If you truly want to make this year the most successful one so far, things needs to change. Without doubt, the area that needs to change is us, or more precisely, YOU! So what is it that needs to change to ensure this is YOUR year?
W Clement Stone
For this short blog, I will borrow some material from W. Clement Stone who gave us a great formula for success. It’s used extensively by one of my hero’s John C Maxwell and it has never failed me. I use it personally and in my coaching. It goes as follows:
E + R = O
There, good luck!
What? You want More? Blimey you guys are really demanding, You’re really serious about making a big change aren’t you? I like that! 
Okay, here goes:
E (Event) + R (Response) = O (Outcome or Result).
The principle is that whatever outcome you are dealing with in your life right now, success – failure, wealth – poverty, health – illness, joy – frustration are all as a direct result of the responses you made to an earlier event. In short, if you are unhappy with the outcome or results that you are getting in your life right now, you have two choices:
1. Blame the event (the economy, government, your spouse, the system or whatever happens to be in your focus right now), or
2. Change your responses to the events (until you get the outcome you want).
Unfortunately, most people take option one because that’s their ‘conditioned response’. It’s a response that was learned and is now automatic but it doesn’t have to remain that way. We can all re-learn so that a new way becomes automatic. The new way is to ‘change your response’.
What can be changed?
You can change your focus, your thoughts, communication, picture that you have of yourself and the world you live in, the things that you do the things that you say, even to yourself. In short, everything that you think, say and do needs to become intentional, in line with your values, purpose, beliefs and goals for yourself.
To achieve the best outcome following any event, just ask yourself some simple questions.
- What is the reality right now? You might answer ”the economy is pretty tough right now”, or ”I’m overweight right now” or whatever might be going on for you.
- What are my response options? Write them all down.
- From the list, what is my BEST response option?
- What thoughts are required for my best response option?
- What words are required for my best response option?
- What actions are required for my best response option?
- Manage daily your best response, words & actions.
- Share this formula with your whole team or family.
It fair to say that item seven will seem very awkward at first. Its new and you will have to remember to do it. Eventually, just as your habit of choosing option one above used be automatic, choosing your best option will also become automatic and you will be on the road to changing key aspects of your life and becoming a great leader.
So tomorrow, as a nation returns to work you will hear the moans, the whining and the complaints of everything that is wrong with everything, you’ll hear things on the radio or TV news or perhaps read things in the paper that previously you would have bought into and allowed it to change your outlook. Instead now, choose your best response, stay focused on the fantastic opportunities that exist with your best response and reap the rewards. Make the most of your day, week month and year ahead. Its going to be an amazing year and it starts right NOW!
