Coaching to Success

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Habits

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

Perseverance … The key to Success (Part 1of2)

 

Having recently presented to a group on how better to manage work in the available allotted time, someone commented on how they started actions but gave up when it didn’t reap the rewards. We then explored the fact that immediate results were expected which brought about this feature focusing on perseverance.

This is quite a deep subject matter. How can you discuss a subject that insures long term approaches are met in just a few words? To give it the attention it deserves, we will split this into two parts, with the intention that you can start focusing on the areas important to your success and then re-visit to finish importing the remaining ideas. You know, persevere with this!

How many times have we all started a project, only to give up fairly quickly? And here’s an interesting statistic, it is alleged that 91% of millennials or Generation Y (people born in the 1980s/90s) stay in a job for less than 3 years! They are more prone to move and find what they enjoy rather than sticking at things long term. Maybe from a leadership point of view, they feel undervalued or they simply aren’t scared to take the risk.

But one thing is for sure, all successful business people all have one thing in common, and that’s perseverance.

So let us take some tips from these experts and list some out here for us to look at.

  1. Obvious step 1 – Work intensely: Unless you have rich relatives or a windfall, the only way you will become financially successful is to work hard. Malcolm Gladwell popularized that 10,000 hours of practice can turn anyone into an expert. Now there is some disputing argument in the science world but nonetheless, practise and more practise is important.
  2. Take responsibility: We live in a blameless society. It is always somebody else’s fault why we didn’t get that job role or win the contract. Take responsibility. Learn from this as opposed to offsetting the negativity onto others. Go that extra mile and remain happy and focused.
  3. Preparation: Benjamin Franklin Quoted “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”. As well as the bigger projects, start your day by planning ahead what you are looking to achieve by the end of it. Look at when you will check emails or social media posts. Understand their worth and if it doesn’t add value to what you need to do, turn them off.
  4. Originality: Don’t jump on the bandwagon as that ship has already sailed! How many more sayings could I use but you get the idea. I write for the Southern Echo so for other coaches, that slot has gone. Be different, Be creative, Be a risk taker and don’t imitate others. Learn from them by all means but don’t copy them.
  5. Mind chatter: some would say to avoid the negative thoughts, that voice of resistance but I happily encourage it with my clients as this creates opportunities to address potential barriers. There is a game we play called mind chatter which encourages ALL thoughts (imaginative, cautious, adventurous etc) to have internal dialogue in our heads but to recognise them and then give them names (such as Brother inspiration, Aunty reassurance, Mr. Ridiculous, My eccentric friend) and allow your mind to chat away with the ultimate aim of finding a realistic outcome.

That’s the first 5 of 10, look out for the next feature where we will look at the remaining five elements.

Neil Nutburn of Coaching to Success is renowned for his motivation and holding clients accountable for actions they agreed to carry out. If you would like to find out more about how he can help you persevere and reach your goal, contact him via 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

Explore the options before making that decision!

Whether it be personal or business, we make decisions each and every day.

Sometimes seemingly relatively insignificant decisions, such as which desert to opt for from the menu? Actually, I will retract my statement of being insignificant as this is quite an important decision to make! Through to those large ones of whether to move house/business or even the path we are currently on.

What brought about this week’s feature was working with a client who had tough decisions over the direction of his business. Potentially meaning a reduction in overheads, or in businesses terms, cutting staff numbers!

Due to situations that were beyond his control, he was now left with this dichotomy with no clear options for him to take. Fortunately I was able to assist by giving clear direction of thinking as I was without the emotional baggage that attaches to the way we think when being personally affected.

All too often we start thinking a certain way and quickly establishing all the contributing factors to support and make this the right and only route to take! However, unless we actually put up a competing debate, this argument becomes more of a statement without depth.

To help view the given subject matter from different perspectives, the Cartesian Quadrant (a geometric mathematical equation) was adapted to ask a given question in four different ways with regards the outcome of change as such:

  • What WOULD happen if you DID make that change? (Visualise goal fulfilment – increasing motivation)
  • What WOULD happen if you DIDN’T make that change? (Identify the pain of staying unchanged – which can be a powerful motivator)
  • What WOULDN’T happen if you DID make that change? (Understand what will be lost the goal is achieved – this could be a useful loss, or a painful one!)
  • What WOULDN’T happen if you DIDN’T make that change? (Identify hidden perspectives and feelings. This question befuddles our left or conscious mind and can provide fresh perspectives through intuitive leaps)

Once we can look from different approaches with an open mind, we are able to start addressing the potential options available to us. As a coach, one system I use is G.R.O.W. which looks at the Goal or objective, the Reality of the situation to give clarity and remove incorrect thoughts created by unsubstantiated beliefs. Onto the Options which cover, through incisive questioning, all possible ideas and then select a few that are relevant at that moment in time to create the Way forward.

Looking at various subject areas, we worked through the above combination for each and arrived at a plan that not only insured the safety of his most valuable assets, ergo the staff, but a means to diversify the business direction with a clear plan to make it work.

Decision making is not about doing the first thing to come into our heads but to look with open eyes at the possibilities around us. At Coaching to Success, we endeavour to help our clients to look beyond their initial boundaries for making decisions and welcome your contact (Neil by email neil@coachingtosuccess.co.uk or call 07761 187238) should you find yourself or business constrained by what appears to be a lack of options available. Also, have a look at Neil’s interview video https://youtu.be/RvCwOL4hPco. You’ll always be assured a warm welcome to discuss how we can help.

Once you’ve decided what needs to be changed, here’s how to make it stick…

So how many of us have made those promises to change something we do or behaviour we have? How difficult is it? We start with an idea that sounds simple enough but once we put it into practice, damn it’s hard!

