Filtering Out

So much of our time and effort in business is put into fulfilling our Mission and Vision, in light of and in keeping with our values.

In order to maintain the integrity of all our business activities, we tend to focus on the core values that we hold. This focus is essential in helping us do the right things, in the right way.

Conversely, our values perform another equally important and helpful function.

Having a clear set of values gives us a wonderful filter for knowing what we will NOT do.

Knowing what not to do is just as critical as affirming what we will do.

In fact, being able to filter out the 99% of what we must not do and then to focus on the 1% that we must is essential for succeeding in business.

This 1% is the difference that gives us the edge that we need to increase our probability of success. I often reflect on stories of the athletes whose margin of victory could be measured in 100ths of a second.

What do you need to filter out of your life or your business to make that crucial difference?

There Are No Guarantees of Success

In business, there are no guarantees of success. There are, however, certain things that we can do that will greatly improve our odds of succeeding.

In this regard, the one essential activity for which we must set aside sufficient time and effort is thinking critically through all the issues that we face.

When we think deeply about what we are doing, we indeed increase our probability of succeeding.

Using our common sense, acting wisely, and paying attention to good advice, combined with astute strategic planning and timely execution, will stand us in good stead as we build and grow our business.

In his recent book, The Halo Effect, Phil Rosenzweig says that there is not a given formula to follow that will always deliver success in business. However, he does say that it is very important to gather information, evaluate it thoughtfully and make decisions that will provide us with the best chance of succeeding.

Improve the odds of succeeding in business by developing and improving your critical thinking capability.

If you want to explore more of what Rosenzweig has to say on the subject, visit The Halo Effect.

The Well-Ordered and Disciplined Mind

Several people in the last few weeks have asked me to help them with their time management skills.

The inability to manage the hours in the day is a symptom.

The true cause of wasted time, or not having enough time, is not having a well-ordered or disciplined mind. Having a disciplined mind requires effort and the development of productive habits. It also involves getting rid of unproductive habits.

We all have exactly the same number of hours in the day.

How is it, then, that some people seemingly produce outstanding results, while others never seem to have enough time to achieve even the simplest of tasks?

Managing multiple projects, relationships and activities is only achievable when we anchor it to our 'willing one thing.' This 'willing one thing' is the purpose behind our being in business. It is the 'self-organizing principle' we adopt that will intensify and sharpen our focus on only those things that are essential for our success.

Transforming the way we invest our time can only happen when we ensure that all of it is spent doing something that furthers our own sense of Mission and Vision.

A well-ordered day in our business comes about because our minds and activities are organized around furthering our business’s Mission, Vision and Strategic Objectives.