Michigan Business and Executive Coaching Blog

Launching a New Life in the New Year

December 22, 2010 By Barry

As we launch ourselves into a New Year I thought I would share a series of quotes from a book called Life Launch by Frederic M. Hudson and Pamela D. McLean. Enjoy!

“Your past cannot be changed, but can change tomorrow by your actions today.”
– David McNally

“The daily pressures to act, to do, to decide, make it difficult to stop and think, to consider and to examine your life goals, directions, and priorities – to find the best choices you have managing your own world.”
– Roy Menninger

“The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if the can’t find them, make them.”
– George Bernard Shaw

“Developing a mission means seeing a pattern in the things and though that get you moving; assessing your resources; then formulating your feelings into words.”
– Charles Garfield

“Is there something in your life you would like to change? If so, first change your perception of the problem. When you can see yourself and your situation differently, you have already taken on the responsibility for your success.”
– Marilee Zdenek

Making It Stick: Achieving Sustainable Change

December 15, 2010 By Barry

Coach Barry Demp was recently asked some questions about why people have great difficulty in achieving sustainable change in their lives. Here are a few excerpts from the interview:

What causes change to be difficult to sustain for many individuals?

There are three primary things that seem to affect people’s ability to change. First appears to be a lack of commitment. Second is an inadequate support structure both socially and structurally. And the third is the great difficulty people have turning new behavior into sustainable habits.

What are some of the things that you recommend for those who struggle with sustaining personal change?

Select only one, or very few, highly important commitments and provide ongoing rigorous support both on a social and structural level. Breakdown the goal into measurable milestones to make the goal that you set less overwhelming and more achievable.

You mentioned a Project Action Plan or Blueprint. What is that?

A Project Action Plan is a roadmap that allows you to identify and execute on a powerful committed goal with a clear destination. By designing specific, iterative action steps that you enjoy you will have a greater rate of success. Key ingredients that assist in seeing the best results from your action plan are establishing time sensitive tasks and using scoreboards to record and visualize your progress towards achieving your goal.

Visualize the Achievement of Your Goal

It is important to review your goal frequently. The more detailed you can make your vision, the more powerful it will be. Tools that you can use to help envision the achievement your goal are using a picture or image as a reminder, and creating relevant scorecards to measure progress.

Goal Affirmation

Every morning read your goal either silently or aloud. Reflect on your progress at the end of your day. Consider using a buddy system or a family member to help sustain the process. Additional support structures can include email and voicemail accountabilities.

Take Massive Action

Persistence and determination will keep you on the success track anytime obstacles stand in your way. By taking continuous massive action, you will eventually reach the point where nothing can stop you. What stopped you in the past is now just a tiny bump in the road.

Take One Specific Action

Take at least one specific action every day to propel you toward your goal. By taking continuous specific action, you develop the necessary discipline and momentum that you will need to achieve your goals. Any worthwhile goal requires sustained effort and continual organization such as placing important events or tasks in a calendar system. By consistently applying the methods above, you will develop the success habits that will enable you to achieve the goal that you desire.

Recommended reading resources from Barry Demp:

The Power of Focus by Jack Canfield

Getting Things Done by David Allen

Work Less, Make More by Jennifer White

Made to Stick by Chip Heath

Influencer: The Power to Change Anything

Making It Stick: Thoughts on Creating Sustainable Change

November 19, 2010 By Barry

We are only a few weeks away from the New Year and many people are beginning to plan for their New Years Resolution. A question on many peoples mind is often, “Why don’t over 90% of resolutions stick?”

In an article from FastCompany.com in 2005 there was an interesting statistic that shocked many that discussed the percentage of people who would actually change in the face of impending death. The article called “Change or Die” discussed the science and behavior behind people’s willingness or lack of willingness to change.

Below are some reasons why change is so challenging and also a few strategies to consider for improving your odds.

Identifying the Right Goal

The first step is to find a goal that is big enough to inspire you. Unless you are truly inspired to accomplish the goal, it is just a wish. By calling it a “goal”, you are affirming that (a) you desire it intensely, (b) you truly believe in your ability to achieve your goal and (c) you are willing to pay the price in advance for achieving your goal.

Document Your Goal

Writing out your goal stimulates the “filtering” part of your brain, called the Reticular Activating System (RAS). When you write down your goal, the RAS begins collecting relevant information, then sends results to the conscious part of your mind. It acts “behind the scenes”, causing you to become aware of opportunities that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. Make sure that the goal is positive, is written in the present tense, is action-oriented, and is specific and as detailed as possible.

