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It's What I Do To Stay Ahead

Guest post by: Pat Mussieux

Article Overview: Those of you who are familiar with Stephen Covey's work will be familiar with the expression "sharpen your saw" - it's reference to the fact that all of us need to stop and take time to re-charge, re-energize, learn and grow. That's exactly what this past week has been about for me!

It's What I Do To Stay Ahead

Those of you who are familiar with Stephen Covey's work will be familiar with the expression "sharpen your saw" - it's reference to the fact that all of us need to stop and take time to re-charge, re-energize, learn and grow. That's exactly what this past week has been about for me! When you are serious about personal and/or professional development, it is critical that you make a decision, and a plan, to 'sharpen your saw'. For me, it is something I schedule at a minimum 3x each year. Once I create my plan for the year, and identify the areas in my business where I want to grow, I commit to making this happen.

I am often asked about some of my strategies and practices in this regard which, for me, seem pretty straightforward. I have learned, however, that is not the case. So, here are some of the things I do to maximize my return on investment.

1. Do your homework!

I make certain that I do my homework with respect to the events that I attend each year - and ensure that they fit with the specific and relevant areas of my business that require attention. I check out the speakers, the content, testimonials from previous participants and so on. Each year, I attend 2 events for professional development and one event for personal development.

2. Identify Some Specific Goals.

I always have a minimum of 3 goals per event - both personal and professional. For instance, at this last event, my 3 goals were: 1) to meet, in person, one of my Facebook contacts (check!), 2) find a contact with Hay House productions and learn about the process for becoming a Hay House resource (check!), and 3) learn 3 key techniques/strategies for immediate implementation in my business (check!).

3. Ensure a Commitment to Personal Care.

Whether I am attending an event for personal growth or professional development, the sessions are normally very long and many hours are spent in meeting rooms. I make a commitment to: 1) exercise daily (even if that just means 15 minutes of yoga in my room each night), 2) proper nutrition and drinking plenty of fluids during the day, 3) getting a minimum of 8 hours sleep per night and 4) spending time with very positive people! The benefits to this practice are huge - and contribute to my success in the long run.

4. Follow-up and Implement.

It is most interesting to me to learn that many people head home from these types of events, take their learning materials and put them on a shelf as they carry on with life. Those materials, in my opinion, then just become 'shelf help'!

I always carry colored post-it notes with me. As the days go by, and the speakers share their information, I make notes immediately on the post-it, put it on the respective page and then - on the last day - I line them up, put them in priority order and identify my action plan. This plan includes delegation of many items to my team members and then I prioritize, and create, a TOP 3 LIST for me. Then, I DO IT! And that is how I grow my business so successfully. That's my secret formula - implement what I learn. So easy, yet so many people fail to complete this final step.

One of the things that Brendon Burchard referenced frequently was the word 'perspective'!

When I was on my trip around the world, I got perspective. In Africa, in particular, I wanted perspective and took a balloon ride. While the safari we took on the ground each day was amazing, I also wanted to get a sense of the whole area. So, off I went in a hot air balloon ride - I invite you to consider the same strategy as you plan your life and/or grow your business. Stephen Covey also talks about the bigger picture - and then zero in on the finer details.

"Never look down to test the ground before taking your next step; only he who keeps his eye fixed on the far horizon will find his right road." - Dag Hammarskjold, Swedish Statesman

So, as you can see, there are at least 4 key strategies that you, too, can use as you plan for awesome growth in your business, or as you bring your dream life into reality!!!!!

CONCLUSION

1. Make a decision to 'sharpen your saw' and begin the research on an event that you will attend this year!

2. Register for that event - and be committed.

3. Identify the strategies/practices that you will implement to ensure a return on your investment - growth in your business and take yourself a step closer to your dream life.

Put some of my practices in place and I guarantee you will get some perspective for your business and/or your life. When you live by intent, you are developing the confidence and courage to move forward and invent the life, and the business, you truly want. You also become much more fun to live with!

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Article Tags: business, business goals, confidence, learn from master, marketing, Pat Mussieux, personal growth



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