Mark S. Brown

If it is only in your head it does not count! Turning thoughts and ideas into action is one of the barriers we all face in achieving personal success. Just having a great idea or vision will not make us successful. We need to implement it.

Let’s review three areas where we could improve our ability to take ideas and put them into action:

1. Think big, start small. You want big ideas. You need big ideas to be motivated, to channel your passion, and to excite others. However, you don’t want your big idea to get in the way of the small steps you need to take to get started. Don’t let that big idea be a mountain you can never climb. Define the first steps, no matter how small, and take them.

2. Be consistent. If you take one swing with an axe at a giant oak tree every day, eventually it will fall. Being consistent means taking action every day. What do I mean by every day? I mean EVERY day. Small actions over time add up to big results. How long did it take to build the first transcontinental railroad in the United States? The railroad was proposed in 1845, but construction did not start until 1863. Once started it took just over 6 years to complete. It took over 6800 days to get from the idea to action, then only 2200 days to build. It was built rail by rail, a little each day.

3. Be accountable. We are accountable for our actions, but being accountable for putting our ideas into actions is different. We can’t be accountable for our ideas until we express them. So we need to develop skills and habits that allow us to be accountable to ourselves. This development is greatly accelerated by working with a coach. Great athletes, actors, and business leaders use coaches not only to improve their skills, but to help themselves be accountable for their own success.

Al Batt has said, “It is easy to sit up and take notice. What is difficult is getting up and taking action.” This is the ultimate challenge. It is what separates fantasy from fact. You can turn your dreams into reality. It only takes defining the actions, and taking them, little by little. Remember if it is only in your head, it doesn’t count!

If you are ready to grow your accountability, you may want to join a mastermind group, or engage a coach. You can do either with New Roads Leadership, you just have to take the first step.

 

Why be only average? Wouldn’t your life be different if everything you did was extraordinary? You can be an extraordinary person.

If you wish to make your life special, think about the following four ideas:

1. Set High Standards. You must set high standards, to reach excellence. To be extraordinary, you must set high standards all the time. Forget about just getting by. It won’t work.

2. Everyone Deserves an Extraordinary Experience. If you want to help motivate yourself to providing extraordinary experiences, create a mindset where you know everyone deserves all that you can do for them. Eliminate any thoughts where people you meet are not deserving.

3. Always Bring a Positive Attitude. Step one in creating a great experience is the attitude you carry with you. If you want people to see you as positive, be positive. Lift their spirits with your positive outlook.

4. See It from Their Perspective. If you can get to the point where you always see experiences from the viewpoint of the participants, then you will be filled with ideas on how to make it better for them. This takes the merely special interaction to an extraordinary event.

Making these changes in every aspect of your life is truly a monumental task. It can become a life long challenge. Start small and let it build. You will see a huge difference in how people view you. But don’t let that get in the way of making the change for them. It is not about you, it is about them.

“Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens, not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary results.” – Anonymous

If you are excited about making change in your life, and want to continue to grow, check out our mastermind groups. Sign up for a chance to meet with other people just like you.

 

Insecure people make poor leaders. If you are not secure about your purpose, your strengths, and the strength of your team, then you will normally struggle in reaching your goals. If you are insecure, then you tend to limit your options in handling everyday obstacles.

Feeling secure is easier when you feel good about developing yourself. Do you ever wonder how you can add more value to your organization? Or do you ever invest in making yourself better to improve your team’s performance?

You can increase your level of security, and avoid being an insecure leader. A leader that is insecure:

1. Doesn’t value himself: If a person is self-conscious about how he looks, then they will have barriers to their success. They may not risk doing something they do not know how to do for fear of looking incompetent. A person with low self esteem will also spend time and effort trying to hide their internal perceptions about their inabilities.

2. Doesn’t know what to do: A person that is insecure usually has not invested in themselves or improved their abilities. This will lead to having less knowledge and less ability to manage different situations. Being humble and having an attitude that allows you to always learn from others and yourself will expand your capabilities.

3. Works to maintain control: If a person is not secure they usually believe that they must show control over every situation and every person. They are afraid to be seen as weak, or as needing other people. Great success can only happen with the support of others. You can’t enjoy great success by yourself.

James B. Stockdale said, “Great leaders gain authority by giving it away.” When your people do something great, give them credit. When they make mistakes, take the blame yourself. Building them up will only make you more secure.

If you feel secure in your actions, you create options for yourself. You can handle obstacles quicker, and you become more adept at dealing with change. Security provides you options for success.

We are never perfect, and we are never as good as we could be. Joining a mastermind group will help you explore how you can improve your leadership, and discuss leadership experiences with other leaders. Add yourself to our list to be informed about upcoming opportunities for joining a mastermind group.

The people closest to us are sometimes referred to as our inner circle. These are the 5 to 7 people with whom you spend the most time. These are also the people with whom you share your thoughts, ideas and feelings. The quality and characteristics of these people place limits on your ability to grow and succeed. Are you surrounded by the right people?

There is no specific formula to apply on selecting a correct inner circle. It is your personal preference that matters. However, your potential is determined by your selection. Did you select your inner circle, or did they select you? What qualities should you look to have within your inner circle? Lets take a look at three factors to consider:

1. Do they complement you? We tend to attract people that are like ourselves. Being with people that are similar creates a comfort zone for us to operate in. However, your potential will increase if your inner circle brings talents and traits which are different than yours. You should make sure you also add characteristics that are different and can add strength to your team.

2. Do they have influence? Each person has a unique circle of influence. Each person also possesses varying levels of influence within their circle. Adding people to your inner circle that will extend your influence, will increase your potential. Evaluate each person in your inner circle and see what level of influence they are able to bring to your team.

3. Do they add value to you? You will grow faster if you surround yourself with people that are great. Adding people to your circle that are the best at what they do, will accelerate your growth. Everyone in your inner circle should be adding value to you in some form. If you are the smartest or the best in your circle, then it is time to add some better people to your circle. Those that are better than you, stretch you to higher levels of success.

Even though there are no set rules for creating a perfect inner circle, you can evaluate your current status. People within your inner circle will change over time. Some will leave of their own accord, others you will let go yourself. Don’t be afraid of being on the lookout quality people that can be added to your inner circle. This type of change can have a very positive effect on your long term potential.

Phillips Brooks has said, “The best advisers, helpers and friends, always are not those who tell us how to act in special cases, but who give us, out of themselves, the ardent spirit and desire to act right, and leave us then, even through many blunders, to find out what our own form of right action is.” Your inner circle should support you, but not be you. You must be yourself. Select your inner circle carefully.

If you feel a barrier in evaluating where you are, and how you can increase your level of success, you may be helped by a coach. Contact us today to schedule your free introductory coaching session.