Establish a Deadline

By setting a deadline, your subconscious is activated to ensure the achievement of your goal within the prescribed time frame. If you follow all of the steps in this process, and your projections are realistic, then you will achieve your goal by the deadline.

Determine the Benefit

You will only be compelled to achieve your goal if it is something that inspires you; something that causes such intense desire in you that you are willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish your goal. By writing down the reasons you want to achieve your goal, you’ll discover how intense your desire really is.

Identify the Roadblocks

There will probably be several elements standing between you and your goal. Make a list of these “challenges”, and rank them in order of priority. Then, begin taking action to remove each of the elements that stands in the way of the accomplishment of your goal.

I welcome the opportunity to learn how you have used the information posted in our “Making It Stick” blog series in your life and can be contacted at 248-740-3231 or through my website – Michigan Business and Personal Coach.

When patterns are broken, new worlds will emerge – Barry Demp Coaching

Adopting Positive Time Management Habits

October 31, 2010 By Barry

In the final posting of the Time Management blog series, I would like to suggest a few of the higher impact time management tactics that have worked for quite a few of my clients.

Now, the techniques below may appear to be obvious. However, it is committing to making them a habitual part of your life that is the truly rewarding challenge. Are you up for the task?

In your projects, involve people that have ideas and perspectives different from your own.
Write down your plans, goals, and ideas. Without clear direction, reaching your destination is difficult.
People who keep a journal are one-third more likely to feel a sense of progress in their lives.
Apply what you learn immediately to create positive habits and create long-lasting impact.
Take greater time when you speak. People who speak slowly are considered more knowledgeable.

I welcome the opportunity to learn how you have used the information posted in our Time Management blog series in your life and can be contacted at 248-740-3231 or through my website – Michigan Business and Personal Coach.

Stress Management: The Good and The Bad

October 20, 2010 By Barry

A few weeks ago many of us in Michigan were shocked to learn that the Michigan State University head football coach Mark Dantonio suffered a heart attack following a big win versus Notre Dame. Many experts would agree that he was experiencing a form of chronic Distress, and that there was a very high correlation between Distress and this unfortunate event.

To say that we are living in a stressful time to many is an understatement, yet not all stress is bad for us. In the next series of blog posts I will be sharing some perspectives and strategies to use Eustress (a positive life forwarding kind of stress) with Distress (a negative life diminishing form of stress).

Throughout our Stress Management blog series we will also be providing ideas and suggestions for your consideration as you navigate your world.

See if any of the following characteristics and symptoms applies to you and your life:

Eustress

Eustress is one of the helpful types of stress and is the type of stress you experience right before you have the need to exert physical force. Eustress prepares the muscles, heart, and mind for the strength needed for whatever is about to occur. A few examples of Eustress are:

Receiving a promotion at work
Starting a new job
Marriage
Retiring
Having a child
Moving
Purchasing a home

Distress

Distress is one of the negative types of stress that the mind and body undergoes when the normal routine is constantly adjusted and altered. The mind is not comfortable with this routine, and craves the familiarity of a common routine. A few examples of Distress are:

The death of a spouse
Filing for divorce
Losing contact with loved ones
Hospitalization
Injury or illness
Money Problems
Unemployment
Legal Problems

Coping Strategies

Walk it off – physical exercise is a great way to reduce Distress.
Talk it out – having a support network to listen to and sound out the stressful events in your life is a great way to reduce Distress.
Let it go – is sometimes easier said than done, but helps to relieve yourself of Distress.

I welcome you to contact me more information about how stress relates to your professional lifeat 248-740-3231 or visit my website at www.dempcoaching.com.

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Additional Secrets of Successful Time Managers

October 20, 2010 By Barry

As a continuation of our Time Management Strategies blog series, we would like to offer you additional secrets of successful time managers. In this segment, we begin to uncover the habits adopted and utilized by people who are able to manage their time successfully. Here are a few of the secrets:

Handle papers that cross your desk only once. Reviewing your mail next to a trash can before you enter your home is an example of enabling this behavior.
In your projects, involve people that have ideas and perspectives different from your own. This will help to develop a very collaborative and forward-thinking environment.
Write down your plans, goals, and ideas. Without clear direction, reaching your destination is difficult.
People who keep a journal are one-third more likely to feel a sense of progress in their lives than those who do not.
Apply what you learn immediately to create positive habits and create long-lasting impact.

