As a business coach, author, and professional speaker I’m often asked, “Why is it some people do so well in life—professionally, personally and financially—and so many others seem to constantly struggle?”

It’s an important question. Based on my 30 years of working with clients from a wide variety of industries, the most practical answer I can provide is that successful people focus on the four fundamentals of Goals, Priorities, Relationships and Habits.

Fundamentals, as the name suggests, are time-tested truths that don’t erode when a new “flavor of the month” idea is launched by some self-styled management guru. These principles are thousands of years old; they’re obviously built to last. Any time one of our clients is faced with a crisis, we have always found a solution by focusing on the 4 Fundamentals.

Fundamental #1—Goals
Do you have a crystal clear picture of what you want and why you want it? Sadly, most people answer “No.” Goals provide clarity. If you don’t have  an exciting vision for your life, then you may end up regretting the life you never had, simply because you never took the time to design it.

With the number one challenge for businesspeople today being time pressure, it is also obvious that your goals should be well-balanced. Try to balance Business, Financial, Fun-Time, Health and Fitness, Relationships, Personal, and Contribution goals.

Fundamental #2 —Priorities
Or, if you prefer a catchy rhyme, focus on what you do best and let go of the rest.
In one of our coaching workshops, we have an activity called “calculating your current level of focus,” which assesses the amount of time you spend in a typical week focused on your strengths—on those activities that produce the greatest results. Too often, we spend great amounts of time on our weakest areas, rather than giving them up in order to focus on our strengths.

What are your 3 greatest strengths, the things that you do best, that give you energy, that create measurable results?

If you can’t answer that question in ten seconds flat, you need to think about why.
Most business leaders (CEOs, presidents, V.P.’s, Managers, and Supervisors) have a level of focus less than 50%. For many people it’s more like 10-20%!

In other words, people in leadership roles allow themselves to be constantly interrupted and distracted, or micro-manage such that the greater portion of their time is wasted every week. Putting out fires and reacting to other people’s emergencies is not good leadership. Focus instead on what you do best, and delegate the rest.

Fundamental #3 —Relationships
To succeed, you need other people’s help. In business we call these Core Clients—people who love your product or service so much they almost become your cheerleaders. You can have internal and external clients, depending on your role in the organization. Focusing on building strategic relationships creates great leverage.

What are the five most important relationships to cultivate in your business in order to create the best opportunity for future success?
Excellent relationships thrive when you constantly add more value and when people trust, respect and genuinely like you. You need to have integrity in your dealings and focus on helping others achieve their most important goals. Suspend your own self-interest and you will be handsomely rewarded down the road.

Sadly, we observe companies using cut-throat negotiating tactics, providing minimal training or substituting “quick fixes” for real problem solving. Well trained people are a company’s greatest asset, especially if the rewards and recognition are shared when victory is achieved.

Fundamental #4 —Successful Habits
The bottom line?  Better habits guarantee better results. And results are the name of the game, in business and in life. It’s not what you say, it’s what you DO that counts!

Do you have any bad habits? Or, more importantly, do you recognize the possible consequences of your bad habits? Not today or next week, but maybe years down the road, you could suddenly face a financial meltdown, a health crisis, or a marriage breakdown.

A lack of awareness, not paying attention to warning signals or being “too busy” to reflect are all detriments to creating successful habits.
Again, there’s good news! You can change any bad habit to a successful habit. Just creating three or four successful new habits every year can dramatically improve your business, provide financial freedom, and contribute to excellent health and long lasting relationships.     

To find out more about how you can customize the 4 Fundamentals for the specific needs of your organization, contact The Power of Focus Inc. at 877.678.0234 or 403. 295.0500. Or email Les at les.h@thepoweroffocus.ca