Stepping Up: Take Control of Your Success with Ownership, Identify, and Continuous Improvement

“The road to the next level is always uphill, and if a team isn’t intentionally fighting to move up, then it inevitably slides down.” – John C Maxwell

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Happy Friday, Brew Nation!?

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Grab your favorite coffee cup, sit back, relax, and get ready to sip on some enriching and thought-provoking content that will equip you to thrive in all areas of your life:

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·?????? Uncommon Leader Insights –? Have you ever found yourself caught in a familiar pattern when it comes to your health journey? Consider how the cycle outlined during the recent Uncommon Leader podcast interview with Justin Roethlingshoefer resonates with you:

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Recognition - Recognize the tendency to become complacent when things are going well, leading to a neglect of healthy habits and a potential setback in our health goals.? Say it a little louder for the folks in the back of the room!? I have been through this MANY times in my life!

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Realization - Engage in self-criticism and acknowledge the backsliding, understanding that better choices could and should have been made and that effort was lacking.

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Recommit - Embrace self-awareness and understand the need for a turnaround. Individuals recommit to their wellness practices, while organizations implement strategies to foster healthier habits.

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Resolve - Embrace a self-motivated mindset for growth. Recognize the increasing challenges with each cycle and make a firm commitment to prevent future setbacks, fueling a transformational journey.

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Whether you're currently experiencing one of these stages or striving to maintain your momentum, understanding the dynamic of this cycle is crucial. It's essential to establish systems and mechanisms that minimize the time spent in the first three phases. It involves prioritizing discipline as the remedy for subsequent regret: "Pursue necessary actions when required, even when motivation is lacking."

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Focusing on purpose instead of fleeting emotions and eliminating distractions that prompt extended relaxation are critical in navigating this health ownership journey.

Justin Roethlingshoefer's insightful discussion emphasized the power of personal responsibility and accountability in shaping our approach to health. Embracing a mindset of ownership propels us towards sustainable, transformative changes in our health.

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For further insights and inspirational resources, listen to the entire episode or check out Justin Roethlingshoefer's book "The Power of Ownership" .

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Are you aware that The Champions Brew explores various topics that I frequently coach and consult on with other leaders and organizations? If you or someone you know is seeking to elevate their business or personal life from underperforming to uncommon, I would love to connect with you and discuss 1:1 or group coaching, as well as performance consulting. In fact, click the following link to schedule a FREE CALL to explore how coaching could benefit you and your team. Let's work together to unleash your full potential and achieve your goals

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·?????? Work Hard – Just as embarking on a fitness journey requires determination and discipline, the path of continuous improvement demands a similar uphill effort. Whether we're striving for personal growth, conquering work challenges, or pursuing organizational goals, the climb is both arduous and rewarding. Over a period of time, you work hard to make improvement and get to the point where you think you are done.? However, when you think you’re done, you have just begun.? Walk away from that ball you rolled up the hill without the proper disciplines in place to sustain and continuously improve and the ball (or the improvement you just expended significant effort to achieve) rolls back down the hill.? Sometimes it rolls beyond where you started initially.? So, how do we make improvement and sustain the improvement for the long term.? Here is the 3 step process:

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1)?????? Have a plan:? Choose a methodology that outlines the steps to achieving your improvement is critical.? The problem-solving process I have developed over the last 25 years that I implement rigorously is referred to as ‘A3 thinking’.? There are many methodologies out there.? While I may be biased in my approach, the important part is to have a methodology, one that serves as a problem-solving methodology to guide individuals and teams, akin to a personal trainer's or nutritionist’s expert guidance. Similar to mapping out exercises, sets, and reps, we approach problems systematically by the problem needing solved, setting goals, identifying barriers, and elimination those barriers

2)?????? Standard Work ?Just like Consistency in Fitness, maintaining progress in fitness requires consistency, and standard work plays a similar role in continuous improvement. It documents the disciplines or habits required to maintain the new level of performance, much like following a workout routine. Standard work becomes the wedge that prevents backsliding.

3)?????? Audit & Accountability - Just as regular check-ins with a personal trainer keep us accountable in our fitness journey, the audit process creates accountability in continuous improvement. By conducting regular audits, we validate adherence to our standard work practices and identify deviations, much like a fitness check-in reveals areas for improvement. By auditing our processes, we provide extra stickiness to help prevent the wedge, or door stop, from sliding back over time.

