What’s Stopping You – and How do you Overcome It?
As the Leader of your Accredited Business, it is not too much of a stretch to assume that most of you have already formulated your goals, plans, and strategies for 2014 and are well into the execution of those plans as we are well into the second month of the year. Many of you probably also subscribe to the concept that I learned at UPS, first formulated by its founder Jim Carey in the early 1900’s – that of Constructive Dissatisfaction.
Constructive Dissatisfaction tells us to appreciate where we are and the gains we have made, but to never be quite fully satisfied. I know this resonates with you – it is not just about more sales, more revenue, and higher profits, but more so about performing better, developing our team more, and serving more people than we did yesterday. Finding ways to do that is the essence of Constructive Dissatisfaction.
So, what is blocking you? What is keeping you from reaching those goals you have set? What stands between you and where you want you and your company to be? You see, if nothing stands between you and the achievement of your goals – you would already be there, having achieved them. So, in February 2014, what is preventing you from reaching your goals?
The fact is, as we have often heard, doing the same thing over and over again but expecting consistently better results is the definition of insanity. So, if we want to be better, get better, and have better – we have to do better, do different, etc. So, again, what changes do you need to make to help you and your company reach the goals you have set in 2014? If you REALLY are committed to reaching your goals then you must be REALLY committed to asking tough questions and making some tough decisions. Here are some to consider.
1. How can you reach your goals if you don’t even have them? In other words, how can you hit a target that doesn’t even exist? You can’t, that’s right! So, have you set your goals for 2014? Have you written them down? Have you identified the people and organizations you must work with to achieve them? Are they SMART Goals? – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Tangible. You see, if you have not specifically set your goals, if you’re not reviewing them on a regular basis, and if you’re not acting on them daily – you and I are just wishing and dreaming, not planning and achieving.
2. Is your own lack of ability/education/training keeping you from reaching your goals? Then do something about it: Take a class, go to a seminar, read a book, listen to a tape or CD – the message? TAKE ACTION. You and I will never get any better or develop additional skills by osmosis. We have to take action and invest some time, effort, and yes – maybe some money – into our most valuable asset – ourselves. This is necessary if we want to improve and get better. Just waiting for it to magically happen will only work if we have some of that magic fairy dust too!
3. Is your team keeping your organization from reaching your goals? This most often comes in two forms. #1 – Your team needs more development, skills, knowledge, and abilities to perform in such a way as to help the entire organization reach its goals. If that is true, then see #2 above – and then take action. The tougher situation is #2 – You do not have enough, or the right team members, for your organization to reach the goals you have set. You may then have to make the difficult decision to change team members to fix the issue. Sometimes we have to say “no” to the good, so that we can say “yes” to the best. It will often feel that you are taking two steps back to then take a step forward.
We had to take a couple of steps back here at the BBB in 2013 to prepare ourselves for a tremendous year of growth in 2014. Some of this involved investing in capacity and some it involved tweaking our team to best use our human capital and properly staff for the upcoming growth. No doubt there are periods where those changes can be challenging even upsetting. But they are CRITICAL to putting your organization in the best possible position to move ahead to the goals you have set.
4. Do you need something more to achieve your goals? Maybe you need more customers, more finances, more something. Well, we all know “the more” that you need is generally not going to walk through your door tomorrow – you have to go find it. Again, this requires action, and an investment of time, effort, and money. You may have to try some different advertising, think “outside the box” for some funding sources or investors, grants, etc. If what you have done in the past did not work or has stopped working…you will have to do something…different. The reality of business is that the environment and landscape can change rapidly and significantly. We must be ready to change with it.
If you need help in answering any of the questions above or you know your organization needs to improve in Customer Service, Leadership, Advertising, Marketing, etc. we have resources and people to help you. We can guide you to the resources, helps, and other business leaders that can assist you in your search for solutions. We are truly “Resolution Experts” and stand ready to offer you our services. Give us the opportunity!
Next month we will look more specifically at some tips and techniques of setting S.M.A.R.T. goals.
In the meantime, have a fantastic month and let us know how we can help you as you continue to build your “Better Business”!
Your servant leader, John Paschall
