Best Practices AND Next Practices

On occasion, people complain about how best practices are a waste of time.  That the far better thing is to focus on "next practices".  Whenever I hear that, I get all tingle-y.  Which is a sarcastic way of saying I think they are soooo wrong.

Not that best practices are the sole solution.  My experience (and the practice of world-class businesses everywhere) is that BOTH are critically important to earn and maintain your competitive edge.

Here's the real deal: Picking up best practices (current actions that industry leaders are performing on a regular basis to exceed expectations and get the best results) is an incredibly valuable thing to do...for the short term.  Professionals and their companies get in trouble when they latch on to a cool, new gem of an idea and then implement it so obsessively that they can't consider any NEW new idea.  This thinking only locks them into a temporary result - that will certainly slip away as the rest of the competition improves their performance over time.  In this (misused) approach, best practices are the first great steps towards a slow spiral down Darwin's business evolution.

Bummer.  Cue the sad trombone sound.

The better (and yes, proven) approach is to take advantage of any quick wins by adapting best practices - with the commitment to push for daily discoveries that will also develop next practices - that will guarantee your competitive edge.  Constantly striving for ways to create a better customer experience - think all five senses at every step of their experience - for both your external customer AND your internal customer (employee/team).  Then and only then will you take advantage of both aspects of the practices that create your results...and reputation...and legacy.

Think about it.  But more importantly, do something about it...today!

Are You Driving Change?

We all know that change is a constant, but get (appropriately) skeptical when people drone on about how "Change is good".  Why are people resistant to change?  Because some change is NOT good.  People become supportive only when we believe the change will be beneficial.

So what do world-class leaders do to optimize the process of change?

Here's an apt analogy a former Disney colleague of mine shared:

If you were riding in a car someone else was driving with the intent of going to a specific location, and they started driving along an unfamiliar route, what would you do?

1. Confirm the destination and make sure that you both intend to arrive at the same place.  If not, then you must determine whether or not you want to go to this new location.  If the final destination is the same, then you might...
2. Ask if the current route is better than the route you are used to.  If it is better, then support the new route (change) and learn something helpful.  If it isn't better, then you would suggest your more effective route (solution) to get to your mutual goal.  If you have nothing better to offer, then you would just let them drive and support the unfamiliar approach.
3. If you don't want the driver's destination or route, you can either disembark or take over control of driving the car.

Ultimately, the choice is yours.  Actively support the process or actively make it better, but get involved one way or the other (being passive is simply abdicating any responsibility).  It does not help to sit in the passenger seat and complain about the route or destination.  You don't improve the outcome - and you actually make the process worse.  The best option is to determine whether or not the "new way" is better or not, influence the driver if your way is legitimately better, or do the driving yourself.

Have you determined your destination?  Are you doing whatever it takes to appropriately influence your situation?  Or are you letting someone else do the "driving" and "taking you on a ride" you don't want to be on?  Are you willing to take the bold action of taking over or disembarking?

Think about it.  But more importantly, do something about it...today!

Safety Net or Hammock?

Preparing for a future that is never really known (until it is the present) can be a risky venture.  Putting back-up plans and "just in case" support mechanisms in place is a good idea to mitigate that risk.  After all, safety (and personal/organizational health) is important.

But we need to be careful about being too careful.

People often create a safety net of contingency plans that slowly, over time becomes a hammock of comfortable (low-risk) settling.  Playing it too safe, too often, is not healthy.  In fact, it actually becomes dangerous - which is, ironically, the very thing we set out to avoid.  What is originally intended as a safety net can (if we're not vigilant) become a hammock - that can lull you into complacency.  Which leads to a dull, listless life of settling.

There is a saying: "If you hit the target every time, you are too close to the target".  Growth requires challenging our abilities and capabilities. 

When was the last time you attempted to do something important to you where you had less than a 50/50 chance of success?  That always generates a higher level of focus, creativity, and effort...and growth!
So, what do you want - dynamic growth or letting yourself get sucked into a hammock of mediocrity?

Think about it.  But more importantly, do something about it...today!

Agile or Fragile?

The rate of change has increased dramatically over the past years.  Every day, it seems that another professional becomes the victim of being too-inflexible - and, therefore, becomes obsolete. 

