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Ideas to Improve Your Performance

  • Determine what decisions you need to make in order to achieve your objectives for [insert your timeframe here]. Write those decisions down. Most people are walking around with a dozen or more key decisions floating around in their head. Even writing them down creates speed and focus in making them.

  • Don't let email become your job. Of course you need to make time to read and respond to messages, so do that. But also protect time in your schedule and make choices to do actual work (planning, creating, completing, doing, etc.)   

 

 

Reflections

The Confidence To Choose

Last month I chose not to submit a proposal for an engagement to a prospective client. I wanted to work with them, but the senior leader who was to make a decision, delegated that decision to a committee. Now, I'm a proponent of involving others and getting "buy in" on objectives and goals, but at the end of the day, a leader has to make decisions. A committee rarely does. In this case, the committee frequently contradicted one another regarding the business needs, as they evaluated arbitrary alternatives with no clear criteria. After a few meetings I recognized that this initiative was doomed and moved on. Sometimes, you have to trust yourself and your areas of expertise, and make your choice.

Some of my clients struggle with this, frequently doubting and second-guessing their decisions from staffing, to strategy and everything in between. We all have doubts and that is part of being human. But instead of looking for support from others (who ironically may have less expertise and who also have doubts,) leaders need confidence in their expertise. Not that you shouldn't take in the point of view or perspective of others, but you have to use your own judgment and make a call. Focus on the outcomes you want and objectives you want to achieve. Get clear on what success looks like and how you would see it manifest. Weigh your musts and wants in contrast with the associated risks. Then have the confidence to choose. Few decisions with any impact are risk free.

 

 

A Slice of Life Balance           

  • It's totally fine to take a little time to goof off and be unproductive. I'm giving you permission to be unproductive (not that you need it). Too many people I work with are overscheduled and that limits strategic thinking and creativity.   
  • Take 15-20 minutes to look back at February. Look at your calendar for the month and ask yourself if you prioritized time the way you intended? This month gives you another 30 days to continue what worked and change what didn't. But it won't happen automatically.