Surrounding yourself with well-chosen mentors can dramatically change your life. A mentor is someone with vast experience or unique talents who is willing to share ideas with you on a regular basis. You, as the the recipient of this valuable information, have a responsibility to use it wisely by furthering your career and financial status or by enhancing your personal or family life. It’s like a teacher-student relationship, except that you have the benefit of one-on-one tutoring. And the big bonus is that you normally don’t pay for the lessons. What a deal!
Here’s a proven three-step method to help you enjoy the considerable advantages of mentorship:

1. Identify the target.
Select one specific area of your life that you want to improve. There may be several, but for the purpose of getting started, choose only one.

Here are a few ideas—growing your business, sales, marketing, hiring excellent people, preparing financial statements, learning new technology, investment strategies, accumulating wealth, eliminating debt, eating and exercising for optimum health, being an excellent parent, or doing effective presentations.

2. Select your mentor candidates.
Think about someone who is exceptionally experienced or talented in the area you have selected for improvement. It could be someone you know personally, or it could be a leader in your industry. Maybe it’s someone who is recognized as a top authority on this topic—a well-known writer, speaker or celebrity. Whoever it is, make sure he or she has a proven track record and is truly successful.

3. Create your strategic plan.
If you don’t already know the whereabouts of your proposed mentor, how are you going to locate this unique individual, and when you do, how will you make contact? The first thing to realize is that you are probably never more than six people away from anyone you want to meet, including your new mentor. That’s exciting to know—treat it like a game. There may be six doors you need to open before you have all the information you need. Who could open the first door for you? Proceed from there, and keep asking. You’ll be surprised how quickly the other doors open up once you put the word out.

You may be looking at the name of your proposed mentor and second-guessing yourself with thoughts like, “I don’t even know this person and she certainly doesn’t know me. And if she did, she probably wouldn’t give me any of her valuable time.” Stop right there! The following story is big proof that finding and contacting mentors is well within your capabilities.

One of our core clients is a young man who owns a small trucking business, and he was keen to expand. After attending our Achievers workshop on mentorship, he selected one of the major players in the trucking industry to be his new mentor. This man had started and built a huge business over the years, and was widely respected by his peers and competitors.

Our client, Neil, located the head office in Texas. He made several phone calls and eventually was connected to this successful businessman. (I’ll tell you what to say when you make a call like this in a few minutes, so be patient.) Neil was a little nervous, but he summoned up the courage to ask. The successful businessman agreed to spend twenty minutes every month with Neil on the telephone, sharing his experience and best ideas. True to his word, this arrangement was carried out, and one day Neil received an interesting offer. His new found mentor invited him down to Texas for five days to study every aspect of his business. He could be a fly on the wall, talk to the staff, and observe firsthand why the company had prospered.

Of course Neil didn’t hesitate. The result? Not only was he able to expand his business in many profitable ways, his relationship matured to another level. Instead of a mentor-mentee association, a growing friendship developed. In addition, he was able to share some of his own successful strategies that were not being practiced by his mentor. Over time, a true win-win relationship formed, and Neil’s confidence grew along with his profits.

It all started with that one phone call. So let’s analyze how you can enjoy similar success. The most important thing is to be sincere. Sincerity goes a long way in helping you get what you want in life. Here’s what Neil said when he first got through on the telephone, “Hello, Mr. Johnston (not his actual name), my name is Neil. We haven’t met yet. And I know you’re a busy man, so I’ll be brief. I own a small trucking business. Over the years you have done a fantastic job, building your business into one of the largest companies in our industry. I’m sure you had some real challenges when you were first starting out. Well, I’m still in those early stages, trying to figure everything out. Mr. Johnston, I would really appreciate it if you would consider being my mentor. All that would mean is spending ten minutes on the phone with me once a month, so I could ask you a few questions. I’d really appreciate it. Would you be open to that?”

When you ask that closing question, the answer will usually be “Yes” or “No.” If it’s “Yes,” control your excitement and ask another question. “When would be a good time to call you in the next few weeks?” Then confirm a specific time for your first mentor meeting. Follow up with a handwritten “thank you” note right away.

If the answer is “No,” politely thank the person for his time. Depending on how firm the refusal was, you could ask if it would be okay to call back at a more convenient time to reconsider your request. Otherwise move to plan B—call the next person on your list.

Let’s review the key elements in the phone call. First, get right to the point. Busy people appreciate this. Don’t socialize. Stick to a well-prepared script using a relaxed conversational tone. It only takes a minute. Also, it is important to control the conversation. Say what you want to say, ask the closing question and then shut up. At this point, you allow your potential new mentor to speak. If you follow this sequence, your success ratio will be high. Here’s why: First of all, when you ask someone to be a mentor, it is the ultimate compliment. Second, they are rarely asked. And if you do it with total sincerity, having reminded them of their own earlier challenges, you will often receive a positive response.

Before you make the call, it’s useful to have as much information as possible. Ask the company to send you any promotional material they have, including the most recent annual report.

Remember, you can have several mentors. You can select people for any area of your life that you want to improve. They may live in another city or country, or they may be half an hour’s drive away. So get started and have fun. These relationships can dramatically accelerate your progress in any area of life.

Trial and error is one way to gain experience, but it’s hard work figuring everything out on your own. Tapping into other people’s successful formulas and adapting their ideas is a lot smarter. It’s usually who you know that opens up the doors for bigger and better opportunities. Treat it like a “connect-the-dots” game. Successful people are well-connected. Simply follow their moves.

