I heard someone say recently that Humpty Dumpty isn’t going to go back together the same way. COVID continues to change the field of play. We can’t live on autopilot like we used to.
I had my routines for Monday going to the coffee shop to work on marketing; the Tuesday meetings, going in and seeing how the team was doing, having quick conversations with people, etc.
I prefer to be proactive rather than reactive; but the rules of the game all changed and we all are continually having to react to the situation as it unfolds. First we react to the uncertainty, then react to the shutdown, then react to the new norms, then react to a re-opening for phase 1, then we will react to phase 2, 3, etc.
This is a big part of why we wanted to do this webinar series; to help people however we can as we move forward together.
Adapting is a mindset, then a skill set
Creating the Personal Growth Plan
I was first introduced to the idea of a personal growth plan several years ago; and it made complete sense to me. If you want to get better, you have to be intentional and the best way to be intentional is to have a plan!
When this idea was really first introduced to me several years ago, one of the areas I wanted to work on is not being so shy and introverted. I was the guy who would keep his headphones in, go to the counter at the coffee shop, try not to make eye contact and get the coffee and sit down. Human interaction was an unfortunate necessity → I wish Starbucks had online ordering back then!
I was challenged to go and make 1 new friend a day, regardless of who they were. The goal was to introduce myself and get to know their name (even if it was a name tag they were wearing). I can’t tell you how many times I would shake. I was so nervous going and saying “hi to someone… And for those that don’t believe all of this, you can ask my wife sometime!
Adapting is a mindset, then a skill set → let’s start there!
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
There is a book called ‘Mindset’ by Dr Carol Dweck. The thesis of the book is about having a growth vs a fixed mindset. A fixed mindset says nothing changes (IQ test says how smart you are and it doesn’t change). A growth mindset says that we can all learn and grow and change… yes, you can teach old dogs new tricks!
I think the growth mindset is essential; we are able to get better and better. Knowledge about a growth mindset is different from a focus on it. Just because I know ‘about’ dolphins doesn’t mean I know dolphins… I’m not focused on it!
I would encourage us to have a growth focus over a goal focus. I’ll explain. Yes, we need to have goals, I think they are very important! I like setting goals and being strategic about it → I’m kind of a nerd that way. BUT I think that if we are growth focused over goal focused, the goal is going to happen. If we are goal focused over growth focused, we may hit the goal, but we probably didn’t get better in the process!
You have to know yourself to grow yourself
Questions:
- What are your growth goals?
- What training would you like to attend (virtually, in person)?
- What training could you teach to others?
- What new skill(s) would you like to acquire?
Resource: 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth – John C Maxwell
Creating the Inner Circle
Probably the most profound idea that I have now heard repeated in many different ways and from different people is this: The person we will be 5 years from now will largely be due to the books we read and the people we listen to.
This is why I believe creating an Inner Circle is so important.
Mentors have gone before you in some capacity
Coaches are pushing you in a specific area of life
Teammates are on the journey with you
Cheerleaders love and care about you
How then do we select people for our inner circle?
I would start with making a list of people that you admire. Who you would like to emulate in one area of life or another? Put them on a list of potential mentors or coaches. The next list would be of people that you are on your team or you want them to be on your team who will help encourage and/or go on a growth journey with you.
My friend Anthony a few weeks ago was one of those friends for me. We were talking about life, goals, etc and he was the catalyst for making this webinar happen today. By pushing me like a coach, mentoring me in some areas he has expertise and cheering me on to make it happen; I’m glad he is in my corner!
Find people who GET IT
- Growing – Are they getting better?
- Encouraging – Are they helpful and want to see you win?
- Truthful – Are they honest with me about areas I need to work on?
- Intentional – Do they lead their life or just accept their life?
- Teachable – Do they have humility and are able to learn from others?
Questions:
- Who am I learning from?
- Who am I coaching/mentoring?
- What friends do I have that GET IT?
Resource: The Mentor Leader – Tony Dungy
Setting yourself apart from the crowd
First; I think that the fact that you are reading this shows that you want to grow and change and adapt.
Adapting is a mindset, then a skill set.
I read in a book several years ago a profound statement/idea: ‘It’s not about me.’
Set yourself apart by being FAST:
- Flexible – Be willing to do things that are uncomfortable or scary
- Attitude – Have a great attitude; a positive life stance
- Serving – People don’t care how much you know ’til they know how much you care
- Teachable – Learning from everyone; even if it is a 7 year old
The only job security we have is our individual commitment to personal development.
Questions:
- Where can I serve that I won’t get anything back in return?
Resource: The Slight Edge – Jeff Olson
Change the method, not the message
First we probably need to define the message! This could be a personal mission statement, or working at a company it can be that mission statement.
Provide the best customer experience in telecommunications.
If that’s the message, it is constant. HOW we go about doing that can change.
I love music, I grew up in a very musical family. The way that people have changed HOW they listen to music has changed over the years.
Phonograph, Vinyl Record, 8 Track Tape, Cassette Tape, CD, MiniDisk, MP3, Streaming service.
And there are communication mediums:
Morse Code, Telephone, Radio, Television, Internet, WiFi
The way the message gets relayed changes, but ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb’ is going to be around for a long time to come!
Experimentation is our friend right now more than ever. People are stepping out and trying new things, companies are changing how they do business and life has kind of been standing on its head the last couple months.
Experiment, fail, reflect, learn, change, repeat.
Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.
A lot of what we have talked about today has been person-centric, but it can also be company-centric as well. Setting yourself apart is as important for a company as it is for an individual.
Questions:
- What is my/our core message?
Resource: Start with Why – Simon Sinek
Location, Location, Location: From Main Street to Main Stream
New week’s webinar topics we will be covering:
- Location: Online presence
- Location: Product/Service easily delivered to the customer’s home (digitally or physically)
- Location: Could you physically move your operation in the future?
May 21 @ 1PM PST.
Questions?
Feel free to reach out to me via email: jason.richards@alyrica.net
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