Morning Motivator - When "Busy" Makes a Failure

"I have no one to blame but myself..."
- Zachary Barker

Do you know what HAPPENS when you fail to plan?  You know it... Plan to Fail.

Yesterday, amidst a phone FAILURE and a pressing project being due, I failed to plan enough time to execute the MM.  Actually, in retrospect, this wan not a bad thing, as it allows me to point out my personal failures for the learning betterment of MM readers. 

Understand that "BUSY" is always going to be a part of your life.  It will ARISE during the worst possible times (actually you arr just hypersensitive during times of stress, it actually happens all the time) and challenge your FORTITUDE.  Busy will seek to DISTRACT you from your responsibilities and seek to derail your best efforts to achieve high productivity.

So how does one keep from allowing busy to be a leech of success?

2 Degree Success Step:
My lovely wife likes to get after me about the OBSESSIVE nature I have for list making. I have multiple lists in multiple places keeping notes on multiple things.  Yet, typically, I execute all of them in a very effective manner.  It is my way of making sure I stay FOCUSED on what is most important and in what order.

You may have alternative ways of keeping track of what needs to be done and when it beds to be done.  might I suggest that when "BUSY" jumps up and slaps on you in the mouth, you REVERT to "your" tactic and focus solely on managing that process (again, for me, it is written lists on the back of envelops).

By focusing your efforts into your most basic and consistent management format, you will be able to achieve a high comfort level during a time of discomfort. 

I am VERY interested in the processes, tools and manners in which you ensure you execute during a high time of "busy activities."  Send me your thoughts and systems, then I will do a follow up MM on some of the best ways for people to stay on top of things during the most difficut of times.

Cheers,
Zach

*To enjoy past editions of the Morning Motivator go to – http://grow-learn-lead.blogspot.com

The Morning Motivator is a copyrighted publication. The use of this article is open for print or publication with proper citations.

Morning Motivator - Focus and purpose

"There is one 'most important' thing to accomplish today.  What is your 'one'?"
- Andy Bailey

A special thank you to my very good friend and strategic partner, Josh Anderson of The Anderson Group Real Estate/Keller Williams (Nashville) for today's Morning Motivator.  You are the man bro!!

Effort alone does not create achievement. Somebody can put forth a lifetime of effort and not have much to show for it.

What counts is focused effort in the service of a meaningful purpose. Get that, and you're really getting somewhere.

Just being busy is not going to make you successful. Instead of merely using up time, find a way to create real, desirable value with the time you have available.

Don't comfort yourself with being aimlessly busy. Challenge yourself to get meaningful results from your time and effort.

Outstanding achievement and disappointing mediocrity are both built from the same twenty-four hours in each day. The difference is not one of time or even effort, but of focus and authentic purpose.

2 DEGREE SUCCESS STEP:
As long as you're making the effort, as long as you're using up resources, as long as you're spending the time, make it all count. Make a habit of doing what really matters, and you'll enjoy a life that's really great.

Zach's note: Spending 10 minutes every afternoon to make a list of your top 5 priorities for the next day is EPIC in creating success in the next 24 hours.  Prioritize them in matter of importance and do not move on to the next until the first is COMPLETED!

Cheers,
Zach

*To enjoy past editions of the Morning Motivator go to – http://grow-learn-lead.blogspot.com

The Morning Motivator is a copyrighted publication. The use of this article is open for print or publication with proper citations.

Morning Motivator – Who’s Problem are You Solving?

"Are you Effin kidding me?  They don't even have a phone number to call them?!"
- Anonymous

Yesterday, I took a trip.  A couple buddies and I picked up and drove to New Orleans and Baton Rouge on a mission of DISCOVERY.  Our mission:  To find a great example of a facility that is building a community of ENTREPRENEURS.  What we saw was AWESOME!

