Beliefs

May 11 2015

The art of just getting on with it

With the full knowledge a deadline was looming to write this feature, other ‘Little’ jobs that needed to be completed consistently remained in focus because I wasn’t clear on what it was I needed to write about

Funny really, I was procrastinating as well as hiding away from the task in hand. And then I took my own advice and set about following one or two of the following

How many times have you found yourself in a similar situation where you know you have a project to start, a job that needs to be done or something needs to be prepared but you aren’t clear on what it is so we find ‘warranted’ distractions that take us away (justifiably, of course!) from what really needs to be addressed

We’re all fallible, so such things happen to even us who should know better but it affects us differently. Much like I did here, you can learn to recognise it, then address it with the help of such methods that now follow.

TIME-MATRIX – Steven Covey’s matrix is a 2×2 square. Along the top is ‘Urgent’ (Left) and ‘Not Urgent’ (Right). Down the side is ‘Important’ (Top) and ‘Not Important’ (Bottom). In each quadrant , asses what is Important/Urgent (Manage), Important/Not Urgent (Focus), Not Important/Urgent (Avoid) or Not Important/Not Urgent (Avoid)
CARTESIAN QUADRANT – Similar to above, this time, along the top (a) If you do make that change & (b) if you don’t make that change. Along the side, (c) will happen & (d) won’t Once drawn, this will help give a much clearer picture of importance to focus on this or any other area where a decision needs to be made.
EMAILS – Turn off warnings that an email had arrived. Helping to avoid the temptation to continually check each and every new one.
MONOTASK SETTING – Focus on one task at a time. Although ‘Emergencies’ may arise, can you assess their urgency? Do they all need to be done NOW?
PROCRASTINATION – Guide your wandering thoughts back to where or what you are doing. If thoughts drift, acknowledge what you’re doing and a little self-talk of getting back onto the item in hand.
STOP JUGGLING – You will inevitably be drawn back into to quagmire of multitasking and when you do, take a short break from everything! Allow your mind to re-focus, the stress levels to reduce and concentration to reframe itself.
PRIORITISE – If you are clear as to what is truly urgent as opposed to preferring to do, this will help with the focus too.

These are but a few ideas to help you get back on track. There are others that will also help and this is where a coach can help you to gain focus and meet the objectives, in the meantime, address these and see how you get on.

Coaching to Success’ director, Neil Nutburn, welcomes your enquiries if you are struggling with juggling all those tasks or, as above, avoiding the ones that need to be completed. Contact Neil on 07761 187238 or email neil@coachingtosuccess.co.uk and if you’re online, have a look at his interview video at https://youtu.be/RvCwOL4hPco

Apr 27 2015

How can we make decision easier?

Some decisions are easily made, others have many connotations due to complexity of people involved, too many options or the need but not necessarily the ‘want’ when it comes to having to make a decision.

Decision making is primarily based around problem solving so now you are considering two elements. If you look at your daily routine, you’ll find you are constantly making, just not really acknowledging it as it becomes routine.

However, once we drift from familiarity, we encounter uncertainty where the decision you make may have a major impact on life, business or other people.

I believe we’re all capable of making decisions once we develop complete confidence in our abilities. So, to help that process, consider the following ‘5 point implementation plan’ next time you have that unfamiliar but all important decision to make.

Positive Environment

Look to what the benefits will be as a result of making that decision. Where there are others involved in the process, encourage the positive features and also their contribution.

Get the facts first

All too often I see people trying to make decisions simply based on apparently saving money (upfront costs at least).

Gain all the facts first. For example, if choosing between suppliers, compare hidden charges, perhaps an annual rebate structure or how reliable are they? I once lost a 500m2 order for plasterboard to a rival company because they were 1p/m2 cheaper. I later discovered they had turned up 3hrs later with 6 guys on site waiting! That was a payment of 18hrs skilled labour for a saving of £5! You do the maths.

Check out the options

Insure you have looked at all the alternatives whether it be a product, a service or a process. Explore what alternatives there are by using those around you.

From here consider implications of each along with risks and practicality … insure the solution matches the objective and funds can match both.

Select the best

If the answer is still vague with each option having its benefits, create a ‘decision matrix’. A simple tool that removes the emotional attachment of decision making. Draw a matrix with options going from top to bottom down the right side. Along the top from left to right, the criteria required to be met. Along each option, give a rating from 0 to 10 under each criteria and on the far right, total up.

Whichever scores the highest will prove to be the best overall option.

