Day #4: Just Do It!

I did learn something useful in grade 10 Physics:

A body in motion tends to remain in motion. A body at rest tends to remain at rest.

The problem I hear from newly self-proclaimed entrepreneurs is how to get "in motion". There's the usual excuses - what they need to do first before they can have credibility as they talk to others about their new business. Behind their stories of the "busy" work they are doing I sense the fear that keeps them inert. We can all relate.

As a kid, did you ever stand at the edge of the high diving board? Do you remember taking that first plunge? You climbed all the ladders and stairs to get to the top. Your goal was to jump, but once you were up there, the pool looked far too small and the thought crept in your mind "What if I belly-flop?". You'd heard the stories of those who had tried to dive and didn't quite make the rotation. It sounded very painful and humiliating, but it would never happen to you. Now, standing where that poor schlep had stood, you felt it was not only possible, but probable.

I found the best way to overcome the fear, was to stand at the back of the platform, visualize a successful and rewarding freefall and refreshing plunge, take a running start and Just DO IT! I did it, chose the safer feet-first form and landed flat-footed. ow. But the next time I jumped, I remembered to point my toes and it was AWESOME!

The only way to overcome entrepreneurial inertia is to visualize what is about to take place, go at it full speed with confidence and take the plunge. Yes, you may land a little flat-footed. You might even belly-flop. But with each successive leap you will gain confidence and momentum, maybe even a little finesse.

I met with my first client Friday, just after our graduation ceremony. I will be calling companies all day Tuesday, just after Labour Day. Nothing like jumping in with both feet.

Day #1: From Now On Every Choice Matters

Today we were briefed and officially launched from Phase 2 of our entrepreneurial program to Phase 3. What does that mean? It means the real work is about to begin!

It also means we sat through a very long lecture about changing from employee mentality (someone defining our work and our day) to entrepreneur mentality (self-motivating to do the tougher stuff).

I am already wired this way, so it surprises me when I hear someone go on and on ... and on and on and on ... about shifting our thought processes. I think this thought process is one of the key factors that separates those who look for a "job" and those who look for an "opportunity" when they want to change their circumstances. I could be wrong. Still, I know for certain that my many well-meaning and concerned friends are "job" people and always will be. I, on the other hand, am an "opportunity" person and while it is nice to relax and take a "job", it isn't long before I am frustrated by ... all the things that frustrate an "opportunity" person stuck in a "job". So, here I go again on an entrepreneurial journey, this time with something I am deeply passionate about.

In a class of 15 "entrepreneurs" it was easy this morning to distinguish between those who already are entrepreneurial at heart and those who have to work at it. We had a project due. We've known about it for the past 7-1/2 weeks. A couple of us took it in hand and did the hard work of deciding WHAT the project would be, even buying the key parts and distributing each entrepreneur's materials to him/her, complete with drop dead deadline ... which was today. Okay, I DID leave things right to the end myself, but I stayed up until my part was finished last night ... this morning. After all, credibility is everything and the quality and delivery of my part of the project mattered. Apparently it mattered to seven of us.

I am not going to come down that hard on my fellow students. Their lives and the way they conduct themselves is their own choice and not mine to judge, but ... REALLY? I was surprised. Was I making too much of this project? After all, it has nothing to do with our bottom line. It's a gift to the organization that is teaching us. We aren't being marked on it. Then I did a re-take.

As an entrepreneur, every choice that affects others matters. If you are roped into a project that makes no difference to your bottom line, it still makes a difference to someone. You will be weighed and measured by the sum of your actions, so from now on, EVERY choice matters.

Building a New Business - The Journey Begins

I am in the midst of creating the business of my dreams ... which is a scary thing to do. When the "whatever" of your dreams is still a dream, it still exists. When you actually begin to make it a reality, it suddenly becomes vulnerable. It can be attacked, criticized, mutilated and destroyed.

Hmmmm ... Makes you want to go out and find a "job".

In the brilliant words of Thomas A. Edison though:

Just because something doesn't do what you planned it to do doesn't mean it's useless.

So it is time to be bold, trust myself and offer what I do best to the world in the way THEY would want to receive it.

What I have done so far:

• name my business (and gather feedback on the name) GetTHRIVAL! Training & Consulting
  
• talk about my business idea with everyone I possibly can
• create business cards so people can remember me and my business idea and contact me for business
• secure one client that will help launch the business when it is ready
  
• take an entrepreneurial course ... learned how to create a business plan, what the government regulations are, what legal and financial concerns I need to cover and that being an "entrepreneur" is different from being a "manager" or a "technician", though I may need to wear all three hats.

My main concern is that I launch this venture RIGHT and create a sustainable future for it. Feel free to follow along as I take on the bumps and bruises of business creation over the next 40 weeks. I would LOVE your comments and suggestions along the way!

