Be The Doer

Its everyday. Not once a week or once a month but, everyday. The same pattern of behavior repeats itself. Its a pattern that indicates the type of person with whom I am interacting. There are only two types: Those who "Do" and those who "Don't". Or just maybe...not today. Hmm...that was really simple classification. In fact, it is and has been, so brilliantly simple since the beginning of time.

Each and every day millions of people (especially business owners) stop somewhere and wonder: What does {fill in the blank with iconic overachiever's household name} have that I don't? Then that person (maybe you) makes her way to work, grinds the grind all day long - perhaps even working late - then returns home to rest and do it all over again tomorrow. Somehow the connection is never made. This is especially true of business owners. Why? And what is the connection I'm referring to?

The connection is that realization that being a success is being the person that "does". Why does that business owner never make the connection? Because she thinks she already is. boom!

That's right. 76 percent of the businesses or companies with whom I interact have leadership who report zero time for any additional responsibilities. So these people are already the "doers", right? Maybe. Maybe not. It could be that they are simply "busy".

There is a big difference in "being busy" and "doing". Here is where it gets interesting. You see, our business owner perceives herself as fighting fire all day everyday. That may be you. This is definitely the case for millions of business people and owners around the world. A question is appropriate here to make a distinction. What does each activity represent in regard to your goal? I can already hear the answer: "It keeps the doors open" or "It makes me more money" and "Those invoices aren't gonna pay themselves". And there is this - "I had another great idea and I need to work out the details." Excellent pragmatic and indecisive responses. And often, an owner must be pragmatic - especially when your accounting department is you. And it is conceivable that goals and direction may change. This however, is not the "doing" that yields the the success for which you strive.

The real "git-r-doners" like Gates, Jobs, etc. have a formula that is critical to the amazing success that they achieved. Here are 10 of the key components:

1. They are proactive - not reactive
2. They create goals that are SMART.
3. They eat the frogs first
4. They focus on being "productive" and not just "busy".
5. They invest the time to spend with the right people.
6. They make logical decisions based on all the information and data they can get.
7. They stay outside their comfort zone.
8. They keep things simple
9. They focus on small, steady improvements
10. They measure and track their progress

Over the next few weeks, I'll be breaking down each of these. They are incredibly simple on their face but, so often are discounted or misapplied - even discarded - in the daily routine. The goal is to hopefully stimulate you, the reader, to implement just one of the components from the list.

As you implement the steps above, please let me know how it impacts your business. I am passionate about helping business owners achieve their goals for success - the small business is the beating heart of the American dream.