Accomplishment Coaching

What hole have you dug?

Stan’s business had been booming for years.  Recently it’s been taking a beating.  Clients have been slow to pay, more prospects are saying “no thanks”, and the constant concern of missing payroll keeps him up most evenings.

“What changed?” he kept asking.  “Things were terrific just six months ago.  I just need to dig in and put all my energy into my business.”  Stan spent the next six months toiling in his business with little results, even though he poured everything he had into it.  That’s when he and I met.

How frequently do all of us follow a similar path… we find something’s not working and we “dig in and put all our energy into our business”, then find we dig ourselves a deeper hole?

In my experience working with business owners and professionals, there are two theories as to why this forced myopia method doesn’t work:

1. The myth of individualism
2. Biomutualism

The Myth of Individualism – this myth defines our belief that our success is dependent entirely on ourselves.  In other words, if I’m going to win, it’s all up to me. 

This is truly a myth.  If it weren’t, we’d see millions of sole proprietorships develop into large and profitable organizations regularly.  Instead, we have millions of sole proprietorships, many of whom struggle.

Biomutualism – Although founded in biology, this theory proposes that with biology and another discipline: a) each discipline advances the other, and b) collective discoveries emerge beyond a single field.  In other words, we can produce results AND learn when we embrace diversity and collaboration. 

I want to take this a step further to propose that in the realm of business and self-development, we will produce the results we want if we break out of our tendency toward myopia and individualism.

In Stan’s case, instead of “digging in and putting all his energy into his business”, we had him create a project separate from his business – a fundraising event for a charity he loves.

In the process of developing a team, mapping out the results plan, and engaging his team in taking action to raise money for the charity, his business began to turn around.  What made the difference?

According to Stan, several factors made the difference:

1. The fundraising project forced him to collaborate with a team.  This project demanded a short time frame and Stan knew he couldn’t raise the amount of money he wanted alone in that time frame.
2. The fundraising project required Stan to explore new ways of asking for money by first identifying the myriad of reasons someone would or wouldn’t donate, then revising his approach based on his findings.
3. The fundraising project exposed some of Stan’s “weaknesses” in leadership that he so skillfully hides in his business.  Doing things independently (being a loner), demanding rather than requesting, and operating without a clear and detailed plan would not work.  Those habits had to change or the fundraising project would die.

And they did.  Once Stan started learning what worked in his fundraising project, he began applying that learning to his business.  Eight months later, his business is back on track.

Leadership Practices:

1. Create a project in an area of life that will inspire you – separate from your business.
2. Assess what habits do and don’t support you in your business through self-assessment and the feedback of others.
3. Choose one area of your business in which to collaborate this month.
4. Look for related learning in seemingly disparate areas of your life.

Like Stan, you’ve created success on your own that you can be proud of.  Perhaps the next step to creating breakthrough results lies in diversity and collaboration.

Happy New Perspectives,

- Coach Preston

Where do you stop?

WARNING: This post is a call to action, not a warm and fuzzy.  Read at own risk.

 

Yet again, MSNBC has done a wonderful job in capturing our attention by leveraging that powerful little human emotion called fear… “Older job seekers struggling with age barrier“.

As much as I cringe at what I imagine to be sensationalism, perhaps there is some truth to the story. 

Many folks find themselves out of work these days.  It’s frustrating, exhausting and often depressing.  It seems as though there’s a shrinking inventory of available opportunities as well.  Is there really a light at the end of this tunnel?

Yes there is, but it’s surely not being created by employers.

You see, an article like the MSNBC one paints a picture of employers being the bad guys.  Age, race, religion and gender are just the beginning of possible discrimination.  And, yes it does happen unfortunately.

However, I invite all of us to look at not just the content of this story, but most importantly at the CONTEXT of this story. 

For me, the context is about job seekers being at the effect of circumstances – i.e. age, race, gender, experience, current economy, industry, etc.  Yet, I see a myriad of job postings on the career websites I frequent, talk to many HR folks who say “I’m struggling to fill this open position”, and hear many stories of people finding employment.  So what gives?

Consider that in any situation, context is NOT the truth, but a possible interpretation.

So what if we really took that sentence to heart?  Now what?

Here’s what I mean…

The economy is challenging right now, not just in Detroit, but across the nation.  Finding a job is more complex and requires more time than it used to.  Fear is the most common emotion we experience these days.  But I have one question for you…

Is that where you stop?

Because if you stop, especially in this economy, you’re screwed.  If you stop because you feel that age, gender, race, money, industry, economy or geography is an issue, you will NOT find employment.  What you will do is spend the majority of your time blaming others for your woes.

This applies to me and the rest of the self-employed as well.  None of us can afford to stop now.  Sure, we’ve got about as many external circumstances as we could ever want as evidence to stop, but that will not do.

