Improvement

What is the real issue?

Posted by HorrieM

Develop and execute the plan.

Build the solution into the plan.

Highlight the issue(s) that the solution is alleviating.

Identify the root cause of the issue.

Share the analysis that identified the root cause.

People willingly talk about the issues.

They can get stuck on an issue.

They will identify many issues.

Repeatedly discuss the same issue.

Which ultimately feels good but solves nothing.

Making a plan and executing the plan will trigger progress.

Even the wrong plan will trigger progress.

(Which then brings the right plan one step closer.)

Identifying root cause will generate the right plan.

Could the issue simply be not getting to root cause?

 

“Ignorance is the root cause of all difficulties.” – Plato

 

You need enough to start

Posted by HorrieM

Something needs to change.

You’ve just had enough.

Enough of the current situation.

Getting the same result.

Or even inconsistent results.

Are you ready to do what is required?

Do you understand what it will mean?

Good!

Then you’re more likely to realise the change.

You’ll be motivated to keep going when it gets hard.

To push through setbacks.

You’ve had enough.

Enough is all you need to start.

 

“They say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.” – Andy Warhol

“If you want something you’ve never had. You must be willing to do something you’ve never done.” – Thomas Jefferson

 

Think back, then think forward

Posted by HorrieM

Think back.

There was something you once thought you could not do.

Something you once believed you were not up for.

You presumed or assumed it was beyond you.

You could not imagine yourself doing it.

And then you did it.

Perhaps not straight away.

It may have taken practice.

Or just a surge of courage.

There is something perhaps now you cannot imagine doing.

Something you are struggling with at the moment.

Think forward.

You’ll be doing it.

 

“When our attitudes outdistance our abilities, even the impossible becomes possible.” – John C. Maxwell

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela

 

Keep reinventing

Posted by HorrieM

This didn’t work.

That didn’t come off.

There might be something in that.

It’s just not working yet.

It requires some more thought.

Might need to look at that differently.

Continue to innovate.

Adapt.

Keep reinventing.

Yourself.

Your model.

Your offerings.

Products.

Projects.

Keep going.

The landscape has changed.

Then again, it always has.

 

“For the world has changed and we must change with it.” – Barack Obama

“Your power to choose your direction of your life allows you to reinvent yourself, to change your future, and to powerfully influence the rest of creation.” – Stephen R. Covey

 

Back to the drawing board. Great!

Posted by HorrieM

The presentation didn’t land.

The proposal was not accepted.

The boss said it needs more work.

The client said “no”.

You are now authorised to make it better.

(In case you were unsure before.)

You have an opportunity.

To take stock.

To step back.

To improve.

You now know what doesn’t work.

You are one step closer.

Great!

Now it’s back to the drawing board.

But you’re not starting from scratch.

 

“Isn’t the drawing board the place where all the best work happens? It’s not a bad thing to go back there. It’s the entire point.” – Seth Godin

“When the inventor of the drawing board messed things up, what did he go back to?” – Bob Monkhouse

 

It’s your move …

Posted by HorrieM

The pieces on the playing board are still moving.

Though that doesn’t really matter.

Because even the board has not settled yet.

So, what can you do?

You can go play on a separate board you know.

One you have played with before and understand.

With all the known pieces.

You can wait for the board to settle.

If it does, then you can see what pieces are left to play with.

If it doesn’t, then this is now the new evolving playing board.

You’ll have to find the pieces and work with what you’ve got.

You can assist with settling the board.

Working with the pieces and (re-)establishing the rules of the game.

Or, you can design your own totally new playing board.

With any many, or as few, pieces as you like.

It’s your move.

 

“Business is like a giant game of chess: you have to make strategic moves, and learn quickly from your mistakes.” – Richard Branson

“Don’t try to beat the competitors at their own game. You have to invent a new game – and master it.” – Reid Hoffman

 

Through the eyes of someone else

Posted by HorrieM

Have a new pair of eyes take a look at it.

Either your own, after taking a break or sleeping on it.

Or someone else completely.

When you are disappearing into the project plan.

Have someone else review the plan.

When the lines of the process map are no longer connecting.

Walk through the process with someone else.

When you’ve been staring at the document for too long.

Ask someone else to proofread the document.

It will always come back better.

Then perhaps you could do it for someone else.

 

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” – Wayne Dyer

“Twice and thrice over, as they say, good is it to repeat and review what is good.” – Plato