I'm getting ready to go on stage at the
Mastery Business Plan event in Las Vegas (hey, that's me on stage last year!), reflecting on the notes I've written and all the research I've done for this particular event.
I'm speaking about what happens when it comes to inspiring and motivating (or, as the case may be...re-inspiring and re-motivating!) a plan for action and professional development.
I wonder: What it is a group of 1,100 people needs or wants to hear, so that the 3.5 days they spent in a conference dedicated to business planning and strategic development has some "stickability." We've all been to those conferences where we get all enthused, inspired, informed and dedicated to making change happen...then, we get back to our offices, our homes and our day-to-day lives, and have a grand opportunity: Implementing the plan!
So, I'm going to talk for 8-10 minutes on one sub-set of implementation: How to re-engage and get re-motivated a week, a month and a year from now.
One of the most important things I think we can do is to build up the relationships and support we are going to need BEFORE we really need to call in on any favors or ask for help. There are a lot of ways to do this, apart from the ones we've all tried like:
- getting up a little earlier;
- staying at the office a little bit later;
- working on a weekend...
- and all the other "productivity enhancers" you've ever tried.
On Thursday, I'm going to talk about a few things that can get us motivated and inspired, that DON'T take a lot of time, but can make a significant impact on our overall engagement and well-being about being productive.
- Send a handwritten card to someone letting them know what you plan to implement that's new, exciting, or inspiring to you. In that card, ask them if they would check in with you from time to time to see "how it's going."
- Watch 4-8 minutes of inspiring, motivating information each morning. I usually start off with a
TED Talk or a
POPTech presentation.
- Read another (or listen to a) biography. I
write and speak about this regularly...
- Ask a mentor to coach you - 10 minutes a week, over the next 12 weeks.
Ok, this is something I highly recommend. Ask someone you trust to help you, and to want to help you even more, for a 10-minute phone call every 5-9 days. When you get on the phone, follow a format loosely tied to the following step-by-step plan:
+ Share a recent win. Let them know how you're succeeding with your plan.
+ Share a frustration. Let them know about something that's getting in your way.
+ Ask for their advice. Listen for AT LEAST 6 of the 10 minutes (a challenge for some, to be sure!). Write down specific action steps they recommend and thank them for their time.
+ (and this is the most important...) End the call on time. At the 9 1/2 minute mark, start to wrap it to a close, and tell them you'll e-mail them to set up the next call.
