My goal is to be a mentally, emotionally and physically “fit” leader. How do you train for that? What does that look like? Train like a V.I.P.!
Visualize – What is your desired outcome? Winners start their day by identifying goal(s). Prioritizing what’s important will make you more efficient. Try story-boarding your daily tasks using a whiteboard. We comprehend better through visual imagery.
Initiate – Get started, but plan for distractions. Your ability to manage your emotions determines effectiveness. Next time you get distracted, label (negative feelings) and re-frame (re-interpret positively). Changing your interpretation changes the outcome.
Perform – Execution is the result of preparation. Visualizing creates an urgency and alertness to achieve the task. Initiating action activates momentum. When your mind is clear of distractions, your body can perform at it’s optimal level.
Athletes train and rest better than executives. As a professional, put more emphasis on mental and emotional development for better results. A Strong Mind + Strong Emotions = Strong Performance.
Do YOU prepare for optimal performance?
Author: Scott Asai
Helping people develop their leadership skills to advance in their career
How to be an Organic Leader
What does organic mean to you? How does it apply to leadership? Let’s look at three examples of where organic is better:
Produce – Organic products cost more because of their strict guidelines. As a leader, do you hold yourself to the highest standards? Doing the right thing is worth more in the long run than taking shortcuts.
Growth – In business, this refers to expansion. Personally it means, what are you doing to better yourself? What can you tangibly measure 6 months from now to prove to yourself that you’ve grown as a leader? You can only lead others to the extent that you lead yourself.
Organization – Flat organizations disperse power. Great teams share information. Organic leaders trust people and empower others to do their best. On a scale of 1 – 10, how well do you develop others? Start thinking about how you’re going to make everyone around you successful.
Organic leaders serve with the highest standards, teach what they have learned and make others better around them.
How can YOU be a more organic leader?
Who’s Leading You?
Leading others is important, but who’s leading you?
You can only lead others to the extent that you can lead yourself.
Whether you are a current leader or aspire to be one, focus on developing yourself before you try to change others. Great leaders challenge themselves. Personal growth is a never ending journey.
Self-leadership is the process of influencing oneself to establish the self-direction and self-motivation needed to perform.
On a scale of 1 – 10, how hard do you push yourself? What will it take to get to the next level?
Your ability to influence yourself determines how effectively you lead others.
Start leading yourself the way you want to lead others…
What are you doing to lead YOU today?
How Do I Actively Wait?
Doesn’t this sound like an oxymoron? How can you possibly be active while you wait?
In Coaching, the focus is on the process before the results. Create the right process and the desired results will follow. We live in an instant gratification world. We want it and we want it now! We aren’t trained to wait, even when circumstances force us to.
Last week, my beloved Lakers defended their NBA title and Sasha Vujacic (whom isn’t my favorite) applied this principle. Up by two points with 13 seconds left, barely used Sasha gets fouled, steps to the free throw line and calmly sinks two free throws to go up by 4 points, eventually sealing the victory. After the celebration, a reporter stated that he saw Vujacic practicing free throws 3 hours before each game! He didn’t get much playing time, but when his name was called, he was ready.
Let’s apply this to your career. Unless you’re Taylor Swift, these past couple of years haven’t been as prosperous as you’d like. During the “down times”, what are you doing to prepare yourself for the moment? Are you challenging yourself to learn something new? Actively building your network? Gaining experience in your field of choice on a volunteer basis?
There’s much to do while you wait. The question is, “Are you ACTIVE while you wait?”
What are you doing to prepare for your moment of opportunity?
Relationships Make the World Go ‘Round
It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.
In today’s business world, who you are connected to is more important than anything else. Young professionals fresh out of college or grad school have to build and strengthen their network in order to succeed.
I’ve interviewed several serial entrepreneurs, such as Wing Lam (Wahoo’s Fish Taco), Mark Verge (Westside Rentals) and Jason Nazar (DocStoc). The one thing they all have in common is their deep networks. By deep I mean quality (strength) and quantity (size). Sure, it may have taken them a long time to build their connection base, but in the long run, it will ensure their impact over time.
Imagine if your personal network was so grand, you’d always have a job…
Imagine having a “go-to” person in different industries…
Imagine your goal is to make others around you successful…
This doesn’t have to be a dream. It can be a reality. Start today with the people you know, then ask them to connect you with resources they know. Have your friends introduce you to their friends. It’s as simple as that.
In Keith Ferrazzi’s book, Never Eat Alone, he talks about creating a
“Relationship Action Plan.” Here’s a summary of his idea:
1) Develop Goals to Fulfill your Mission
Make sure there’s a purpose to the goals you set. “A goal is a dream with a deadline.”
2) Connect your Goals to People
Identify the people who can help you get there.
3) Strategize the Best Way to Reach People
Reach out to people who can make a difference in your life and the lives of others.
