Why Have a Plan?

This morning while I was reading email and looking at my daily schedule, I was also listening to Mike and Mike in the Morning on ESPN2 as background noise. A typical morning for me... respond to emails, check some traffic statistics, and half listen to whatever I choose for noise that particular morning.

Today was a little different... and it caused me to change my daily schedule. I hadn't intended to write in the blog today, but I heard a quote that I had to share. Herman Edwards, former NFL coach and current NFL analyst, said the following about the Washington Redskins front office:

A dream without a plan is just a wish

While I can't positively state that it is true about the Washington franchise, it is very true when it comes to personal growth. Having a dream or desire is the easy part of self-improvement. We all do it regularly. But how often do you achieve that dream or desire?

And similar to business process improvement, the critical step in attaining your personal wish, to acquire what it is you desire,  is to have a plan. Your dreams won't come true just by wishing for it to happen. You must take positive steps in the direction of your goal in order to achieve it!

But what are those steps? Your personal success coach can guide and mentor you through not only the creation of your success plan, but also help you achieve those goals more quickly than you might on your own. 

What is your dream? What are you wishing for? Let me lead you to acquire the dreams. Visit us at InspireSuccessCoaching.com

Why I Love Tuesday Morning

Let's get past the obvious first... Tuesday is not Monday... there's none of that beginning of the week startup uncertainty. I'm no longer worried that someone is taking an emergency week off from work... I have a good plan of action for the week's tasks and goals... and no NFL games to keep me up late for a few more days.

 So aside from a little Monday night football fatigue (that is, if I stay awake until the end of the game), Tuesdays mornings are off to a beautiful start. My mind is clear to begin the early morning ritual of reading and returning emails, checking on my website traffic statistics, and then viewing what's new on Facebook and Twitter.

Perhaps you're wondering what's so wonderful about Tuesday. It's certainly not what I just listed as the start of my work day. I do that almost every day... I can't say it makes Tuesday more special than any other day of the week. Tuesday is great because it's my babysitting day!

Yes, babysitting day... I get to supervise my 18-month old grandson while mommy is off to college. What makes it so great is during that 2-3 hours I'm not thinking about adding to content to the website,  I'm not thinking about Google, or Six Sigma, or any other business matters. I get to play!

We get to do things like climbing doors, yes I said climbing doors... he just loves climbing the patio door! We go for walks, play with building blocks. I get a steady diet of Sesame Street (do you know they redid the opening music?), Curious George, Make Way for Noddy, and Sid the Science Kid.

I realize that those are programs for children, but hey... they're not reruns to me! I've learned some interesting facts by watching... for example, Curious George plays soccer, and Sid has a rather vivid imagination.

But I digress... there's really nothing that compares to my Tuesday mornings. Where else can you have this much innocent enjoyment? Is there anything more joyful than your grandchild climbing up the sofa to give you a nice long hug?

There is one thing I need some help with though... is there someone out there who can translate infant-talk into English... I'm having trouble with the phrase "Ma Na Ma Na Ma Na."

Carpenter Group is Blogging... we've finally joined this decade!

I know, I know...but better late than never! Yes, we're behind the curve a little, but we've only recently decided to increase our web presence. I'd personally like to thank the marketing arm for the good swift kick. Been meaning to do this for a couple years.

Like most other accomplishments, it didn't occur without a plan. I've been saying it for years... have a plan, follow the plan, adjust the plan as required by any roadblocks encountered, and follow through until completion. I listened to my own advice. Kind of like self-induced business coaching.

Once I identified the goal, it became a matter of plotting a direction to achieve the goal. Years in Six Sigma taught me to organize the tasks required into an easily read form... like a Gantt Chart. Next establish a time line for the tasks. Then get at it... it's time to enact the plan created.

But here's the thing, self-induced coaching doesn't work for all people. If you aren't motivated or goal oriented, this could be a recipe for disaster!  I've experienced one too many in this latest economic decline.
Who needs another disaster!

That's just one of the aspects of enlisting a coach. Coaches will keep you engaged, keep you motivated, and help you determine how you define success.

Today's Quote

Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.- William Faulkner