All About Brain Dump…And Why You Need it in Your Day
Apr 25, 2016

 

 

I define a successful day as one where I get a lot of stuff done, I don't feel overwhelmed by it, and I have fun doing it. Simple in theory, very difficult in execution, right?

There is a great way I start my day which helps me clear my head and begin the day with a concrete idea of where I'm going. I'm talking about Brain Dump.

What is brain dump? Well, it's simply this. Taking 5-10 minutes every morning (wherever is convenient for you) and writing down everything that's in your head. Get it all out on paper and then have a good look at it. If you look at the list and aren't overcome with a tightening in your chest, then this list is a good indicator of your to-do list for the day. If you get it all out and panic sets in, then this enables you to see things in a concrete way and allows you to break down your items one-by-one so you can decide which items can be put off, passed on or delegated to achieve success.

Try it for a week. You won't be disappointed. And - if you need some help with planning in the long-term - check out our free 90-Day Planning tool to help get you started. Make it a great day 🙂

Business Lessons From the Bike Trail #1 – Knowing Where to Focus
Mar 30, 2016

 

 

There's a basic object to enjoying a safe ride on a mountain bike: Look where your going.

While the same can be said for business, it's amazing how many people focus on the obstacles in front of them instead of focusing on the track, but when you fixate on the obstacles which are in your way - they tend to magnify - which makes your changes of hitting one fairly high.

The same goes for them you start riding faster on the trail. The faster you go (ie: the more you grow) the further down the track you need to look. Just don't look so far down the track that you get blindsided from something you didn't see just up ahead.

Have a think about your business. How far down the track are you looking? What obstacles do you face that you could find the answer to if you just ventured to look a little beyond them? Are you getting blindsided by other things that are stopping you from making progress?

If so, you may need a growth check. Take our free 7-minute test to find out how to sail past the things holding you back and create the business you dream of.

The Secret to Managing Attitudes at Work
Mar 28, 2016

 

The number one stressors in business are (and may always be) money, and people. In fact, you likely know first hand how much emotional energy and loss of team synergy is wasted on a member of your team that just doesn't fit the bill.

It turns out - the key to managing attitudes in the workplace is as simple as communication and follow-up. Sounds easy, right? Well it can be more difficult that you expect to implement, but once the expectations are set, it can become remarkably easy to keep momentum in your team.

The tools we need start with creating our core value and culture. You see, if expectations for every member of your organization aren't clear, and we don't hold people accountable, you will always have an organizational culture that is driven by the quality of people within it.

A good starting point is to check out "The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else in Business", by Patrick Lencioni it is a fantastic read about the concrete advantage that can be gained by having a healthy organization.

 

All Performance is Driven by the Quality of Our Thinking – Interview with Damian McConnell
Jan 22, 2016

To download this interview right click here (and choose 'Save As')

Damian McConnell has been involved in Personal & Professional Development for the past 16yrs and now brings his message to the business world working with individuals and teams to elevate and improve how they think.

We dive into Goal Setting and how to go about it so that your goals are realized vs just being dreams. Damian has a unique view on this and some powerful ways to go about it.

You may have heard before that your goals need to be 'realistic' and 'achievable'. Damian likes to scrap this approach and his philosophy around this is worth exploring. You might be surprised.

Enjoy the conversation.

Notes: here are some links that were mentioned in this interview

Damian's website - http://www.mindstoretraining.com.au/

Napoleon Hill - http://www.naphill.org/

Gestalt - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gestalt_psychology

90-day planning document

Are you Ignoring a Better Version of Yourself?
Aug 4, 2015

The great thing about the world we live in, is that we don't need to look too far to find out where we need to improve. All around us, the world is giving us feedback which can guide us on the actions and decisions which will generate a better business and a better life.

In the world of business the feedback comes from our customers, suppliers, website, comments on your blog (or lack of - see below), bank account etc. In your personal life, it may be a spouse, your kids, your friends, acquaintances...

Now the trick to this feedback is that it may not be coming to you in an obvious way. In fact it may not be given to you directly at all. More often than not you have to actively look for it. It might be in what someone is not saying or what is not happening as much as what is.

This is not a complicated science. You don't need a degree to be able to translate and decipher it. But you do need to be aware and in tune with the people and events around you.

Take for instance your spouse. Are they smiling at you, giving you non-verbal cues that they feel loved, or are they distant and detached? Are your customers giving you referrals, written testimonials? Are they haggling about price or are they willing to pay a little more based on the value they perceive?

It is common to see this kind of feedback as one-off events or something that's beyond our control. In fact, the reverse is true. Every event around us is a reflection of us. It's a reflection on how we think, on the quality of our actions, and it's a reflection on the value we are creating.

One of my favorite feedback mechanisms is the bank account. Now money is not the only measure, I realise that, but in the world of business it is a critical measure and one that does not lie. It is hard to say you are doing well if your account is empty. And if the account is healthy, it may be an indicator you are on the right track

Another favourite mechanism it to look at your team. Do you have long term employees or is there constant turnover? Have you investigated the reasons for turnover? Is there as much smiling in your workplace as you'd like to see. This feedback is more subte but equally meaningful.

The lesson (and I'm writing this as much for myself as for you) is to conduct life and business with our eyes open. Receive the information and feedback that we are getting from even the non-obvious sources. And use it to create positive change within ourselves that will inevitably bring positive change in our businesses and lives.

Feature Image Source: Flikr/Peter