First, we found a location that was EXCEPTIONAL in its presentation and beautiful in its design.  When it came to EXAMINING the culture building and supportive sharing of cross industry ideas, this place flat out FAILED.  Don't get me wrong… it was AWESOME and, I think, the purpose was NOT to make a community of budding entrepreneurs, rather, a fancy spot for a mid size company to finance its facility through others.

Secondly, we visited a more FORMAL, university or baking type atmosphere.  Big building, lots of offices, multiple floors, no exclusivity in the building.  It was a big building with lots and lots of businesses and people.  YET… the culture was OVERWHELMING!  The whole purpose of the center was to "graduate' single employee entrepreneurs into small businesses into mid level businesses and bigger…  There were SUPPORT systems, programs and education.  A WIN, even if the real estate deal wasn't ideal.

Lastly, we visited an EPIC FAILURE.  First, difficult to find with no address or phone number on the website.  When we finally did find the spot, there was NO ONE inside and the doors were LOCKED.  WOW!  Nothing says: "Welcome young budding superstars" like a total inability to contact the center and the empty offices upon arriving.  (and NO – they were not closed.  It was confirmed).

2 DEGREE SUCCESS STEP:
Let's make this simple.  When you OFFER something, you must be CLEAR in what your purpose is.  "Making money" is an acceptable answer, but understand that if your goal is to rake it in, be ready for a little backlash.

In our adventure, we found that the first was a solution to an internal real estate need.  A self-serving goal, but all the same a creative one that does provide a service to the companies that make their base camp there. 

Secondly, we found a group that was DERIVED to serve the entrepreneur.  Does it make a boatload of cash?  Likely not.  Does it serve a HUGE void?  ABSOLUTELY!! 

Lastly, we found a group that (appears) to be filling a need to fill unrented office space in a building they own, by making it a "center" for entrepreneurs, which creates positive PR and Marketing for the owners.  It is just a guess though since there is no way to contact them anyhow…

Be CLEAR in your goals, be DIRECT in your communications and be CONSISTENT in your delivery.  If you are NOT ABLE to meet those three directives, maybe you should examine WHY you are in business!

Cheers,
Zach

*To enjoy past editions of the Morning Motivator go to – http://grow-learn-lead.blogspot.com

The Morning Motivator is a copyrighted publication. The use of this article is open for print or publication with proper citations.

Morning Motivator - A Lesson Best Not Forgotten

"Remember, the brick walls are there for a reason: to give us a chance to show how badly we want something… the brick walls are there to stop the people that don't want it badly enough – the OTHER people." (summarized)
~ Dr. Randy Pausch, Carnegie Mellon University Professor & Disney Imagineer

Do you have brick walls in your life? Do you feel limited in your ability to achieve? What things are you "sure" you will never be able to accomplish? Think about what you can accomplish and HAVE accomplished in your life thus far… it is pretty amazing huh? Now think about what else you can do – if you firmly DECIDE you WILL accomplish it.

I have been reviewing a speaking series on YouTube and following a series of videos from Dr. Randy Pausch of Carnegie Mellon University. He presents a session on "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" through a series called Last Lecture. I will not into great detail as I would like you to take a moment and view the lecture itself (best link is at blip.tv - http://cmu.blip.tv/file/461472)

The critical ideas I pulled from this series were that YOU are capable of achieving anything you DECIDE you want – even when facing difficult times. YOU are capable to becoming as SUCCESSFUL as you DECIDE to become. YOU are able to turn the worst situations or "failures" into the GREATEST accomplishments, when you DECIDE to learn and apply your knowledge. YOU have an UNLIMITED ability to ACCOMPLISH minor and major feats, once YOU DECIDE to apply your skills.

YOU HAVE THE WORLD AT YOUR HANDS… JUST TAKE IT AND DON'T BE AFRAID OF HOW GREAT YOU CAN BECOME!

Cheers,
Zach

"Experience is what you get, when you didn't get what wanted."
- Dr. Randy Pausch, Carnegie Mellon Professor, Inspirational Leader