Summary: Many leaders are motivated by “getting stuff done”, yet there are any number of barriers that prevent such productivity and today’s Monday Moment will help you remove those barriers with ease. There are 7 ways actually to get more done and they come from a book I’ve recently read. Chad Hymas, a dear friend and speaker colleague, recently authored Doing What Must Be Done, and it immediately captured my attention and taught me how to get more done and how to… well, get out of my own way. Seven steps from his book follow. Recognize “It’s not about you” Chad, who suffered a tragic tractor accident that paralyzed most of the muscles below his neck, challenges you to look at life completely and with a bigger picture. "It's not about you" the leader and how you feel or just your behaviors, it's about how your habits and your actions affect everyone around you. Getting more things done requires that you remember how contagious your behavior really is and include others in that bigger picture. Do is the Operational Word to Done The root word for doing is “done” and “do”, so “do” it every day without fear, without falter. Tackle those things you know must be DONE but might be tempted to put off for later. Know in your heart when you do the little things on that long list, you will get closer every day to getting the big things done. Failure- Don’t quit Chad says, “I quit a lot, I must be a failure. But, I don’t STAY quit. I have my family and friends’ support who help me to not “stay quit” and I’ve developed the tenacity to stay with it.” What do you give up on easily that with just a tiny bit more effort you could get done? Reaching Goals We all know that if you set your mind to anything you can do it or at least that is what we’ve been told. If you set goals, break them down into individual small steps you can do right NOW to get closer to reaching that goal. Stop looking at the things you can’t do and look at the things you can do and do them, knowing and focusing on how good it will feel when you’ve reached the goal! Dealing with unexpected challenges Riding a tractor one minute and fighting for your life the next is the epitome of an unexpected “challenge” and that is how Chad describes it. Most of us don’t fight for our life every day, so in perspective that fire drill, that cranky employee…piece of cake to deal with, yes? How Chad was able to deal with his unexpected challenge, endure the pain and frustration and move forward is by simply doing a little bit every day to get done what needed to be done. Love and devotion In Chapter 3 Chad shares the love and devotion he receives from his wife Shondell. Those that are married know it is easy to love your spouse when things are going well. Even those that aren’t, also know the truth in the phrase “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Whether in work or just life, those that stick together can get though anything, but it starts with you providing support and devotion and showing others how to share that back with you. Life is not fair Chad reminds us that "Life is not FAIR, but can by FAIRLY Wonderful." In chapter twelve Chad says, "I realize that my life is not determined by what happens to me, but by how I respond to what happens. It is not about what life brings to me, but rather what I bring to life." Even my grandpa used to say “a Fair is something that comes to town once a year, and this ain’t it.” Do you focus on what isn’t fair about your job or your leadership role or do you roll with the unexpected, the times you want to quit and the others there to help you, contribute to the goal, and support your direction? We all at times need a reminder that we’re not the only ones who struggle and one could argue that leadership at times, can be wrought with daily struggles and frustrations. What are you looking at, the things that challenge you as a leader or the things that challenge you to grow? The challenges will keep you from getting things done.