Once done … walk away and do nothing! Return a day later to re-examine or, if an urgent decision is required, still walk away for a short while and return with fresh eyes to re-evaluate what has been decided.

Announce and proceed

Put on your inspirational hat and go out there to inform all those who will be affected by this new decision.

If there is a team of people involved, encourage them to participate, giving them elements to control and be responsible for. Insure they know how important they are to the overall success of this decision, give them ownership.

Coaching to Success’ director, Neil Nutburn, welcomes your enquiries if you are considering change but unsure the best way of moving yourself or your business forward. Darwin wrote “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change”. So for those who endorse the evolution of moving forward by making decisions, contact Neil on 07761 187238 or email neil@coachingtosuccess.co.uk.

Mar 02 2015

How do you handle rejection in business?

We all know rejection can be hard to handle and in services such as mine, where the open minded can see the benefits that a good coach can bring but some can’t, therefore, rejection is an element of moving forward for me and especially where people don’t really understand the benefits on offer.

You can’t avoid rejection whether it be in relationships, life or work but the positive is that it helps with development and self-education as you identify areas for adaptation and change.

More often than not though, it is the feeling that affects our emotions and emotions aren’t logical, so let’s put some rationality into the equation.

Don’t take it personally – ‘Personally’ is an emotional state and often rejection makes us feel as if it is ourselves that is under attack. Self-doubt creeps in, ‘How could I have presented it better?’, ‘What went wrong?’, ‘Why didn’t they like me?’

Now look at it differently – what was it about the proposal/idea that was rejected?

Frequently it’s not about the person but the offering that is being rejected yet we apply rejection to our thoughts and they in turn connect to emotions! It’s often a simple case that what is being proposed doesn’t meet the criteria so take yourself out of the equation and then re-assess the situation.

Focus on control – Those with Internal Focus believe they have control over what happens in their lives. Those with External Focus believe it’s others, chance or even fate that have control. So decide whether you will allow others to influence the way you feel or take control of it yourself.

This may sound a tad harsh but maybe it needs to be said to ourselves!

Learn – Look at this logically and learn from the rejection. Whether it was simply a case of the presentation could have been better or not matching the recipient’s needs etc., gather ‘facts’.

If you can establish what the reason was (removing emotion!) for the rejection, you will be able to improve thereafter. Carry out a self-analysis of areas you believe contributed to the rejection.

Better still, don’t make assumptions, ask! Make it clear you have accepted the rejection but in wishing to learn from this experience ask what didn’t work for them. You may be surprised to find out how freely the recipient will be in giving you this information (if you’re willing to ask).

I have been dumbfounded on occasions with reasons that I simply wouldn’t have even considered. I have certainly been educated in not to assume!

In business, rejection is part of day to day activities. Your resilience to deal with it, learn from it and take action on your new found knowledge is the key.

As that old expression goes, you can please some of the people some of the time… so it’s not all about you as a person but more likely a mismatch between what or how you are making the offering and not an assault on you or your emotions!

Coaching to Success helps you find yourself, give support and offers clarity to what you are aiming to achieve with the means of getting there. For further information, simply call Neil on 07761 187238 or email neil@coachingtosuccess.co.uk for an informal conversation to see how we can help increase your Locus of control or other matters concerning business development.

Feb 16 2015

How does ‘Procrastination’ effect your business’ success?

I’ve got to put my hands up and admit that I am a procrastinator, but I recognise this fact and have actions to insure those tasks I keep putting off don’t get shelved until the last minute!

So how many of these statements apply to you?

I usually have to rush to complete tasks on time.
I avoid important tasks on my to-do list and fill my time doing low-priority work.
When I need to do something that may be a little tasking, I put it off until I feel more inspired.
I frequently find myself doing things I had intended doings days ago
I sit down to start an important project only to immediately go off to grab a cuppa.
When deadlines approach, I often waste time by doing other things.

If, like myself, you find that some of these apply, then I’m afraid to tell you that you too have that disease known as procrastinationitist (OK, I may have made that up!).

No problems, Dr. Nutburn is here to help you…

Prescription A (Work out the WHY):

Is it simply that the job is unpleasant or boring? If so, attack it head on and get it out of the way quickly because it will just loiter there distracting you from other tasks.

A common thought process for procrastinators is that it has to be perfect! Unless you have the resources or knowledge base, it’s not worth starting is it? Sorry to say but ‘good enough’ is often just that. Your work is likely to be at a much higher standard than some so be aware of this ‘why’ and just go for it.