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In the pursuit of continuous improvement, the journey may resemble the challenges of starting, implementing, and maintaining an exercise routine. By embracing the three steps s, we equip ourselves to conquer the uphill climb. Just as fitness requires determination, discipline, and consistency, continuous improvement demands the same. So, let's take the first step, perform the repetitions, stay consistent, and hold ourselves accountable. Only then you will ascend to heights you didn’t know were possible!

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·?????? Read More – Here we go.? Let’s embark on a new book journey with an inspiring speaker, and author, Ed Mylett, and his book "The Power of One More - The Ultimate Guide to Success and Happiness," released back in 2022. As an avid listener of Mylett's podcast, I'm thrilled to revisit this remarkable book that holds a special place in my Top Ten influential reads. Join me as we uncover the profound wisdom within its pages over the next few months. Are you ready? Let's dive in!

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Chapter One - "One More Identity"

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Your identity is a powerful force that shapes every aspect of your life. Mylett defines identity as "the thoughts, concepts, and beliefs we hold as the most genuine parts of our inner being."

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Now, here's a thought-provoking question: Are you willing to sacrifice who you are for who you could be? This question revolves around the idea of growth. While it's perfectly fine to be content where you are, those who aspire to make a significant difference in the world, like the readers of the Champions Brew, embrace Erma Bombeck's inspiring quote: "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left but could say I've used everything you gave me."

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Our identities are often shaped in our early years, accepting beliefs and opinions, whether accurate or not. But the exciting truth is, you can change your identity once you become INTENTIONAL about it.

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Mylett aptly likens your identity to a thermostat. Just as you adjust the temperature in a room using a thermostat, your identity regulates your internal self-worth. So, how can you recalibrate your identity? Mylett outlines his powerful "Trilogy" of Faith, Intentions, and Associations. I see faith as aligning with Bombeck's quote—knowing we were created for a higher purpose and loved unconditionally. When intentions and discipline align, excellence follows. Finally, our associations, both conscious and unconscious, deeply influence our beliefs and actions. As author Jim Rohn wisely said, "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with."

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Let's identify and conquer some common misconceptions or limiting beliefs that hinder our growth and strengthen our identity.? How often do you find yourself making comments to yourself like:

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"I am a complete mess."

"I am what people say I am."

"What I look like means everything."

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To overcome these misconceptions, let's practice transparency. When you catch yourself succumbing to these limiting beliefs, reframe them as positive, declarative statements. Remind yourself that you are loved, a cherished child of God, and possess humility and strength. By doing so, you'll not only make a difference but also elevate the room's average when you enter it.

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We are just getting started.? I hope you will journey along with me.

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Next week – Living in Your Matrix

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Quote of the week: ??“In the absence of a standard, there can be no improvement.” – Taichi Ohno

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What You Need to Do:

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Call to Action:? The journey of continuous improvement is not a sprint but a marathon, and it’s uphill!!? There is a stretch in the Boston Marathon called Heartbreak Hill.? It’s simple, but not easy.? Uphill strides require perseverance, discipline, and a growth mindset. Commit to the path of continuous improvement, and you'll witness the transformative power of these tools, just as consistent exercise transforms your fitness. So, lace up your shoes, take the first step, and let the journey of continuous improvement begin. Your future self will thank you for it.

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It’s an honor to be your trusted “Friday Coffee Guy”.? Each week, I’m excited to provide yet another round of curated content that I’ve been reading, listening to, watching, or thinking over. The purpose of the Champions Brew is to inspire, equip and encourage you to become the uncommon leader you were designed to be. I am so grateful for your decision to invest a few moments with me! I hope you enjoyed this week’s edition of Champions Brew. If you did, I would appreciate it if you would share it with someone who might enjoy it as well and ask them to subscribe ! I will make sure they automatically get this email every week.

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Until next time, Go and Grow Champions!

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P.S. - Are you a podcast fan?? Maybe the Uncommon Leader podcast is for you.? ??Are you interested in being a guest on the Uncommon Leader Podcast?? Do you have a story to tell?? Email me [email protected] and let’s have a chat and set something up!!