The End of Year Sorting… Through Your Mind

It's that time of year when many people decide to sort through files, desk drawers and office shelves getting ready for the new year. The annual office cleansing ritual is a way to prepare for a fresh beginning. But are we clearing out the right things to truly prepare for a fresh start?

I believe the files and desk clutter are not the most important cleansing needed to start a new year with a fresh start. Take one day for your physical clutter removal and spend the rest of a week removing the mental clutter because this is where the greatest obstacles exist for starting anew.

Remove the mental pain

"Sticks and stones can break my bones but words will never hurt me" may have been true in simpler times, but in today's world words cause much greater lasting damage. Remember the crushing remarks your boss make in the heat of emotionally-fueled conversation? Of course you do. How about the argument with a fellow executive where snide comments were made that still hurt? And that hundredth phone call that never got returned from a prospect? That was the day the phone became too heavy to pick up again.

This is the clutter that is a much greater obstacle to a fresh start than old files will ever be. Take the time to cleanse these memories if you truly want to make a fresh start on the coming year. To renew your vigor for the job and refresh the excitement for coming to work this is the right time to wipe this mental pain from your memory. If only it was as easy as washing a blackboard.

Cleaning office clutter is mindless work. Cleaning your mental clutter is intense work, and the payoff is well worth the effort. What are the memories you need to get beyond? What are the words that were said in the heat of the moment that have been given much greater credibility than they ever should have been given? What is still a thorn in your brain that triggers unwanted emotions? By working to clear this clutter you will return to the excitement you once had for your work.

Ask yourself 4 deep questions

When I do my annual end of year mental check list I find it best to ask myself questions to gain clarity to see if I am ready to take on a new year totally stoked and ready to hit it..

1. Do I still love what I do as much as when I started this business? If not, why not? And what am I going to do to restore that? Side bar: I hear so many executives tired this year, fed up with the negatives, concerned with the rapid changes that are happening, this may be the most important question you could ask yourself to prepare to be successful in the coming year.

2. Do I have the energy required to create a successful year? If not, what habits do I need to adjust in order to have that energy? (I'm not talking resolutions, I'm talking behavioral shifts!)

3. Where is my excitement level for the work I see coming in the new year? Base this on a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 meaning I'd rather be anywhere else but here to 10 meaning my work is more enjoyable than vacation.

4. What areas within me are holding me back from delivering the ultimate performance in the coming year? What do I plan on doing about that?

I take the week between Christmas and New Year's Day to work on my mental de-cluttering and strengthening. It's the perfect time of year to cleanse, refocus, and clear the air in preparation for a running start to another great opportunity.

Life Sucks!!!

Only two more days to the weekend, then I can forget about this place for a couple of days.

I can't wait until this economy turns around; I'm running out of money.

My life sucks right now, and I don't care who knows I feel this way.

Would you believe I've heard these exact phrases from executives in the presence of their employees? I feel so motivated.

As a leader your words will inspire people. These three phrases inspire people to feel the same way you do which gives them the opportunity to adopt this attitude toward their work. Is that really what you had planned on when saying such things?

Before any one gets all high and mighty about never uttering those words, what are your actions saying?

I've seen far more executives express these same sentiments through their body language and actions. What messages are you sending?

1. Take advantage of the opportunity to inspire

Sitting on a flight I struck a conversation with the person sitting next to me. At the end of the short flight we realized we had talked the entire time. As we waited in the jet way for our gate-checked bags to arrive she gave me a hug and told me I had brightened her gloomy day. I didn't do anything special I just made the effort to be positive and upbeat. Use those opportunities to inspire.

2. Sometimes life does suck

We all have bad days. We all have days we want to forget, crawl back in bed, or otherwise hide from. As a leader you lose that option. As a leader you get far greater privileges but you also have to give up some things. Publicly whining about your sorry day is one privilege you lose. Get over it and find the good stuff to focus on.

3. Be aware

Stress, a challenging work climate and personal distractions can all drive a leader to slump, snap at people, and be an ogre to be around. Be aware of your ogre indicators. Tirades, facial expressions and comments like I listed at the beginning can all cost long term respect and trust. Be in tuned to your behaviors before others tune in to the tone you are setting for them to follow.

