The Accountability Minute:Business Acceleration|Productivity

Today we are talking about step #1 that you can take right away to get you closer to achieving your goals, which is to Take Measurable Actions - Every Day!   Persistence takes action.  Take at least 3 actions every day that support your goal achievement.  If you need funding for your venture, then get on the phone and find an investor.  If you want to lose weight, then eat well and exercise.  If y...

Persistence is to success as excuses are to failure.  Never, never give up - there is always a way.   If you want more, you WILL find a way, because there always IS a way.  With persistence and consistent action you WILL make it happen.  If you don't believe me, here are some examples.   Did you know that Thomas Edison had over 10,000 failed attempts to create the light bulb before he was suc...

What got you to where you are today probably isn’t going to be what takes you where you ultimately want to go. Your thoughts, actions, and activities have to change to move you closer to your goals.  You might be surprised to discover that getting where you want to be might not require as much change as you fear. Remember: all results come from having the discipline to follow through and not procr...

Today we are talking about Strategy #5 of the 5 strategies for Managing Personal Change which is to Be Flexible!   Changes don’t always occur the way we imagined. You may encounter curve-balls and forks in the road you weren’t expecting.    Give yourself enough latitude to readjust for the unexpected.    Neal Maxwell said, “It is not the years but the changes that make us grow.”     Over the past...

Today we are talking about Strategy #4 for Managing Personal Change which is to Look after Yourself.   Change, no matter how big or small, requires a healthy mind and a healthy body. Change doesn’t have to occur overnight – it may take weeks, even months, or years, to make the necessary changes to get to your next level of success.    Take care of yourself. Eat regularly, consistently get some exe...

Today we are talking about Strategy #3 for Managing Personal Change which is to Clarify Your Commitment.   Change requires commitment and self-discipline. You won’t always get it right the first time, so you’ve got to find the strength and purpose to get back up and try again. You’ll find the reward is worth it.   Tune in tomorrow for Strategy #4 for Managing Personal Change.  I’m the author of ma...

Today we are talking about Strategy #2 for Managing Personal Change which is to Nullify the Negatives.   Be honest and ask yourself what is it that’s holding you back? What beliefs are you clinging to which prevent you from moving forward? What is the worst possible outcome you could experience from change?   Once you take a realistic and logical look at the reasons why you are resisting change, y...

Today we are talking about Strategy #1 for Managing Personal Change which is to Focus on the Positives.   Change generally results in a positive outcome. Rather than focus on feelings you may be experiencing like insecurity, discomfort or anxiety, concentrate instead on how the new experience will enhance your current situation.   Imagine yourself once the changes have taken place and think about...

Progress requires change, so we must develop change strategies that reduce our resistance and allow us to view change with a positive and constructive attitude.   Although the majority of us initially react to change with feelings of anxiety and disorientation, most of us are able, over time, to respond with a more favorable and positive mindset.   After all, 9 times out of 10, change brings about...

Today we are talking about a checklist of five items to consider when you want to be an even more effective communicator. 1.      Are you giving the listener what he or she wants and needs? If someone asks you a question, do you give a full and complete answer or is the asker left with more questions?  2.      Are you a problem solver for the person you’re talking with? If someone comes to you for...

Today we are talking about tip #7 of the 7 tips on how to improve your communication skills which is When you are an effective communicator, you are helping your company grow to your next level of success.   Effective communication starts with knowing what you want to achieve and being able to articulate this vision in a way that inspires and motivates others.  Recognizing that people have diverse...

Today we are talking about tip #6 on how to improve your communication skills which is to Look at every business communication as a way to build relationships.  Every interaction in the business world is an opportunity to strengthen relationships, whether it's with colleagues, clients, or stakeholders. By approaching communication with the intent to connect and add value, you create a foundat...

Today we are talking about tip #5 on how to improve your communication skills which is that All your business communications need to be correct .  This is especially true if you’re communicating via email or other written forms of communication. There is no place for spelling or grammar errors. Don’t take shortcuts or do “shorthand” in your business communications. Every written communication you...

Today we are talking about tip #4 on how to improve your communication skills which is to Offer concrete details .  If there are steps in a process or in a project that cannot be wavered from, you need to offer those concrete details and back it up with examples. Providing specific, concrete details in your communication helps to clarify your message, ensuring that it is understood exactly as you...

Today we are talking about tip #3 on how to improve your communication skills which is that You need to consider the feelings of the individual to whom you’re speaking .  With whom are you speaking? Is the person on the same page or at the same level of information for the discussion you’re having? Make sure there is no information spoken that could be misunderstood as that will put the listener a...

Today we are talking about tip #2 on how to improve your communication skills which is that you need to be clear .  This goes hand-in-hand with being complete. If you are delivering a communication and you’re stumbling over your words, backtracking to fill in the blanks of the earlier part of your conversation, and being unclear, you need to take a step back and work on your communication style. W...

Today we are talking about tip #1 on how to improve your communication skills which is to Be complete in your communications .  There is no room for being vague when you’re speaking with a client, a potential client, or a team member. Don’t leave the conversation hanging to the point where the individual has to fill in the blanks because you haven’t given all the pertinent facts. Being succinct an...

You don’t have to be an amazing orator to be an effective business communicator, but you do need to have communication skills that are finely honed. If you’re an entrepreneur or a business team leader, your livelihood or your paycheck could depend upon your communication skills.  When you talk with a business owner who has effective communication skills you simply know it. That person is:  1.     ...

Wherever you are in your life, you are exactly where you are because of your beliefs.  When you speak to yourself, what do you say - words of encouragement or words of criticism?  If you speak words of encouragement, you may have some level of confidence and be moderately successful at achieving your goals.  However, if you speak words of self-criticism, you may find that you are unsure and not as...

In a survey of business professionals, when asked they consistently feel they waste approximately 2 hours a day, which translates to 10 hours a week, etc.  Let’s not focus on how much time is actually wasted as the focus needs to be on what you can do with the wasted time to generate even more money, work less, or do other things you really want to do.   Use a time log to help you know where you a...

Today we are talking about solution #11 of 11 to help you become even more self-motivated which is to Be a Good Boss / Leader / Manager / Role Model. Be kind to yourself. Eat well, remember to breathe, exercise regularly – particularly if you’ve been sitting at your computer all day – and find time to relax. Don’t neglect the hobbies you enjoy. If you play tennis once a week, then schedule that in...

Today we are talking about solution #10 to help you become even more self-motivated which is to Take Time Out. Just as its important to schedule your days so you create a good work routine, it’s equally important to schedule your “time out” accordingly. Give yourself “me time” when you need it. In fact, many successful leaders block out quality time in their calendar before they schedule any of th...

Today we are talking about solution #9 to help you become even more self-motivated which is to Adopt a Support Group. Remaining motivated 100% of the time isn’t always easy to do. So, during those times when you feel your motivation levels falling, call on your cheer squad! Look at your vision board. If you don’t have one, create one and keep it updated and current. You can always “google” vision...

Today we are talking about solution #8 to help you become even more self-motivated which is to Dress for Success.   Adopting a positive, motivating mindset involves not only how you think but how you look.  Dress like you mean business! For some people this is a very big deal in order for them to have the highest probability of creating a positive day with successes. Whether they go into an office...

Today we are talking about solution #7 to help you become even more self-motivated which is to Embrace your Uniqueness. Like fingerprints, every one of us has talents, knowledge and personal traits that make us unique. Take a realistic look at what qualities you possess that make you the special person you are and work on building your positive attributes.  Recognize and celebrate your unique tale...