Choose Your Enemies Wisely

The enemy is anybody who's going to get you killed, no matter which side he's on. - Joseph Heller

We are all brought up to believe that we should be friends with everyone. If we have enemies, there must be something wrong with us. Guess what? We all have enemies, we just don't realize it.

One of the definitions of "enemy" is "Something harmful or deadly" - Mirriam-Webster Disctionary

Think for a moment about someone you have met who you quickly distrusted.

Get a very clear picture of that moment when your inner voice said "Careful! This person could hurt you! Proceed with caution. Avoid if possible. Smile and pretend nothing is wrong."

Remember?

That person was not your friend. You knew instinctively that person would bring you down if you got too close, eat up your time and energy and leave you with little or nothing to show. That person was NOT a wise investment for you.

• Recognize the enemy.
  
• Proceed with caution.
  
• Avoid if possible.
  
• Smile and pretend nothing is wrong.
  
• Carry on being who you are and doing what you do best.

Now, if you are like me, you often ignore your inner voice. After all, you would not want anyone to judge you this way without giving you a chance to prove yourself. Here's where most people stall, losing time, energy and ... well, let's face reality ... money.

Recognize that any effort you have already spent on these people is now a "sunk cost".

Whether in business, career, friendship or especially a romantic relationship, it is difficult to face the fact that our efforts have been wasted and the longer we invest our energy into this person, the more of ourselves we will waste. While it may seem cold, successful people master the ability to recognize "sunk costs" quickly and let them go.

If you want everyone to like you, this is a very difficult thing to do. Here's a different perspective I have discovered that works for me:

1. You have your own unique set of VALUES. To be authentic and give your greatest strengths to the world, you must remain true and honour your values in everything you do.
2. If someone distracts you from your true Vision and Mission in life, it is up to YOU to get yourself back on track.
3. If this person shows ANY jealousy or negativity toward your Values, Vision or Mission, this person is an enemy to your future growth, your current productivity and your life's purpose. You owe it to yourself, and all those you can help, to distance yourself from that person, write off the "sunk costs" and move ahead with purpose.
   

You don't know your specific Values? You have not yet created a Vision and a Mission for yourself? This is like heading across the country for a road trip without a map. You may have some great adventures, but:

• you will be distracted by every road sign you see,
  
• you will take longer to make decisions,
  
• you will have more regrets and waste in your life.

If you are tired of being tossed around in life and want to be as effective as possible, take the Values Preference Indicator.

1. Know your top core values and find way to honour them in your life.
   
2. Understand what you de-value (lowest on your list), gauge your reactions to these values and understand that is the same reaction you have to those who place those values at the top of their own list.
   
3. Recognize that there will be people in this life who will not help you but will hinder your growth and direction.

• Recognize the enemy.
  
• Proceed with caution.
  
• Avoid if possible.
  
• Smile and pretend nothing is wrong.
  
• Carry on being who you are and doing what you do best.

You owe it to you!

What Truly Motivates Employees? (It's not what you think!)

I've always wondered why simple monetary incentives only seemed to work on the lucky few, but demotivated so many more.

I've actually seen sales contests within organizations completely alienate individuals. These are SALES people! They are SUPPOSED to be driven by cash rewards, yet the whole idea of dialing for dollars in a day to win the cash prize left them hating their jobs, their colleagues and their lives.

Here's a brilliant video that finally reveals the shocking truth. My question is, if they had these studies and professionals worldwide found the same results, why wasn't this information made headline news?

• Why are we still operating on archaic reward principles?

• Why are we STILL not allowing our innovators - our staff - come up with ways of making the company better for our clients and colleagues and put these ideas into action?
• Why are we still holding their noses to methods and principles that do not motivate them and expecting them to produce the same results in a completely different economy?

Enjoy this thought provoking video!

If you weren't doing what you're doing, what would you be doing?

Every time I hear the above question, I can actually feel my brain short circuit.

Thoughts rush in, waving madly, yelling "Pick me! Pick me!"

I envy the people who can answer this question clearly, directly and in detail. To those people I want to say That sounds fantastic! What are you waiting for???

Then I have to step back and check myself.

The running theme of all my dreams involves influencing people to move in positive directions. That sounds fantastic. What am I waiting for???

We all face the same dilemma, whether our dreams are clearly defined or not:

Let go of what we know to pursue a dream or ideal life for ourselves

= free-fall from a suspension bridge and hope for a safe landing on better ground ...

possible, but so are a number of other less happy endings.

"The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes." - Earl of Beaconsfield

A clearly defined goal that fits our values, personal style and strengths can help us automatically make thousands of tiny decisions minute-by-minute, day-by day that bring our reality closer to our dreams. Some call this the law of attraction. I call it a healthy, fully functioning brain.

