Category: Attitude

Stop the Blaming and Use These 5 Concepts to Improve Your Results

We can all get sucked into the blame game from time to time. When the results you achieve do not meet your plans, it is easy to blame something else besides yourself.

Consistently evaluating your results without blame is a process that can become a useful habit. When I am reflecting on results, here are five points I consider:

1. Preparation. We can’t rely on luck for success. We need to prepare for opportunities and actions. My favorite question: “How could I have prepared differently that would have affected my results?” 

2. Resources. We often overlook all the resources available to us. We like to accomplish things on our own. But we should consider other people, equipment, tools, supplies, and information. My favorite question: “What data could have led me to a better result?”

3. Effort. When we don’t succeed a lack of effort is the first thing that comes to mind. When we evaluate effort we need to assess the time and energy we applied to the activity. But we should not overlook other aspects of effort. My favorite question: “How could my effort been more effective?”

4. Critical Decision Points. During reflection we often second guess our decisions. Through this process we can increase our ability to develop future strategy and success. My favorite question: “What decision did I make that changed the course of my result, and why did I choose this solution?”

5. Timing. Your level of success at any endeavor can be affected by timing. Taking action at the wrong time, even if it is the correct action, can lead to disaster. We can reflect on how events unfolded, and if there would have been a better time to take action. My favorite question: “What critical action should I have delayed, or taken sooner, that would have resulted in greater success?”

These are just five different ways to help you improve your ability to reflect on results. I use them, and they work. They help me continuously improve my efforts and results. Feel free to give them a try the next time you reflect on your goals and results.

 

Just Getting Things Done

Recently when looking over my to-do list, I discovered a few items that have been on there for an extended period of time. I would imagine that if you did the same, you might find a couple old actions on your list also.

How does that happen? I diligently track my actions and projects. However, it just seems that some plans never become urgent enough to drive me to action. But they still needed to be done. Sound familiar?

The items that lingered on my list were not things that were difficult, or even overwhelming. They had one attribute in common. They were more difficult to integrate into the normal routine of my day. To complete them would mean going out of my way. I would be required to spend time that I did not want to relinquish.

Ironically, once I decide to do one of these lingering items, it usually takes very little effort at all.

Here is a solution that I have implemented that has helped me accomplish tasks that otherwise may just sit around for awhile. I schedule time in my calendar every other week specifically to tackle old action items. During this time I will review anything that is older than 2 weeks. If it no longer requires my attention, I delete it. If it requires action, I do it.

So far, it has helped in two ways. It has eliminated things that I no longer needed to do, and secondly it has kept some minor things from becoming urgent. If you have some tasks that are dragging you down by staying on your list too long, give this a try. It may help.

 

Do You Think Integrity Is Important?

If you ask a person if integrity is important to them, almost universally they will respond, “yes”. However, at times there is a gap between our values and our actions.

Recently, Wells Fargo was fined $185 million for fraud. It was apparent in the investigation and in the fine, that their fraudulent practices were widespread.

I am glad I don’t have any accounts with Wells Fargo. If I did, I would not hesitate to close them. But I suspect, many people will not. A year from now, Wells Fargo will still exist. They will be making a profit using someone’s money.

It makes me curious whether people choose not to worry about the integrity of their bank, or if they are willing to put up with a lack of integrity for some unknown reason. It could be that they are just apathetic.

It is a great example of how people value one thing, yet live out that value very differently. If we all truly valued integrity, Wells Fargo would soon be out of business.

Do you find this value gap disturbing? How do you keep yourself living according to your values?

 

Competency Is Not Enough

Being competent is not enough. If you want to stretch yourself to reach your potential, go beyond proficiency.

People need to trust you before they care about you being capable. When you hire someone to do repairs at your house or on your car, you care that they are qualified. But you are most concerned that they are trustworthy. Character is more important than skill.

Here are three ways we can build our character.

Integrity – We can improve our integrity by being honest. There is no need to exaggerate or omit facts. People appreciate the truth even when they don’t like the truth. Building integrity is a life long pursuit.

Authenticity – Being authentic is simply being yourself in all situations. If you want to be authentic, work on being the person you desire to be. Learn to be comfortable with yourself no matter the circumstances. Authenticity will overcome office politics.

Discipline – Develop the discipline to live your values, and daily habits. Follow your plan every day.  Know that every day means every day.

Although these seem simple, I have found that most people enjoy growing their skill more than growing themselves. Success is not just about competency, it is about being a person that attracts success.