Three success killers

23 Monday Jan 2012

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It’s in us all – a desire to succeed, achieve, and make a contribution.

Yet, not experiencing a sense of this can result in much frustration. A feeling of continually running into brick walls. Of never being quite certain of, or understanding why.

And yet, along with this frustration – for many of us – is in equal measure the reality of not being quite sure what to do about it. I know. I’ve been there!

So here are 3 reasons why I think we too often live with these tensions.

1. Not knowing what we want

Do you know what you want? Though a simple question, the reality is that many of us struggle to answer it.

Yet without a clear vision for our lives we’re prone to drift from one thing to the next. We end up going nowhere and accomplishing nothing of any real value.

Whether it’s learning to play an instrument, losing weight, or getting a new job, knowing what we want is essential to success, as we’re able to channel our energy and resources in the right direction and increase our chances of achievement.

2. Not having a plan

It may seem obvious but I know from personal experience how easy it is to plough away without having a plan, and this can be the determining factor between failure and success.

At one level it’s easy to have an idea, to have a vision, and to dream big, but as many would know, seeing these become a reality is an altogether different thing.

So moving from vision to reality requires a plan, as our vision won’t be realised by osmosis. We need to take action, and this is where having a plan – our roadmap – is important.

3. Not having support

Let’s not be naive – success can’t be achieved in isolation. Individualism isn’t cool – we all need others to accomplish our goals.

There are huge benefits of having the support of others. Exploring the feasibility of our plans and drawing on their expertise and resources are just two.

But probably the most important of all is accountability, as knowing we’ll be asked about our progress is a healthy motivator to get us doing the stuff consistently and reaching our goals.

Next step!

So, there you have it. Now all you need to do is answer three questions; what do you want, how will you get it, and what support do you need?

Once you’ve answered these questions, written your goals down, and determined in your mind to go for it, get started!

Go on – go for it!

Develop habits that increase productivity

16 Monday Jan 2012

Posted by in Leadership, Personal Development, Relationships

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Time to think reflectively, creatively and strategically is a significant challenge when balancing work with family commitments.

Tony Schwartz, president and CEO of The Energy Project, gives a helpful presentation of practices (rituals), that we can develop in order to accomplish our goals without losing our minds.

He explains that developing these specific behaviours and practicing them at precise times, results in them becoming automatic and less energy depleting.

Here they are:

Keep a set bedtime

Having a regular pattern of sleep, a consistent number of hours sleep a day, ensures we have enough energy for being productive.

Prioritise one key task a day

In aiming to accomplish one key task a day, at the time of day when we have the most energy and the least distractions, ensures we produce more efficiently.

List new ideas and tasks throughout the day

Making a list of things that pop into our heads or brought to our attention throughout the day prevents us feeling preoccupied with a list of things to do, that will not only distract us, but become an invisible burden.

Question yourself when triggered

Reflective practice aimed at identifying what we’re communicating, and a willingness to make changes, will not only model integrity, but will ensure our relationships with others remains intact.

“A ritual consciously created is an expression of fierce intention. Nothing less will do in these demanding and complex times if determined to take control of your life.” Tony Schwartz

Watch the video here.

Keep on ‘doing’

09 Monday Jan 2012

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Though on one level it’s easy to comprehend that it’s in the simple act of ‘doing’ – practising and working hard – that we’re able to navigate towards excellence in what we do, for those who want to fulfil their life mission, it’s possible that the very act of doing remains one of the biggest hurdles of all.

Legendary NBA basketball player and entrepreneur, Michael Jordan once said, “I’ve always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come.”

We’d agree this is true, but also know that for many (and I’d place myself at the top of my list) the discipline of diligent and intentional action is the hardest challenge towards reaching our goals of all.

Partly because there are multiple distractions vying for our time, energy and focus*, but also because we encounter frustrations, disappointments, discouragement, and a host of other barriers that trip us along the way.

Yet equally, we’d do ourselves no favours in denying that much of our inability to achieve is the result of unsubstantiated fears and laziness. Fortunately, it’s in our ability to acknowledge these that we’re able to find hope and move forward.

And acknowledge we should – quickly!

Admittedly, at times it’s easier to give up – to stop believing and instead walk the easy road – the path trodden by many others which by in large requires very little effort.

But to realise our God-given potential, we need to keep acting. We need to keep believing. We need to keep doing; taking forward steps and working hard to develop all that we’re the fortunate beneficiaries of.

For whatever our talents are, they’re for purpose.

What this looks like for one will be very different for another, but nevertheless, we’re all required to do, and keep doing so consistently.

*Tweeting, television, and procrastination included.

2012 – Another year to dream big!

01 Sunday Jan 2012

Posted by in Faith, Leadership, Personal Development

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In just a few months thousands of athletes will descend on the Olympic Village to compete in the London 2012 Summer Olympics in full view of millions.

Their goal; the realisation of a dream.