After a while, that feared free-fall into the unknown becomes a purposeful and well prepared parachute to a visible paradise.

Ask yourself these 7 questions:

1. What are your Core Values?
2. What is your true preferred Personal Style?
3. What are your strengths you want to use on a daily basis?
4. What skills do you want to acquire to compliment the strengths you prefer to use?
5. What are all the things you would want to do if you weren't doing what you're doing?
6. Working backwards from where you want to be to where you are, what action steps, information and resources are needed to do what you really want to do?
7. What are you willing and able to act on right NOW? If not now, WHEN?

Companies make Mission and Vision statements. Create your own Vision and Mission statements honouring your true Core Values, Style and Strengths. Be the CEO of your life. Create clarity and direction. Work ON your life, rather than IN it.

Most of all, enjoy the ride and make true friends and lasting contributions along the way!

"Most of the shadows of this life are caused by our standing in our own sunshine." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Loyalty? What Loyalty?

“Leadership is a two-way street, loyalty up and loyalty down. Respect for one's superiors; care for one's crew.” -Grace Murray Hopper

In my day-to-day work I talk to people on all rungs of the corporate (and not-so-corporate) ladder. I hear the same complaints and issues again and again ... "There's no loyalty."

BIG red flag!

Employees say their company leadership...

• has self-servingly mismanaged resources,
• is out of touch with what the staff is going through and
  
• now expects the "grunt workers" who are "lucky to have a job" to pick up the slack and perform at close to unachievable levels for little or no reward.
  

These employees are

• burned out,
  
• distrustful,
• constantly worried about their future and
  
• see no relief in the near future.
  

While they were able and willing to do what was necessary a year ago, their patience and faith is wearing thin. I hear them say "As soon as this economy turns around I may not be here anymore... So if you hear of any jobs out there for me, let me know!"

Employers say they've stretched to retain employees through tougher times and now expect a return on their investment:

• higher output,
• more dedication,
• team effort.
  

They need to remain viable in order to retain much needed clients ... to be able to retain much needed staff. While they were able and willing to keep motivating staff a year ago, their ideas and direction are flat-lining. I hear them say "We hope this economy turns around soon. We'll see what happens... or I may be coming to you for job!"

The end result looming just around the next economic corner - Utter Chaos!

In struggling companies, you have 4 generations of workers processing in 4 different ways and NONE of these look sustainable:

• The Golden Generation: "I'll cut my hours down. That's my contribution. I just need to keep my benefits the same and make sure I get my pension."
  

• The Baby Boomers: "I'll stay with these yahoos long enough to rebuild my portfolio and I'm gone ... and I'm taking everything I know with me!"

• The Gen Xers: "I'll gather all the knowledge and experience I've gained, lay it out on the table and, if I don't get the position and compensation I deserve, I'll go someplace that has better leadership."

• The Gen Y's: "I can get a better job anywhere that's easier, gives me training, career opportunities, flexibility and respect. If they don't appreciate me, I'll move back with mom and dad."

Yes, these are generalizations, but there's a running theme through each - lack of trust, self-centeredness and NO LOYALTY.

Now, there ARE companies who will weather this next turn of events well.

These are the companies who have

• established a vision, mission and values,
  
• gained "buy in" on all these among staff,
  
• created a culture of active vision, honesty and integrity, and
  
• remained TRUE to the course they have established.

Yes, we all have to take detours, but the detours these companies have taken have these characteristics:

• kept the vital core ideals intact,
  
• been communicated openly with the full team and
  
• rewarded loyalty with much more than "You're lucky to still have a job to come to."

These companies have realized that their greatest competetive advantage is innovation and service. That innovation and service comes from their employees. They have worked hard to create an environment that is sustainable now and in the future through:

• careful hiring,
  
• full accountability of both staff and management (fair and proactive performance reviews, organization surveys and 360's)
  
• open communication in BOTH directions
  
• S.M.A.R.T. goals for each team member
  
• steadfast vision
• regular rewards for feedback, ideas and achievements
• elimination of problem people (including back stabbers and brown nosers)
• alignment with good customers who have similar values

So ... before the economy takes any more turns, carefully review your team. Ask yourself these questions:

1. What will happen if any of these team members leave tomorrow?
2. What will it take to make each team member feel appreciated, needed and vital to the team?
3. What makes these people tick? Who are they and what truly motivates their life decisions?
4. How can I re-align our team with the vision and mission of the company going forward or does that vision and mission need to be refreshed to clearly reflect a better, more sustainable direction this team can buy into?

Just remember ...

“Low morale plus low loyalty equals high turnover. That can hobble a company.” -Karen Carlisle