The Accountability Minute:Business Acceleration|Productivity

Today we are talking about Tip #1 to Maintain Persistence which is to:  Maintain Your Vision.   Decide what you want out of life, and then work with a vision for the future. Keep your goal or goals firmly planted in the front of your mind, so that every action step you take will lead you closer to achieving what you want. You can make sure to keep your goals in front of you by making sure to track...

If there was one common denominator that could be applied to successful people, it would be persistence.    The brilliant minds, the great achievers, the magnetic leaders of our generation and throughout history did not achieve their success at the start of their journey – they achieved it when their vision became reality.   Persistence is about having a vision and working towards that goal.    Ho...

Persistence is the ability to continue to get up no matter how many times you’ve been knocked down. It requires will power, flexibility, strength of character, determination, and a desire to succeed at all costs.    Most people believe Richard Wagner became a great composer because he was gifted. Not so.   From a young age, Wagner liked the theater and music, but he disliked being on stage and was...

Are you living life to the fullest?  If life ended tomorrow, would you feel as though you have absolutely lived it to the tilt, with no regrets?  If you are like most of us, you still have that “someday” list of dreams that haven’t yet come true tucked away in a drawer.   Sadly, life doesn’t have to be that way, but very few people get the most out of life before it’s over.  There are, however, a...

To help you be even more effective and efficient, so you can achieve your goals at an accelerated rate, it’s my guess that you can delegate even more to your team members than you have or might think possible. Stop holding on to things that can be done by someone else and do only those activities that you can do and can’t be done by anyone else. Stop doing revenue generation / business development...

Today we are talking about the 3rd top trait of successful leaders, which is Commitment.   Business owners that are committed to watching their business succeed rise above the challenges that are thrown their way.  No matter what the circumstance, they approach challenges only as opportunities to learn how to do things better - and they never waiver.  Only a  team that is led by a strong leader wh...

Today we are talking about a 2nd top trait of successful leaders, which is to Go Against the Herd.     Becoming a successful leader is not about blending in - it’s about remaining true to your vision and going against the herd, if that’s what it requires.  If you have a gut feeling about your business the best thing you can do is to act on it.  The more you can create a unique niche in your market...

Today we are talking about a 1st top trait of successful leaders, which is to Value Your Team.   One of the Top 3 Traits of Successful Leaders is a sense of community within their business.  Successful business owners understand that employees (team members) must find a sense of happiness and connectedness within their organization in order to take pride in their efforts.  Value your team, and be...

Do you ever wonder why certain businesses fail while similar businesses thrive in the same economic climate?  There are several commonalities shared between strategic and successful business owners.  The Top 3 Traits of Successful Leaders are centered on the internal operation of their business, analyzing current business practices and carving out an untapped niche in the market.  Over the next 3...

Over the past 4 days I have talked about 4 insights for goal setting to help you find your North Star.    Remember, you’re setting your business and team up for success by clarifying your goals, determining your direction and details, building in a margin for error, and increasing your motivation. By tuning in to what matters most, you are more likely to gain your team’s trust and achieve your goa...

Today we are talking about insight #4 of the 4 insights for goal setting, which is to Increase Your Motivation.   Finally, motivation matters! Mindtools describes the power of setting goals as having “long-term vision and short-term motivation”. While this is the case for many goals, it’s worth aspiring toward goals that build your motivation—from start to finish.    Achieving your goals doesn’t n...

Today we are talking about insight #3 for goal setting, which is to Build in a Margin for Error.   Third, you need a margin for error. If you’re a free thinker, having clear, specific goals laid out may feel like painting yourself into a corner. But look at it this way: no matter the goal, you’ll likely run into some obstacles you weren’t expecting. As a business owner, you’re navigating economic,...

Today we are talking about insight #2 for goal setting, which is to Determine the Direction and Details.   Next, having a sense of direction when goal setting is crucial. Imagine a child’s birthday party with a piñata: blindfolded youngsters swing wildly in hopes of breaking open all the candy. While this is fun for a celebration, it’s not the way to set goals!    Making sure you’re heading in the...

