take action
E535: Managing Expectations
We ver estimate what we can accomplish in a year and underestimate what we can achieve in ten years.
- We all have expectations and goals
- We have expectations of what we can achieve
- We have expectations of what others can achieve
- We have expectations of success
- We need to manage them properly
- We often set unrealistic expectations
- We expect things from others that are unrealistic
- We get caught up in instant gratification
- We need to adjust the process
- Understand that life is a marathon – things take time
- Small, consistent growth yields the greatest results
- Focus on the actions not the results
- Don’t get down when you miss a target unless you didn’t take action
E490: It’s Time To Start
The best time to plant an oak tree was 20 years ago or TODAY.
- When would now be a good time to start?
- We have things we want to do and accomplish
- We think about them, plan for them
- Yes something always seems to be keeping us from it
- Learn to start taking action towards those things and start today
- Think of things you have been wanting to do
- For example – maybe you want to scuba dive one day
- Start taking those steps now – go get a lesson, buy a book
- Look at the things you want to do and figure out what stands in your way
- Ask if there’s another way around – how can you take steps towards it? Plant the seed
- Think of things you have been wanting to do
- Start planting seeds now
- Act like you are already where you want to be or who you want to become
- We have to learn what it takes before we can have what we want
- The world will help you get there but you have to take the lead
E489: It’s Mid Year Review Time
It’s the end of the 2nd quarter, time to review the year to date.
- Use the middle of the year to re-group
- Take a look at your 2016 business goals – dust them off
- See how things have developed
- How are you doing?
- Take a look at your actions
- We focus on actions – that’s what make our goals a reality
- Review the action steps you set up in the beginning of the year
- Which ones are you still doing? Which ones are you skipping?
- Refocus for the second half of the year
- Review your vision and trajectories for 2016 and the actions you took
- Were your action effective
- Which ones are working?
- Which ones need improvement? Which ones should you drop?
- Review your reasons why
E424: Review First Quarter And Re-Energize
It’s the end of the first quarter. Time to review our progress, adjust and re-energize.
- Review your progress
- Dust off those goals and take-action items we set in December
- Look at what you intended to do
- Give yourself a grade on how well you did
- Adjust and correct course – things change
- Do any of your items need to be adjusted or amended?
- Are some complete? Some now habits?
- Should some be dropped off the list?
- It’s time to re-focus and re-energize
- Celebrate your successes and forgive your weaknesses
- Make the necessary adjustments
- Clean off your desk and get organized
- Take your new take-action items and write down you “why” next to each one
- Re-commit to taking action
- Don’t forget to do your mini-reviews at the end of each week.
E370: Watch Out For Perfection
Don’t let yourself get paralyzed by perfection.
Knowing 80% of a language will allow you to speak fluently.
So why do we always end up striving for perfection?
For some reason, many of us get trapped with this idea that things must be perfect. That we must not make mistakes or have errors. That is far from true.
- We all strive to be the best
- Leading the pack doesn’t take perfection
- Try looking at it as “always getting better”, not being the best
- Don’t confuse being the best with being perfect – mistakes are part of learning
- Don’t allow delays for perfection
- So many times I hear people say, “it’s almost done, just a few more changes.”
- If I didn’t forget about perfection I wouldn’t be doing these Coachcasts yet
- Business loves speed – don’t delay
- Jump in and correct – but don’t be sloppy
- So many times I hear people say, “it’s almost done, just a few more changes.”
- Some things to remember
- Everyone was a beginner once
- Start small and build on your successes
- The only real failure is not doing for fear of perfection