Building relationships should be more important to your goal, than the goal itself. Nowadays a business plan is useless because time moves too fast. Once you’ve established one, it becomes irrelevant. Make your goal to build relationships.
Why? Because your career depends on it.
Who has helped you advance in your career? How did they help you?
A Lesson in Recession
“No thanks”, “We’re not hiring” or “Sorry, but you’re overqualified” Are you as tired of hearing that as I am?
Despite the hardships, what can I learn?
Be Humble
Success breeds complacency. Since most of us haven’t experienced that lately, it keeps you humble. Learn to be thankful for what and who you have. Lean times force us to value what’s important.
Be Resilient
Rejection happens. Deal with it. You’re going to get knocked down, so learn to get back up. Continue doing the right things and results will follow. Fighters never quit.
Be Persistent
Stay the course. The easy thing is to jump ship, but the strong keep paddling. Down times test our resolve. It’s those who stay in front of us consistently that we end up hiring or buying from (see commercials). People need to be reminded gently that you want it bad.
Whether you’re a job seeker, entrepreneur or worker things will get better! After it’s over, how will you say you weathered the storm?
What are some tactics that have helped you cope with the recession?
Is Chivalry Dead?
No, but it’s on life support…
Dictionary.com defines chivalry as: the qualities idealized by knighthood, such as bravery, courtesy, honor and gallantry towards women.
How is this different from the business world?
OK, not all business deals with women, but have you ever thought how much more productive companies would be if they treated everyone with respect?
It starts at the top. Leaders set the example by how they treat peers, employees and customers.
People don’t listen to what leaders say as much as they watch what they do.
In ways we are all leaders. It doesn’t matter what rank, gender or race you’re dealing with. Next time, try being “chivalrous” and watch your results improve…
When’s the last time you’ve experienced chivalry in the workplace?
Where Adversity Happens
Have you been watching the NBA playoffs? The remaining teams are the most versatile and have made the best adjustments so far.
In life it’s no different…
Everyone deals with adversity, some greater than others. It’s how you respond to it that determines how far you will go in life.
When things don’t go your way, you have a choice: play the victim or play the victor. You don’t always choose what happens to you, but you always choose how you respond to it.
During the NBA playoffs, the mentally strongest teams make it the furthest. Coaches and players have to make adjustments or their teams lose. Despite individual talent, it’s the teams that get knocked down, but get back up fighting who prevail.
Adversity is a test of your true character. What’s inside comes out in the heat of the moment. Life won’t get easier, but how you deal with it should. A true sign of maturity is effectively managing your emotions.
When things aren’t going your way, how do you deal with adversity?
Are you fishing on the right side of the boat?
One night I dreamt I was fishing on a boat – working hard, but catching nothing. Someone told me, “Drop your nets on the other side.” Perplexed for a moment, I did it and shortly after my nets were so full of fish, I needed help to reel in the catch.
I made a connection to my career…
I believe I’m in the right profession, but what if I’m selling to the wrong crowd?
Being an entrepreneur is an up and down journey. I’ve learned so much about perseverance, clarity and being a continual learner. I can’t do this alone and I’m finding out it’s more about who you’re connected to, rather than how much you know.
Sure, I have doubts when times are dry, but I bounce back when I envision what it can be.
I’m convinced I’m in the right profession based on my passion and commitment level. I’m most fulfilled when sitting with a client, listening to their story and trying to help them reach their goals. I know what I do provides value, but I haven’t found the consistency I’m looking for yet.
As I reflect and strategize, I know that “great catch” isn’t far off…
For more context on this story, click here
What’s your journey? Please share your comments.
What Poker Can Teach Us About Business
In Tony Hsieh’s book “Delivering Happiness“, he makes parallels between poker and business. Listen to what the Zappos CEO learned from playing the game:
1) Evaluate Market Opportunities
Where there are a lot of competitors, it’s much harder to win. Choosing to play at the right “table” may be the difference between winning and losing.
2) Finances
Are you prepared for the worst case scenario? If you want to make a long-term impact it will take time and sacrifice.
3) Strategy
Only play games you understand. Stick to your principles, be flexible and stay patient. Players with the most stamina and focus usually win. Differentiate yourself from the others.
4) Continual Learning
Educate yourself. Read books. Learn from others who have done it before. Surround yourself with talented players. Ask for advice.
5) Culture
Love the game you play. Be nice and make friends – it’s a small community. Share what you’ve learned with others. Look for opportunities beyond what you’re doing now. Have fun – it’s more enjoyable that way.
Interested in starting your own business? Find what you’re passionate about and committed to. Remember, make logical, mathematical decisions, not emotional ones.
Partner with Coach Scott to identify your strengths, accomplish goals faster & boost your confidence! E-mail Scott to start Growing Forward today!
Growing Forward 