Tag Archive for performance

Getting Things Done!

Today’s guest post is written by a colleague of mine at the Professional Business Coaches Alliance. Jeff Kofsky is the President of Higher Vision Coaching, and in this insightful article, he provides some great advice on getting things done! Enjoy!

Eric Deschamps, Business Coach – Ottawa

Do you have trouble getting things done?  If so you are not alone. Getting things done is one of the most important things you need to be able to do. It is highly valued, even indispensable in the marketplace, in your own place of business or, for that matter, in your personal life. Yet it is the one thing that most people have trouble mastering. I know, because I’ve struggled with this, myself. I’ve made the mistakes and know how we sabotage ourselves. So I’ve studied the problems, discovered best practices, and am going to recommend solutions which I have worked for me and will work for you. So take note as we walk through the problems and explore solutions.

Let’s start with the problems. We’ll look at three of them. Take note which apply to you.

#1 You are disorganized. You don’t know where to begin. You’ve got so much stuff to do – phone messages and e-mails to answer, bills to pay, sales calls to make and so much more that you just don’t know where to begin. So you defer that important business plan to do something quick and easy like run errands and by the end of the day you’ve gotten nowhere with what you really needed to do, and then tomorrow comes and it’s the same thing all over again.

#2 You are overwhelmed. You avoid doing the things you have to do because the job is way too big. You put it off because you don’t know where to begin, or you don’t know how to do it and get stuck – it’s like you are sinking in quick sand and you miss your deadline.

#3 You are a procrastinator. You avoid doing the things you should or must do. You’ve gotten into the habit of doing everything but what you need to do. Instead of completing that business plan, you turn to the Internet to see if there is some software that can help you get things done better than what you’ve got, or you decide you better walk around the block again to get more exercise. Or you decide it’s time for an Ice Cream Sundae. Or worse of all, you think the problem will go away if you put it out of your mind – like an ostrich hiding its head in the sand.

Do you have any of these problems? Which ones? I’ve had all of them. Enough of these problems! You can do something about them Let’s talk about solutions. What do the experts do?

#1 Disorganization – The simplest solution (very low tech) is simply to make a list and cross things off as you do them. My wife  is a world class doer, does that and it works well for her. She also writes on post-it notes and puts them prominently in front of her and tosses them when she is done. But If you are looking for more professional advice you might consider the some suggestions from those widely recognized as masters.

Stephen Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, puts forth the idea that it all begins with what is most important to you. He recommends creating a mission statement, and identifying the most important things you need to do to realize that mission. Then just execute on those things.

David Allen wrote a book and created a system called: Getting Things Done, commonly known as GTD. It is quite popular right now. I highly recommend his approach to simplifying your to do’s by using a collection strategy that puts all your to do’s in one basket. If you can centralize all the things that you want or need to do, it will be much easier to take hold of the enormity of things that call for your attention.

If you find that you are doing little things just to get them out of the way, but never get to the really large and important things, I recommend a little book by Brian Tracey called Eat That Frog. The most powerful Idea I found there was simply this: When you’ve got so many things to do, Eat That Frog – take on the biggest, baddest, most arduous task first. You’ll discover as I discovered for myself – when you get that task done, you feel great. You are empowered and everything else is like a piece of cake.

#2 You are overwhelmed. For this problem, I recommend David Allen’s approach. It goes right to the point. We get overwhelmed when we’ve got a big project and don’t know where to begin. Allen suggests that we take our projects and break them into smaller pieces. See what sub tasks have to be done first and what can only be done afterwards. Then do the very next thing you can. This is project management 101. But what about those things that you don’t know how to do? Those are the kinds of things that once kept me stuck. But don’t lose hope. Just break those tasks too, into smaller pieces – like find out how to do it. Maybe the very first next action is to do some research on the web. If you practice this approach you’ll be amazed at what you can do – maybe even make a million dollars!

#3 Procrastination. Nike has a powerful solution to this problem – “Just do it.” For some of you this might work – It takes discipline and determination and the cultivation of the just do it habit, but it truly works wonders – procrastination vanishes. But if you are like me, that habit could use a little support. There are many ways to train yourself. Let me tell you what I’ve done. After organizing and prioritizing my tasks, and after breaking up my large projects into smaller chunks, I put that list of tasks right in front of me and go to it, one task after the other – crossing off each task as I go. Try it. Then reward yourself – do something you enjoy. Give yourself credit for your accomplishments and the can do person that you are. Let me tell you when you get things done that way it feels like a million dollars.