Often though, it is more about how we approach it rather than just getting on and doing it then letting it slip because thought hadn’t gone into it at the offset … Oh, and I’ve been as guilty as the next person in years gone by for not achieving what I initially set out to do!

So here are 7 ‘Nutburn’ tips on how to achieve those resolutions.

  • Set ‘Realistic’ targets – All too often we aim too high and as we move along, we realise this and rather than change, we simply let it slip by the way or we set too broad a goal! To make it work, set simple goals with small steps that can be increased as each becomes achieved.
  • Outline what you wish to achieve – To change, you have to take yourself outside of your comfort zone, otherwise you would have done it some time ago, wouldn’t you? Do a Pros and cons list so you can see the benefits and also check what hurdles may crop up? Set out a plan to check on progress/targets.
  • Is it something YOU wish to do? – Insure this is something that you want to achieve and not something to conform to someone else’s wish or expectation.
  • Accurate and Specific! – Rather than stating that you wish to lose weight, for example, be specific, ie lose a stone by year end. This may seem daunting but break it down into further specific and achievable slots such as 2lb each month by the end of March then 1lb Apr etc thereafter. Now it’s realistic whilst being specific.
  • Become accountable to others – Make it public. Tell family, friends, those on your social media contact lists what it is you’re aiming to achieve and give them updates on your success. As a coach, it’s amazing how my clients achieve what they set as a result of making promises to me.
  • Reward achievements – No matter how small or large, set rewards along your path. When you hit a target, reward yourself.
  • Handle Failings – Remember, you are creating new habits, it’s reported that it takes 21 days to create new habits and 6 months for it to become part of your psyche, so there is a likelihood that you may slip up along the way. It is imperative not to berate yourself over this, get up, dust yourself down and get back on with it.

This is but a start and Coaching to Success can help you keep on track by supporting you and making you accountable for the outcome. We can help you turn the tables and insure you stay on track. Simply start the journey by contacting Neil at 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

Time for ‘Change’? Let’s ‘Manage’ it to secure the best outcome.

Those who know me will know a favourite expression of mine is “If you continue to travel the same path as you always have, you will inevitably end up at the same destination”.

If you want to …

  • Grow (in confidence or self-worth)
  • Improve sales and/or profits
  • Try different avenues within your business field
  • Have your team or team members take on different responsibilities
  • Change your direction with the path you’re currently on

It’s critical you manage the change, or as many will know “Change Management”. But is it that easy?

I recently worked with a CEO concerning an awkward issue and one that ultimately changed the direction that some people were already heading. By truly recognising what the barriers were (both real and presumed) we worked through a programme of events giving a very clear outcome making it not only real but also manageable.

Much like their situation, should you be in the process of or considering change within your company or personal life, but with so many other things stepping in the way to gain that clarity, this may well help get you on track for a successful outcome.

  1. Create a ‘Change Plan’ – Before you can start any changes, it is crucial that you formulate a project plan looking at why change is necessary, a timeline, the major tasks involved and how it will be implemented. Assess all the possible options available, then select the most appropriate. Keep any other ideas for back-up. Allow it to breathe so it’s a work in progress of which improvements can be introduced.
  2. Clear Direction (Establish a persuasive case and a sense of urgency) – It’s no good having changes just because you’re bored of the way things are! There HAS to be understanding as to why change is necessary and that a clear set of arguments for change is laid out. Not only this, but a planned ‘action’ timescale for it to be within. Although emotions will be involved, try to step away and look at it logically.
  3. Clear Leadership (& ownership) –Not only from the leader(s) but for the teams and members of the organisation too. Should there be more than one leader, then a united front needs to be forged to give a clear message to all affected. Once established, accountability is given to introduce ownership. ‘R.A.C.I.’ is a great model for this (Responsibility, Accountability, Consult, Inform). Coaching to Success are here to help with this.
  4. Consistent Communications (Early and often) – I have to admit that this is my biggest gripe with most businesses. With all the means to communicate, this is still one of the core problems affecting most organisations. Poor communication is the bane of many a working environment. It is critical that poor communication is NOT a factor when change is imminent. There’s an old adage that goes “Tell them what you’re going to tell them… Tell them… and tell them what you told them”. Make sure the message is as clear as day. People perceive things in their own manner which may well be different from the intended outcome. Keep re-enforcing and making sure everyone involved are kept up to date with progress. Do not simply rely on ‘email’ to get your message out. Use face to face through to conferences to presentations to text (if it helps!). To be kept informed insures that innocent comments or ideas don’t grow to uncontrollable monsters.
  5. Maintain & Measure the Progress – Once the change has been started, make sure the momentum is kept up and communications (as stated before) are flowing. If those affected by change don’t see what’s happening, they can easily ‘presume’ that the change will not be happening, or they presume the ‘Need’ has also dissipated! As part of the original plan, develop the relevant milestones which can be celebrated loudly at every juncture. This then keeps the process clear in everyone’s mind so that all can work towards it.
  6. Anchor New Approaches – People need to see the change and the leadership team’s role is to insure that this is embedded in. This can be brought about by recognising and reinforcing the positive behaviours in those directly involved; Insure the ‘Vision’ is kept alive by communicating it; Create the ‘We’ approach rather than the ‘Them or They’; Set challenging and realistic goals; Show clear links between the objectives set and the team success; Recognise those individuals or teams that do well and celebrate as a team. Finally, from the offset, make the ‘New’ way the ‘Normal’ way!

These are the outline areas for a successful transition of change. Each case of change is unique to the company or individual and helping to gain that clarity, as we did with the CEO, is what we’re about.

To gain this for yourself, contact Neil neil.nutburn@coachingtosuccess.co.uk or 07761 187238 to arrange a free consultation on how Coaching to Success can help you. Also, our short ‘interview’ video can be seen at https://youtu.be/RvCwOL4hPco.