Change Starts with You!

Change Starts with You!

Leading Change / Be the Change?

Practical ways to thrive in an ever-advancing world by inspiring and leading change.?

I believe that how think about change can stand you out as a leader / business owner.

Purpose

The purpose of this Linked in newsletter is to inspire and enable business owners, leaders and managers like you to make proactive choices and changes that support you and your teams on your journey to success and beyond.

In this one I’ll be encouraging you to do some self-analysis!??

I’m a firm believer than a greater understanding of self a key component to any significant personal change.?

Introduction

When I sit down with leaders and managers to discuss the changes they want to see in their teams, they are often very quick to talk about the team or individual team members and things or behaviours they’d like to see changed.???More often they don’t think about themselves and so with good intention and positive change in mind I’m the one holding up the mirror to them.

It takes two to tango!???Yes of course there are things that others need to change, but before you go there have a look at yourself and ask Is there something I could do differently?

In Napoleon Hill’s seminal book Think and Grow Rich, Hill shares with us 28 powerful questions for self-analysis.

Before you read on open your mind.???Hill believed that to achieve success, it is essential to have a deep understanding of oneself and I completely agree.???

What value have you to gain from fooling yourself???Be completely honest – you can choose later which thoughts you act upon.

Even if you’ve already read the book, I doubt you remember all the 28 questions – and you are a different person now to when you read it, even if that was only yesterday!

Yes, it amazing that the book was written in 1937 and is still just as relevant today!

Getting the most out of these great questions for Self-Analysis?

If you want this to be a valuable exercise for you personally, hold the calls, grab a drink, and sit where you can be undisturbed for 28 minutes – that gives you a minute on each question.?

Do grab some paper or your tablet so you can make notes of the important stuff for you.

I share below Hill’s questions along with a few tips on how to approach these questions and use the insights gained to grow your business.

NAPOLEON HILL’S 28 QUESTIONS:

1.??????????What are your major goals in life?

The first step in achieving success is to have a clear understanding of your goals. Write down your major life goals and make sure they are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).???If you struggle with this start the list in notes on your phone and add to it over the coming days, weeks, months.

2.??????????What are your greatest strengths?

Identifying your strengths is important because it allows you to focus on what you are good at and delegate tasks that you are not good at. Make a list of your strengths and find ways to use them to grow your business.

I like to call these Superpowers – It can be quite empowering to think of them like that.

3.??????????What are your weaknesses?

Identifying your weaknesses is also important because it allows you to find ways to improve them or delegate tasks that require skills you do not possess.??Make a list of your weaknesses and find ways to mitigate them.

Start by admitting them to yourself.???You can continue to play to your strengths and get others to pick up where you are less strong – a member of the team, outsource etc.

4.??????????What is your primary purpose in life?

Having a clear purpose in life is important because it gives you direction and helps you make decisions that are in alignment with your values and goals. Write down your primary purpose in life and make sure it is aligned with your business goals.

Give yourself time on this and let it come to you.??Asking yourself so why is that important to me can really help.

5.??????????What are your most valuable assets?

Your most valuable assets could be your employees, your customer base, your brand, your intellectual property, or your financial resources. Identify your most valuable assets and find ways to protect and leverage them.

Ignore others, this is about you and your business.

6.??????????What is your greatest fear?

Identifying your greatest fear is important because it allows you to find ways to overcome it and take calculated risks.??Write down your greatest fear and find ways to mitigate it.

You’ll find that writing it down, takes it out of the emotional brain and into something more objective you’ll start working on.?

7.??????????What is your greatest extravagance?

Your greatest extravagance could be a hobby, a luxury item, or a habit that is not aligned with your goals. Identify your greatest extravagance and find ways to either eliminate it or limit it.

The key point is that it is not aligned with your goals!?

8.??????????What is your definition of success?

Your definition of success could be different from someone else's.??Write down your definition of success and make sure it is aligned with your values and goals.

Love this question and often ask prospects and clients – there is no wrong answer – some don’t have their answer yet.

9.??????????What is your plan for achieving your goals?

Having a plan is essential for achieving your goals.??Write down a detailed plan that includes specific actions, timelines, and milestones.

Get clear goals first for planning to be effective!

10.????????What are your most important decisions?

Identify the most important decisions you need to make to achieve your goals.??Make sure they are in alignment with your values and goals.

This is a great question, that can really make you think – when do these decisions need to be made???Interesting that between thinking and action comes a decision.

11.????????What is your plan for staying motivated?

Staying motivated is essential for achieving your goals.??Identify what motivates you and find ways to stay motivated during challenging times.

Decide this in advance, as its harder to think positively when things get tough!!

12.????????What is your plan for dealing with failure?

Failure is inevitable on the path to success. Identify how you will deal with failure and find ways to learn from it.

Clever this, ignoring it won’t make it go away will it – Accept it to positively move forward.

13.????????What is your plan for dealing with setbacks?

