Coaching to Success

Our business is your success

Goal-Setting

When all around you seems to be collapsing…

Sometimes when things seem to go wrong, you think “Why do I bother?”. I’ve had one of those weeks where my front door key snapped off IN the door! The oven’s heating element burnt out and to top it off, the Blue Ray player decides it no longer likes discs.

All typical things that can affect our perseverance when it comes to work or home.

Why did I not give up? Partly because I could not get in to cook dinner so we could then watch a film. Seriously, it was not so much the action as the attitude! It would have been easy to have a tantrum or feel aggrieved but no. Although an uninvited hassle, resolving the situation would insure things returned to normality or, more importantly, when things really matter, improving the end situation.

Easier said than done so here are a few tips to change the mindset towards a positive outcome by ‘Perseverance’.

Believe in yourself: “If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right” (Henry Ford). Give up on trying and start doing. If you have doubt, ‘Trying’ something gives you permission to fail. Believe in yourself and commit psychologically to achieving it.

Evidence based actions: I have been as guilty as others for worrying about what might or might not happen. As the saying goes, attack is the best form of defence. Rather than getting tied up in the worry, recognise it then quickly get on with it so as to reduce the build-up of worry.

Put procrastination in her place: With today’s fast moving pace, laptops, tabs and mobile phones mean we are available 24/7. Or are we? Don’t let technology or others dominate and control your precious time. Allocate time to attend to them rather than being enslaved. What is the true reality of having to ‘immediately’ answer the device as it beckons you or are you simply procrastinating?

Reflection: Each day, look back over what you have done and make a note somewhere of what you achieved. Each week or month (depending on time scales), spend time reading over your notes to re-kindle the motivation to carry on.

Automation: It may seem obvious but reduce the time spent on repetitive tasks by creating systems, templates and suchlike. Mail Merge, for example, is great for correspondence where minor differences need to be applied to what is otherwise a long winded process especially those that are required weekly/monthly.

Understanding: Avoid shying away from a task due to lack of knowledge. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Improve your understanding of the situation. This may be as simple as establishing the required outcome rather than a perceived one! If you are not familiar with something, ask those in the know. People like to share their knowledge so never be afraid to ask someone something they will enjoy talking about.

Keep the end in sight: Goal setting along with the actions to achieve it are what Coaching to Success specialise in. Know what your ultimate goal is. Compartmentalise each element required to get there and set time-framed goals with actions for each step. It is always easier to handle smaller sections of the bigger objective and a great motivator to tick off each as they are done. Much like doing a jigsaw, one piece fits neatly in with the next and before long, you have an amazing picture made up of its several parts.

Coaching to Success work with clients to gain clarity in their end objectives. To break the bigger picture into jigsaw piece size goals and help set realistic times for each. With motivation, clarity and direction, we can help you or those you are responsible for to persevere to the end and feel the benefits of accomplishing it.

To improve your own levels of perseverance, take the first step by watching our interview video at https://youtu.be/RvCwOL4hPco then contact Neil on 07761 187238 or email neil@coachingtosuccess.co.uk where you’ll be assured a warm welcome to discuss how we can help.

Is it time to make a ‘Career Path Plan’?

So we take the first step on the career path and have a vague idea of where we are heading but how many of us created a ‘Career Path Plan’? Are we sticking to it? Have we discovered it’s not the path we expected or some pretty hefty unknown obstacles were thrown in the way?

Nothing is set in stone where so many external influences can affect the outcome, however, Benjamin Franklin was attributed to the saying “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail” and Winston Churchill came up with “Those who fail to learn from the past are doomed to repeat it.”

So the simple answer is to plan ahead and learn from our mistakes!

Historically, career pathing was associated with the process used to chart a course within an organisation for a given career through self-development. The attributes involved in this were based around knowledge base, skills, character and experience. Once clarified, a path, whether promotion, laterally or transfer would be worked out. Now this can still be the case but with the onset of such diversity and uncertainty along with more people being self-employed compared to years gone by, we need to be honest with ourselves where career goals are actually at and whether we have the necessary attributes to reach it.

There is a lot more to creating one and reviewing it than can be written in this short blog but if nothing else, this will get you on the right path (excuse the pun) and Coaching to Success can help you with the details whether creating one for your team members or for yourself at a later time.

Much like travelling, you plot a route (or your SatNav does) and sometimes the obvious route is blocked but with some lateral thinking and change of course, you will eventually head back on track.

