Issue 22

Can you believe it?  Another year has come and gone.  To say the least, it's been a challenging year for many.

 

But with the approaching of the new year, it's a great time to refocus and recharge your life.  One of the best ways to do that is by setting goals.  Notice I did not say "New Years Resolutions" but Goals.  Resolutions don't work - they are a wish - here today and forgotten tomorrow.

 

Yes, setting goals is work, but is well worth it.  If you truly want to win in 2010 (sounds like a political slogan), then setting goals is a non-negotiable.  Be sure and read Dan's Story in "Win in 2010" to see how goals allowed him to accomplish his dreams.

 

Until next time, here's to Winning Often and Winning Big!" 

 

Carpe diem!

  

Mike

 

 Mike Estes

"The Winner's Coach"

 

What are your goals for 2010?  If you haven't set them yet, it's not too late.  Stop reading right now and go grab a pencil and paper. 

 

On the first sheet of paper, outline the areas that you would like to set goals.  I personally set goals in 10 different areas ranging from my Faith, my Business, my Family, and having fun.  Make sure these are YOUR GOALS - those areas that are important to you and that you would like to improve on in the coming year.

  

On the next sheet of paper, write the category name at the top of the paper (one sheet per category).  Then begin to list your:

 

     1) Short Term Goals (90 Days)

 

You do have pencil and paper in hand and you are doing this....right?  Need a little motivation? 

 

Consider the fact that 10% of the U.S. population controls 90% of the wealth....and guess what, it's the same 10% that set and achieve goals on a regular basis.  Need more motivation? 

 

Consider the study done back in the 70's on a class of Harvard grads.  Upon graduation, only 3% of them had written goals.  The class was tracked for 20 years.  At the end of 20 years, the 3% that had written goals had a higher combined net worth than the other 97% of the class.  Impossible you say? 

 

How about one more example, because I really want you to "get this". 

 

 

This is a story about a guy named Dan.  Dan showed up for the 1996 Olympic trials with all of the rest of the Decathlon hopefuls.  The coach asked how many of the athletes had written goals.  Of course, almost all of the hands shot up.  He then asked how many knew their goals word for word.  A few less hands were raised.  He then asked how many of them had their goals with them at that very moment.  Only one hand went up this time. 

 

Not only did Dan O'Brien raise his hand that day, we went on to win the 1996 Olympic Gold Medal in the Decathlon and earned the title as the "World's Greatest Athlete".  Was it coincidence that the only one carrying written goals won the Gold Medal in Atlanta that day?  Are you willing to take that risk?  Dan wasn't.

 

  

 

 

If you're reading this article, chances are, you've identified yourself as being a perfectionist, or you know someone who is a perfectionist. When I speak to businesses and professional groups about time management, I identify perfectionism as one of the big "time wasters" and "energy drainers." I look out at the audience and see heads nodding up and down. In reality, many professionals and business owners experience an on-going love-hate relationship with perfectionism. Perfectionism, like most traits, can be a strength, but if not managed properly, it also can be a liability.

If you are a perfectionist, you probably believe that perfectionism contributes to your success. There is some truth to that. You've probably been acknowledged professionally for your excellent work and your willingness to "go the extra mile." Over the years, your performance evaluations may be sprinkled with adjectives such as "exemplary," "excellent," "consistent high quality," etc. You've received awards and accolades for your work. When supervisors, colleagues or clients want something done right, they send the work to you. You've gotten a lot of business because of your reputation for excellence.

Although you may realize that perfectionism is costing you a lot of time, you may be reluctant to let go of your high standards. When you look around, you see lots of "evidence" to support the belief that perfectionism has contributed to your success. And, honestly, how would you know differently? You probably haven't tried doing work that is "less than stellar" to seeIf you're reading this article, chances are, you've identified yourself as being a perfectionist, or you know someone who is a perfectionist. When I speak to businesses and professional groups about time management, I identify perfectionism as one of the big "time wasters" and "energy drainers." I look out at the audience and see heads nodding up and down. In reality, many professionals and business owners experience an on-going love-hate relationship with perfectionism. Perfectionism, like most traits, can be a strength, but if not managed properly, it also can be a liability.

If you are a perfectionist, you probably believe that perfectionism contributes to your success. There is some truth to that. You've probably been acknowledged professionally for your excellent work and your willingness to "go the extra mile." Over the years, your performance evaluations may be sprinkled with adjectives such as "exemplary," "excellent," "consistent high quality," etc. You've received awards and accolades for your work. When supervisors, colleagues or clients want something done right, they send the work to you. You've gotten a lot of business because of your reputation for excellence.

Although you may realize that perfectionism is costing you a lot of time, you may be reluctant to let go of your high standards. When you look around, you see lots of "evidence" to support the belief that perfectionism has contributed to your success. And, honestly, how would you know differently? You probably haven't tried doing work that is "less than stellar" to see how it goes over, at least not on purpose. When you have done less than stellar work, you've probably been so wrapped up in your own guilt, you did not notice how others actually react to your work. Time and again, my coaching clients who struggle with perfectionism tell me they realize their standards are so high, that when they actually lower their standards, others still perceive their work as being excellent!

Not surprisingly, many successful professionals and small business owners have capitalized on perfectionism. But then you hit the "brick wall," getting bogged down in all the work to be done, putting in long hours trying to get it all done and becoming increasingly resentful of demands placed on you. In reality, perfectionism can get you far in life, but it can only get you so far.

In a recent time management workshop, a participant asked a great question: "How do you know when perfectionism has become a problem for you?"

Here are some signs:

 

• Consistently putting in long days at the office or taking work home with you
• Reluctance to delegate tasks, believing no one will do it as well as you
• Feeling increasingly resentful of demands placed on you by clients, customers, colleagues, supervisors, friends or family members
• Procrastinating to begin projects
• Projects that drag on and on
• Checking and rechecking your work before submitting it (yes, this includes checking and rechecking email before hitting the "send" button!)
• Colleagues or supervisees grumbling to one another that you are difficult to work with, or that your expectations are unreasonable
• Colleagues telling you that you are working much harder than necessary

 

If you struggle with perfectionism, consider that you've probably spent hundreds, maybe even thousands, of hours getting tasks and projects "just right." That's time that you could be spending doing something else you love to do.

If you recognize the value of perfectionism in your work, but at the same time, realize that you are spending excessive time trying to complete tasks "perfectly," it's time to work smarter, not harder! 

Author of "Success from the Inside Out: How Busy Women REAL-ize Their Dreams," Business & Life Coach, Sabrina Schleicher, Ph.D. offers a FREE e-course: 7 INSIDE TIME MANAGEMENT SECRETS OF ELITE PERFORMERS plus FREE subscription to her newsletter at http://www.tapthepotential.com 

 

 

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Mike is the President and Founder of Born To Win, LLC.  Mike's core belief is that "We are all Born To Win" - but sometimes we need a little help.

 

That's why he founded Born To Win - to help others to not just win, but to WIN BIG in their business and personal lives.

 

Mike is a multi-million dollar sales producer and is passionate about helping small businesses excel at growing their bottom line.  As a certified Total Integration consultant, Mike has both the expertise and world-class suite of tools to help you to take your business to heights that you only  dreamed of.

 

A true kid at heart, Mike believes in having fun while pushing the limits.  An example of this is his recent jump from the top of a telephone pole to a trapeze bar!  Are you ready to win big?  If so, contact Mike and the folks at Born To Win today via email or call them at 615-567-6815.