IT’S THE BOTTOM OF THE 9TH!
With only a few weeks to run until the end of the year, for many business leaders, it’s starting to feel like the bottom of the (never-ending) 9th!
It’s also about this time your focus on winning the game shifts to a focus of just finishing the game, win or loose.
Remain focused on the prize.
So If you are feeling a little tired, burnt-out, or just not sure how to keep on pitching until the end of the year –
Here’s 9 steps to get through the bottom of the 9th.
Step 1 – Face your fear. When we are tired or frustrated, we tend to focus on problems, things we start to convince ourselves we can’t fix, rather than focusing on those we can. Look introspectively at what is stopping you. Once you’ve identified that, stop being afraid of it getting in your way.
Step 2 – Find time to ‘practice’. What can you do to be a better you, and what are some of the habits you have to make, and break. When we are busy we are focused on what is right in front of us not what will make us better tomorrow than we are today – we forget to ‘practice’.
Step 3 – Remove the drama. And remove the people in your life that are causing drama. Drama only serves to suck your time, and right now, you need that time for you. Focus on the fans, not the critics.
Step 4 – Check in on your personal game plan and vision. Remind yourself of what you wanted to achieve this year, and re-set the game plan if necessary. If you have clarity of your personal plan and vision first, then you will re-kindle the passion to put your business to work for you, and you not work for it.
Step 5 – Surround yourself with a team of people who ‘get it’. Find self-aware people, that are present, and that care about you and yours. These people will remind you that you can achieve your goals this year, and they will be beside you every step of the way.
Step 6 – Compartmentalize your day. As business leaders we are all utility players, The routine of compartmentalization helps give you clarity of what position you should be playing on the field, at what time, for what purpose, and for what outcome. So you can be more efficient and effective in the game.
Step 7 – Find your 30. No matter how busy I am I find 30 minutes of quiet time a day for me to just be still. This is my time to write the playbook for the next day. Some of my most creative ideas come from this time of my day. And some of the most obvious game plans appear in front of me when my mind is open and clear.
Step 8 – Remind yourself, it’s only a game. Cast your mind back to why you are doing this. Playing catch in the backyard was fun, just as the playoffs should be fun. Business should be fun. Make it a game, everyday.
Step 9 – Go back to step one, and repeat
Troy Hazard is a keynote speaker on business strategy, growth and change.
He is a business books author and television host.
He has owned 13 companies over 29 years, and has consulted to 300+ companies in 16 countries.