Each would’ve prepared for a long time. Hours of training, sacrifice, and self-discipline, for many, will result in a moment of great jubilation. Yet for others, disappointment.

Step into the arena

But whether they accomplish their goal or not each athlete will be a success. Why? Because, they’d have stepped into the arena.

In stepping into the arena, they’d have overcome any fear of failing, and have refused to be distracted by limiting beliefs. Instead, not only will they have dared to dream big, they’d have done the stuff and walked the talk. Each would’ve stopped thinking and started doing.

This is what will make them successful.

Be inspired towards change

And unknown to them, their influence on others will be profound. For as a result of their courage, every viewer of the scheduled events, young, old, black and white, will at moments, be inspired to dream again.

Whether it’s losing weight, getting a new job, learning a new skill, or getting married, each of us will have some goal(s) that we’d like to accomplish in 2012.

Admittedly, in most cases it won’t be to win a gold medal in the 100 Metre Final, but we’ll have goals nonetheless, and each significant.

Take a step

So as we watch men and women from all nations take steps towards realising their dreams of winning gold, breaking world records, and outperforming their personal bests, we too are to be provoked into dreaming again and gently reminded that nothing is impossible.

For like every Olympic athlete or successful leader will no doubt know – every dream remains just a dream if we don’t ‘do’, and great feats are only achievable by those willing to step out in faith.

The key for us all is to make a decision and take action.

Crippled by success, crippled by failure?

15 Thursday Dec 2011

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Failure is not inevitable and the fear of failure cripples.

Learning to recognise what stops us from taking steps towards our goals helps unlock our potential to accomplish them, and a deliberate grappling with the things that hinder us is a necessary component for success.

Success is not inevitable and presumed success cripples.

In a culture that so easily deceives us into believing that with celebrity comes meaning, and that real success can be acquired overnight, failing to elevate the value of diligence jeopardises – for those being deceived – the realisation of authentic success.

Both success and failure can therefore be detrimental if misunderstood.

Be crippled by neither.

Great leaders don’t hide their mistakes

01 Tuesday Nov 2011

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Poised, ready… snap!!!

So it was the other night when I took to the streets with a friend to take photos.

In amongst good conversation, I shot over 100 pictures in about an hour or so.

Some feat I might add!

Life isn’t like a digital camera

Unlike real life though, with a digital camera we’re able to see immediate results. To check composition, focus and exposure, and there decide if we’ve captured a good shot.

With post editing we’re then able to sharpen focus, fix colour balance and even delete images to our hearts content. And no-one even need know.

But the reality of life is quite different.

We all know that it takes time to see the impact of the choices we make. And for bad decisions to go amiss by others is a ‘perk’ very few of us have.

That said, should that stop us from being willing to take risks?

Robert F. Kennedy once said,

“Only those who dare to fail greatly can achieve greatly.”

With so much attention given to when things do go wrong, the idea of failing greatly can be a scary one. But this should only serve to emphasise the need to celebrate more often our small successes.

Get out there and make some mistakes

Though we never approach new things intending to fail, it’s inevitable that we will on occasion do just that. But still we must try!

Out of the 100 or so pictures taken, I’d be pleased with just one or two that are print-worthy. Not a huge ratio – but pleasing anyway!

So putting aside the limitations we place on ourselves and the preconceptions of others, its only right that we take to the streets, get poised, focus, and take some shots.

And most importantly, not allow fear to cause us to hide our mistakes.

Please, not more clones!

19 Wednesday Oct 2011

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With much focus on growth, productivity and outcomes, is it not helpful to consider what it is that we’re actually building?

It’s great when we meet target, performance is improving, and we see evidence of fruit or a healthy ‘turnover in profits’.

But the question that needs some consideration is one relating to something far more integral to the fabric of our teams, organisations, and our society at large.

Are we encouraging individuality or creating clones?

In our efforts to build effectively and see ‘profitable’ outcomes, the aim of every leader should be to invest in the growth of her people as individuals.

That’s a given!

But this investment shouldn’t solely be driven by the goals of the organisation (though important) – nor should they result in a one size fits all approach to managing – but instead it should compliment the development of individuals towards the accomplishment of their life mission.

So what could this look like? It means:

  • Creating space for the discovery and cultivation of creativity outside of the organisation
  • Having systems in place that acknowledge and provide holistic support and development
  • Committing time to endorse and facilitate genuine community

Encouraging community and investing in the holistic development of the individuals in any team will cause productivity to sky-rocket. Why? Because they add value to others, who will in turn add value to the organisation.

And if an individual is free to express their creativity and skills in some other capacity or setting – be it volunteering as an example, it will only serve to produce more productivity all around.

So whilst meeting organisational objectives, how are we encouraging the development of others and encouraging individuality? And is the culture we’ve created one of frustration or a springboard from which those in our teams can fly?

If you were to ask yourself these questions in the different contexts you find yourself in, how would you answer?

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