Today we are talking about insight #1 for goal setting, which is to Start with Clarity in Mind.   First, clarity for your goals is vital. If you don’t know where your business is going, it’s impossible to achieve real progress. And without a clear roadmap and explanation, a goal could appear unnecessary or out of place to your employees.    For example, you wouldn’t choose a random number of sales...

The North Star (or Polaris), located directly above the North Celestial Pole, holds a lot of meaning. While it’s not the brightest star, it’s easy to locate. As an actual, noteworthy, and reliable point in the night sky, it’s a significant symbol for guidance and achievement.    Consider these examples. For centuries, ships relied on celestial navigation, guided by the North Star. In addition, the...

Today we are talking about Time Management tip #7 of the 7 tips to help you increase your success, which is to Schedule Some Downtime into Your Day.   This seems counterintuitive—schedule relaxation and rejuvenation time? But how are you supposed to get your work done? Scheduling downtime can ensure you are intentional about taking a break and focusing when you need to focus. More importantly, hav...

Today we are talking about Time Management tip #6 to help you increase your success, which is to Automate as Much as You Can.   There are many tools and apps out there now that can help you automate a lot of your processes. You no longer have to write and send emails the day of—you can write them ahead of time and schedule them to be sent at an optimal time and day. The more you can automate, the...

Today we are talking about Time Management tip #5 to help you increase your success, which is to Remove All Technological Distractions.   Distractions are all around us, especially with notifications on our phones and watches. One tip that’s super helpful is to physically remove all technological distractions from your vicinity. That may mean taking off your watch and putting it in the next room,...

Today we are talking about Time Management tip #4 to help you increase your success, which is to Plan Your Week Ahead of Time.   The best way to hit the ground running on a Monday morning is to plan your week ahead. Block off some time on Friday afternoon to plan for the upcoming week. Make sure your meetings are scheduled, you’ve blocked off time to focus on certain initiatives, and leave flexibl...

Today we are talking about Time Management tip #3 to help you increase your success, which is to Track Your Time.   The best way to manage your time is by tracking it. We often don’t realize where our time goes, but by tracking your time, you can see exactly how you’re spending it. Even if your time isn’t billable, it’s a good practice, at least initially, to get an overview of your day and where...

Today we are talking about Time Management tip #2 to help you increase your success, which is to Identify When You’re Most Productive.   Being productive means making the most of your time. If you’re an early riser but move slowly in the mornings, it might be best to schedule your focus time in the afternoons. Mornings can be saved for working out, or more passive tasks like strategic thinking, or...

Today we are talking about Time Management tip #1 to help you increase your success, which is to Use Time Blocking on Your Calendar.   It can be very easy to be pulled in multiple directions throughout the day and try to multitask your way through a never-ending to-do list. By using time blocking for specific activities each day, you can focus on one thing at a time. For example, if you block off...

As a business owner, it’s hard to find enough time in the day to get everything done. From managing your team to guiding the trajectory of your business, it feels like you’re constantly bouncing from task to task but never really getting as much done as you need to and want to.   By putting a solid time management system in place, you can automate as much as possible, so you can focus your brain p...

Happy Valentines Day!    I’d like to take a minute to say how much I appreciate you listening to The Accountability Minute, sharing my podcast with others you think would get value, and for leaving me such great ratings and reviews.    I’d like to share some quotes that may give you INSPIRATION AND MOTIVATION to be all you can be and enjoy life maybe just a little bit more.   Denis Waitley said: H...

Today we are talking about Tip #8 of the 8 tips for what it takes to achieve your goals, which is to d emonstrate humility .    While leaders should be decisive and confident, they also need humility. Your value is found more in your heart than it is on an organizational chart. Despite misconceptions, you aren’t insecure; indeed, humility is an indicator of strength. Humble leaders aren’t easily e...