People who don't actively stretch their ability to adapt and deal with ambiguity become fragile and break under the constant pressure of change.  The only way to thrive (not just survive) is to be agile enough to successfully negotiate the twists and turns that Life throws at you.
So, how can you accomplish this?

The most successful people have an interesting habit: They keep their "change muscles" flexible by purposefully attempting different things on a daily basis.

It can be as simple as driving a different way to work every so often.  Or going to a bookstore (or online) and reading a magazine/article on a topic you normally wouldn't ever choose to read.  This keeps your mind practiced in the way of absorbing and "filing" new/different information on a regular basis.

Or, take it to the next level by engaging a colleague/friend in a action-based "adventure" of something neither one of you have done before.  Take turns planning the "surprise" and benefit from adjusting on the fly.  Interact with people from a different culture.  Primarily use your non-dominant hand for a day.  Tackle an experience on your bucket list.  Whatever it is, challenge each other by testing your comfort zones and expanding your perspective on a myriad of topics/experiences you deem important.

The important thing when you "do new" is to keep it fun.  Make the challenge of CHANGE your new comfort zone!

And you'll never be fragile - or as vulnerable - again.

Think about it.  But more importantly do something about it...today!

The Next Opportunity = THE Opportunity?

Question: How many times in Life do you get the chance to start over and create the life of your dreams?

Answer: Every time you wake up.

So, did you wake up today?  Good!  Then you have an opportunity to make some changes that get you closer to experiencing your dreams, hopes, desires, and purpose. 

The next question is: Will you?

Looking back on EVERY good experience in your life, you may notice something - that each time, it was a result of initiating action.  You'll also likely notice that most (if not all) breakthroughs came as a result of trying something more than once.

You never know when the next opportunity will result in being THE opportunity that realizes your desired goal!

So, consider this a reminder and an encouragement:

1. Get clear on what you really want out of Life.  Focus (and REfocus!) every day.
2. Be open to exploring and discovering how to achieve it.  Every day.
3. Have the courage to take that first step.  Every day.
4. Keep going.  Every day.  Until you are successful.

Yes, it IS just that simple (though not always easy.)

Think about it.  But more importantly, do something about it...today!

Screwed By My GPS - Thank Goodness!

On a recent road trip covering a couple thousand miles, I had several interesting experiences...all starting with what should have been a direct route through the mountains of North Carolina/Tennessee.

Should have been.

Relying on the new technology, I plugged in the address of my next destination and chose to go where my phone's GPS guided me.  It wasn't until I was an hour into the drive when I concluded I wasn't "on the right path".  I pulled out my trusty paper map and discovered, sure enough, I was deeply into what my GPS thought was the "better" scenic route - adding about an hour onto my drive.

After some choice bad words, I realized that backtracking would add even more of a delay, so I opted to forge ahead on the same winding mountain roads I was on.  Then a very interesting thing happened...

I started to experience...things.

Not in a weird, mindless, hypnotic, imaginary way (sorry, no moonshine on this trip).  But in a "let go of any preconceived notions and simply experience what is happening" kind of way.

Yes, it was a much longer route, but it was, indeed, a much better route as well.  I was amazed at all the "new" I started to enjoy. 

New sights.  New sounds.  New inspiration.  New insights.  New attitude.  New hope.  New enjoyment.

And it all started out with me cursing out my phone.

Kinda like Life.  Sometimes routes that, at first glance, start out looking like a mistake, can actually be a better path.  Just because it isn't what we anticipated doesn't mean it's less valuable.  Being open to Life's surprises can offer a gift we would never enjoy otherwise.

Perhaps instead of grumbling, we should experience unexpected changes in our "plan" more open to what IS there than what ISN'T (our original plan).  We may end up with "better" after all.

Think about it.  But more importantly, do something about it...today!

Fatal Benchmarking Mistakes

Much has been said of benchmarking – the act of looking to best-in-class companies and measuring yourself against their methods. Of course, the expectation is to gauge how you compare with industry leaders, identify where you can improve, and adjust your methods to achieve those same best-in-class results. Most fail because they are going about benchmarking in the wrong way.

The second most common mistake is to simply adopt what the benchmark is doing. This often fails because your culture and/or circumstances are different than the benchmark organization. The better approach is to adapt their methods so they make sense in your unique situation. Consider how you can improve the best practice by tailoring it to your business.

