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Don’t give up

well the last 3 day ANZAC weekend provided my wife and son an opportunity to test out our determination skills – did I say a restful weekend was planned?? well we left on time with our Camper trailer in tow – stopped up the road an hour or so for our favourite hamburgers for the evening meal so we wouldn’t be hungry as we set up at our Beach side caravan park (expected to be set up with a cuppa around 10pm at the latest). Roll back down the highway an hour or so; a deflating tire shredded when we reached some major road works (picture on Facebook), some laughing and discussion about the adventures of a blow out at 80km’s per hour, Garry’s great ability to keep our car and trailer on our side of the road and my wife’s ability to see the only pull off place in miles – then the spare that I pumped up 6 days before the trip was put on and the jack was let down – and so the only spare we had let down as well. Car spare didn’t fit – very dark and lonely and so called road service, less fun waiting there, fog rolling in. Service guy got some air to hold in the spare and we decided to head into the next town and re-asses the situation. so next the car wouldn’t start – park lights and hazard lights must have drained battery – frantic call to service guy as he was leaving – then started, into town, add more air – decision to go for next stop – next roadhouse, spare holding pretty well – more air and then just go for it – set up but decided against cuppa around 1am and that is only Friday night (more adventure Saturday morning and Sunday – for another day)
Note – we have done 1,000′s of km’s with this set-up and never an issue!!

Why tell you that story? it relates to the tip of the week – stay tuned.
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Weekly tip: don’t give up – When times get tough we sometimes stop or pull out of that project early. 
On Friday night at 1 stage it was suggested we stay on the highway and sort it out on Saturday morning. While that was good advise, because we persevered to our final destination, my wife and son could start their break while I was chasing new tires etc.  I know there have been times in my coaching business when I have stopped just before I had a victory (love hindsight). 

What about you? 

have you ever stopped, or diverted down an easier path; how do you know that a win was not just around the corner? I am not talking about a review and a good decision to stop progress before you lose money or face another risk – I am talking about those times when you whimped out when things looked tough.

Next time the road ahead looks tough; keep the end goal in mind, then work out what the very next step is and just take it, then take another – don’t stop until you are sure it is over. Then you will know you have given it your best – no matter the result – your best is good enough.

Garry

Cooliris Video Wall

give 2010 a chance – Quarter 1 review

we now have 25% of 2010 gone – is that scary or good?
If you have completed your new year resolutions then it is likely good; more likely there will be some of you that are not giving 2010 a chance.
How far are you along with achieving your goals for 2010? 25% worth done?
If you are a member of untapped leaders you would have been taken to a page with a FREE downloadable PDF; remember it? Did you downloaded the file, review last year, planned this year etc etc No – don’t worry, do it today, just change reviewing the end of 2009 to reviewing the end of Quarter 1, 2010.
Remember I said do all the steps, don’t skip steps in the process.
if you are a member and lost the page, email mailto:admin@untappedleadership.com and I will get it to you.

Give 2010 a chance, it’s up to you – I can’t be any stronger than that. Need a hand, let me know.

not a member yet join now untapped leaders , get the 4 steps to give 2010 a chance and weekly tips.
Garry.

3 easy steps to start the get into action challenge 2010

OK, so I wasn’t all that clear on the steps

so I have corrected it tonight. here you go 3 steps.

Step 1: send email to getintoaction2010challenge@untappedleadership.com .
Step 2: check your inbox (email will give you the webpage link)…
Step 3: download and print the PDF file, grab a pen and start…
and also get access to my untapped leaders list (privacy protected and you need to confirm)

 Garry

PS - because of an error I made in the video, the 1 lucky action taker will get 3x45min sessions, not 2 http://www.untappedleadership.com/gia2010home.htm

get into action challenge 2010 is open

The big news for April is the opening of the 2010 Get into action challenge – 50 tasks to complete to get you moving.

here are some questions for you
have you ever been stuck?
ever got bored?
ever been frustrated by your job?
have you ever been just plain angry about what’s happening in your workplace?

sure you have and many of us have been stuck at 1 time or another – so what?
well,being stuck, bored frustrated or angry robes you of your enjoyment and creativity that’s what

So getting into action is a way to get you moving, get you taking some action, maybe even just taking the first step to work out what’s wrong and then to start changing where you are at.

I have a special for action takers: get 45 or more tasks completed by the 29th of June and I will put your name into a draw for 1 months FREE coaching (Value above $260) – keep reading.
..
There are 50 tasks – 7 sections containing 7 tasks (first task is to commit to complete the items)
sections include: health, office/work environment, time, productivity, mindset, work/life balance and 1 section for you to nominate your own tasks.
> Simply email getintoactionchallenge2010@untappedleadership.comand you will be automatically sent a web-link to get the PDF download.
> book mark the Home page of the challenge http://www.untappedleadership.com/gia2010home.htm - video’s being added soon.
– why not allow me to put your first name and city on the home page and send a message out that you are serious.
..
better still – join up with a friend or a few friends and hold each other accountable.

take some action now email getintoactionchallenge2010@untappedleadership.com today.

