What's Next For You?

Feeling "stuck" - or like you aren't realizing your potential?

Maybe you need something "pulling" you to your future?  Maybe you need to clarify what you don't want as much as what you do want?

The most successful people have both: 1. Some kind of "north star" that provides a purposeful reason to move in a particular direction in their life and 2. Boundaries that keep them on track. 

For the first part, consider developing a "next goal" that guide your decision about what steps to take each day/week/month to move you in a direction that is best for you.  Otherwise, you end up taking random choices/actions that lead...wherever you end up.  Hint: Wandering is NOT a productive long-term life strategy.

Another thing that helps prevent wandering is the second issue: boundaries. It's been said that "a worthless, dead swamp is just a river with no banks".  Having something to guide your "water" so it is productive and alive is critical.

(Cue wails from naysayers whining "But we don't want to live some boring, pre-determined, robotic life!")

Consider this: It's important to realize that having some kind of plan does NOT mean being restricted to everything being planned.  Life is too unpredictable to expect everything to go according to plan.  The most successful people create a "plan as of now based on what I know about the current circumstances - while being open to any opportunities that pop up that align with my definite dreams/desires" approach.  Having and working the initial plan, but always being aware of Life's surprises/options as they become available on the journey.

This allows you to realize your optimal potential - taking advantage of life's "surprises" when they happen, but in-between those moments, forging ahead towards goals you know you want (resisting those things you know you don't want!)

But it requires you to consider, decide, and take action!

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

Fire Your Way To Success

One of the key responsibilities of a leader is to orchestrate your team to perform at their optimal level.  In the daily changing dynamics of the numerous individual personalities, every team member experiences hills and valleys.  At some point, however, you may find an employee consistently falling short of their responsibilities.  When this happens, you are obligated to make some important decisions - and actions.

The cost of doing nothing is far too high (to your operation and to your customer experience), so what is the best way to deal with this?  Obviously, not hiring a wrong-fit employee is the best tactic, but if an employee chooses the wrong behaviors, the process world-class companies follow is this:

• Step 1: Ask if the standard for the expected behavior was understood. If not, inform the employee and fire them up for implementation. If they knew they were expected to perform the behavior, then...

• Step 2: Ask if they are able to perform the behavior. If not, train them and fire them up for best results. If they are able to perform the behavior, then...

• Step 3: Ask then if there is anything preventing them from performing as requested. If so, then work to remove the obstacle - if appropriate and fire them up to achieve their best potential. If there isn't anything preventing them from performing, then...

• They can perform, they just don't want to. If this is the case, they are lazy and/or defiant. Either way, the next step is to FIRE THEM.  (Yes, at Disney I would fire "deserving" cast members, although we termed it "encouraging them to find their happiness elsewhere" - which made me laugh and gag...all at the same time!)

The critical thing to realize is that THEY have made the choice, not you. You are simply responding to their choice by implementing the natural consequences.

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

What's On Your Short List?

Do you ever feel like you are busy every minute of the day, and still don't have time to do things that are truly important?

One thing consistently successful leaders do differently and better than anyone else is taking action on the right (most important) things.  How do they tame the distractions that plague the rest of us?

They create their "short list".

It's a simple two-part process.  The first step is creating your personal short list of the most important non-negotiables in your life.

• Values (The key driving forces of your life?)
• Standards (The clear line that defines what is truly UNacceptable)
• Goals (The absolutely MUST do things on your bucket list?)
• Relationships (Who are the most important "long-term" people in your life?)
• Belongings (what would you grab if your house caught on fire?)
• Activities (What pastimes are the most important to you for optimal physical/emotional/spiritual/mental health?)

Once you identify your short list(s), it becomes very clear what to say "yes" to - and just as importantly, what to say "no" to.  Both of which keep you from wasting time and energy - allowing you to be the most productive on the things you care most about. 

The next step is to use your list as a guide in creating your schedule.  Start with plugging in the non-negotiable priorities on your list first.  Then, if you have extra time/energy, fill in the rest with the next most important things.  When you are done with your time (you can't manufacture more of it), you say "no".

Yes, there are consequences for saying no, but the most successful people share that the temporary discomfort created by that transition always gives way to a high-performance, more aligned life of integrity.

How do you prefer to invest your life - in the things that you are passionate about, or settle for less?  Nothing will change unless YOU change your actions.

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

Being Adaptable Is A Weakness?

We all deal with life's ever-changing circumstances.  Often, we hear that "going with the flow" or "getting along" can help grease the "gears of the community machine".  While it is true that being adaptable can be a valuable strength, it is also true that a strength overdone actually becomes a weakness.

Certain things, such as principles, are constants (and rightly so) and, therefore, should never be compromised.  To do so, ultimately, invites a lack of integrity - which leads to ineffectiveness and sub-optimization.

Adapting to certain things in life is all well and good, but it should be a conscious decision based on the bigger picture.  Overdone, too much compromise leads to settling for the status quo.  Settling too long leads to a rut.  Ruts never lead to growth and good health.

The key consideration is whether or not adapting for short-term gain allows for long-term growth.  If two people cannot collaborate for some reason, then compromise CAN be a fair option, but ONLY if there is an agreement to revisit the situation with a commitment to continued mutual growth. If all interests are not served by the decision in the long-run, then the "loser" is settling for mediocrity.

And being sub-par is NEVER healthy.  Finding that "sweet spot" of being adaptable enough to adjust effectively to the every day changes is critical to success.  Simply latching on to adaptability as a way to get through life with the least confrontation merely guarantees a life based on the lowest common denominator.

Something NO one will ever get passionate about.  Ever.

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

Harley-Davidson Service Standards

Their brand is as distinctive as the rumbling sound from their mufflers. Harley-Davidson has successfully generated a brand that is so strong that even non-motorcycle riding people want their merchandise. And loyalty? Their fans are among the most fanatic of any brand out there. You know you've arrived when customers start tattooing your logo on their bodies.

What kind of tools do they provide their employees to deliver a Harley-Davidson experience that matches their brand? Well, I recently worked with them and among their many tools, I have the 6 simple (though not always easy) service standards from their orientation:

Hello - Greet everyone with a warm welcome - like a valued member of your club.
Approach - Initiate contact to help break the ice.
Recognize - Engage them in a personalized way that treats them as a valued individual.
Look it up - Go the extra mile when helping the customer. Get the answers they need.
Enthusiasm - will spark that of your customers. Share the Harley passion.
You - are the one that brings Harley-Davidson to life for the customer.

(Yes, it spells "Harley"), but more importantly, it guides each person to focus on the things that matter most when earning loyalty. Even a "rough and tumble" brand like Harley-Davidson understands that genuinely connecting with their customers (and their shared passions) is what sets their brand apart from others.

What kind of experiences can your team create that inspires customers to tattoo YOUR logo on their bodies?

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