“Are you really committed to your success?” Most business owners would quickly say “yes.” But if you take a moment to reflect, can you honestly say you’re giving it 100%?
Today’s blog post explains how falling short on commitment can lead to significant setbacks. But don’t worry—we also share two practical rules to help you stay on track. They might not always be easy, but they’re definitely worth it.
The Key to Success: Commitment and Strategy
With commitment being the key to success, it’s essential for entrepreneurs to understand the importance of holding themselves accountable and staying dedicated to their goals and aspirations.
Avoid Excuses for Consistency
Many business people say they are committed to their success, but are they really? When it comes to commitment to your success, there has to be a “no excuses – no exception” rule to back it up. This rule is especially true for entrepreneurs, simply because there is no one to point the finger at should things not work out as planned. As an entrepreneur, you are the one holding the key to your success and no one, but you, can be held accountable.
Once you make a commitment to something, there absolutely has to be a “no excuses – no exception” rule, because that is the only rule that separates the failures from the successes. You must cut out all ties to an escape or alternate plan because that will set in your mind that failure is not an option. In other words, when you establish only one direction to go, that is where you will go.
Stay Committed and Consistent
Imagine what would happen if you were to commit to your success only 99% of the time: 1% of your clients would be unhappy with your product or service and proceed to tell 10 of their friends. Those people would proceed to tell their friends they had a friend that had a bad experience. This could translate into dozens of lost clients and thousands in lost revenue. 1% of your printed marketing materials (websites and social media profiles) were published with spelling and grammar errors. This has a devastating effect on any business with a poor perception from the public and potential clients.
1% of the time you do not answer your email from a prospective client within 24 hours. You respond a few days later, but learn they have taken their business to someone who responded promptly. See how much of a difference there is between 99% and 100% commitment? Although 1% doesn’t sound like much, reaching 100% commitment at every opportunity is not always easy. The only way to truly hold a reputation for commitment is by consistently demonstrating 100% to each and every task.
The Defining Attribute of Successful People: Getting Comfortable with Discomfort
“The only difference between successful people and those who struggle is that successful people do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done—to the best of their ability—whether they feel like doing it or not!” – Jim Cathcart. Truer words have never been spoken.
So, here’s a challenge to you: Ask yourself some hard questions and pay careful attention to the honest answers:
- Am I willing to get comfortable being uncomfortable?
- Do I keep an updated ‘To Do’ list and refer to it often?
- Do I attack my list by priority or by doing the things that are fun/easy first?
- How much time do I waste each day on the Internet?
- Am I my own biggest source of interruptions?
Now, take it easy on yourself. Just find one bad habit and replace it with one productive one. For example, when you are tempted to log onto Facebook and see what folks are up to, pick up the phone instead and call your prospects and customers. Or, when it seems easy to call your favorite customers/clients, spend an hour calling prospects instead. You’d be surprised how many more sales you will make when you develop a habit of starting each and every day doing the hard stuff first!
Honest self-evaluation and habit replacement are two sure-fire ways to increase your commissions, earn promotions, and create job security! These will also carry over into every other aspect of your life.
Building and Executing a Winning Strategy for Success
Success results from a solid strategy. Even the greatest ideas are of little value unless they are backed up by a practical and workable plan of action. The word strategy comes from an ancient Greek term which literally means to be a general leading troops into battle. Setting up a good strategic plan involves five steps:
Step 1: Translate Your Vision Into Measurable and Achievable Goals
Decide specifically what you want to accomplish during the next five to ten years – those are your long range goals. Next, you break those goals down into intermediate goals – things you wish to accomplish during the next six months or year. Then you break them down further into short term goals covering the next month or six weeks.
Step 2: Break Your Goals Down Into Achievable Objectives
Dr. Robert Schuller says, “Yard by yard life is hard, inch by inch it’s a cinch.” Working by objectives helps you concentrate on what is important instead of spinning your wheels on those things that seem urgent but do not lead to your long-term goals. Objectives add purpose and direction to all your activities.
Step 3: Set up Strategies for Accomplishing Your Objectives
Strategies are the specific ways you will go about achieving your objectives. The more clearly thought out they are, the more effective they will be.
