A Lesson From the Olympics

I've enjoyed watching the Beijing Olympics over the past week or so. Of course, the story of the week has been the exceptional performance of U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps. It has been fun to watch him perform and the poise and dedication he has brought to his performances. There were a couple of close calls but he still managed to win an unprecedented eight gold medals.

What got me thinking though was an interview I saw with Phelps. He was being interviewed by Matt Lauer from the Today Show. There was one question Matt asked that I want to focus on for a minute.

Matt asked Michael if he really believed, before the games started, that he had a chance to win eight gold medals. Matt was basically saying that he didn't understand how Michael could really have thought he had a chance to win all eight events he was participating in. Michael was very gracious and politically correct in his answer by saying that he just had to come to the games and take each event one at a time and couldn't focus on winning them all. He felt he could do it but had to just deal with each one as it came.

What Michael didn't specifically say, but did imply, is that he HAD to absolutely believe he could win all eight or he had no chance of doing it. As soon as he would let himself start to doubt his ability to do it, he would be doomed. There is no way he could let it enter his mind that it was even remotely not possible.

The mind is an incredibly complex and infinite machine. Its potential to create and invent is unlimited. For Michael to accomplish what he did, he had to believe with all his heart that he would do it. What the mind can conceive it can achieve.

We can take a real lesson from Michael. We too can accomplish great things in our business and our life if we believe it without reservation. Don't let anyone tell you what you desire is not possible. People will question your ability and beliefs --just like Matt did with Michael -- but don't let that stop you. Michael refused to listen to those who doubted him and so can you.

Determine what your dreams and goals are and then go for them with everything you've got. Believe with all your heart that you will achieve it and don't listen to the naysayers. When you do this and achieve your goals there will be a sense of worth, happiness and contentment.

Congratulations Michael and thank you for the inspiration.

by Dennis Kelley
Author of Achieving Unlimited Success

Leadership – Who’s Driving Your Business?

In recent blog entries my partner, Dennis Kelley has explored the importance of leadership and mentoring. Perhaps the best first question to ask is: "Who’s driving this business?”

When business performance needs to be improved, it is wise to start the improvement process by first exploring the source of the business leadership. From our coaching experience we have found many instances, when a business is not performing, the leadership direction is unclear and is not understood by the team.

Leadership is about painting a current picture of the future in the form of a vision. Ask yourself, “Where do I see this business in 100 years?” Shape the company’s vision on the answer to the question. The common thread in all great leadership stories is the ability to create a vision and then to share the vision with the team, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders. Leadership is a powerful creative tool. When embraced by business owners, a clear vision has an immense impact on the success of the business.

Corporate managers have been guided by this leadership concept for some time. Many of tomorrow’s leaders embrace this philosophy:

“Every executive, every manager, to fulfill their role, must have a vision – a vision of where the organization will be and what it will look like in the future.

They must create that vision and then share it with those reporting to them, if they are to gain a high level of employee involvement and commitment and attain a high level of productivity.”

So it is in businesses of all sizes. To succeed, the owner must paint the picture and be willing to share that vision with the team. It is from this beginning that so many success stories have evolved. And, unfortunately, it is in the absence of vision that so many businesses have failed.

Who is driving your business?

Many business owners are challenged when their future direction becomes unclear because of rapid technological changes occurring in the market. Furthermore, excellence in the level of service demanded by the customer increases as you meet yesterday’s level of expectations. The need to continue to deliver better products or services challenges the vision of leaders and the team’s mission. The unfortunate result is low morale, absenteeism and resignations, which are signs that leadership has become overwhelmed and needs to be revamped.

Increasingly, we are encountering business owners who seek help to refocus and to reignite their vision for success. With a little help many business owners are able to regain that leadership so vital to their success.

Dennis and I work everyday with clients on vision, leadership and strategy for their businesses. We’d be happy to meet and talk with you about where your business going and how to create a successful pathway.

Your Coach says -- Take A Vacation!

I spent last week with my family on Hilton Head Island. It was hot but wonderful. Vacations are such a wonderful thing. It is a chance to step back and reflect on where you are going with your life, and your business. To take some time and think back on what you have accomplished in the last year and what you need to work on.

My wife and I spent several evenings taking a long walk on the beach. The evenings were beautiful. The ocean was calm, the sand smooth and the breeze wonderful. It was very relaxing and helped me open my mind and remove all the clutter that gets in the way during our day-to-day work world. I recommend it for everyone!

As a coach, one of the things my partner, Ralph Berge, and I always recommend for our clients is to take some time off and get away from the hustle and bustle of your daily existence. Without doing this it is so easy to burn out or to lose touch with what is really important. Even if you can't get to the beach or travel someplace exotic, it is still critical to get away. Take at least a week where you do not show up at the office and don't attend to the day-to-day business. Clear your mind and re-focus on what you want and what you need to do to get it.

If you are saying, "Boy, I would love to do that but there is no way I can leave my business. If I did that my business would fall apart," then you need to make some changes to your business. Give us a call and let's talk about what is holding you back and how we can help. Vacations are as essential to the success of your business as anything else is.

As your coach I'm giving you the assignment of taking a vacation sometime before the end of the year -- you'll be glad you did.

by Dennis Kelley
Author of Achieving Unlimited Success