But the biggest mistake, by far, is that people tend to focus only on the benchmark’s tactics. Attempting to copy present-day actions will certainly help – but only in the short term. The problem with this approach is that legitimate industry-leading organizations are continuously improving. To adopt a best practice and stick with it will only ensure that your competition will eventually pass you by. A fatal mistake.

The key characteristics of world-class companies that make them different and better are not just what they do – but how they think! Why do they consider things the way they do? What are the priorities? What are the non-negotiables? How do they create consistency when circumstances are constantly changing? How do they deal with all the swirling details that we all have to juggle and, with essentially the same resources, achieve better results?

When you benchmark the right way, you gain insights that matter – and that make a long-lasting improvement to the health of your business. The choice is yours: tap into the solutions that will spark your sustainable breakthrough or adopt a short-term approach that will struggle to gain traction and will ultimately fail.

Think about it. But more importantly, do something about it...today!

Bringing Learning To Life

Sometimes I get really frustrated at how people settle for less than they should. Have you ever asked yourself why more people/organizations aren't achieving their potential?

So, how do the most successful leaders bridge the gap between knowing and doing - and get better results that the average people? There are several keys to this elusive process:

Value it. Identify WHY you want to do it. Consider your motivation for starting - regarding the ultimate outcome or benefit. Many times, people surprise themselves by realizing they really do NOT care enough about the outcome to initiate action. If you are sufficiently motivated, then this provides the fuel for your efforts - but you still need the rest of the formula. Your plan must include accountability throughout the remainder of this 4 step process.

Know it. Here's a surprising factoid: People generally don't fail because they are ignorant. In my experience, about 85% of the time, I hear people say "I know that", but then they fail to DO that effective behavior. Those who get results make sure to know What AND How. Often, people think they know, but there is a gap between what they know (vague, big picture) and what they need to know (relevant details). This extra effort separates the ordinary from the extraordinary.

Do it. Skills require more than knowledge. The next step is to translate internal knowledge to external behaviors. Experiment. Practice. Try new things. The key is START! Getting "hands on" with the idea as soon as possible is vital. Habits/success are created by consistent behaviors. Make sure you are practicing your new skills every day. The cumulative total of your actions is what ultimately gets the results.

Share it. Once you've actually achieved some level of success, the best way to solidify the experience (for yourself and for your organization) is to teach it to others. Provide opportunities for colleagues to attempt the new behaviors in the same kind of process you used. You'll find that "teaching others to fish" will help you to multiply your results AND leave a legacy of excellence - optimizing YOUR life!

Think about it. But more importantly, do something about it...today!

80% and GO!

Think about it: The first time you do something is all about learning. You tend to get the biggest insights about what NOT to do.

This can be either disturbing or encouraging.

Most often, when something is important to them, people tend to plan and wait and plan (and plan some more) until they think everything is perfect.

It never is.

Naturally, we get better every time we experience something. So, what's the better solution to getting really good at something that is really important? Jump in and experience it as QUICKLY as possible as OFTEN as possible until you hone & fine tune it to your ultimate goal of excellence. We have to get past the "I'm not 100% sure what I'm doing" phase and to the much more profitable (and enjoyable) "I know what I'm doing" phase - quickly - to gain a competitive edge.

At Disney, we used to call this "80% and Go". It meant that when we were about 80% sure it was the right thing to do, we initiated action - even if we weren't quite sure of the details. The plan was to be hyper-aware of the feedback/learning you get at every step and adjust as best you can in the moment. Some Fortune 500 companies call this "rapid iteration". It simply means "the way to develop mastery is to do it as fast and as often as possible and learn your way to success".

What things are YOU planning/waiting on today?

Think about it. But more importantly, do something about it...today!

Are You More-dinary?

In an effort to be more competitive, some people make the mistake of trying to simply provide more of the product/service they (and their competitors) deliver. Lazy thinking that is a big mistake. Merely providing more is related to manipulating the price. In the end, you make your offerings a commodity - a path that only drags down profits... and, ultimately your business.

This just makes you "more-dinary". Boring AND unhealthy. The cure? Constantly strive to be different and better. That ALWAYS differentiates you from the competition - often allowing you to charge a premium (making you interesting to your customers AND resulting in a healthy bottom line! What a bonus!)

Discover the deeper reason your customers desire your industry's product/service, assess what/how you and your competition is delivering those things, and then focus on what you can do to be different and better in the minds/hearts of your customers. Then execute soon and well. Repeat. Often.

The competition will always try to copy success. Your job is to 1. Stay engaged with your customers - both external and internal (employees), and 2. keep becoming different and better. To stay relevant and thrive in your business - no matter what it is - ANYthing is better than settling for "more-dinary". Instead, choose to be extraordinary!

Think about it. But more importantly, do something about it...today!

Forgive, Yes...But Forget??

We've all heard about the common saying "Forgive and forget". It's typically used to describe a more gentle, "enlightened" view towards our fellow human beings - encouraging us to achieve some kind of world peace by simply wiping the slate clean and forgetting it ever happened. What a load of bull...uh, I mean - what a foolish choice!

Forgiveness is one thing. Whether you forgive or not really only impacts you. Refusing to forgive a wrong is typically rooted in an emotional resentment that will lead to bitterness if left to fester - only serving to continue harming you - rather than the wrong-doer. So, ultimately, the wisest option is to choose to forgive. Whether or not to forget is quite another issue.

The healthiest option after being the victim of a negative experience is to forgive and remember! That experience - and memory - should be used for a productive purpose.

The goal for any and all life experiences is to learn from them and grow in wisdom and good judgment. Remembering the details that led to the experience and - logically - leveraging that insight to help make better choices for the future is the better option. To forget would be a shameful waste of the experience, making it more likely that you'll put yourself in the position to be victimized yet again...a much worse tragedy.

This brings to mind the more balanced saying of "Live and learn". So, when you are deep in the aftershocks of a painful experience - just focus on remembering the mistake, so you're less likely to repeat it in the future.

Think about it. But more importantly, do something about it...today!

Get Alive

Do you want a business/relationship that is alive? (Of course, who doesn't!) Bringing life to your Life doesn't have to be as difficult as it often seems. Like when I was at Disney, the first step is to recognize the few things that make the difference between just existing and really living:

1. All life is GROWN. To breathe LIFE into your life (or relationship or business, etc.) you have to treat it like any other dynamic, living thing. For example, think of a plant - if you want the plant to thrive (rather than simply survive), you must nurture it. Same as anything else. How is that best done? By implementing the other two aspects:

2. Be aware of what that unique plant (your business, career, your Life, relationship, etc.) requires to thrive. Pay attention to it. Invest time and energy into learning about all important aspects of it. Examine and understand what strengthens it and what weakens it. Then...

3. Care enough to do something about it. Make it a priority. Spent time/energy/resources to consistently see that it's needs are exceeded (in a healthy way) in order for it to GROW more alive.

Sometimes, Life can get so hectic that it gets easy to neglect things (dreams, goals, people, ourselves) that we value. The natural consequences of that action (or lack of action) is the same as neglecting a plant. It WILL start to weaken, whither, then die. The question is: what is YOUR priority? You can always tell a person's TRUE priorities by where they choose to spend their time, effort, and money. Where are you spending yours? If not where you want, start growing again - now - before it is too late.

Think about it. But more importantly, do something about it...today!

Where Do You Go Right?

After a life stumble, we often hear someone say "Where did I go wrong?" Good to do. Obviously, making mistakes is not the preferred outcome - but it happens. Repeating a mistake, however, is a completely unnecessary waste. If we are paying attention and care enough to make the effort, we can learn from every mistake we - or others - make...and forgo that avoidable wrong.

Another question - rarely asked - is equally important: "Where did I go right?" Examining successful decisions (ours or others) actually help us repeat success.

Consider this: In every success story, there is a moment when things shifted for the better. The successful person did something differently to start down a different road leading to a better result. Here's the bottom line - and it is pretty simple:

• If the path you are currently on is not leading to the ultimate goal you want, then you must change what you are doing to achieve what you desire. You may not know exactly what to change, but you DO know that life as usual is not it, so your "do nothing/the same" option is NOT the right one. (If you don't know what you want, then THAT just became your new task.)
• The longer you stay on your existing path, the longer you are moving in the wrong direction. (The whole "where did I go wrong?" thing - yes, you just answered that question. You're choosing it every day you stay on your current path.)
• You must take action to see the results. Planning is nice, but it doesn't count as an action step in regards to actually improving. Yes, taking action risks failure (that is why most do NOT take sufficient action), but by definition, the path you're on is failing you already.