    
Les Hewitt, author / business coach
(403) 295-0500    www.thepoweroffocus.ca

...at the office
If your business is expanding, hiring a personal assistant can dramatically change your life for the better.

A personal assistant is not a receptionist, secretary, or someone whose duties you share with two or three other people. A true personal assistant is totally dedicated to you and excels at the tasks you don’t enjoy. A personal assistant should free you from the mundane jobs that clutter your week so you can focus entirely on your most brilliant activities.

Carefully selecting your personal assistant is critical to your future health. Select the right person and your life will become a simpler, your stress levels will diminish, and you’ll have a lot more fun. Select the wrong person and you will only compound your current problems.
When hiring a personal assistant, list the tasks you want your assistant to be completely responsible for. Most of your list should comprise activities you want to discard from your own agenda.

When you interview, have the top three applicants complete a personal profile evaluation. There are several good ones on the market. (Check out kolbe.com) Make up a profile of your ideal candidate before you begin your selection campaign. Usually the person who is the closest match to your ideal profile will do the best job. Of course, you must also take consider attitude, honesty, integrity, and experience. Do not select someone just like you, as you want someone who complements, rather than competes with, your skills.

It is essential to surrender to your personal assistant. Executives often think that “nobody can do these things as well as I can.” That may be true. However, what if your assistant could do these tasks 75 percent as well initially? With proper training and communication, your assistant will eventually do these activities as well as you, and may outperform you in many of them.

So give up the need for total control—it’s holding you back. Ask yourself, “How much am I worth per hour?” If you are running around doing low-income activities, give them up to someone with better organizational ability and a passion for details.

Schedule time frequently—at least once a week—to discuss your agenda with your personal assistant. If these potentially great relationships disintegrate, it is usually from lack of communication.

Also, allow reasonable learning time for your new partner. Set up screening methods with your assistant that protect you from all the potential distractions and interruptions, so you can focus on what you do best. Be open to input and feedback. Often, your assistant will create better ways to organize your office. Rejoice if this happens—you’ve found a real winner.

...and at home
No matter where you live, keeping a home in first-class condition requires maintenance. If you have children, the problem is magnified according to their age and ability to destroy. Think of all the time spent in a typical week cooking, cleaning, fixing things, and running errands. These activities are the ongoing stuff of life and, depending on your mood, you enjoy them, put up with them, or resent them.

What if you could find a way to minimize these tasks, or, even better, eliminate them? Freedom and relaxation would be sure to follow. Simply put, if you want to free up your time, get help. Although the initial price may seem steep, the benefits far outweigh the cost.
Most of the help you require will be part time. For example, hire someone to do house cleaning once a week, or every other week.
   We found a wonderful couple who have cleaned our home for twelve years. They love their work. They are honest, caring people. Not surprisingly, they do a fantastic job. The investment? Only sixty dollars per visit. The benefit? Several hours freed up and more energy to enjoy the week.

Is there a retired handyman in your neighborhood? Many experienced older people have terrific skills and are looking for little part-time jobs to keep them busy. These activities give them a sense of fulfillment. Usually, money isn’t their primary need.

Make a list of all the things at home that need servicing, fixing or upgrading and that you never seem to get around to. Release your stress and hire someone.

That someone will be happy to use his or her skills. And you can eliminate the frustration of trying to do all those fix-up jobs that you’re no good at, and don’t even have the tools for.

Cutting grass, weeding, trimming, watering plants and bushes, and raking all need to get done, and can be done well by students. Look around your neighborhood for an enterprising teenager—there are lots of young people who work hard and get the job done right. It’s inexpensive compared to the professionals, though it is important to compensate your labourers fairly.

Think of all the extra time you’ll have. You could reinvest those valuable hours into your own best money-making activities, or have real time to relax and re-energize with your family and friends. Maybe this new freedom allows you to embark on that hobby you’ve always wanted to pursue, or enjoy more time for sports. You’re employing others while freeing time for yourself. So why aren’t you doing it already?
    
Les Hewitt, author / business coach
(403) 295-0500    www.thepoweroffocus.ca

Brent Vouri knew he was going to die.

It was his most severe asthma attack yet, and his lungs had completely seized, just like a car engine when it finally runs out of oil.

The last thing he remembered that night was the hospital floor rushing up to meet him. His coma lasted for fifteen days, during which time he dropped forty pounds. When he finally awoke, he was unable to speak for another two weeks. For the first time in years, he had time to think.

Why, at only twenty years of age, had his life almost ended?

Asthma had been a part of Brent’s life since birth. He was well-known at the hospital after numerous visits to stabilize his condition. Despite having lots of energy as a child, he was never able to participate in physical activities such as skating or hockey. His parents divorced when he was ten, and the next few years were a continuous downward spiral of drugs, alcohol abuse, and a smoking habit that consumed thirty cigarettes per day.

He didn’t finish school and aimlessly drifted from one part-time job to the next. Even though his health was steadily getting worse, he chose to ignore it—until that fateful night when his body said, “no more.” With time to reflect, he concluded that he had brought this on himself through years of making bad choices. His new resolve was, “Never again; I want a life.”

Brent gradually became stronger and was eventually released from the hospital. One of his initial goals was to win a T-shirt for completing twelve fitness classes. He did it. