Distraction-Proof® Advisor Ideas

2008 Preparing for Excellence Series – Issue 9

As the Olympic flame made its global tour before the Beijing Olympics, it made its only North American stop in San Francisco. Security concerns about protesters resulted in last minute changes to the route the runners took through the city. While as an Olympian I find this sad, there is a learning point.

Because changes to the pre-selected route caused great confusion and increased the cost of security services for the city, the last minute changes were made only in the face of a dire emergency. Sudden or frequent changes to your pre-selected route in your business are confusing and costly, too, and also should only be done in the case of a dire emergency.

Here is why.

One of the strongest temptations faced by the athlete as they get closer to the beginning of the Olympic Games is to think that there still may be one more change they should make to their technique to ensure they perform at their absolute peak. When the athlete knows that his or her success may be decided by only split seconds, it’s natural to want to do all one can to be on the cutting edge.

The desire to keep making changes can sound good, but it can actually be a costly distraction.

Changing practice details and tweaking techniques to improve can be good. I often warn against getting into a rut – doing things the same old way simply because that’s how they have always been done. I’ve shared about how my college coach changed my stroke, and while it ultimately made me stronger, it slowed me down considerably in the short term. However, because change does slow you down in the short term, there is a set time for it.

I’ve encouraged you to examine and analyze your practices to determine where you need to make changes to improve your results, and this may even include a defined, limited period of experimentation when you try different things to decide what works best for you.

But the time for experimentation is defined and limited: once you have picked your route, stick with it!

Constant changes and last minute alterations before important presentations mean constant cost and uncertainty in your performance.

Just like changing the plans for the Olympic torch’s route at the last minute in San Francisco took a tremendous amount of energy and resources, continual changes to your practice and routine can waste important time, use up valuable resources and drain your conviction because you’re always second guessing yourself.

Advisors can lull themselves into a false sense of progress by continually trying new things, when in reality they are just spinning their wheels. Once you have considered carefully and chosen your route, keep your energy and focus on that path so you can make real progress.

This can sound shocking in today’s business world, where we hear that the environment is constantly changing, and that we must keep changing to keep up. Maybe what’s really needed is some perseverance along the path you have already carefully considered and confidently chosen.

Use the same approach that the successful athlete and coach use to make real progress toward an Olympic medal:

• Honestly evaluate your daily actions. Know why you do what you do, and cull unproductive activities.
• Listen to new ideas through a selective filter: don’t rush to adopt new activities simply because they are the latest fad or today’s media favorite. (There are many different ways to train to win an Olympic medal, but I needed to chose and follow the one that made the best sense for me.)
• Don’t make change for change’s sake. If you are going to alter your current practice and format, do so thoughtfully. Changes take time and need to be evaluated for their effectiveness.

Practicing restraint and perseverance in an environment that extols 24/7 action and constant change is a little bit counter-cultural; but then winning “Olympic medals” is not an ordinary, everyday occurrence either – and isn’t that your goal?

Wishing you great progress along your chosen path,
– Paul

Copyright Paul Kingsman 2008
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How do you know what changes to make and when? Paul Kingsman – Olympic medalist, professional speaker and executive coach – works with his clients to help them evaluate and choose the perfect timing for the most productive changes AND to know when and how to persevere on their chosen paths. To learn more about how he can help equip you or your team to achieve your own Split Second Success® through his keynote presentations or executive coaching, contact him at http://www.paulkingsman.com.

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