Deciding to Win

Consider your situation right now...personally or professionally. 

Have you achieved your goals? 
Are you hustling with a company that you love? 
Have you found a sense of inner peace...with all of the successes and failures and near-misses and disappointments and noise that are part of "peace?"

Hoping to Win
It's funny how our early dreams of future lives...filled with hope for personal satisfaction and professional success...somehow never seem to get to an end point. It's as if we can...never...quite...get...there...regardless of how hard we (have convinced ourselves that we continue to) try.

There is a tired, but accurate phrase, that says 'hope is not a strategy.' However, it appears to be one of the most common forms of self-evaluation, self-esteem, and overall measure of one's worth.

I vote that we use hope as part of our thinking, but pursue a different path when it comes to actually getting things accomplished.

Deciding to Win
Now consider your situation again, but this time let's use a different lens. One that is not based on workplace hustle, personal bliss, or finding the perfect job. Instead, let's take an inventory of what you have accomplished over the last couple of years.

What bold moves have you made in your career?

How does it feel to be on the other side of major life decisions that caused so much stress, but are now behind you?

What else is different now, but you were in such a hurry to focus on the next thing that you've forgotten how much of a difference you've made?

How About You
As it turns out, winning is not a place, or title, or partner. Winning is what you decide it is. So, will it be the endless pursuit of...pursuing? Or, will winning be something entirely different for you?

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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Bound to Fail

I think it’s interesting that we default human nature to negative behavior. Think about it for a minute. People take the easiest path…and it’s human nature. Employees do just enough to get by…and it’s human nature. Leaders sit back and avoid conflict because….well…it’s human nature.

And we almost expect things in life to go poorly…we’re bound to fail…it’s human nature.

I’m calling B.S. on human nature. There is a huge difference between courage (which is the human nature I prefer) and laziness. Laziness is not human nature…it’s a choice…it’s an excuse…and makes people look like fools.

Self-Confidence First

When was the last time you heard someone characterize a leader’s courageous style as their “human nature?” We all know…albeit only a few leaders…whose courage seems to come naturally. 

They have no fear when it comes to trying new strategies. They don’t worry about consequences the way we think they should. 

They are rule breakers…they don’t care about norms…they just see endless possibilities.

It’s in their nature.

Bound to Win

So how do we move from “life is horrible” to “I am so committed to helping my organization win that I’ll try anything?” What is the secret that moves us from the hapless masses that quite candidly are a waste of our time…to moving in to the rarefied air of being confident, fearless, and loaded with so much courage we scare those around us?

The answer is quite simple…but the execution is difficult for most. Corporate pressure and politics cloud our ability to think clearly. They become derailers that move us away from winning for our organizations. You must do what you are scared to do…what you think is too politically complicated…and what may compromise your position. 

Others may mock you along the way. So what?

Others may openly question if you’re doing the right things. So what?

You may even end up feeling quite alone along the path to progress.  So what?

How About You

You are NOT bound to fail. You are bound to take risks…to try new things…and make a real difference.

Do not falter.

Do not look back.

Do not rejoin the hordes of leaders stuck in 1995.

Lead. Today.

Thanks for being here.

Jay

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The Second Flame

I’m tossing a challenge out today. I think you’re up for it. It involves focus, commitment, energy, and desire. It will mean more than just being a good team player, or coach, or leader. It will mean sacrificing your time…almost all of it…to do one thing.

Win.

You…Today

Today we’re all about being busy. Really? Everyone is busy. What is your first reaction when you hear someone complaining about being busy? Do you think they can’t manage their workload effectively? Maybe they don’t understand how to protect time on their calendar to do their work, instead of being stuck in meetings all day. Or the classic, that they are in fact busy but never actually get any work done. There is a huge difference between busy and productive.

Busy…for the sake of busy…is failure.

The Challenge

Before I get to the challenge, it is important to clarify that you must be motivated to be the best you can be in your job. Not pretty good…not giving it your best shot…not using a bunch of lame excuses as to why things didn’t work out quite the way you hoped.

You must be absolutely committed. 

If you’re still with me, and I hope you are…here’s my challenge:

You and I will go all out in our work for the next 90 days. We will push ourselves, we will rely on each other for motivation, we will hold each other accountable, we will do whatever it takes...

…and we will win.

Let’s face it. Non-stop, clear the decks sacrifice is not sustainable forever. We will need to recharge our batteries. By committing to a 90 day onslaught we will be able to totally commit, and at at the same time know we will have a chance to catch our breath before too long.

How About You

It’s time to do more that get a second wind this fall. It’s time for a second flame! I’m fired up about having a kick-ass 90 day sprint. Are you up for it?

Let’s win!

I’d love to hear from you.

No Excuses. 

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