Is it too over-whelming or outside your comfort zone? Are your skill-sets in doubt? Accept this and go for it… you’ll surprise yourself as I often do!

Prescription B (Recognising):

Put off the low important tasks and set a time to do these later (this is prioritising!). Look at the statements made earlier and know which apply to you.

Be aware of continually re-scheduling tasks. This is okay occasionally but check you aren’t doing it regularly for the same tasks!

Prescription C (Look at strategies):

From a psychological point of view, procrastination is a habit. Habits take at least 21 days to form and we all have different ways of taken new ones on board.

Take what you can from these following tips. Try them for 3-4 weeks to insure you have a better chance of creating them:

Prioritise – Put jobs in order and do them in that order.
Peer pressure – ask someone to check on how you’re doing against set objectives
To-Do lists – Create orders so that those ‘unpleasant’ tasks don’t ‘accidently’ get missed!
Consequence vs Actions – what are the disagreeable consequences of NOT achieving the objective?
Rewards – Set yourself rewards for accomplishing a task. I enjoy making a decent percolated coffee as a simple reward so this doesn’t have to be big.
Time constraints – set a time boundary to start and complete tasks.
Jigsaw – Large projects can be broken down into segments. Focus on the important parts (borders) then bits that work together (colours/shapes) and then the rest (infill).
Try! – We sometimes assume a task will be worse than what it is. Start by simply giving it a try

So start understanding ‘Why’ you are procrastinating, ‘Recognise’ your triggers and ‘Strategies’ how to overcome them.

If you are struggling to find time to complete tasks, getting frustrated with putting things off or feeling overwhelmed by what needs to be achieved, Coaching to Success understand what you are going through so call for a free assessment by contacting Neil Nutburn on 07761 187238 or email neil@coachingtosuccess.co.uk. We’re here to help.

Jan 19 2015

Motivation starting to wane?… Here are 8 tips to get you back on track

How often do we have this image of succeeding? Setting our ship’s sails to go forth only to find we run out of wind half way there!

There are many reasons for this. Maybe we got caught up in the excitement of what will be but let the struggle of getting there elude us and our island has now become a speck somewhere on the horizon!

How do we re-gain that lost energy and get back on course? Read on and let’s get you re-aligned, heave to, weigh anchor and set sail once again.

Fun! – Establish what elements could be fun to reach your goal. When we enjoy doing something, we’re more inclined to do it. Set mini personal challenges, if cold-calling is one, count how many abusive people you come across and smile as you put another tick against that category.
Positive Self-talk – create ‘positive’ affirmations as to what you wish to achieve. When I ‘Gave up’ smoking some 14yrs ago, so, rather than ‘Giving up’ look to a positive such as ‘achieving a healthier lifestyle’.
Look at the Motivators – Who around you appears to be motivated? E.g. I’m inspired by Richard Branson. But you can also look closer to home. A friend, customer, work colleague, those rarely disheartened. What do you notice about someone who’s motivated? What do you think they say to themselves?
What if scenario – We frequently use this tool at Coaching to Success. Consider these questions, (1) What would happen if you do make that change? (2) What would happen if you didn’t? (3) What won’t happen if you do make that change? (4) What won’t happen if you don’t?
Vison Board – A visual aid which uses both the logical ‘left’ (management, written) side of our brain as well as the emotional ‘right’ (creative, artistic) side. Create something artful that’s visible at work or home. Find or draw images and then do the same for steps to achieve it with dates against each.
Assess the negatives – What are your obstacles? What’s holding you back? List out everything that stands in your way, then set about overcoming them.
Support – Find those around you who understand what you aspire to achieve and ask them for their support. You’ll be surprised as to how people do want you to succeed, you just need to ask!
Rewards – In coaching, we find people will set a reward for achieving the ultimate goal. This can be enhanced even more by setting ‘mini-rewards’ along the way for those intermediate tasks when completed. They don’t need to have massive value. E.g., I love decent coffee so when I’ve accomplished something, like writing this feature, I’ll treat myself to a lovely brew and sit back for twenty minutes to enjoy it. Chocolate??

These are but a few steps to help you achieve or at least re-align yourself to that ultimate goal. Coaching to Success work hard with their clients to insure they reach their goals by being the motivator and driving force behind them so believe in yourself and when you need that additional push, contact us.

If you wish to know more, simply take 10 minutes out to contact Neil on 07761 187238 or email neil@coachingtosuccess.co.uk and discover how we can help motivate you to keep on track and reach that destination.