Garry

unstuckness

Is there such a word? English was not my best subject!

If there is then I am sure it is a great word – my version

un = undoing,

stuck = unable to move

ness = necessary to take action

So it works out that “you need to take action to get unstuck” – isn’t that correct?

Absolutely it is correct – nothing changes without you taking action.

So what’s needed first?

If you know you are stuck then celebrate – yes really

Yes pat your self on the back because knowing you are stuck is what’s needed first.

Own it, don’t judge it or yourself – I was good at that, got me no-where.

Being stuck is just being stuck – full stop.

It can show up or hide in many forms:

Overwhelm

Procrastination

Lack of confidence

That foggy unclear head

And many others

So get prepared for unstuckness by checking if you are stuck

Stay tuned – more on the way.

Garry.

　

Success starts from within

I thought about this post this morning while at my local gym that I attend 3 times a week – consistently now
Note, that is part of my definition of success and 1 of my core values is living a healthy lifestyle.

Not long back, as I entered my mid 40′s, I was carrying slightly more weight than I was comfortable with and unfit; added to this was a family history of heart disease – getting the picture?

So what has changed? – I still find it hard to get up sometimes at 6:30am, however my shape has changed and I feel a whole lot fitter. 

So how do it happen? I tapped into a way that would help me guide, direct and influence my behaviour and it was not the normal motivators (want to look good, feel fit, family history, belief system etc) .
It was numbers, or locking myself into 12 months of automatic payments with no back out clause.
Thinking back to the hard times, the middle of winter, snuggled up warm in my bed, what came into my head?
I am sure healthy heart etc was there – however in my mind I remember calculating the times I had been to the gym in the last 2 weeks and the fortnightly payment (my last visit cost me $33, not the $5.50 that it cost with 6 visits).

For me, watching the numbers on a weekly basis worked. Good leadership means I still watch the numbers and colour code a calendar on the office wall.

Recognise also that we are all different. I have a friend that is driven to exercise from a family experience, that’s what personal and drives him internally.

Over the long term, no one is going to successfully make you get done what you need to do; success starts from within. You need to find within yourself, a leader that finds your own way to guide, direct and influence your behaviour.

Coaching will help you uncover what it is inside you, that you can use to better lead yourself and keep yourself accountable.

Just like your body, if your team or business is not in good shape, a faster laptop won’t do the trick; you will likely just dig yourself into a hole quicker (that’s a post for another day).

Review what you doing today – is your main driver internal or external?

Garry…

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Setting yourself up for success

Last Sunday my wife and I were taking our dog for a walk along a dog beach just 10mins south of where we live. It was a great afternoon to walk the dog as it was cool, the tide was low and there wasn’t a lot of people about.
As we walked along I noticed some people that really stood out from the usual walkers. They were clearly not “dog people” and even though the dogs were small and pretty much under control, were clearly not enjoying the attention.

Given the beach was cool and quiet, mainly small dogs – it got me thinking about setting yourself up for success.
I have no problem if you don’t like dogs, but going for a walk on a dog walking beach is setting yourself up for a frustrating afternoon.
The likelihood of success had been lowered.

How does that story relate to us?  We as managers and leaders need to set ourselves up for success. How?
There have been a number of programs around lately that offer help,

• get your Business structure secure
  Insurances in place and all tax returns in
  Processes written down and automated where ever possible
• help you get your support team in place
  Positive supporters, all admin tasks done, books up to date.

All this is good and required, however success starts well before the business structure or team formation.

untapped leadership will this year continue to explore the vast untapped leadership potential that you have inside you.

Here are some points to consider:

1. Make 2010 the year to do the work on yourself and the team.
2. Work towards goals that are aligned with your ultimate dream.
3. Know what your Core values are.
4. Ensure your journey is in step with those core values

Success begins from within you – its time to untap that alignment – stay tuned more to come.

Garry

leaders – your direct reports are right

as a leader or manager you may actually be a good communicator or great delegator. You may be doing all the right steps:

Communicating early

Using simple, easy to understand language

Checking in to see that everyone is on the same page

Being fair and authentic

So what is wrong when the people you lead don’t see it that way.

Have you ever heard or said? – They say I don’t give them what they need to know when I have kept them informed every step of the way, I can’t do anymore.

Bottom line – their perception out ranks your process.

How is that so????

As a leader it is your job to lead and take your team with you, inspire them. If your team perceives you differently to the way you believe you have been behaving then there is a disconnect.

And note – as a leader it is your problem, not theirs.

What do I do??

You have to find a way to connect with your team in a way that matches their needs: review the how, the where and the why

Maybe they want face to face communication, maybe if they are busy a letter may be better to allow them to absorb the info and then come back with questions?

Maybe they want to hear the Company strategy for the next 5 years or they just want to know if they will have a job after Christmas?

Are their needs development or survival?

Are they fearful or happy?

There is no process or book or guide that can give you all the answers – you need to work at reaching what ever the need is at this time, their need , not yours.