Barry Demp is a highly-skilled Michigan Business and Personal coach focused on the areas of leadership, management, coaching, team-building, networking, business development, communication skills, relationship building, motivation, time management, life balance, and goal achievement. He specializes in working with business owners, executives, coaches, consultants, and high-potential professionals by helping them significantly increase their productivity, profitability, and life balance. For more information or assistance, please contact Barry Demp at 248-740-3231 or visit www.dempcoaching.com.

Stress Management Techniques For The Workplace

October 14, 2010 By Barry

Sometimes very stressful events occur in the workplace that affect those who are exposed to these situations. In order to help reduce these “workplace stressors”, the team at Barry Demp Coaching recommends that you try one of the following stress management techniques:

Conduct “standing meetings.” When someone enters your office, consider conducting your meeting in a standing position. This will let the person know that you have very limited time. Also, consider conducting a “walking meeting,” in which issues are discussed while walking.
Learn the difference between the “urgent” and the “important” and make time for the latter. What are two or three important areas of your life that you never seem to have time for?
Let your actions spring from your personal goals and values.
Eat your “elephant” one bite at a time. Break up your big projects into little projects.
Rewarding yourself for reaching a particular goal will help reinforce the behaviors you are developing.

Optimize Your Time Management

October 7, 2010 By Barry

As a continuation of our Time Management Blog Series, Barry Demp offers some key suggestions on how to “Optimize” the use of your time. The feedback that we have received from these blog posts has been tremendous and we encourage you to continue to provide your thoughts and results after using these suggestions by contacting us. Here are some more great suggestions on the optimization of your time management:

Use a contact/time management system like Outlook, Act, Franklin Planner, or Goldmine CRM to organize your activities and keep your mind free to think creatively. What are some ways you currently use these systems to save time? Let us know.
Hire a business, personal, or technology coach to help you put the necessary support structures in place to create new sustainable habits. See what successful time managers say about this suggestion.
Limit interruptions and distractions by communicating new guidelines for gaining your attention. Appropriately using a closed door and/or a “do not disturb” function on your phone system or simply scheduling your open-door times can help you to be more efficient.
Stephen Covey uses the phrase, “Sharpen the Saw” as a way of investing in the preparatory activities necessary to be most effective. Training, Planning, and Organizing are examples of ways to sharpen the saw. What are some others? Let us know.
Striving for progress versus “perfection” is a way to free up tremendous time and energy. What does this statement mean to you?

Time Management Blog Series

September 28, 2010 By Barry

Finding creative ways to maximize our time is always a challenging task. As a continuation of our Time Management Blog Series, we have five new suggestions to help you become masterful in managing your time.

Set artificial deadlines for yourself. “The task expands to fit the time available.” Look at how much you can accomplish when your preparing to go on vacation.
Make a list of 10 things you do each week you hate. Brainstorm ways to remove at least half of these items from your list in the next week.
Have a family meeting to discuss roles and responsibilities around the home. Distribute duties accordingly.
Cut your appointment time by one third. Each one-hour meeting will now only be forty minutes. Schedule phone meetings that will last only five to fifteen minutes. You will be surprised by the fact that you can actually accomplish your objectives in this limited time. List two or three current meetings in which you will try this strategy.
Produce greater results through others by mastering your Leadership, Management, and Coaching skills.

Tactical Time Management Tips

September 24, 2010 By Barry

Improving your time management starts with simple steps that act as momentum builders towards greater time use and efficiency.

Consider implementing one of the time management suggestions below into your life this week and let us know how it is helping you. Here are some tactical time management tips for you to use:

Learn to say “NO” in an appropriate way. You may be pleasing others at your own expense.
Consider delegating more tasks to co-workers or family members. Jobs that you are currently doing may actually be developmental opportunities for others. Select at least two items at work and one at home that you will delegate. Next week, select more.
Consider effectiveness over efficiency. Whom do you know that accomplishes more in 8 hours than others do in 10 or 12 hours?
Discard some of the stuff in your life. Stuff has to be maintained, and this takes time. What stuff in your life requires too much maintenance?
Let others work for you. If your time is worth $250.00 per hour, how many services could you hire out for just one hour of your time? Buy prepared food, have supplies delivered, shop via catalog, pay bills online, stop doing errands, have someone “clean out” your junk mail and your spam e-mail, hire a house-cleaner, a driver, and a personal organizer, etc. Choose one or two and put this support structure in place by the end of the week.