Here are some simple steps starting with the first and hardest element to start your course:

  • Ascertain what your desired job is. Sometimes this may not be apparent but give it some serious thought. If self-employed, where do you want your business to be within a given time-frame and what role will you play in it?
  • What jobs, departments, areas of businesses do you need to plot a course through to get there? Speak to your line manager, HR department or research others to find the most likely path that will let you achieve your goal.
  • What skills do you need to develop? What course of action do you need to take to obtain them? What channels of development are open to you and what experience do you require to achieve the objective?
  • Where can you get mentoring, supervision or coaching from to help you with this transition in your development?
  • Consider where you can obtain, or if there are career professionals you could turn to (even if researching the web, books, audio or video files – there’s plenty out there) to find focus.
  • OWN IT. This is Your career path, not somebody else’s and once realised, it gains body and momentum. By all means, welcome help given by others and search for a mentor/coach. Apply for those jobs and don’t get disheartened through lack of response but rather seek information to turn knockbacks into a learning exercise but always remember, this is yours and only you can drive it forward, no one else will care about it as much as you.
  • Let the decision makers know of your interest and intentions. Make it very clear to all who have the power/authority to help you get there know what your intentions are. Employees want to see who their next opportunities are within the organisation and showing off your plan makes it very clear. And don’t be afraid to ask for their assistance whether it be gaining more experience or increasing your knowledge or skill especially if looking to move laterally.
  • PUT IT IN WRITING. Then share it. Line managers, supervisors, family, friends, whoever will hold you accountable to reaching your objectives. Writing it down then insuring others are aware of it is an integral element to making it work.

If working within a large organisation, speak to HR or senior management to obtain knowledge of the following to incorporate within your plan. Then use this to plot your path:

  • Job descriptions (and locations)
  • Formal planning process (if applicable)
  • Application process
  • Competency levels
  • Learning/Training/Development courses pertaining to role
  • Shadowing and access to people currently doing the job
  • Access to mentor/coach
  • Lateral roles that are associated with you path or potential transfer opportunities

Coaching to Success believe in the power of the individual so whether you are the employer looking to help bring team members on or an individual looking to move up the career ladder, then take your first step to gaining clarity and contact Neil on 07761 187238 or email neil@coachingtosuccess.co.uk, where you will be assured a warm, friendly welcome and discuss what it is you wish to achieve.

Avoid making ‘Goal Setting’ mistakes…

In this day and age of ‘too much to do’, how often do we set off with the best intentions only to find time flies past. We start off well with apparent progress. We feel good about the progress and what lies ahead but then…

We neglect to look back at previous successes. Motivation wains and before we know it, we convince ourselves that it probably will not work anyway!

Don’t worry if this sounds all too familiar, I too used to fall foul to procrastination or setting unrealistic goals. Having learned by my own mistakes and concentrating on what obstacles are in the way of us achieving our end objective, I felt this was too important to keep to myself so happily share some of the findings with you now.

Error 1: Unrealistic Goals

Having worked in sales and being set unrealistic targets, I can really relate to this. The acronym SMART(ER) Goal Setting should never be underestimated.

Let your imagination go and allow doubt to have a say but not to rule! Once you have set a goal, step back and assess the facts to check that it is achievable and in the set time frame. Remember, “A dream is but a dream but a goal is a dream with a deadline!”.

For example, my wife decided to Walk-the-Walk (26ml through London at night in aid of breast cancer research). She did not wake up on the morning of the event and think to herself “I’ll do that”. It took months of training to obtain the right level and as a result she achieved it within her time frame.

SMART(ER) goal settings focus on being Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound and recent additions include Evaluate and Re-adjust.

Error 2: Underestimating Time

Time and valuation seem to constantly occur as being underestimated. Looking at time, think back on previous projects. How many were rushed at the end or not completed within the time frame at all?

This is one of the killers to motivation.

Look to use tools such as ‘scheduled’ to-do lists. Allocating time for the goal or parts therein. Consider project planning tools such as ‘Tasks’ in Outlook or search the web for ‘Top 10 best project management software’ to see what is appropriate.

And always, ALWAYS allow extra time in your estimate to allow for unknowns and/or setbacks.

Error 3: Not reviewing

Unless the goal is so simplistic that it does not require breaking into segments, ‘Evaluate’ where you are along the given path and then making relevant ‘Readjustments’ (See ER above in SMARTER) is tantamount to signing off failure.