If you’ve struggled with disorganization, overwhelm or procrastination, there is hope, a way out of despair. Just follow these simple practices that can take your game to a higher level. I hope you’ve identified those that you’d like to try. What are they?

#1 For disorganization – Know what is most important, simplify your system and do the hardest things first.

#2  For Overwhelm – Break things into the  smallest pieces and start on what you need to do next.

#3  For Procrastination – Just do it – and find a way to make it happen.

But, having said all this, there is an ultimate solution to getting things done: Your Word!

When you say you are going to do something – do it – no matter what. When you do this you become unshakable, a force of nature. Not many people these days hold themselves to this standard. So set yourself apart – Become a Force of Nature!

We are all very busy people today, but, and without procrastinating, take the time to learn about the best practices of getting things done and you will become a much more effective person. If you do this, the whole course of your life will change and you will be the kind of person that everyone wants – including you!

Jeff Kofsky, President of Higher Vision Coaching

What to Look For in a Business Coach!

 

People often ask me, “What should I look for in a business coach?” It’s a great question, and in a world filled with people jumping on to the “coaching” bandwagon, finding a credible and capable coach is becoming more and more challenging. Here are a few areas to look into when considering hiring a coach:

Ask about their TRACK RECORD! What have they accomplished? Have they ever led a successful business of their own? Do they have significant leadership experience? Do they have the scars and the successes that can greatly benefit you and your business?

Inquire about their TRAINING! Is the individual you are considering certified? Do they belong to a credible coaching organization? Remember: just because someone has been in business, it doesn’t mean that they are capable of coaching someone else to do the same!

Ask about their TOOLKIT! What resources, tools, etc. do they have at their disposal to help you play your “A” game? Coaching should help you DO better (get better results), not just FEEL better! What do they have in their coaching arsenal? What process/system do they use to improve the performance of a business/individual that they coach?

Look for TRUST! This is more of a subjective issue, and I understand that trust is built over time. But when you meet them for the first time, do you feel this is the kind of person you could trust? Remember that the chemistry and rapport you feel with your coach is an important element to the success of the coaching relationship.

For more information on what to look for in a business coach and advisor, check out the following video:

 

To your ultimate success!

Eric Deschamps, Business Coach – Ottawa

Are You Failing Forward?


Have you ever made serious mistakes in your life and business that cost you dearly? Have those mistakes ever left you feeling defeated and discouraged? Consider the following insurance claim filed by an injured bricklayer.

“Dear Sir,

I am writing in response to your request for additional information. In block number three of the accident reporting form, I put “poor planning” as the cause of my accident. You said in your letter that I should explain more fully, and I trust that the following details will be sufficient.

I am a bricklayer by trade. On the day of the accident, I was working alone on the roof of a six-story building. When I completed my work, I discovered that I had about 500 pounds of brick left over. Rather than carry the bricks down by hand, I decided to lower them down in a barrel by using a pulley, which, fortunately, was attached to the side of the building at the sixth floor. Securing the rope at ground level, I went up the roof, swung the barrel out and loaded the bricks into it. Then I went back to the ground and untied the rope, holding it tightly to insure a slow descent of the 500 pounds of brick.

You will note in block number eleven of the accident reporting form that I weigh 175 pounds. Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to say, I proceeded upward at a rather rapid rate up the side of the building. In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel coming down. This explains the fractured skull and broken collarbone.

Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers of my right hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley. Fortunately, by this time I regained my presence of mind and was able to hold tightly to the rope in spite of my pain.

At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of bricks hit the ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Without the weight of the bricks, the barrel now weighed approximately 50 pounds. I refer you again to my weight of 175 pounds in block number eleven. As you might imagine, I began a rapid descent down the side of the building.

In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel coming up. This accounts for the two fractured ankles and the lacerations on my legs and lower body. The encounter with the barrel slowed me enough to lessen my injuries when I fell onto the piles of brick, and fortunately, only three vertebrae were cracked.

I am sorry to report, however, that as I lay there on the pile of bricks, in pain, unable to stand, and watching the barrel six stories above me, I again lost the presence of mind AND I LET GO OF THE ROPE!”

