your comfort zone and start making it all happen. As we continue to discuss the areas you should include in your plan, continue to concentrate on developing the visions, strategies, and action plans necessary to “win” in your life and business. Here are the remaining areas I believe you should include in your plan:

1. What are your money-making opportunities?
Who are your best clients, your most promising prospects, and your top referral sources? Build strategies and action plans to grow with and through each of them. Then, find someone to hold you accountable to do it!

2. Who is on your support team?
Do you have the right people “on your bus?”  Examine this and take action, if necessary.

3. Take a look at all the projects you have stalled on your desk.
Define the desired result, delegate responsibility, and then develop the required action steps to get them completed.

4. Start looking at your desire for personal growth and balance.
Who can you spend time with to enrich your life? Are you spending time with them now?

5. Examine what skills you want to improve and what additional knowledge you want to gain.
Can your mindset be improved?

Now that you have concentrated on and created for the 10 areas we discussed, I recommend you chunk your goals down every 90 days. Pick Five Top Goals to accomplish every 90 days, and then develop strategies and action plans to make them happen.

By examining the nine areas outlined the last two weeks, you will begin to focus on what’s really important in your life and business. No longer will your life and business run you. You will be in charge of the way your time is spent, the people you surround yourself with, and the results. Will most of you have to step out of your comfort zone? Yes! But remember, it is through actions such as these that we grow. Growth is good!

Are you ready to commit to absolute progress and success in 2014 and beyond?  Consider taking the actions necessary to ensure 2014 and beyond are years of growth and prosperity for you and your business.

Share your comments below about what absolute progress and success you will commit to in 2014. Thanks and have a great week!

Ready to Make Changes for 2014 and Beyond?

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Ladder to the clouds
Image by Celine Walker @ Flickr

Wow! Can you believe it’s almost the middle of November already? Well, like it or not, it’s here, and if you’re wise about your life and business, you’re already thinking ahead to 2014 and beyond. In about a month, many people will sit around and talk about all the changes they’re going to make and all the exciting things they’re going to do in the New Year. This year, I’m challenging each of you to take some steps to create a vision for your life and business NOW. Build strategies to aim toward your visions, develop goals that will drive your strategies, and create action plans to get you there. You see, most people rarely, if ever, do any of these things. Oh sure, some people make New Year’s Resolutions and some people make “to do” lists. But, is that all it takes to make your visions reality? Absolutely not!

Now, let me continue to be brutally honest. When most people create their goals for a New Year, approximately 1% of them are actually still progressing on these goals 30 days later. Most of them don’t even look at the list again until the following January. Why? I believe many people make lists of things they “should” do, rather than a list of absolute “musts”. On top of that, they also lack the determination and discipline to execute the changes necessary to hit the goals.

Today, I’m going to challenge each and every one of you to take some time and evaluate where in your life and business you truly want and need to make PROGRESS, not change. Most change is automatic. Progress is not!

Next week I will continue with the rest.

1. Examining your talents will be one of the first things we do. What are your top three “money-making” talents? Once you have them, we’ll talk about how you can maximize them.

2. Then you’ll take a deep look at your daily activities and separate out the clutter. You’ll have to decide what you do with that clutter. We’ll figure it out together.

3. You’ll then have to examine some of your habits: the good, the bad, and the ugly ones. We’ll pick five you want to change and build a strategy to make it happen.

4. What about all your roles? Can you be a better boss, co-worker, owner, friend, parent, spouse, etc.? You’ll have to commit to action here, too!

Are you ready to commit to absolute progress and success in 2014 and beyond?

Share your comments below about what absolute progress and success you will commit to in 2014. Thanks and have a great week!

Commit to Progress and Start Now!

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Commit to Progress Start Now
Photo by JakeandLindsay @ Flickr

It’s that time of year again. Mother Nature is acting strangely, the holidays are just around the corner, and the end of the year is creeping up on us. This is the time of year that many businesses and business owners create their forecasts and budgets for the following year. I have heard from many of you recently that it’s become extremely hard, if not impossible, to forecast in the current economic climate, so many of you are moving ahead with little to no guidance. Let me give you some. If you’re not a planner and strategist, this is one time in your life you cannot afford to roll the dice.

Between now and the end of the year, I am going to be writing primarily about strategies, goals, action plans, and execution. Now more than ever, you need a system and process around your business and personal plans. But first, I am challenging each and every one of you to take some time and evaluate where in your life and business you truly want and need to make PROGRESS, not change. You see, I believe that most change is automatic, and that progress is not! Change happens, progress takes momentum. Let’s build some!

If we are honest with ourselves, then we all should agree we have “gaps” in our business and personal lives. Think about where you currently are in your business and personal life. Then think about where you want to be in each. Are there “gaps”? Of course, there are. I have them and work with a coach to help me narrow some and close many. I’ve done so for years. Let me help you!

If you are like most, you make lists of things you “should” do. Some may call them “to do” lists and others may actually call them a plan. How many people do you know that go around saying, “I should do this, and I should do that.” Most of the lists go like this:  I should develop a marketing strategy; I should take some leadership courses; I should hire more effective sales people; I should lose weight; I should exercise more; I should spend more time with loved ones; I should listen more to my employees; I should cut the fat at work; I should pay off my debts; I should eat healthier. Do any of these sound familiar? Unfortunately what most people do is create list like this and they do what I call “should all over themselves.” Let’s all stop doing that now and commit to developing and creating effective plans that include things we “must” execute on.

So here is your homework assignment, to be completed by next week. Take some time and evaluate your business and personal lives for “gaps”. Document those “gaps” and categorize them if possible. Then write out exactly where you want to be and visualize being there. Over the next month or so, we will discuss simple ways to develop strategies and action plans to get you there. We’ll talk about some common roadblocks that stop many from progressing; we’ll discuss the differences between the truly successful and the truly unsuccessful; we’ll hopefully put an end to the annual “New Year’s Resolutions” game many of us play, and, if you’re willing to work hard and commit to progress, we’ll see some great strides being made.

I understand that only a wet baby likes change. I also understand a driven adult needs to make progress!

Have a great week and PLEASE call me if I can assist you in any way.

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