Every organization experiences issues. Some may seem insignificant, others may feel overwhelming, and there will be times when an issue is just plain annoying. So, what do you do when an issue arises?

You have three choices:

1. Ignore it
2. Gripe about it
3. Solve it

The first two choices may easily become a “pebble in your shoe.” You know that feeling. You’re walking along, and you can feel the pebble, but no matter how many times you wiggle your toes or shift your weight in your shoe – the pebble is still there. And it is getting in the way of what you are doing.

So, let’s take off the shoe and remove the pebble. There are several techniques to solve an issue, regardless of whether the issue is business-related or personal.

Here is a 4-step process you may find helpful.

First, spend time identifying the real issue. Most issues are an indication something isn’t quite right. The pebble isn’t the real issue – the pain and discomfort are the real issue.

Second, once you know what is really going on, describe the outcome you want to achieve.

Third, come up with a list of possible solutions. It may be helpful to also think about the pros and cons of each solution.

Finally, select the best of all the possible solutions. I always recommend choosing the simplest one. Otherwise, you may delay getting the result you want, create additional issues, or not be satisfied with the outcome.

Don’t you feel better with that pebble gone? Now you can walk with ease.

Do you have a pebble in your shoe – a feeling that something is standing in the way of success in your business? Let’s work together to shake it out!

Please fill out the consult form below to schedule a free, 15-minute phone consultation with me. Together we’ll get to the root of your issues and brainstorm solutions that can help you walk pain-free.

A demanding job, endless emails, constant fires to put out. The daily grind can be overwhelming at times for many of us. Simply taking a break to reflect, regroup, and refocus can prevent burnout and help you to avoid the downward spiral to disaster.

Think you can’t afford to take time away? It turns out, you can’t afford NOT to.

Years ago, I was a rock climber, and as part of a climbing party I would often find myself in out-of-the-way places, such as obscure restaurants. One memorable restaurant – which also served as a bowling alley and bar – was in the middle of the woods in Maine. They served us a beer with a bar napkin that read, “The reason some people get lost in thought is that it is unfamiliar territory.”

This quote often comes to mind as I work with business owners and leadership teams who describe their daily lives as overwhelming, crazy busy, and tiring. They are so overworked that they have little time to understand what is going on in their organization.

Why take time to work on me?

You’re not at your best when you don’t. You may find yourself being ornery, snapping at people, losing confidence, or just feeling out of sorts.

I recommend you regularly step back and find a quiet place away from work or home, like a coffee shop or a park bench. Leave your cell phone and laptop in the car! Take a blank legal pad and write whatever comes to mind in that moment. You will be amazed at the thoughts that come to you.

Think, brainstorm, and plan. This may be a great time to review your progress in accomplishing your quarterly Rocks. Perhaps you are struggling with a personal challenge, and having uninterrupted time to focus on it will yield the answers you’re seeking. If a new business idea has been percolating, this may give you the chance to sketch it out.

How often should I do this?

As often as you need to, as long as you are consistent. Many clients schedule them weekly; others schedule them for a short time daily. If once a week is too much for you, I recommend you schedule time to work on you at least monthly. It will be well worth the time you take away from your daily responsibilities, and you’ll accomplish more in the long run.

Taking time for yourself lets you clear your mind, keep your focus and maintain confidence. The time spent allows you to see what you normally would not see. It will enable you to push a reset button, reenergizing and recharging you for what you need going forward. Taking time to work on yourself restores confidence and provides a clear path forward.

Feeling overwhelmed and tired? I can help. Please fill out the consult form below, and we’ll take steps to help you become the best version of yourself so you can be focused and productive in your business.

I am an avid reader of Seth Godin’s daily blog, and a recent one struck a chord with me. Seth talked about the gap that is created as organizations grow from one or two employees to larger corporations with multiple employees.

This is a common phenomenon I see in the companies I partner with. I have seen many company founders who, even though they hired employees, continue to wear all the hats. As a result, the founder struggles to grow their company.

As companies evolve, it is imperative that the founder create extensions of themselves. Doing so frees them up to work in their “sweet spot” – regardless of what that is. Their sweet spot could be building culture, creating an extraordinary marketing program, or creating the next version of the company’s product or service.

The key here is for the founder to look at everything they do daily and make a list of those tasks for at least a week. At the end of the week, they should circle the tasks they dislike doing the most.

