"Dedicated people have employment security."
Zig Ziglar
[NB re-read that one - not job security but you can bet they are highly employable in another company!]
In business, as in any other sphere of life, people are attracted to people they like.
So how to get someone to like you? Let’s face it, being lovable does not come easily to some of us and all of us have our moments!
Everyone wants to be listened to and appreciated. So if you can learn to become genuinely interested in the other person, doors open.
Some people may not seem so interesting, you say… yes, but we all have a story.
Let’s put this into a business context. Say you are the new manager in town working for a consulting company and seeking new contracts with the big players in town. Let’s say a mining town. Research who it is you need to see to get the contract. Then research what he likes to do in his spare time – what is he passionate about.
One mining town I lived in had a major focus on landsailing – yes, quite a unique hobby! However whether it be just going out and trying it for the day or joining the club if you genuinely are interested, this has created a bridge to open communication in a non-threatening way. All business is based on relationships. Relationships are based on common interests.
We have all met the young and brash newbies who join a new company or business council and want to promote themselves or sell their wares. They do not create the relationship they so desperately desire, then wonder why.
For many of us this is common sense, however if it is perhaps you could share your knowledge and mentor someone else!
An even better strategy than a common interest is to research what that person needs or wants then help them obtain it. I don’t say this to manipulate but as the inspirational Zig Ziglar teaches us ‘if you help enough others get what they want, you will get what you want.’
Success begins with being genuinely interested in others.
We all intellectually understand that to achieve success in any area we need to focus on a goal and have a plan to get there from the real starting point.
Is it possible to have a number of goals at the same time?
Many peak performers and motivational speakers such as Anthony Robbins believe that to have one goal to focus on at a time is optimal and preferable.
In our complicated lives especially for those of us with more ‘loose’ employment or contract work where we are unsure even in which continent we will be working in, how can we also achieve our goals?
I honestly believe that just as the overall employment market has changed drastically over the last fifteen years, with current trends including outsourcing and even direct employees are on short term contracts, that our goal setting must also become more flexible.
However some things do not change – there are still only 24 hours in a day.
If you do not have a goals program. I strongly suggest you research the one that suits you and then work on your own. I highly recommend the one outlined in Zig Ziglar’s book, ‘Over the Top’. Alternatively most business mentors and coaches have their own. If you would like to create one but don’t know where to start or you would prefer to have someone do it with you, contact us. This is definitely one of our own services.
In this new year and new decade, I have a checklist however my next step is to really make my goals program more detailed. I do like whiteboards!!! In this way the goals and measuring progress toward those goals is visible and indirectly helps us to be more accountable. Just as we may have multiple projects on at work, we can monitor various goals in different aspects of our lives.
If you would like some suggestions or further information, please post a comment here or drop me a line at admin@onlinebusinessconsultingservices.com
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