If still on target, celebrate the success. The reward does not need to be high (I like to treat myself to a decent coffee and half hour break to enjoy it once these blogs have been completed) but treat yourself, acknowledge yours or the team’s success.

If not, re-adjust so the end can still be met.

Error 4: Too many goals

Once we start it is so easy to keep going with the ideas and goals but there are still only 25 hours in a day (or, so one of my ex-bosses used to believe!). Time-Management is a misdemeanour as you can’t manage time (unless you are Dr.Who) but manage what you have to do, in the time before you.

If there are many aspects to the overall goal, I use the Wheel of Progress which is a great tool to compartmentalise each section. Contact me if you wish to talk about this.

Simply, consider the ‘R’ in SMART and be realistic in what you can achieve. Success relies on quality not quantity and achievement of a few things at a time.

Error 5: Too few areas

In as much as it is important not to set too many goals, it is equally important to make sure there is a range of goals.

Doing ‘fun’ objectives that bring you joy are important to offset those ‘tasks’ that are necessary within your work goals that may not be that interesting or enjoyable.

This can be important elements to the Wheel of Progress mentioned earlier.

Error 6: Setting Negative goals

No one does this intentionally but all too often we set negative goals that affect our belief in our abilities to achieve them.

For example, to improve work life balance, refrain from setting “stop staying behind at work” to “leave work by XXX and spend more time with YYY)

Negative goals suggest we have to give something up. Look to reframe them with a ‘Positive’ outcome which becomes a more desirable objective.

Error 7: Depreciating failures

Really? I need to look and appreciate my failings?

No matter how focused you are on the outcome, reaching every goal is not always possible. With the confidence to accept this, it becomes possible to learn from them.

Each of the above areas need to be considered and worked on when setting goals/objectives.

It is not easy to give honest views of what we can achieve in the time we have due to other influencing pressures but to achieve them, all too often you need to find that strength to be truthful not only to yourself but the task ahead and the realistic time frame.

At Coaching to Success, Neil specialises in helping individuals or teams to set realistic goals and then support them through the challenges ahead to insure they are met. If you or those around you could benefit from a one-to-one with Neil to see how he can help, contact him by emailing neil.nutburn@coachingtosuccess.co.uk or 07761 187238 to discuss how Coaching to Success can help you.

And why not get a feel for the person by checking out our short ‘interview’ video at https://youtu.be/RvCwOL4hPco

First Strategies… Then Capitalise

One thing I noticed in my earlier days of management was that to truly succeed, you need to work ON the business and this requires a strategy.

How is your business? Are you simply working to keep your head above water? Are you drowning in areas that, quite frankly, are avoidable? What plans have you made for tomorrow, next month or a future point? These are all reflective questions I would ask people to look at.

With a strategy model you can formulate a plan to truly promote your great product or service. Lafley & Martin 5-Step Strategy Model has some interesting elements to consider.

  • WINNING ASPIRATION – The organisation’s goal or objective. Not simply about making money but market placement and establishing YOUR aspirations.

In coaching, we use the ‘Rocking Chair’ tool where we ask clients to mentally move away from today and cadge a lift in Dr.Who’s Tardis to drop them at a time in the future so they can envisage on how their business is doing.

Here you can see where you are compared to competition. Do you aspire to be #1 or increase your percentage of market share etc. Be realistic as much as optimistic. Know where you wish to be in a given time. “A dream is but a dream, but a goal is a dream with a deadline!”, set that deadline and imagine what your endeavours now will lead to.

  • WHERE WILL WE PLAY? – Know your market, the players and the customers. As a business coach, I can work 1-2-1 either face-to-face, over the phone or Skype so potentially my clients are global. However, when I run workshops, at the moment I tend to keep them UK bound due to the return on investment. I specialise in ‘Business Coaching’ rather than encompass other areas such as Youth or Retirement so I become a known specialist that helps businesses flourish.

If you sell a product, get to truly know your market rather. You’re your target audience. Is it B2B, B2C, OTC, Local, European, Global? Establish this clearly and focus your energy in a given direction rather than scattergun.

  • HOW WILL WE WIN? – After research comes ‘Strategy’. This is where the most valuable time is spent.

Careful consideration is required here to establish your position in the market and where your competition can challenge you! Look to incorporate your Unique selling Proposition (USP).