For me, it was always financial stuff. Oh, sure, I can handle the financial aspect of my companies, but I didn’t like to do it. Spending time creating the P&L statement or reconciling the bank accounts was not my idea of a good time. So as soon as I could afford to hire a bookkeeper, I did so! That was my new best friend!

The next step is to review the list of circled items and determine who else in the company could take on that task. Chat with the person, make sure they have the bandwidth to assume the task, and give them the necessary coaching and resources to succeed. It is entirely possible the task will fit what that person loves to do and actually help them grow in their position.

Now the founder can get back to what they do best, the gap is closed, and the company can continue to flourish.

If you need help identifying your “sweet spot” or figuring out how to best delegate tasks to others on your leadership team, I can help. Simply fill out the consult form below, and we can get started. Together we can figure out what you do best!

What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘entrepreneur’? You may think of an entrepreneur as someone who starts a business or someone who wants to be their own boss. Perhaps they are courageous enough to take an idea and nurture it into a product or service. I think most people would share a similar understanding of an entrepreneur.

Have you ever thought about applying the concepts behind entrepreneurship as a way to invest in yourself? That is exactly what Reid Hoffman and Ben Casnocha show readers in “The Start-Up of YOU.” I recently read this book and came away with several nuggets of information.

I teach leadership teams that their primary responsibility is to fight for the organization’s greater good. I believe the same statement is equally true for us personally as leaders, coaches, business builders, etc.

Here are a few ideas to get you started on your personal entrepreneurial journey:

• Identify your personal core values. They serve as your internal compass and a filter through which you run your daily choices and actions. Doing so will help you eliminate activities that do not align with your core values.
• Set aside a specific time each week to think about what is important to you. What is your personal vision, who do you want to become, and what do you need to get there?
• Meet with several people you trust and ask them what they see as your predominant strength. This is most likely what you love to do and are best at.
• Connect and strengthen relationships with people who work in similar positions to gain a wide range of perspectives. This can help guide your personal growth.
• Become a trusted advisor for others. You will learn from each other.

Investing in yourself creates a compound effect – you will reap huge rewards by making a series of smart, small choices every day. If you are a leader to others, keep in mind their strength reflects your individual strength.

Are you ready to get started on your own personal entrepreneurial journey? Fill out the consult form below and we can start redefining what entrepreneurship means to you.

I work with leadership teams five days per year. We have three quarterly review sessions and a two-day annual planning session. The session cadence provides dedicated time for a leadership team to work “on” their business, not just “in” their business.

Why have quarterly sessions?

Because slowing down enables a leadership team to act with focus and intention. It’s hard to be thoughtful when you are in a rush.

It is a proven fact that as humans we can stay focused for about 90 days. After that, our concentration declines, we lose our rhythm, and generally start going down rabbit holes.

I have seen this exact sequence of events with my own companies. There were times when I barely recognized my leadership team at my last company! That’s when I knew our facilitator was arriving soon to get us back on track.

How do we get back on track, you ask? Here are a few activities for you to consider:

• Reflect on the progress gained in the prior quarter. It is too easy to keep our heads down and lose sight of the growth we achieved. I recommend identifying what you did well the previous quarter, what you could have done better, and what you learned. There is gold in the answers!
  
  
• Review the strategic plan to ensure a clear vision. When working “in” our businesses, we can forget where our true north is. Take some time to review your company’s purpose, where you are headed, and how you will get there. We need everyone on the leadership team to be on the same page with the company vision.
  
  
• Remove obstacles to progress. Issues come up in every company, often daily. You will determine the root cause and develop a solution to many of them during your weekly leadership team meetings. Some of the issues may not be urgent or are still unfolding. Take some time each quarter to focus on those, and make sure you solve the ones that will limit your capacity next quarter.
  
  
• Establish your focus for the next quarter. This is crucial to achieving your annual plan. Many companies create excellent annual plans, and then that plan sits on a shelf until it is time for next year’s annual planning session. If you establish where and how you will focus your energy each quarter, you will achieve greater results.

So what are you waiting for? Have everyone on your leadership team pull out their planners, and let’s get next quarter’s review session on the calendar.

Interested in learning more about the quarterly sessions, the annual planning sessions, or how to work “on” your business rather than “in” it? I can help. Please fill out the consult form below to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation with me. Together we can start working on a plan to improve your leadership team’s focus and intention.