The Secret to Lasting Improvements and Results? New Habits!

So you've made those first quarter plans for your business. This year, 2008, will be the year that you'll do things different. You're going to stay focused on your new plans and achieve great results.

How is that working out so far? Are you sticking to your plan? Are the activities within your business changing as a result of your new goals? What does it take to effectively drive change for yourself and your organization?

Some studies show it takes 25 days to make a new habit.

First of all, you have to realize how powerful habits are. This includes your habits of action, what you are used to doing, and also, your habits of thought, the way you're used to looking at things, your perception of things, your attitude. Your habits as well as those of your employees collectively determine the culture of the organization. So what does it take to change? How can you develop those new habits that are going to give your business the results you're looking for... How can you change the culture of an organization to achieve more...

Let's look at this question in light of one habit. If you're willing to go through the following exercise, I think you'll find it a bit eye-opening. First, write down the habit you'd like get rid of. Then, write down all the rewards this habit provides you - the satisfaction, the emotional kudos that activity gives you. (Be honest here. Even our most negative habits like procrastination give us rewards like providing a crisis and its corresponding adrenalin rush.) Then write down the negative aspects of this habit. What is the downside to continuing this activity? What are the consequences to you or your organization if this habit continues? Write down the associated dollar amount to those consequences if possible. Is this making a case for action? Then... choose a behavior to take the place of the habit you'd like to lose. Write down the corresponding rewards and consequences of making that new behavior a habit.

And now for the hard part: begin new actions and behaviors that help you develop this new habit. And don't just do it once - make sure you keep doing it! Some studies show it takes 25 days to make a new habit. So keep at it. The worst thing is not messing up a few times but giving up completely on your goal of changing habits. As long as you stay aware of your actions, both old and new, you will be on your way to great change.

How effective would your organization be if all your people were effectively acting to accomplish your organization's 2008 goals? If all your people were consciously focused on actions that reflect positive, can-do attitudes, and habits? What would that mean for your customers? Your shareholders? Your profitability? Your ability to invest in your company? Your ability to compete with your competitors? Your ability to build a company worthy of a legacy? You can affect all of this by developing your people. Developing your team to have positive habits and attitudes is a cost-effective investment that will bring bottom line results.

Julia Robinson
Steller Solutions

Reprinted from the February 2008 "Steller Ezine", an electronic newsletter of Steller Solutions that is full of FREE tips and resources for your business. Subscribe at www.Steller-Solutions.com