Quite simply, your audience requires a good product/service at a fair price. Think about quality and time frame, know what your market requires and create a strategy towards that.

  • CAPABILITIES NEEDED – Your action list. As a coach, I helped one client ascertain his team’s skillset. It became apparent that some were better in certain areas than others. We juggled members around to fit those they were more proficient in and productivity increased resulting from staff being in the optimum place.

What of technology, do the team work with laptops or have they to return to base wasting valuable time? Complaint procedures, route to market, your organisation’s infrastructure all of these require consideration and planning and not simply to be left to chance as you meander forward.

  • MANAGEMENT SYSTEM REQUIRED – Up to know, it has predominantly been management. This area refers to the ‘Leadership’ of people therein.

Dwight D. Eisenhower said “Leadership: The art of getting someone else to do something you want done because they want to do it.” So the key is to have the person who ‘Leads’ to drive the passion of the businesses objectives through those who actually make a difference.

Avoid top heavy, glory seeking and self-promotion management structures. Delegate sensibly and without ‘dumping’. Understand your team’s workload and apply pressure NOT stress (there is a fine line!).

Although extremely simplified to serve this feature, it opens thought processes that time spent creating a workable with focused strategy is valuable. Much like a swan on fast running water, looking beautifully serene on top while paddling away frantically just to stand still. Whereas, with less effort, one which knows its surroundings better will fly to where the same effort put in will cover so much more ground reaping better rewards.

Should you or your organisation be looking to create a strategy bespoke to your business, then contact Neil by emailing neil.nutburn@coachingtosuccess.co.uk or 07761 187238 to discuss how Coaching to Success can help you.

And why not get a feel for the person by checking out our short ‘interview’ video at https://youtu.be/RvCwOL4hPco

Perseverance … The key to Success (Part 2of2)

In our last feature, we looked at working hard, responsibilities, preparation, being original and those voices of doubt created by our own minds. This feature will continue on that theme with the ultimate objective of giving you ideas on how to remain focused, to persevere and, ultimately, reach the final goal.

  1. Remain optimistic: There will always be knock-backs, so go forth knowing this. Unanticipated encounters or setbacks are there to be embraced as learning curves. I love using the story of Thomas Edison who was approached by a reporter along the lines of “How did it feel to fail 1,000 times?”, Edison replied, “I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps.”. When you started, the idea was as bright as Edison’s light so don’t let the light go out. Take each step and find the positives. No matter how many times you may feel that you have failed, remember, all the greatest achievers have marched on regardless of adversities.
  2. Don’t run, walk: How many times did our parents or teachers tell us this? There’s no difference here either. As a business coach, I help individuals and businesses set steps to reach their next objective so no matter where we feel our business is, remove negative feelings of not reaching a goal when setting the next! I would suggest taking a little time out to see where you have come from and where you are now. Understand the journey and welcome the next challenges,
  3. “What else?”: Any of my clients who are reading this will know this is a favourite question of mine when we search for options or ideas. This will also apply to that list of phone calls that need to be made or the large project that needs breaking down, just do one more thing and stick at it for another half hour,
  4. HELP!: Don’t go it alone. Pull in work colleagues, friends, family that will help you on your journey. Network with positive people who believe in you. As a karate instructor, I find helping others to learn also improves my own understanding as I then need to know more to help them become better in the art. The full circle becomes self-perpetuating.
  5. Rest the mind: Earlier in my management career, I found a member of staff worked much better than others during the afternoon. I also begrudged the fact that they were the only one taking a lunch break in a fast paced, demanding environment. It soon dawned on me that I was an idiot for not seeing it. They TOOK A LUNCH BREAK! This not only fed their body with energy but also their mind got a chance to relax and let go of the morning’s pressure. So guess what, I actively encouraged staff to take time out. Beyond this, look at what you eat, your levels of exercise. Your hobbies outside of work. Take care of yourself by looking after body and mind.

Well there we have it, 10 steps to help you persevere towards your ultimate objective. Don’t lose hope and always push forward with a smile and determination.

To help you along that journey, to set the steps and offer not only the motivation but also a confidante and someone to hold you accountable, contact Neil, neil.nutburn@coachingtosuccess.co.uk or 07761 187238 to arrange a free consultation on how Coaching to Success can help you. Also, to get a feel for the person, check out our short ‘interview’ video at https://youtu.be/RvCwOL4hPco