Tag: Business Improvement

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A Little Trick With Big Results

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Spring is almost here. How are you doing with your goals for 2010. By the way, if you meet those goals, will it really make you happy?
 
Have you ever met a goal and said, “is that all there is?” Does achieving goals makes us truly happy.
 
I’ve just made a short video with a little trick that will give you big results.
In this video, you’ll learn:
  • How you can have feeling of fulfillment much more consistently
  • How you can take meaning from the hardships in life
  • What life is REALLY about
Be sure to watch the video right now. Just click here or on the image below). It’ll only take you about 3 minutes and it will absolutely change your outlook on (and the results of) the rest of your day.
 
After you watch the video, be sure to check out the tools (coaching and products) I have available to help you take the next step.
 
By the way, check out our new recommended book list.
 
Live with purpose!
Mike
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Scarey Accountability Results

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Back on November 16th I made a committment to myself, and all of you.

I committed to losing 20lbs by January 30, 2010 (my 45th birthday). I weighed 177  at the time and hadn’t weighed below 160 since college. Many thought I was nuts…doing it right before the “pig out” holidays.

My objective was twofold…

Obviously, the first objective was to improve my health. This is important to me. I wanted a higher level of energy. I also wanted to look better, live longer and be an positive example for others.

My second objective was to prove out  something I call “scarey accountability”. Here’s how scarey accountability works:

  1. Identify an important goal that you haven’t been able to achieve (make sure the goal is specific, measurable, achievable, realistically high and time targeted). This can be a business or personal goal.
  2. Do something that holds you accountable to achieving the goal, in a risky (or scarey) way. For example, me announcing to thousands of people that I intented to lose 20lbs.
  3. Do it!!

Well, I’m proud to announce that I achieved my goal! In fact, I achieved it two weeks ago and have maintained my goal weight of 157 since then. Here’s the interesting part…it was easy. Once I made the committment to all of you (scarey accountability), failure was no longer an option. With that option gone, my only choice was success.

My next committment is that I will continue to weigh under 160 for the next 6 months (July 31, 2010). Some people have asked me why I don’t set a goal of maintaining this weight for the rest of my life. Sounds logical, however, I never like to create goals I can only reach when I die. 

What goal are you having trouble achieving? How can you use scarey accountability to help you succeed? Remember, annoucing the goal to thousands of people is only one option. There are many ways to commit yourself…to make success your only option.

I’d like to hear from you. Please reply to this post with the answers to these two questions:

  1. What’s your goal?
  2. What’s your scarey accountability strategy?

Thanks for holding me accountable!!

Mike

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What are your big rocks?

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It’s January. Everyone is excited about their goals for 2010. The health club parking lots are all crowded…for now. But we all know what happens in February. The motivation dies down and resolutions are put on the shelf…until next year.
 
I’ve just made a short video to hep you ensure this doesn’t happen to you.
In this video, you’ll learn:
  • The difference between efficiency and effectiveness
  • What “big rocks” have to do with having a fulfilling life
  • A simple exercise to help you focus on the right goals
Be sure to watch the video right now. Just click here or on the image below). It’ll only take you about 3 minutes and it will absolutely change your outlook on (and the results of) the rest of your day.
 
After you watch the video, be sure to check out the tools (coaching and products) I have available to help you take the next step.

Also, for those of you keeping track…

I’m now down 18lbs. 2 more to go by January 30th!!
 
Keep holding me accountable!
Mike
 
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How’s Your Attitude?

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You’ve heard many times before that having the right mindset is important to your success. Well, I’ve just read a book and had an experience that proves it’s more than important, it’s absolutely necessary. 
 
I’ve just made a video to share what I’ve learned.
 