Setbacks are also inevitable on the path to success. Identify how you will deal with setbacks and find ways to overcome them.

Like the point above its about being ready for them, not assuming you’ll bever face any!

14.????????What is your plan for dealing with stress?

Running a business can be stressful. Identify how you will deal with stress and find ways to manage it effectively???

Do you do it best alone or can someone else help?

15.????????What is your plan for dealing with conflicts?

Conflicts can arise in any business.??Identify how you will deal with conflicts and find ways to resolve them effectively.

Focusing objectively on the facts helps many.

16.????????What is your plan for dealing with criticism?

Criticism can be difficult to handle, but it is important to learn how to receive it and use it constructively. Identify how you will deal with criticism and find ways to use it to improve your business.

You can also tell others how best to give feedback/constructive criticism.

17.????????What is your plan for managing your time effectively?

Time management is essential for running a successful business.??Identify how you will manage your time effectively and find ways to prioritize your tasks.

How do you make the most of your time?

18.????????What is your plan for managing your finances?

Managing your finances effectively is essential for the success of your business. Identify how you will manage your finances and find ways to budget and save.

This applies to business and life – we’ve many more articles on this topic if you want to go into detail on this area.

19.????????What is your plan for managing your team?

Managing your team effectively is essential for achieving your goals.??Identify how you will manage your team and find ways to motivate and engage them.

Start by asking yourself how well do you know them?

20.????????What is your plan for managing your customers?

Managing your customers effectively is essential for building a loyal customer base.??Identify how you will manage your customers and find ways to provide exceptional customer service.

Hill, ahead of his time on promoting exceptional customer service – what makes yours special?

21.????????What is your plan for managing your suppliers?

Managing your suppliers effectively is essential for maintaining good relationships and ensuring the timely delivery of goods and services.??Identify how you will manage your suppliers and find ways to negotiate favourable terms.

Think also how your suppliers reflect on your brand/reputation.

22.????????What is your plan for managing your competitors?

Managing your competitors effectively is essential for staying ahead in the market.??Identify how you will manage your competitors and find ways to differentiate yourself from them.

I love how Hill phrases this ‘managing your competitors – you are clearly in change!??Good to remember that.

23.????????What is your plan for managing your marketing?

Marketing is essential for promoting your business and attracting customers.??Identify how you will manage your marketing and find ways to reach your target audience effectively.

Of course, it pays to have a clear target in mind first.??Yes, if you know the theory make sure you practice well!

24.????????What is your plan for managing your technology?

Technology is essential for running a modern business. Identify how you will manage your technology and find ways to stay up-to-date with the latest advancements.

What technology can help you or disrupt you????I doubt it was AI in Hill’s time!!

25.????????What is your plan for managing your legal and regulatory compliance?

Complying with legal and regulatory requirements is essential for avoiding legal issues and protecting your business. Identify how you will manage your legal and regulatory compliance and find ways to stay informed about changes in the law.

Get the right professional advice.

26.????????What is your plan for managing your environmental impact?

Managing your environmental impact is essential for being a responsible business and protecting the planet.??Identify how you will manage your environmental impact and find ways to reduce your carbon footprint.

More important than ever to consumers and the planet.??What is important to you and your customers right now?

27.????????What is your plan for managing your social impact?

Managing your social impact is essential for being a responsible business and giving back to the community.???Identify how you will manage your social impact and find ways to support social causes that align with your values.

There are more ways to give than just ￡!

28.????????What is your plan for managing your personal development?

Personal development is essential for achieving your goals and growing as a person.??Identify how you will manage your personal development and find ways to improve your skills and knowledge.

Give this some proper thought and you risk making an amazing leap forward!

Action

So, what changes are you going to make?

You are adult, in charge of your own destiny, so you can do with this what you like.

You may choose to come back to it when you can devote quality time to the questions – if that’s you, schedule that time now whilst the iron is hot!

You may choose to pick just one or a few changes you are going to work on / or seek help with.

You may use this as the bedrock of a new development plan.

You choose to share this with someone else who you believe might benefit.

Conclusion

That is entirely up to you, it’s your Life.

Take what is helpful and ignore what is not – If answering just one of these questions makes a difference that’s progress in the right direction.

James Gentle

It’s part of my DNA as a curious individual, coach, and strategic innovator to ask questions, so expect more as we go to encourage you to think and act differently.???I’ll sometimes look at things from a completely different perspective simply to provoke and encourage you to look at things differently.???You must understand it’s not about me being right, my questions when coaching are without judgement, they are for you with good intention.???You are then free to choose what you ignore and what is useful for you to keep and do something with.

If you’ve any questions or areas you’ve like me to cover in future episodes let me know.

James Gentle?is Chartered Marketeer and award-winning business coach at ActionCOACH West Herts and?

James’ passion and focus is championing change amongst ambitious business owners, entrepreneurs, and their teams.???As a catalyst for change James ensures those, he works with make the right choices, become the best version of themselves and lead and inspire action to get the results they aspire to.