Taking Action Newsletter-2010 May

Taking Action – To Change!

I’m not perfect, are you? In business we use continuous improvement on business processes. For human behavior we reach for our personal potential. Both take intent.

Often our attempts to change our behavior are less than successful and we revert back to our old ways. Would you like the secret to making sustainable change in your life of business? It’s as simple as 1 – 2 – 3. Notice I didn’t say it was easy – because it’s not. Change is hard work. If it were easy then you would have done it already!

A few years ago I read a book by Alan Deutschman titled Change or Die. In it he shares 3 keys to change:

1. Relate: to someone who has made the same change successfully or someone who becomes the inspiration for your change;

2. Repeat: making a new habit takes practice as well as encouragement, direction, and guidance from a good teacher, coach or mentor;

3. Reframe: learning a new way of looking at yourself in the world with regard to the behavior change.

Those who have successfully made a sustainable behavioral change have had these 3 keys in their approach.

One In 21

So how can you do this? I’ve found that a good starting point is the ‘One in 21′ approach. It is not going to sustain the change, but it is a good jump-start! Here are the guidelines:

1. Choose one behavioral change that you want to make. The change must be a realistic behavior you can do daily. It must be something about which you are passionate and committed (because you will be challenged!)
Some changes may include: Returning business calls within 24 hrs; establishing a daily prioritized task list; limiting frequency of checking your email to 3 times/day. What change do you want to make?

2. Discover your ‘why’ for making this change. Simply put if you know your ‘why’ you can do any what. What is your why?
For daily prioritized task list goal, the ‘why’ may be to get the right things done at the right time.

3. Collect the resources you need to accomplish this daily goal. What tools will you need? What environment will support this change?
In setting a prioritized task list, the needed resources may include a master task list, a calendar of due dates and events, and related business or personal objectives. Don’t forget the environment – do you need a block of quiet time at your task? What do you need? List your resources.

4. Take Action today – do not delay! If your commitment is to plan your day before starting…plan the rest of your day right now! What action can you take right now?

5. Share your commitment with one other person and ask them to check in on you weekly. This is where your coach can assist. Coaches provide not only the accountability, but also help you to identify and remove barriers to success.

What do you do if you miss a day? Ask yourself why, then keep going! Remember: we learn as much from what doesn’t work as we do from what does.

Take Action!

Are you ready for a change? Join the One in 21 challenge. Select your change and make a commitment for the next 21 days.
Take action now!

Good Luck!

~Linda DeLuca
Executive Coach
Founder & President, Azione-Scopo LLC