Do you realize that you and your business are always changing? What I find amazing is that we spend so much time attempting to get ourselves and our businesses to a position of familiarity - actions that we feel comfortable with. We do this because it’s human nature to want to feel like we are in control.
Usually though, if we are in a position familiarity, we get ourselves lulled into a false sense of security - and that’s when we start to fall behind. You can read endless stories about people and organizations that were at the top of their game and then came crashing down, all because they stopped changing.
When something gets to be familiar, it’s usually time to examine it and see what needs to change. That doesn’t always mean change to doing something different. Sometimes change can mean doing what you are familiar with, only better - small changes that enhance a strength.
So the questions for you this week is this - What are you becoming? What is your business becoming? What’s familiar and comfortable for you? What needs to change?
- Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Manifesto
What’s your company’s manifesto? I know you are probably sitting there saying - “what in the world are you talking about Matthew? Manifestos? What in the world does that have to do with my business?”
A lot actually. I was listening to an audio book and the author suggested that every company should have a manifesto. What a great idea. I’ll be working on the Best Solutions’ manifesto this week, won’t you join me?
See, manifestos don’t have to be just political or religious documents stating a set of principles or beliefs. Coupled with a vision, mission and core values, a manifesto is a great addition to any business.
One key obstacle you might be identifying right now is this - how do you write one?
Well, you can do a quick Google search to see what others suggest if you like. Here’s the summary of what I found that seemed to be a consistent theme.
First, it’s got to be something you feel strongly about. Think about it - you are writing a document for all the world to see. You better have something important to say and feel passionate enough about it to share with the world. A quick Wikipedia search on the term ‘manifesto’ revealed some well known examples: The Declaration of Independence, the Communist Manifesto and the Contract With America are just three of the dozens listed. I don’t think anyone can argue that those are three documents that made an impact.
Second, be clear and concise. Say what you have to say. Manifestos are not full-length novels that go into great detail - they are a set of beliefs that are clear and concise.
Third, be bold. The purpose of a manifesto is to tell the world about your cause, to start a movement, to change the status quo, etc. Think about those documents I mentioned before - they all boldly call for a different way of doing things.
There is no rule that says manifestos are reserved for political movements. You and your business are a movement. You and I and everyone else with a business are all in the same business when you think about it - we are in the business of change. Every entrepreneur is looking for a new way to do something, a way to change the process, to reduce costs, improve revenue, change the way people shop, and on and on.
So what’s the cause that your business takes up? How does this cause affect and inspire others? How are you and your business going to change society, or our nation, or your state, or even just your community? What’s your entrepreneurial manifesto?
- Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.
A lot actually. I was listening to an audio book and the author suggested that every company should have a manifesto. What a great idea. I’ll be working on the Best Solutions’ manifesto this week, won’t you join me?
See, manifestos don’t have to be just political or religious documents stating a set of principles or beliefs. Coupled with a vision, mission and core values, a manifesto is a great addition to any business.
One key obstacle you might be identifying right now is this - how do you write one?
Well, you can do a quick Google search to see what others suggest if you like. Here’s the summary of what I found that seemed to be a consistent theme.
First, it’s got to be something you feel strongly about. Think about it - you are writing a document for all the world to see. You better have something important to say and feel passionate enough about it to share with the world. A quick Wikipedia search on the term ‘manifesto’ revealed some well known examples: The Declaration of Independence, the Communist Manifesto and the Contract With America are just three of the dozens listed. I don’t think anyone can argue that those are three documents that made an impact.
Second, be clear and concise. Say what you have to say. Manifestos are not full-length novels that go into great detail - they are a set of beliefs that are clear and concise.
Third, be bold. The purpose of a manifesto is to tell the world about your cause, to start a movement, to change the status quo, etc. Think about those documents I mentioned before - they all boldly call for a different way of doing things.
There is no rule that says manifestos are reserved for political movements. You and your business are a movement. You and I and everyone else with a business are all in the same business when you think about it - we are in the business of change. Every entrepreneur is looking for a new way to do something, a way to change the process, to reduce costs, improve revenue, change the way people shop, and on and on.
So what’s the cause that your business takes up? How does this cause affect and inspire others? How are you and your business going to change society, or our nation, or your state, or even just your community? What’s your entrepreneurial manifesto?
- Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
New Year's Promises
We are now a few days into 2009 - how are you doing with your resolutions for the new year? Did you make any?
Recent studies suggest that fewer people are making resolutions and the ones that do make them are breaking those resolutions faster than previous years.
Here’s my advice for your New Year’s resolutions - don’t do them. Instead make one significant New Year’s promise. This is something that you will absolutely promise to complete by the end of 2009. It could be something personal or business related.
Why a promise? Because a resolution is nothing more than a wish, when it comes down to it. There’s no plan of action and no consequences if you don’t fulfill the resolution. Unless you have a Superman-like will of steel, the chances that you’ll keep your resolution for the entire year are minimal.
Think about it - if you are like most people, when you make a promise, you’ll do everything in your power to keep that promise. That’s because when we make a promise, we are putting our integrity on the line. Integrity is one of the the most important values that a person has. Think about this - we’ll be dishonest, just keep our integrity from being questioned - that’s how important integrity is. And no, integrity and honesty are not the same thing. Honesty is giving your word, integrity is keeping it. If we never give our word (make a honest commitment), then we don’t have to worry about keeping our word do we?
So what’s your promise for 2009? It’s not too late to make a promise for the year. If you need some accountability - e-mail me at matt@somedayisland.com with your promise. I’ll put it in my calendar to ask you about your promise at the end of the year.
Make 2009 a great year. Make a promise and keep it. You’ll be glad you did.
- Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.
Recent studies suggest that fewer people are making resolutions and the ones that do make them are breaking those resolutions faster than previous years.
Here’s my advice for your New Year’s resolutions - don’t do them. Instead make one significant New Year’s promise. This is something that you will absolutely promise to complete by the end of 2009. It could be something personal or business related.
Why a promise? Because a resolution is nothing more than a wish, when it comes down to it. There’s no plan of action and no consequences if you don’t fulfill the resolution. Unless you have a Superman-like will of steel, the chances that you’ll keep your resolution for the entire year are minimal.
Think about it - if you are like most people, when you make a promise, you’ll do everything in your power to keep that promise. That’s because when we make a promise, we are putting our integrity on the line. Integrity is one of the the most important values that a person has. Think about this - we’ll be dishonest, just keep our integrity from being questioned - that’s how important integrity is. And no, integrity and honesty are not the same thing. Honesty is giving your word, integrity is keeping it. If we never give our word (make a honest commitment), then we don’t have to worry about keeping our word do we?
So what’s your promise for 2009? It’s not too late to make a promise for the year. If you need some accountability - e-mail me at matt@somedayisland.com with your promise. I’ll put it in my calendar to ask you about your promise at the end of the year.
Make 2009 a great year. Make a promise and keep it. You’ll be glad you did.
- Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter - Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at Passportforsuccess.org.
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