Now are you mad?

Do you wish your company was growing faster or more profitably?

Too often I talk with leaders whose companies are stuck.  Their sales or profits grew, but fell back to prior levels.  They are in a rut and...  surprisingly they have accepted it.

Does that shock you?  It shouldn't.  A pity party accepting less than your dreams - and your TRUE CAPABILITIES is often comfortable.  It is an almost evil temptation that is allowed to fester into a major mistake that steals years of your positive impact on the world around you.

You need to get mad about it.  "Mad," as in enraged;  greatly provoked or irritated;  angry.  (Dictionary.com)  I am NOT recommending you lash out at others, but rather you are what I call "turning point mad" - you are unwilling to accept the status quo and will make the tough decisions necessary to create your new reality. 

I often get hired by leaders who are frustrated.  They are sick and tired of dealing with the same employee drama over and over again, and want to discover a better way to grow their business.  I help with leadership systems, company culture, and business focus.  Email me if you want to discuss your challenges.

Watch this clip from one of the weirdest movies ever made, Network.  I do not recommend the movie, but the clip about a newscaster encouraging others to refuse to accept the lie that we must accept mediocrity and evil might remind you of your true potential.  He wants people to say, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to stand for it any more!"

How about you? 

The reasons you are stuck vary, but only YOU can make a decision to get unstuck.  Here are 7 questions that might help you embrace your next bold move :   

#1 My Dreams - 5-10 Years ago, where did I dream my company would be today?

Very few people dream of just maintaining their sales at current levels indefinitely.  Maybe you have been stuck for 25 years.  I know people who are there today and will never grow.  You do not have to be like them.

What was your dream?  Where are you today in relation to that dream?

Do not think of all the excuses why you are not there.  Just remember the dream and decide to dream again.

Now are you mad enough to not stand for "it" anymore? 

#2 The Cost - How long have I been stuck at this level and what has it cost me?

Let's say your company grew to "X" and then grew beyond that, but returned to "X."  Maybe your revenue or profits, or whatever you focus on, has gone up and down, but you are stuck in the range of "X."

How much additional profit would you have had each of the past 5-10 years if you had grown to 2X, 3X... or 10X?

What have you lost?  You will lose that much and more if you continue to accept your current company's state of affairs.

Now are you mad enough to not stand for "it" anymore?

#3 New Dream - What should my dream be today?

You need to start anew today.  The past is past and cannot be relived, BUT where do you want to grow now?

This takes work, but not necessarily a long time.  I engage one or more outside experts to help me see "beyond the trees."  Working on my own would only have me run fast and hard... but circle back again to where I am. 

Get someone to help you define your next bold moves.  Involve your team.  Run ideas past your spouse, and appropriate close friends, and trusted advisors.  But often you need an outside catalyst who has "been there, done that."  Your opportunities are still HUGE.  You just have to get the full picture of your paradise and then...

Now are you mad enough to not stand for "it" anymore?

#4 My Weaknesses - What are my 3 most significant weaknesses and how have they delayed my dreams?

Do not use this time to beat yourself up.  The key is to discern reality.  We all have weaknesses and make foolish decisions.  You need to comprehend your mistakes and make a decision to NEVER GO BACK to them.  (Read Henry Cloud's book, Never Go Back, if you want a broader perspective on this.)

List your 3 biggest weaknesses.  Then list 1-3 major failures as a result of each weakness and realistically what each failure cost then, and if appropriate, on an ongoing basis.

Possibly ask others to confirm your assessment.  Be open to their opinion.  You may not agree with their conclusions, but your actions made them feel that way.  Take ownership for your actions so you can delegate out your weaknesses or overpower them with new systems / habits. 

Now are you mad enough to not stand for "it" anymore? 

#5 My Strengths - What are my most significant strengths?

This is not an ego trip, but an engine check.  List your 3 most powerful strengths that can help you achieve your career dreams.   

List 1-3 ways each strength can help you achieve your dreams.  What specific results can you expect from each strength?  Realistically how much additional profit is available to you today, tomorrow, and in the future when you effectively focus on your strengths?

If you asked others for input on your weaknesses, simultaneously discuss your strengths.  They may be partially correct, but embellishing to compensate for some really negative feedback.  Do not believe them if they compliment you for traits you do not have.  Just politely ask questions, carefully consider their thoughts, and thank them for their candor. 

Now are you mad enough to not stand for "it" anymore? 

#6 New Plan - What is my new plan, my new dream, the prize that REALLY excites me?

Your new plan needs these attributes:

1. Simple - one page.
2. Applies lessons learned to make your next years your best years.
3. Focused on how your company will uniquely add value.
4. Systematically removes or overcomes your weaknesses.
5. Systematically builds on your strengths. 
6. Has clear, simple metrics to achieve on a schedule.
7. Commits to accountability

Consider what you could have achieved up until now if you followed this type of plan...

Now are you mad enough to not stand for "it" anymore? 

#7 New Accountability - How will I hold myself accountable to achieve my new dream?

You should be afraid of falling back into your old ways.  Therefore have the wisdom to define and commit to accountability in your new plan.  In brief:

1. Self accountability must be daily, with longer review weekly and quarterly in "Sanctuary."
2. Further define your dream and how to achieve it with your team, and throughout your organization.  Build mutual accountability throughout your organization - NOT just at the management level.  Build an ownership culture where a part-time employee can respectfully question the behavior of the CEO if it might not match your values and pursuit of your dream. 
3. Get inspiration, focus, systems, and accountability from a consultant or coach who has been there, done that.  Chet Holmes International says 75% of Fortune 500 CEO's (the top dogs) have an outside expert to guide them in their business.  If those smart, incredibly wealthy people need an outside expert, then you should have one in your budget too.
4. If comfortable to your spouse, then define how you will submit to their accountability in a mutually respectful, encouraging way - and follow through on it!  

In some ways this is so simple.  We make our lives complicated and trap ourselves in no growth activities...    

Now are you made enough to not stand for "it" anymore? 

Don't wait.  Take Sanctuary time this weekend to answer these 7 questions and act upon your answers.  Why be stuck NOT pursuing your dreams when you have the freedom to live the life you want?