In this video, you’ll learn how important it is to shift your attitudes and your focus. You’ll begin to understand that: 
  • Your mind is stronger than your body
  • Your mind is stronger than any drug known to man
  • Your mind is stronger than any situation you’re currently going through
Be sure to watch the video right now. It’ll only take you about 2 minutes and it will absolutely change your outlook on (and the results of) the rest of your day.
After you watch the video, be sure to check out the tools (coaching and products) I have available to help you take the next step.
Also, for those of you keeping track…
I’m now down 10lbs. 10 more to go by January 30th!
 
Keep holding me accountable!
Mike
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I Will Weigh 157lbs. Hold Me Accountable!!

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I’ve spoken many times about the power of setting specific goals and holding yourself accountable.
  
It’s now time to put my money where my stomach is!
 
What better way to prove the power goal setting than to use myself as an example.
 
I weigh 177lbs. That makes me about 20 pounds overweight. I have not weighed under 160lbs since college (about 20 years ago).
 
This last weekend I set a specific weight goal for myself. However, I’m doing one more thing to make sure I stick to it. I will be committing to it by announcing this goal to all of you so you can hold me accountable.
 
Here goes…
I will weigh 157lbs by January 30th, 2010 and stay under 160lbs for, at least, the following 12 months.
 
Remember, I’m a business coach. My job is to help people reach their goals. So, if I can’t do this, what kind of credibility will that give me as a coach? That’s why having you hold me accountable is so important…and scary.  Failure is not an option for me.
 
I will be updated you time to time on my progress so you an either pat me on the back or kick me in the ass!!
 
So, I’d like to ask you to do 2 things:
  1. Hold me accountable. Don’t let me off the hook.
  2. Identify a goal that’s important to you that you haven’t been able to achieve. Make sure you have a specific goal, and then, do something scary to hold yourself accountable. Don’t let failure be an option.
Thanks for your help. Now, Iv’e got to go eat a carrot.
 
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Why Goals Aren’t Enough: What’s Your Purpose?

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I talk a lot about goals. Goals are important. Without specific goals and ways to measure your progress, it’s tough to know if you’re getting anywhere.

However, if the focus of your life is on achieving individual goals, you will remain unfulfilled. Here’s the problem…

When I ask people when they feel they most fulfilled and happy, most tell me it’s when they fulfill a worthwhile goal. However, when I ask them how long that great feeling lasts, they tell me it may only last a matter of minutes.

Why? Think about it…

Let’s say your goal is to make $200k per year and you reach that goal. For most of us, the next thought is “wouldn’t it be great to make $250k?”. Your euphoria will last a few minutes before you’re striving for the next goal. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with aggressively striving for the next goal. I just think we all need a way to feel fulfilled and happy every day, not just for a few fleeting moments after achieving a goal.

That’s why most people we know are frustrated, even if all outward signs show them to be successful (great house, nice car, large bank account).

So how can we feel fulfilled more consistently?

The answer is to discover your life’s purpose. Your life’s purpose is not something that can be “achieved”. You “achieve” goals, you “live” your purpose.  By understanding your life’s purpose, or being able to answer the question “why am I here?”, you can strive to live every day in a manner that is consistent with that purpose. 

Most people, however, have no clue what the purpose of their life is. Is it to finish my list of ” to do’s”? Make a certain amount of money? Make everyone else happy? I don’t think so.

So how so we figure out what our purpose is? Stay tuned for my next blog and find out!!

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What’s Your Recipe For Positive Energy?

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When we think negative thoughts our brains automatically scan our environment for things to justify these thoughts. That why some days start bad and just seem to get worse.

When we think positive thoughts the same thing happens. Therefore, it’s critical to know how to shift your energy from negative to positive at any moment.

What’s your recipe for creating postive thoughts and positive energy in the face of negative circumstances?

Here are some things that work for me:

  • Taking a long walk in nature (this seems to clear my mind and bring new ideas, seemingly out of nowhere)
  • Listening to high energy music (for me, nothing beats AC/DC’s “Back in Black”)
  • Reading an inspirational book or passage
  • Thinking about all of the things I’m thankful for
  • Exercising
  • Using affirmations first thing in the morning, before I go to sleep at night and anytime I feel down throughout the day
  • Meditating
  • Visualizing the life I’m committed to leading as if it’s already happened

What works for you? If you know, do it! If you don’t, experiment and come up with your own recipe.

