May 2012

Leadership Lessons ezine by Mark Sanborn

 

The secret to dramatic improvement can be summarized with one word:

Better.

Better always works. Better is always an improvement. It increases value. It defeats complacency. It moves us forward.

Everyone likes better: better relationships, better health, better jobs, better everything.

Ever heard anyone say, “Please, don’t make it better!” Nope.

Customers want better. They like it when they get more in the way of services and benefits, especially when they don’t have to pay more to enjoy them.

Sometimes we get better quickly…in a big way…but not usually.

More often than not, better is small and steady. Lots of little things done better over time create a big improvement.

Want to be 200% better? Good luck. Go ahead and try, but you’re fighting tough odds.

Why not be 5% better each week for the next 20 weeks? That’s much more realistic. Much more doable.

To get better, ask better questions.

Here’s the first: what is “better”?

Like the Germans say, all progress is change but not all change is progress. “Different” and “better” aren’t always the same.

Define the improvement. Quantify “better.” You can’t hit a target you can’t see. You don’t get better by accident.

Who decides what is better? You can, for starters. How do you want to improve? What do you want to become?

In the marketplace, customers want a say in defining better. Ever had a brilliant idea that you thought was amazing and the customer thought was…not so good?

As your customer or client what better looks like. They’ve probably got some good ideas.

Understand what better is before you start pursuing it.

Then ask this question: what would make me better?
Ask yourself. I’m sure you’ve got ideas. But ask others. Others who know.

Coworkers. Colleagues. Your boss. Family members.

Just make sure they care for you enough to tell you the truth. Many people will dodge the question or blow smoke. They don’t want to offend you.

If you don’t want to know, don’t ask. But if you’re really committed to improving yourself, those who truly love you can give you some suggestions.

Finally, in this simple one word exercise for dramatic improvement, ask this question: what will I do better today?

Doing everything better is practically impossible (even though it seems like a great idea to over-achievers).

Consider: not everything needs to be improved. Really. Sometimes good is good enough. You can only submit accurate expense reports. If they’re done neatly and on time, there isn’t much room for doing them better.

Pick at least one thing you can do better today. Don’t pick 3 or 4. Too many priorities aren’t much better than no priorities at all.

Commit to doing one thing better today, and you’ll improve. And you’ll have a better day…and a better life.

What will you do better today?
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Have your BEST year ever!

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Go to A YEAR OF SUCCESS

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Perpetual Achievement – How to Succeed When Times Are Good, Bad or In Between

Special introductory price!  Only $49.95!  That’s a savings of $20!
You must call or email Dannielle@marksanborn.com to get this special offer!

Whether the economy is up, down, rising or falling influences your success – to a degree. What matters even more is something within your direct control: your economy, the economy of one. In this stirring presentation, internationally renowned speaker Mark Sanborn shares mindsets and methods that will keep you winning, growing and succeeding, no matter what’s going on in your world. You’ll learn practical ideas for overcoming obstacles, creating value, innovating continuously, connecting with key contacts, practicing gratitude and much more. And it’s not just a “feel good” seminar, as these strategies will inspire, inform, and help you generate the results you need to create perpetual achievement in every area of your life.
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My friend and colleague of many years, Robert Tucker, is organizing a series of what he’s calling “Elite Retreats,” the first of which is taking place August 23-24, 2012  in Santa Barbara. I hope to be part of this gathering. They are limiting admission to 20 senior level decision makers in the conference and convention industry, and due to its unique mission and the caliber of the

invited guests, I expect it to be a big hit. What Tucker envisions is an intimate group, with several short presentations by thought leaders (possibly including me if my schedule allows) and lots of facilitated, open ended discussion around the theme: where is the meetings industry headed and how to bring a spirit of innovation to the incredibly challenging task of creating world-class conferences?

If you are involved in the conference industry and are interested in learning more about this unique opportunity  (and want to share your insights and experiences in this fast-evolving industry), contact Robert to apply. This  is a unique opportunity to think ahead of the curve and hear what other cutting edge professionals have to say, as well as have fun in Santa Barbara.

Have a look at the Elite Retreat at http://innovationresource.com/elite-retreat

To read all of Mark’s blog’s please visit
www.marksanborn.com/blog

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