In case you are finding it difficult to “get growing” toward better results in 2012, here are five thoughts on how to achieve the outcomes that you most want. The ideas are “rooted” in Jones Loflin’s new book, Getting the Blue Ribbon. Enjoy!
Be more intentional about what you will seek to achieve a “blue ribbon” for. What are the two or three areas of your job or life that are in most need of improvement this year? Make them a priority in your planning. At the end of each day ask yourself, “What did I do today to work toward a blue ribbon in _____________?” If you can’t give a quick answer, you may have been busy, but did you really accomplish anything of value?
Create the environment for the right things to GROW. You have to exert control of your schedule and your life in such a way that your highest priority items are nourished from idea to reality, and the less important things take up a smaller portion of your day. Remember that letting something grow on its’ own rarely brings the desired results.
GRAFT new ideas and actions into your schedule. Take the time to think about what needs to be done differently, and then plan for those changes to happen. Use any of the current resources you have (i.e. relationships, political goodwill, motivation, a sense of urgency) to nurture these new initiatives until they can grow on their own.
PRUNE those things that are draining resources from your higher priority items. Most people can’t turn off their mobile phones or email or just stop showing up at meetings, but you can look for ways to reduce the strain these (or other) types of items are having on your resources. What is one thing you could look at “pruning” from your workday that could provide you 10-15 minutes of time to focus on a more important task or project? NOTE: If you can’t think of anything, call me. You need some serious help with denial issues.
Celebrate more HARVEST moments. In this economy, every municipality, corporation and state government is placing more and more demands on its workforce. This stress of “doing more with less” often causes people to forget that not everything they are doing is bad or less than efficient. Take a moment or two within your day to reflect on what you ARE getting done instead of just lamenting about all that is NOT getting done. And if you are a manager, spend more time celebrating the success of those who report to you and not always criticizing or expecting more.
Remember, when you stop focusing on getting the blue ribbon, you can miss the opportunity to produce some incredible results. May 2012 be the year you get LOTS of blue ribbons in your work and life.
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Call Eagles Talent: 1.800.345.5607
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