With my last article still fresh in my mind, the ink still drying on the page, I decided to do something. The picture, albeit a little dull, shows a brilliant view down a lovely valley. From where I was stood there is the view of this lovely lake, and yet the valley stretches out in the other direction as far as the visible sea.
A view to clear the mind from the busyness of the world we tend to occupy. A world of demand and expectation that we are available, on tap, for more of the day than ever before. Frequently from early morning to late into the evening – often at weekends too. And sadly for many, a world where they always wish, or seem to need to be connected, perhaps they have yet to be comfortable with not being required. A problem I help clients review.
The location and view was special for me – it was all part of a whole day I had put aside to explore new ideas for my business. A day to develop even more focus for the year ahead. A day of investment in my business and myself. A day where my phone, and email, would not be looked at.
On this day I was moving from the role of expert/consultant/doer to client – I had the wisdom and facilitation of one of my mentors plus a key member off their team. It was great to be on the receiving end. Turning the mirror around.
Some people are surprised that I have a mentor, as I mentor other people. They are even more surprised when I say I have an executive coach too, I also coach executives! Well I practice what I preach. Each has a different role and I value both; crucially they do make a profound difference.
I want to be great at what I do. Times like this are part of my investment in myself – keeping me focused, keeping me fresh, keeping the edge. And a little tease – have you ever seen dentists work on their own teeth?
As the morning unfolded we were getting things moving and the conversations were digging deep into what I was aiming to achieve. I loved the way the ideas were flowing and my thinking was really developing. New insights discovered, and as we worked harder, more and more deeper discovery.
After one very insightful series of questions and three-way conversation I sensed we were on the edge of a breakthrough. My two mentors then started a great two-way conversation between themselves about the issue at hand – just brilliant from my perspective as I moved into the observer position – NLP practitioners note! (If you have no idea what this means perhaps we need a conversation….) A new dimension revealed.
This time away has set a new game plan for expansion, and will help me keep focus on the core of what I do. It allows me to continue my own development and make new breakthroughs in a number of areas that are important to my focus, and that of my business activity.
So often I speak with people who come up with the excuse that they are so busy and don’t have time to take a day or two away from the business.
I also speak with people who head off for their ‘strategy day’, as it always seems to be called. When I ask what action they will be taking, there is seldom anything that remotely sounds strategic. Often, after the day, it is ‘we got to know each other better’ type of comment. The two are different and if you need help with either do let me know – but be careful what you wish for! After the ‘strategy day’ you will have a strategy and an action plan. If a ‘know each other better day’ – I will guarantee you definitely will, and much more beyond your interest, or lack of interest, in golf.
Anyway, back to some thoughts:
- Do you take time out to review things?
- Do you get someone external involved?
- Do you have clear agreed actions?
- Are those actions going to be owned and delivered? (Horrifyingly I see many action lists that get zero action.)
To quote Khalil Gibran “the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain”. So how clear is your mountain? I know mine is much clearer and I can see where to start climbing too.
Do take time out – you, your business and your clients deserve the better perspective.
Time looking in my own ‘business mirror’ has been valuable.
When was the last time you looked seriously in your own ‘business mirror’? Would soon be a good idea, if it has not been recently?
My good wishes,
Peter
PS If you need a hand do get in touch.
