Pick Something and be Great!

Good Morning...

I really bet you are excited!

I have learned so many lesson across my career...I hope that I have been able to share the essence of them with you...in a way that you can apply them to your situation...

The 1st Quarter is nearing its close and all of your 2010 plans should be absolutely firm and in actuality about 1/2 way done...if not...your 2010 impact will be degraded each day that things are not completed...

It is important to avoid getting into the illusion that is created by the calendar...a smart leader has everything set by the first month (or second month of the year), at the latest, in order to maximize the impact of their efforts...

The illusion of the calendar?

Most people spend the beginning of the year planning...the the next 2 quarters acting on those plans...only to wonder why their impact was so small at the end of the year...many of their big plans only made 25% of the initially projected impact...

It is simple math...you can't rationally expect 100% when 75% of it was squandered...

A smart leader shifts their work, and that of the team...to the extent that they maximize the impact in the current year...

2010 work should be nearing completion at the beginning of 2010...not at the end...2011 work should begin in the third or last quarter of 2010...which means planning should begin mid 2010...

PIPE DREAM? 

Yes and No!

Yes...for those who can not anticipate the needs of an organization or for those who wait to be told...but take note...this is a simple observational activity...it is not rocket science...

It is NOT for those who have foresight and the guts to make a decision and act on it...  

It is easy to do...you know what your organization needs...start working on it...and make something great...

It is indecisiveness that will be the death of any organization in the 21st century...do not allow yourself to be  accused of being an accomplice to organizational murder...

Enough Said!

Those who have been following these blogs...and those who have known me for a while...will recognize this concept...that I advocate at every possible opportunity...

It is focus...

We all need a mental break...and as a result we pursue amusements ("a" meaning "not" and "muse" meaning "to think")...

Many of us pursue recreation...("re" meaning "again" and create meaning...yes you have it "to make")...

These are both in the categories of hobbies...

In the beginning of my career I sought to learn as much about everything as I possibly could...there are good things from this and bad things...

I will focus on the bad today!

It made me a "jack of all trades" but I came to realize that I lacked mastery!

The saving grace was that I learned this lesson very early in my career...so I also decided that it was important to chase one thing and push it for all it had...

It is a good thing to expand one's horizons...and learn diverse things...

however...if you simply dabble in it...there is no value...

That begs the question..."When should I dabble?"

The answer is simple...only when there is no value to be derived from a "worthwhile" activity...

Value?

Income...or personal growth and development that supports your area of focus...

Legends and Greatness are bestowed upon people of focus...

The choice of one's amusements and recreational activities can either enhance one's chosen journey...meaning that they are aligned with them...or they do not!

If they do not...then they are wasted energy and effort and should be counted as a loss...because that time can not be regained...

Great leaders are efficient with their time...they realize that their tenure as a leader is not eternal...but a count-down...

Great leaders recognize that there will be an accounting for every minute...

I have seen many leaders fall because they used their organization's time frivolously...and in a sad way...stole success from the organization...

Do not be like them...

We need hobbies...

Choose what you do so that even when you are relaxing...the things that you do enhance your chosen path...

If you read to relax...put the fiction aside and read the latest books that support your path...

Define and redefine your work...

Make it meaningful...

Choose something and be great at it...that is...what will keep you "in the money" and ensure that you have a long and fruitful career...

Enough Said!

Speaking of long and fruitful careers...(OK I can not leave well enough alone!)

Longevity and prosperity comes less from your own performance (your product) and more from your customers' loyalty...

Building...Engaging...and Retaining clients/customers is crucial to your success...

Remember that you have many customers and that you can have the best product in the world...but if your customer service stinks...so too will your performance...   

Customer Service is a hidden process within you...and your department...and your organization...

It has to be at the forefront of your organization's...AND YOUR...efforts...it can not take a back seat...

You can have the greatest product in the world...but if you do not treat your customers right...it will not work!

I have a BIG day today...

You do too!

Re-create...

Enjoy what you are doing...

Pick something and turn it into a legend...that make significant and meaningful differences in the lives of others...