So you are all gun ho to look for a new job, start a project, lose weight, paint the house or whatever your ambition is and after only a few days or weeks you begin to lose interest, motivation or hope. This happens to just about all of us! I can't say for sure why it happens but I certainly can give you some ideas on what to do to rekindle the excitement that you once had.
Here are a 3 simple things you should do:
1. Check Your Thinking: Positive energy begins in the mind. The thoughts we consistently think attract what it is we get in life. If we think negative thoughts we will act out those thoughts and naturally receive negative results. However by thinking about what want and focusing on the positive, we will act accordingly thus achieving success.
2. Check Your Feelings: Forget how you feel about the project, task or situation. Decide that you will feel successful and give yourself a pep talk. Repeat out loud positive affirmations such as "You can do this!", "You are successful!", "You can do anything!" and watch how quickly your physical and mental energy increases. If you think this is all bunk I dare you to try it! It works. William James, the Father of Modern Psycology, says that "Feelings follow action." If we want to feel differently, then we must act differently. Dale Carnegie tells us "If you ACT in enthusiastic then you will BE enthusiastic!"
3. Check Your Action: Are what you do and say consistent with what you REALLY want. Talk is cheap but it is what we do that matters. Remind yourself of what it is you really want and then gosh darn it take action and DO something, even if it is small. The only way to get what you want to to take action. If you feel like you are in a rut then try a new approach, do things differently, keep things fresh.
In short, you can reignite your motivation by thinking and acting in a manner that is consistent with what you want to achieve.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
Why Communicating a Vision is Important
I am in the midst of a project with a large manufacturing company and they are really struggling with the performance of their overall plant output. Right now there is a lot if finger pointing, blaming and "every man for himself" behavior coming from the executive team. We asked the president "What is it that you really want for your company? How do you see the organization functioning a year from now?" There was a long pause. "That's a good question." was his reply.
After much discussion with the president and his senior team we discovered the major issue keeping them from reaching their goals is that no one really knows where they are going and why they are going there! Every department head has a different idea of what is important and a different understanding of why their department exists.
Think of it this way: the department heads are all part of a flash mob and each one of them have a different dance routine. When the mucis plays and the dance begins everyone is starting on a different foot and moving in different directions. The result is chaos!!!!
Here are some tips for communicating vision:
Communicate it often and well- Never under estimate how many time you need to tell people what the future is going to look like. It can never be said too many times. Use a variety of mediums to spread the message and keep it visible all the time.
Be very clear and keep it simple- Employ the principle "less is more" when describing the future. Make it brief but vivid. Use powerful words that are descriptive and can not be misunderstood. Use present tense language, word the vision as though it has already been accomplished.
Be Consistent- Be diligent that the vision doesn't change from day to day, unless there really has been a change. Vision should be the same today, tomorrow, next week and until we arrive. People can be easily confused about their contribution when the vision sounds different each time they hear it.
Use other leaders to help communicate the vision- Every member of the leadership team must know, understand and be able to articulate the vision to others. There is strength in numbers. Alignment at the top insures understanding at the bottom. Get the entire executive team involved with communicating the vision to the masses.
Communicate even small wins- Always share the progress, no matter how small, with the entire organization. Celebrating success is the best way to encourage and motivate a team. Be a cheerleader to the team, lavish them with praise.
Even if you are not the president of your organization, if you want to move a group of people in a given direction to achieve a given goal you have to communicate a vision.
After much discussion with the president and his senior team we discovered the major issue keeping them from reaching their goals is that no one really knows where they are going and why they are going there! Every department head has a different idea of what is important and a different understanding of why their department exists.
Think of it this way: the department heads are all part of a flash mob and each one of them have a different dance routine. When the mucis plays and the dance begins everyone is starting on a different foot and moving in different directions. The result is chaos!!!!
Here are some tips for communicating vision:
Communicate it often and well- Never under estimate how many time you need to tell people what the future is going to look like. It can never be said too many times. Use a variety of mediums to spread the message and keep it visible all the time.
Be very clear and keep it simple- Employ the principle "less is more" when describing the future. Make it brief but vivid. Use powerful words that are descriptive and can not be misunderstood. Use present tense language, word the vision as though it has already been accomplished.
Be Consistent- Be diligent that the vision doesn't change from day to day, unless there really has been a change. Vision should be the same today, tomorrow, next week and until we arrive. People can be easily confused about their contribution when the vision sounds different each time they hear it.
Use other leaders to help communicate the vision- Every member of the leadership team must know, understand and be able to articulate the vision to others. There is strength in numbers. Alignment at the top insures understanding at the bottom. Get the entire executive team involved with communicating the vision to the masses.
Communicate even small wins- Always share the progress, no matter how small, with the entire organization. Celebrating success is the best way to encourage and motivate a team. Be a cheerleader to the team, lavish them with praise.
Even if you are not the president of your organization, if you want to move a group of people in a given direction to achieve a given goal you have to communicate a vision.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Proactive Customer Service.....Really? Yep!
Today I stopped by the car dealership to ask 2 questions; one pertaining to warranty coverage for rust that showed up on my car that is only 2 years old and the other question was pertaining to the possibility of trading in my car for a newer model. My experience was ghastly! This blog is for the unnamed car sales and and service technician who helped me (well not really) today. What the both of them did was help me decide that the next time I purchase a vehicle I should and will go some where else.
Folks, it doesn't' have to be this way.......take my advice and consider taking some of these proactive steps with your customers and potential customers.
It is important to build on existing relationships with customers and clients before there are issues. Here are a few suggestions in taking the more proactive approach to servicing existing customers.
1. Promote additional programs. Initiate further incentives that will enhance the sale. This can increase add-ons and cross-selling opportunities, giving the customers a value-added experience.
2. Create a message. Having a consistent company message ensures customers that from purchase to usage your company supports them. Coach sales team to stay on this message.
3. Follow-up on sale or service. A simple phone call or follow-up letter can go a long way; people appreciate the time you spend on fostering the partnership and make the odds of repeat business very likely. If there are issues, it will be easier to right the situation because they did not have to make the effort in contacting you.
4. Be prepared. This includes knowing what is expected, professionally handling what you didn’t expect, going the extra mile, and acting as customer advocate.
If you want to ensure happy customers don't wait until they are unhappy to try to and delight them, it's too late!
Folks, it doesn't' have to be this way.......take my advice and consider taking some of these proactive steps with your customers and potential customers.
It is important to build on existing relationships with customers and clients before there are issues. Here are a few suggestions in taking the more proactive approach to servicing existing customers.
1. Promote additional programs. Initiate further incentives that will enhance the sale. This can increase add-ons and cross-selling opportunities, giving the customers a value-added experience.
2. Create a message. Having a consistent company message ensures customers that from purchase to usage your company supports them. Coach sales team to stay on this message.
3. Follow-up on sale or service. A simple phone call or follow-up letter can go a long way; people appreciate the time you spend on fostering the partnership and make the odds of repeat business very likely. If there are issues, it will be easier to right the situation because they did not have to make the effort in contacting you.
4. Be prepared. This includes knowing what is expected, professionally handling what you didn’t expect, going the extra mile, and acting as customer advocate.
If you want to ensure happy customers don't wait until they are unhappy to try to and delight them, it's too late!
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