Going the Extra Mile -- Actually 120 Extra Miles

This week's posts will be about going the extra mile in four different aspects of the business to generate, encourage and facilitate growth.

Actually, this was more like an extra 120 miles.

I landed at the Nashville airport once again on my way to serving a client in Bowling Green, KY. I like the Nashville airport because it is clean, bright and frequently has live music playing at a small stage just outside of security check in.

I'm on my way to the Avis lot to get my rental car and I stop by the window in the garage since I didn't see my name on the preferred marquis. They informed me they were out of my class of vehicle and were giving me an upgrade. Great. Only one problem, I was unable to locate my driver’s license. In fact, I left it at home and didn't realize it because I use a passport for security check.

They tell me it is a state law and they can not give me a rental car without an actual license, a faxed copy wouldn't be acceptable. Sure, I fully understood but what was I going to do? I needed to get to Bowling Green in Kentucky.

The manager told me there was a shuttle that made a run there and maybe I should also check with a taxi. As I walked away he told me if those don't work out come back and let me know.

No one was working the shuttle desk -- anywhere. I asked a taxi driver the cost for a one way to Bowling Green and he rolled his eyes and told me it was going to be around $130, That wasn't going to work either.

I walked back to the Avis manager and shared with him what I found out. He put his finger in the air and told me he'd be right back. Within 3 minutes a gentleman walked up to me and asked if I was Mr. White. I replied yes and he smiled extended his hand to shake mine and said, "My name is Leonard and I am here to drive you to Bowling Green." At that point the manager walked up and asked if this would solve my problem. Stunned I only asked one question: How much? The manager smiled and said, "Just keep on using Avis." I thanked him a hundred times and off we went, Leonard and I.

I got to know Leonard as we had wonderful conversations. He knew he'd be getting home late as a result of this trip but he said he was more than happy to help me out.
Years later, I still use Avis exclusively for my rental cars. I will never forget the extra mile they went to overwhelmingly satisfy this customer, who is now a customer for life.

What extra miles should you be taking to get customers for life? The little extra effort will pay huge dividends for your organization.

Now is the Time for a Rally Call

I am excited to be part of a great new project. This project even has a 30 city barnstorming tour to rally the troops and spread the word on new information and exciting changes on the way. People are actually paying to attend this rally as well! Why?

They believe and are excited about the future prospects and are eager to hear straight from the people at the top what the vision is for the near future.

When was the last time you had a rally call for your employees? Today all I hear from executives is grumbling and mumblings about the economy, how work is a drag and how they are waiting and hoping for the economy to turn around. Wow, I'm so inspired by such attitudes! NOT!

This summer is the perfect time to have a rally call.

Why not plan an event for the end of July where you stop operations and call all your staff together for a day of inspiration, communication and invigoration. Have a motivational speaker kick off the day with a passionate energy building keynote. Have the CEO follow with a program on the exciting future and how everyone has a role in making a difference.

Do a fantastic lunch -- picnic style. Hamburgers, hot dogs, watermelon, cookies, have tent outside have some music playing. Create a fun atmosphere.

Follow lunch with a Q and A session where employees write down questions on cards and are given to the CEO to answer on the spot. No previews or yanking a "bad" question. Close the day with another motivational moment; either a speaker, a movie, slide show, something to get them excited about what is going on in the organization.
Right now everyone is looking at the gloom and doom and it is choking off any hopes of powering into the new economy with any gusto. The worst thing upper management can do is see the turning around economy and relax saying, "finally" and hoping the rising tide will life all boats including theirs.

This isn't getting stoked! This isn't having a vision! This isn't inspiring! This isn't even leadership. If you want to lead your company that means in attitude and actions more than anything else. Create the Rally Day and inspire your people to get ready for a great opportunity to make a difference in the industry you operate in.

Don't you dare talk about the cost of the day.

If you aren't willing to invest in your staff; close the doors now, because you have already quit -- you just haven't left yet.

Added note: If you think my program "Get Over the Obstacle when the Obstacle is You"
would fit your motivational slot and you mention this blog posting I will give you an insanely reduced price: 75% off my keynote fee! But that fee is only good for a rally day prior to Labor day.