The real question then, is not "Should I do something differently?", but "What should I do? (experiment with whatever needs improving until you start seeing results) and "When should I do it?" (Now. It's the first step that keeps most people from optimizing their results. Once you've taken that first step, the second becomes easier, and the third easier still - until you break through to become part of the successful group that began doing things right.)

You have the choice to make NOW the answer to the question: "When did I go right?" All it takes is that first step. Are you choosing to take it, or continue settling for less in your life?

Think about it. But more importantly, do something about it...today!

Let It Go!

As we rush/stagger/grind/step towards the end of the year, many of us reflect on what was and what may be. While I encourage this (not just once a year, but every quarter/month/week - as best you can), it seems that "resolutions" - regardless of when they occur, rarely last. On average, only 15% of those who make New Year's resolutions keep them for at least 30 days. What a shame!

Part of the problem most have with adopting new behaviors is that they are still embedded in the rut of old habits (muscle memory and/or mental hang-ups.) Here's the key that all successful professionals know: Before you can successfully follow a new path, you have to stop walking the old, less-effective path. In other words: what keeps us from adopting effective new habits is INeffective old habits.

Japanese culture has some interesting rituals for the transition between one year and the next. For example, many hold "ending of the year parties" (called "bounenkai" - or "forget the year"), where they ceremoniously cut ties with anything holding them back from growing/improving for the upcoming year. Another tradition is called "osoji", where everyone deep cleans their homes, offices, and schools to literally begin the new year with a "clean slate". While I don't follow these practices, I do appreciate the acknowledging of how we must create closure for one chapter before we can successfully begin a new chapter.

So, as you begin making plans for your next chapter, please consider what you need to STOP doing - or let go of - BEFOREHAND. Once you've confronted that detrimental anchor, then and only then will you be free to sail forward towards whatever exciting new adventure you have in your heart.

One final word of encouragement: If you're not living the life of your dreams, then why not? When are you planning to live your unique purpose? No matter where you are today, the very best time to begin is NOW. Don't wait another day. No more settling. Take the first few steps and you will begin to see an amazing shift in momentum toward the lifestyle you've always wanted.

You will never regret it, I promise. I can guarantee you the inevitable: you'll regret not starting sooner if you wait.

Think about it. But more importantly, do something about it...today!

The Alternative To Change

If you don't like change, I understand. But you're going to like mediocrity a WHOLE lot less.

The real problem with change is, despite what many claim, it is NOT always good. In the real world, we've all been burned by change at one time. So, what's the alternative? Don't focus on change - focus on improvement!

Here's the TRUTH about legitimate improvement in your life:

1. The definition of "improved" is determined by YOU.
2. Improvement, by definition, must be different...but different in YOUR direction!

Bottom line: All improvement requires change, but not all change is an improvement.

Are you clear about what you want that is different/better? If not, invest some time to figure that out. (Today would be good.)

Are you willing to take action and DO what is required to create that improvement? If not, then prepare yourself for a life of pain and disappointment. Regardless of what all those foolish Secret/Name It, Claim It fad philosophies claim, it doesn't happen by magic...and no one will do it for you. (The good news? The effort is worth it. Really!)

Here's an interesting factoid to consider: Have you noticed that only about 5% of people who make New Year's resolutions see them come to fruition? What percentage of people do you consider to be truly successful in life? About 5%? Do you think there's a connection? I believe in both cases, it's simply because the successful people are clear about what they want/what direction to move in order to improve, AND they invest the required effort to achieve their goals. That's not always fun or sexy, but it works at Disney and other world-class companies, consistently. (Yes, ANYone can be successful!)

Are you setting the stage for an improved new year? If not, why not?

How will 2011 be different/better than 2010 for you? What will YOU do differently/better to actually make your goals a reality this time? (Hint: The best time to start is NOW!)

Think about it. But more importantly, do something about it...today!