Right Thing at the Right Time

How do you focus on getting the right things done at the right time?  

This seems to be more of an art than a science.   Right things and right times are as different as we are in each of our roles.  With the rapid pace of change, and the ongoing flexes that happen in our lives and our businesses, knowing when to do what can sometimes be a challenge.  Here are a few tips that could help you with this:

1. eat that frog:  do the big, ugly stuff first - it gets it done…and usually its the stuff you keep putting off
2. plan at least 1 fun thing a day:  fun has a different meaning for everyone - it could be planning 10 minutes of extra surfing time on Facebook or Twitter, or it could be an ice-cream treat at the end of a long series of meetings.
3. know what is making you money right now - this changes just like the seasons do - who is buying what and in which quantities changes - set your sites on marketing to the ones doing the buying next so that you can ‘prime the pump’ as they say.
4. know when you are most productive:  some people are more productive in the early morning, some late afternoon, some are night owls….put your most creative tasks into those timeframes - you will get them done and build momentum for the rest of your work.
5. step away:  from your desk, from the phone, from anything that is connected and find some fresh air…then breathe in and out, perhaps adding in a stretch or two.  This will help you focus on what you are next going to tackle.

What is the Impact of Your Choices?

Every year, with my partner in Solution Linx On-Line Coaching, we host the Chick-fil-A Leadercast in our hometown.  This is a wonderful and inspiring day....one that literally changes the way we work and live from that point on.  We have been hosting this event for 3 years.

We discovered this event while creating our business.  We attended the event to learn more about leadership and be inspired by others.  When we were there, we simply looked at each other and said, this is what we need in our community.

Our choice is to host the event each year.  The impact we hope is gathering momentum....and growing as we continue to hone our hosting skills, inviting others to participate to help us lead this charge.

What is the one choice you make that makes a difference outside of you?  How do you build on that and teach others to do the same?

Catalyst Session Notes

Today I held my first Catalyst Session at the Downtown Business Accelerator in Windsor Ontario.  A great space with a wonderful group of participants who worked through the following thoughts:

• What I know about my business
• What keeps me up at night
• What I need to learn
• My immediate business challenge

One participant stepped up and offered his challenges for all to work on in a mastermind session.
Here are the notes  - applicable to many inside and outside the room.

The challenge focused on the forced change that life has thrown his way, so the options exist to pursue the corporate world or take on the challenge of becoming an entrepreneur.

Team Feedback:

• Understand your reality by the numbers - how long will your present income last?
• Set a 'parachute' timeline so that you are able to survive, pay the bills and explore the option.
• Be realistic about wanting the 'pain' of entrepreneurship or choosing to always be a great #2
• Do you have passion for what you have set out to do?
• Spend time developing your personal vision - 5yrs, 10yrs +
• Do a SWOT analysis on yourself.  Do an external scan on that SWOT - ask for open feedback.
• Develop a clear client profile
• Develop a clear message about who you are and what you do
• Be open-minded to the opportunities that are out there that may not be in your current field but can still use the skill set you have already developed
• Understand your optimum level of momentum?  What is the amount of chaos you want/need in your life and can you get that from work as well as other sources - working out, hobbies, groups etc?
• Develop an elevator pitch and a short referral phrase so that others can help refer business for you.
• Be open to flexible opportunities, perhaps even suggest them as you go through this process.
• Make a decision - commit.

All great feedback!  Thanks for participating and helping someone ignite their future.  If you would like to learn more about becoming a Catalyst, drop me a line at Lora@solsticegroupcoaching.com.