Step 4: Choose Each Task You Must Complete Each Day to Achieve Your Goals
This is where most planning breaks down. We tend to leave it vague – thinking that, as long as we are always working hard, we are achieving our goals. Most people I talk with are extremely busy, and most are working hard to do things right. The problem is they are not doing enough of the right things – the things that will help them achieve their goals.
It is not enough to merely list each task you must do; you need to build it into your schedule. So many hours every day you are working on specific actions that will accomplish your definite objectives.
Step 5: Build in the Monitoring Mechanisms to Keep Track of Your Progress
It’s one thing to have a “gut level feeling” that you must be doing something right because you are always working hard. But it is far better to design simple mechanisms to let you know precisely how much progress you are making.
Effective Communication Strategies for Sharing Your Success Plan
Here are some guidelines to help you communicate your vision and plan to your staff, associates and others:
- Involve others in formulating the plan. People tend to understand and support plans they help create.
- Clearly identify roles and expectations. Every person needs to know clearly what you expect and understand the basis on which his or her performance is to be judged.
- Make sure everyone understands all deadlines and schedules. A good plan has teeth in it, and the only way to give it those teeth is to set definite deadlines for specific actions.
- Count on the plan for intrinsic motivation rather than seeking to motivate people with gimmicks. If the plan is built around the strengths and personal motivations of the people who must execute it, and has its own built-in rewards, motivation will take care of itself. If not, you cannot come up with enough gimmicks to make it work.
- Get feedback to make sure people understand exactly what you expect. It’s not very helpful to say, “Does everyone understand the plan?” A far better approach is to say, “Tell me what you understand the plan to be and how you see yourself fitting into it.”
FAQs
How can I stay motivated through setbacks?
Staying motivated during setbacks can be tough, but these strategies can help you stay on track:
- Keep your goals in mind: Focus on what you want to achieve and why you started. Let that drive you past the obstacles.
- Acknowledge progress: Break your goals into smaller steps and celebrate each one you achieve. Even small wins can keep you moving forward.
- Learn from mistakes: Treat setbacks as lessons. Figure out what went wrong and adjust your approach. Use them to get better.
- Lean on your support system: Surround yourself with people who can offer advice, encouragement, or just a reality check when you need it. Consider hiring a coach who would guide you through challenges.
- Stay adaptable: Keep a positive mindset and see challenges as temporary. Believe in your ability to handle them and keep improving.
How does personal growth impact business success?
Personal growth is important for business success. It helps people build skills, make better decisions, and improve leadership. Staying flexible and open to new ideas gives professionals an edge in a changing business world. It also strengthens communication, teamwork, and emotional intelligence, leading to better work relationships and a healthier workplace. Ultimately, investing in personal development helps people lead effectively and contribute to long-term career success.
Can strategic planning vary by industry?
Work-life balance is important for entrepreneurs, but it can be tricky to manage. Here are some practical tips to achieve both personal fulfillment and sustained business success:
- Set clear boundaries. Have fixed working hours and a separate workspace to stay focused.
- Prioritize tasks. Focus on what matters most and aligns with your goals.
- Delegate. Hand off tasks when possible to save time and avoid burnout.
- Take care of yourself. Regular breaks, exercise, and time with loved ones keep you grounded.
- Learn to say no. Don’t overload your schedule—protect your time and energy.
How do successful entrepreneurs manage work-life balance?
Entrepreneurs who succeed at balancing work and life follow clear strategies to manage their time and energy. They set specific work hours and create a separate workspace to keep work and personal life from overlapping. This allows them to focus during work hours and disconnect afterward. They also prioritize tasks that align with their long-term goals, avoiding distractions from low-value activities.
Delegation is a key tactic—they rely on others to handle tasks, freeing up time for what matters most. They take care of themselves by scheduling breaks, staying active, and spending time with family or friends, which keeps them energized and focused.
They also learn to say no when needed, protecting their time and staying aligned with their priorities. These practical steps help entrepreneurs stay productive while maintaining their well-being and building lasting success.
Author of 31 books translated into over 50 languages, including best-sellers "The NEW Art of Managing People" and "The Platinum Rule," Dr. Alessandra helps organizations build stronger relationships with prospects, customers, and co-workers.
When not developing new assessment tools, Tony explores cutting-edge business communication trends. Connect with Dr. Alessandra on LinkedIn to learn how his innovative approaches can boost your team's performance.
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