When my clients ask me how to get their results at work, I tell them to prioritize one thing.

Here’s a quiz for you:

How important is being the best you can be?
A. Extremely
B. Somewhat
C. Kinda
D. Not really
E. Who has time?

I ask this because it is not uncommon for a new client to share with me their immense frustration at the difficulties and challenges they face in developing their practices, growing their businesses or building their client base.

They frequently attribute their tribulations to external factors that lie outside of their control – the economy, strong competition, time of year, etc. – as if to infer that there really is little they can do and that they are mere victims of unmanageable circumstance.

Time Management

Each time I hear this I think about my very wise teacher who years ago taught me for things to get better, we have to get better and we need to work harder on ourselves than on anything else.

And so, whenever a new client “educates” me on the reasons for their struggles, I immediately launch into a series of questions I have developed over time.

The first question is always: “How much time do you spend each day studying, reading and growing your knowledge about your business and your industry?”

Typical answer: “None.”

Next question: “How much time do you spend sharpening your skills, rehearsing your scripts and generally working at honing your trade to ensure you will always be ready to perform at optimal level?”

Typical answer: “None.”

Next question: “When you come home at the end of each day, having spent eight or more hours at work, can you look in a mirror and with brutal honesty say “I worked (actually worked) eight hours today?”

Typical answer: “No.”

“Six hours?”

Typical answer: “No.”

“Four hours?”

Typical answer:“Probably not.

Question: “Do you take time each morning, or perhaps each evening to plan and prepare for the day ahead, explicitly listing goals to be accomplished that day and focusing on those things that will specifically contribute to positive results?”

Typical answer: “Can’t say I do, no.”

“Do you work hard on a regular basis to keep yourself fit and in shape to ensure you have all the energy you need to be on top of your game each and every day?”

Typical answer: “Probably not.”

I have many more questions, but you get the gist of what I’m saying. Typically, these folks are frustrated at the results in their lives and they want things to get better, yet are doing absolutely nothing to make that happen.

Not only are they not working harder on themselves than on anything else, generally they’re not working on themselves at all.

We talk at length about what it means to work hard on yourself and we create a work list that each person commits to following.

And yet, relatively few stick to their commitments to do all the things they have agreed as being necessary for them to become better.

I’m reminded of this powerful statement: when something is important we always find a way and when it isn’t, we always find an excuse.

The Price of Doing Nothing

There is a price to pay for everything. In fact, there are always two prices to choose from: the price of doing something and the price of doing nothing.

So how about you? Do you want things to get better?

If the answer is yes, what are you doing to create a better you?

And if you’re not happy with the answer, or where you are, then call me. I help people like you develop the habits they need to create the life they want.

My number is (403) 203 0343 or (888) 929 0343. You can also email me at tellmemore@strategicpathways.net.

An old Chinese proverb tells us: The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Let’s make a habit of meeting like this.