I’d love to know what works for you. Please reply to this and let me know!!

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You Get What You Accept

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You get what you accept.
 
What are you accepting into your life, business or career that is unacceptable?
 
Is it…
 
Your money situation? Not having enough time for what’s important? A lack of passion for your business or career?
 
Making these things unacceptable is the first step in changing you business and your life.
The second step is defining what it is you do want that’s non-negotiable. Not what your life should look like, but what it must look like.
The third step is to understand WHY your life must look that way. The key to accomplishing your goals is not in having a fool proof plan. It’s in having a WHY big enough so the plan doesn’t matter.
So…here’s what I’d like you to do RIGHT NOW.
  1. Identify the situation in your life that are unacceptable
  2. Create a vision of what your life MUST look like in the areas of finance, career, family, social, mental, physical and spiritual.
  3. Understand and document why that vision for your life is a must.
  4. Re-read your life’s vision and the “why” at least once per day.
  5. Take massive action!!!
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Invest In Your Best

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When creating and giving employee evaluations, how much time do you spend on strengths versus weaknesses? If you’re like most managers, you rack your brain to find every possible weakness and development need for the employee you’re evaluating. I remember having a hard time writing reviews for my best performers since it was more difficult to find areas of weakness. Telling them where they were doing a great job was almost an afterthought and not much more than a pat on the back.

Focusing on weaknesses might help an employee become a bit more “well rounded”, however, being “well rounded” is incredibly overrated. Employees will rarely become strong in an area of weakness. The best we can hope for is that they will rise to become mediocre. However, where an employee has talent, they can become world-class. In addition, focusing on maximizing those areas where we have true talent is incredibly motivating.

This doesn’t mean we should ignore weaknesses. By all means, if weaknesses are getting in the way of doing the job, you need to find ways to manage around those weaknesses. These can include looking for ways to get them to acceptable levels of performance, changing their responsibilities or counseling them out of your organization. But don’t expect them to become “expert” tomorrow in those areas they’re weak in today.

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Manage Your State

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What is your state of mind as your reading this?
Are you tired? Energized? Frustrated? Confident? Bored…I hope not!

Our state of mind changes dozens of times throughout the day; a boring meeting, a difficult phone call, an accepted offer, a misunderstanding with a demanding client. We know that all of these things affect our state and, as a result, our performance. But, do we understand how it affects our co-workers and staff?

As a manager, you can’t afford to let your state manage you; you need to manage your state instead. Teams tend to mirror, and even magnify, the emotions of their manager…positive and negative. If you’re confident about a situation, they’ll trust things will work out. If you’re worried about business performance, they’ll fear for their jobs.

Managing your state is not always easy. After all, we’re human and a right to be angry, frustrated or worried. My rule is that I’m allowed to get emotional about a situation for 5 minutes, behind closed doors. Then I take a deep breath and change my state. Here are some of the ways I’ve learned to change my state:

  • Smile – Sounds silly but it works. The next time you’re in a negative state, take a deep breath and smile real big. You’ll notice a change in state almost immediately.
  • Be Thankful – Think about all the things you could be thankful for; family, friends, home, situations, etc. Being thankful will help you to forget the problem of the moment and take a longer term view.
  • Ask The Right Questions – “Why me?” is the wrong question. Asking negative questions makes matters worse by causing you to dwell, unproductively, on the problem. “How can we achieve this goal regardless of the issues?” is the right question. A positive question will lead to productive, creative answers.
  • Pick a Song – After a very difficult situation last week, I was incredibly frustrated. Five minutes after blasting AC/DC’s Back in Black, I was a different person. Pick songs that “pick you up” and use them as medicine for the mind.

Learn to manage your state and you’ll be surprised at the result in your own productivity as well as your teams.