The only true failure is the failure to learn from your mistakes! Like the bricklayer in our story, many people keep making mistakes over and over again because they fail to learn from their errors and adapt accordingly. This holds them back from reaching their full potential.

Successful people know that the pathway to success is often littered with failures and setbacks. But unlike the average person who gives up prematurely, successful people know how to turn adversities into advantages, problems into potential, and failures into feedback. This is called failing forward.

Too many people allow failure to DEFINE them rather than REFINE them. Failure is a moment in time, not a state of being. It is an opportunity to learn and grow and try again. It is a teacher and mentor, if we accept its help. It’s one thing to say, “I failed” and another thing altogether to say, “I am a failure.”

Many people have tried and failed. The only difference between losers and winners is that losers stop trying. They give in to defeat, and accept a passing setback to define them as a person. Successful people don’t allow their HISTORY to keep them from fulfilling their DESTINY.

The lessons that you learn from failure must not be forgotten or dismissed. The experience you gain will be invaluable to you in the future. That’s why failure should not be feared. It can play a crucial role in your success story, if embraced in the right spirit.

Remember, the worst failure is failure to try. Don’t let yesterday’s FAILURE bankrupt tomorrow’s EFFORTS. Theodore Roosevelt praised the man who…

“…if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly!”

Consider your latest setback. What important lessons can you draw from it that can help you do better next time? You won’t get it right every time, but “failing forward” can help you get maximum traction out of every failure in your personal and professional life.

 

Eric Deschamps, Business Coach – Ottawa

Why Business Coaching?

 

So why become a Business Coach? Great question. The simple answer? Helping others succeed has always been my passion. There is no greater feeling in the world than coming alongside someone and empowering them to achieve their goals and dreams.

A day well-lived is a day spent investing in others.

Although I always find it awkward to write about myself, the purpose of this post is to give readers a snapshot into what led me to become a Licensed Professional Business Coach and to launch my own practice – BreakthroughCoach.

Those who know me best will most likely view this new direction as a very natural “next step” in my life story. Motivating people to rise above mediocrity and to live to their full potential has been my life message for as long as I can remember! For over 20 years, I have invested time, energy, and experience into helping others find and fulfill their life’s purpose. What a privilege!

Another passion of mine is business! It has been a part of my life in one way or another since childhood. My parents owned their own business, and my dad was a very sharp businessman. I have deep admiration for owners of small to medium-size businesses. Being an entrepreneur myself, I empathize with both the joys and the struggles that they face on a daily basis.

Most people go into business for themselves because they dream of greater freedom, higher revenues, more time with family, etc. But statistics and reality bear out a very different story. Most owners feel trapped in the business they created. They work longer hours and often earn less income than when they had a job. Many are hard-pressed to take time off for fear that the business may fall off the rails without them at the helm.

Although they are highly skilled in their area of expertise, they often lack training and experience in one or more of the basic business fundamentals required to run a successful enterprise. As a result, they feel stuck. They aren’t getting the traction they had hoped for. They need a breakthrough.

Business Coaching allows me to help business owners see through the fog of day-to-day demands. Gaining clarity about the “next step” is worth its weight in gold. With proven systems and strategies, I can coach an owner to be more personally effective and to run a more profitable and meaningful business. Behind that business is a dream. My goal is to help owners get there, wherever “there” happens to be.

I am grateful that my life’s journey has contributed over two decades of leadership experience that can greatly benefit the owners I serve. But no one has all the answers! That’s why I am proud to be aligned and licensed with the Professional Business Coaches Alliance with over 100 coaches in the US and Canada. They provide a vast arsenal of tools, strategies, and systems all designed to help owners perform at their best. (For more on the PBCA, visit www.pbca.biz.)

Let me put it this way. Every professional athlete understands the value of a coach to help him/her play at the top of their game. It’s no different in the world of business. For the client, business coaching is about peak performance, personal satisfaction, getting the right results, and dreams fulfilled. For me, it’s about the privilege of participating in that process in a meaningful way.

UPDATE (Nov. 22, 2011): This recent interview with Carlo Lombard of The Shotgun Show provides more insight into my passion for coaching. 

 

 

Eric R. Deschamps – Business Coach, Ottawa