For those who have found new employment, new clients, new projects and new money have simply not stopped.  They keep going every day, creating the next opportunity, having the next conversation, scheduling the next meeting, reading the next book.  They don’t stop.

Leadership Practices:

In service of building your muscles around not stopping, please answer these questions and consider these actions…

1. What’s that uncomfortable place you just won’t go?
2. By not going there, what story about you is kept in place?
3. Based on that story, what are you really committed to?
4. Write a letter to yourself two years from now, reflecting back on the past two years.  What will your “two years ahead” self be telling your “today” self?
5. What five people will you call today to generate a conversation about possibility?  Do it again tomorrow.  Then again, and again, and again.
6. Create a structure for support to keep you empowered and in action such as our career coaching program.

Your next opportunity may arrive in your lap by surprise, but only after you’ve taken the action to create the circumstances that would have it happen.

Happy Action,

- Coach Preston

Are you a relationship hub?

… I can call on a moment’s notice.

You might not think this applies to you.  However, you might consider otherwise…

Question:  In an emergency, what’s the one thing we all immediately think about? 

Answer:  Can they get here fast enough?

It’s a knee-jerk reaction to experiencing a catastrophe.  We all do it.

But do we all have the resources, connections or relationships to know exactly who to call that will be able to get there “fast enough”?  If we do, we’re in good shape; if we don’t, uh-oh.

Let’s apply this concept to the world of business.  Most days, we’re not faced with emergencies (although that’s an entirely new discussion), but we are faced with challenges and obstacles.  If I don’t have the resources or know the resources to overcome those challenges and obstacles, I might be in trouble.

So what will I do?

Often, I’ll make a phone call or two to a select group of folks I know who are what I call “relationship hubs” = people who seem to know every single resource in the area.  Their spokes are all the other professionals they have a relationship with based on trust and integrity.  I know when I make that call that I’ll be referred to someone who can help.

This is of amazing value as I don’t have to worry about doing the research, wasting time or getting frustrated with a less-than-qualified referral.  I get my challenge or obstacle removed and I’m off to the next thing in my business.

How valuable is that “relationship hub” to me in my business?  More than I can imagine.

Are you a “relationship hub” for your network, business or community?

If not, you’re missing an incredible opportunity to be of service to your clients, friends, family, business associates and community.  And, perhaps most importantly, you’re missing an incredible marketing opportunity.

My “relationship hubs” get my attention on a regular basis.  They are my “go-to” people.  I’m in communication with them regularly.  When they ask for an introduction or referral, I drop what I’m doing and help them.  Do you think they appreciate that?

Becoming a “relationship hub” might just be the most lucrative and charitable initiative you take on this month.

Leadership Practices:

1. Join a BNI, LeTip or other “lead generation” organization.  These are intimate and rigorous groups that meet regularly to build relationships and refer business.  When you join, make sure to create a sub-group of like-minded businesses as some of these groups can be more than 40 people.  Sub-groups (or in BNI parlance, Power Teams) are very effective.
2. Don’t just have your plumber fix your sink; invite him/her out for a coffee.  Get to know their business and them as a person.  Do this with every one of your vendors, coffee shop / restaurant owners, folks at church/synagogue/mosque, and neighbors.
3. Ask everyone you meet “What project are you currently working on or stuck around?”  This gives you the opportunity to refer someone to them to solve their issue.  And best yet, in the process you’re training them that you’re the “go-to” person – the “relationship hub”.

Happy Hubbing,

- Coach Preston

Better than push-ups

Last night I attended a workshop hosted by Corey Perlman, the author of eBoot Camp.  I thought I knew a thing or two about Facebook and a ton or two about LinkedIn (not so much with Twitter).

Within 15 minutes, I knew two things:  a) I had better put down my ego, and b) find the seatbelt that came with my seminar chair as we’re floorin’ it!

Here’s just one of the 100+  nuggets I learned last night:

Did you know that you can actually do a keyword search in not only Google, but within LinkedIn as well? 

Why would you want to do that?  By identifying the most popular keywords that apply to your product or service, you can design your LinkedIn profile, website or blog to use those words… which leads to more traffic to your site.

The best part of this… it’s free to find those words.  I’ve had SEO (search engine optimization) experts quote thousands of dollars to do the same thing.  Just one of the gold nuggets that came out of Corey’s seminar.

If you’re wondering how to make the major social networking sites work for you without them draining all of your time or learning capacity, I highly recommend reading Corey’s book and attending his eBoot Camp seminar.

Happy Tweets,

-Coach Preston

Learn more about Corey at:

http://www.coreyperlman.com/

http://www.ebootcampbook.com/

http://www.facebook.com/coreyperlman

http://twitter.com/coreyperlman