Are you working your business like the way you play Monopoly?

Most people, when they sit down to play Monopoly let's say, are just looking to have some fun.  While others play the game focused on only one thing -winning.

Two different people, playing the same game, with a different perspective and a very different goal in mind.  The person who is there to win, will play that game very strategically, where the person who is looking to have some fun is just there to pass the time.

Same is true in business isn't it?  Some of us are determined to win and use a winning strategy while others seem to just want to have fun and pass some time.   So ask yourself, "Am I here to win or just pass the time?"

If you are building your business to "win the game" then strategy is how you will do it,  You will need to assess every situation and think competitively.  You will need to out think your opponent or competitor and outplay them as well.  Good sportsmanship is a must and winning is the only option.  Top performers are competitive people and they love what they do AND they think strategically.  As a result, their business and its results take on a whole new level of achievement.

Now keep in mind, rules and strategy are two different things.  Rules are (how you play) and strategy is (how you win).  Rules are to be lived by but they are not necessarily going to show you how to make money. They are about conduct.  But strategy is your game plan.  It is the way to develop the winning outcome.

So what is your business strategy?
How will you stand apart from your competitors?
What are the numbers you need to hit in order to meet your goals?
And do you have a coach to help you get there?

If you are here to win, don't apologize for it or make excuses about it either.  Play hard and press on.   Don't let anyone convince you to play any differently.  Winning teams expect that every player is there to play, bringing their best so the team can score and ultimately win the game.

When you go to work every day to build your business your focus should be to give and gain the most you can.  And your attitude should be no different than when you sit down to play that game.  If it is important for you to want to win at Monopoly then you should not play your business any other
way.

Does coaching really work?

This afternoon I took a call from one of my coachees and was delighted to get the following feedback ..."I just wanted to call you and thank you for the great coaching session we had yesterday.  I feel completely different today and I am having a very productive day.  It is amazing how much perspective I gain through talking to you and it has added incredible value to my business.  Truthfully I think coaching has changed my life."

To know that the work you do as a business coach makes such an impact in the lives of the people you work with is the most gratifying feeling.  It is extremely validating to know that what you have chosen as a career path is the right one for you.  Helping others see the possibilities within themselves personally drives me to be a better coach.  Helping business owners play a bigger game and pursue success at a higher level gives me a profound sense of accomplishment and purpose.

And what is really exciting to see, is the growth that occurs in the lives and businesses of the people I have the privilege to coach and work with.  Coaching is a catalyst for this growth.  It is an empowering, collaborative process that allows the individual to set and achieve goals that might normally be out of reach or would take much longer for them to achieve if they were to go it alone.

Coaching is inspiring, exciting and a smart investment in one's future.  Success is simple (believe it or not) but never easy.  People who succeed are set apart by their behaviors and their mindset.  They have clear goals, determination, drive and most important purpose.  The other thing that most successful people have is a coach.  Someone who can help them achieve and sustain greater levels of success and results.

Coaching can unlock a person's potential.  It is a partnership between the coach and the coachee in a thought provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize on their personal and professional potential.  This is so important, especially in today's ever shifting, complex and competitive market place.  As a coach, I always honor my client as the expert of their own life, the captain of their ship, the boss in their own business.

I believe we all have the answers we seek, the problem is we don't always trust or believe that what we know or think to be the answer, truly is the answer.  Therefore, coaching and the relationship that develops with a coach can be what helps you to self actualize and develop game winning strategy.

Honestly, would you expect an Olympic gold medalist to win without the help of a coach?  Could you imagine a soccer team hitting the field without any coaching?  Would you expect the winning team of the next Super Bowl to achieve such an accomplishment without the help of numerous coaches?

Coaching works because it enables the individual to focus on their goals.  It empowers you to achieve results while giving you the support and the accountability to stay the course and not get distracted or loose sight of what it is that you are working for.  Coaching is also about identifying solutions and generating opportunity for growth.  The right coach with the right experience can also become an invaluable resource when developing your personal and professional skills.

The coaching process can dramatically improve your outlook on work and life while improving your leadership and business development, just ask anyone who has ever worked with a coach about the results they have achieved.

Power your thinking with a bigger why

One thing all high achievers have in common is they are working for a "big why".  The big why is about having purpose, a mission or a need, that in turn gives you focus.  The big why is the fuel that powers your actions.  It’s your motivation!

Keep in mind a big why brings BIG focus and BIG energy the same way a little why brings little focus and little energy. 

Now imagine if you could live every day with such purpose.  How far could you really go?  Think about what motivates you.  Here's a quick exercise:  Grab a pad of sticky notes and ask yourself that question, What motivates me?   Then write down one motivating factor on a sticky note.  Only 1 thought per sticky note.  Think about all the aspects of your life and all of the reasons why you want to accomplish your goals.  Think about what your goals are and why they are your goals, why are they important to you?

Now take those notes and arrange them in front of you.  Move them around according to their level of importance to you.  What comes first, that would be your BIGGEST WHY.  What matters most?  Then list the others in their order of importance.  What is dependent on the other?  Really get in touch with what motivates you.  Is it connecting with people?  Is it the challenge of closing a deal?  Is it to empower someone to purchase their dream home?  To discover solutions?  To develop successful habits?  to make a difference in someone life? 

Now take the sticky note that says Money or Financial Stability or Independence and put it at the bottom of the list.  

At the bottom of the list?  

Yes, imagine just for a minute that money was at the end of the list.  Still important but at the end of the list.  That new order to things would take the emphasis off of making money and would put the emphasis to something else.  How would that change things?  How would that make you feel?

See, business goals should be part of a larger personal strategy designed to push you and help you to grow.   What would your business look like if you worked less for money and more for the pursuit of personal growth and the ability to be and do your absolute best?   The answer might actually surprise you.  Overtime, you might find yourself less stressed and probably wealthier! 

Now that’s not to say that money is not important.  But if you focus on just the amount of money you will earn each time you work with a client, you may just be holding yourself back.  You can achieve your financial goals faster than you think by putting every other WHY first on the list.

Working every day to be your best, means that you will automatically be making the most money you can make.