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Happy New Year: Focus On What You Can Change by David Guerra

image of fireworks explosion in a new years celebration

FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN CHANGE – So you won’t waste your time with something you can’t.

2020 has arrived. All the excitement, angst, anticipation, planning, goal setting and what not the time has come and there is no going back. No matter how much we want, there is no going back. However, far too many of us bring along (into the new year) things that keep dragging us back to the past. Thus, we never can move forward. However, by recognizing what you can and cannot change in your life can you begin to eliminate that which will cause you to spin your wheels and begin to grow those things in your life that you can change.

 

MOVING FORWARD

As I mentioned at the top of this post, the year 2020 has arrived. Time has us moving forward and for all of us moving forward is critical to our future success. Yet, we cannot go forward with things we cannot change be securely and firmly attached to our backs. No one can go successfully into the future where the things you cannot change continue to hinder us.

It is critical to moving forward that we move forward into 2020 and beyond, unencumbered (or lightly encumbered). The driving force that leads people towards success is knowing that any unnecessary item, belief, mindset that is not able to be changed will slow down the attempt at success. That is why reducing the load will allow you to move faster toward achieving your success.

 

RECOGNIZING WHAT YOU CANNOT CHANGE

When it comes to lightening the load the first thing to address is knowing what to cut loose. Lightening the load is done by successfully identifying what cannot be changed. The ability to successfully identify what cannot be changed is by far one of the easiest things you can do. Find that that is providing you resistance, friction, what you feel is holding you back. What makes that easy, is that you know what is holding you back, who is providing the friction, and what is offering the resistance.

Sadly, most people stop short of doing something about the resistance, the friction, and what is holding you back. Once identified, there is something you can do. It might be something that will cause you consternation but it is truly the only thing that can be done: STOP DEALING WITH THE PEOPLE AND THINGS YOU CANNOT CHANGE.

 

RECOGNIZING WHAT YOU CAN CHANGE

Recognizing what you can change is even easier to do. Start at the center. Start with yourself. That’s right, it is that simple. You are your most valuable asset.

Think about this: If you cannot take charge of yourself, then what good will you be to those you lead.

This means if you cannot work on change for yourself then how can you expect to inspire and motivate others? Thus, first and foremost you will work on determine what you have to work on, then make a list of your findings. Once your list is set, prioritize those items. Get To Work!!!

Remember, going forward you must actively focus on those things you can actively change. Focus that which you can control and never forget the mindset and beliefs of others are some of the things you are not going to change. So do not try. Just focus on yourself then working to change other aspects of your life will fall into place.

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David G. Guerra, MBA
email: [email protected]
twitter: @daveguerra
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blog Inspiration Leadership Leadership Principles Mentor Motivation Walking Leader

LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLE #11: EMPLOY YOUR TEAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS CAPABILITIES by David Guerra

LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLE #11: EMPLOY YOUR TEAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS CAPABILITIES

As a leader you will most likely have a team of individuals backing you, supporting you, all while doing their job. As a leader you must allow them to do so without it compromising the job they were hired to do.

In a combat situation, ground troops, the Infantry work in teams. These teams have specialist with unique functions (grenadier, machine-gunner, assault, etc.) that make the Infantry squad, platoon, company, battalion, brigade lethal on the battlefield. The same level of lethality can be applied to the workplace. Imagine a team that can unite and put together a contract winning proposal or complete the annual report in record time.

How does this happen? It happens when the leader allows the team to function as one and function as individuals that are mutually supporting each other. Where the Infantry squad members support each other by providing interlocking fields of fire. Meaning the Infantrymen do their job but recognize that others (typically to their left and right) might need covering fire.

In the Accounting firm, a group works on balancing the client’s books while others work on prepping the Federal Tax paperwork. Then there is a someone who runs the Quality Assurance and checks the figures. Then another group works on putting it all together. By having all team members doing their respective jobs the individuals complete their assigned tasks and the team keeps moving because like a well oiled machine that runs unhindered when allowed to do, the team knows what to do and does it well.

Leaders (and Managers) keep your team running by letting them do their job. It may be tempting to meddle or to tinker with the work flow but why fix something if it is not broken? Exactly, there is nothing to fix until it breaks then get it working as fast as possible. Otherwise, it may cost you more than a broken sprocket, it could cost you a gear or the well oiled machine. You know you cannot have anything less than that.

Thanks,
David G. Guerra, M.B.A.

Do you agree or disagree with this list? Let me know either by
Twitter @daveguerra or by email [email protected] or both.

Categories
blog Inspiration Leadership Leadership Principles Mentor Motivation Walking Leader

LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLE #10: TRAIN YOUR PEOPLE AS A TEAM

LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLE #10: TRAIN YOUR PEOPLE AS A TEAM

While your team is composed of unique individuals, those individuals share one thing: You are their leader. They are part of your team. As the leader, it is your responsibility to ensure they are trained to work as a cohesive team, one unit and when need be they should know how to do the basic (rudimentary) functions of the other team members. Knowing the basic functions of the other team members is not for replacing them but to fill in the gaps when employees call in sick or the organization is transitioning between team members.

Training as a team creates esprit de’corps and enhances unit cohesion. Your team will develop a feeling of pride, fellowship, and common loyalty because they have shared experience(s). Having those shared experiences creates a team so strong, so empowered, and ready to be more effective than any other group in the organization that has not taken the time to train together.

Obviously, a leader will have to allow the individuals to attend training specific to their vocation in order to remain proficient and excel at their day-to-day operations and functions. However, when those employees return to the team, have them share what they learned with others.

A highly informed is team is a highly functional team. A highly functional team is a highly performing team. A highly performing is a team that is delivering and making huge impacts on the organization’s mission and vision. As a leader, who would not want to be leading a cohesive team that is making an impact on the organization? Be that Leader!

Thanks,
David G. Guerra, M.B.A.

Do you agree or disagree with this list? Let me know either by
Twitter @daveguerra or by email [email protected] or both.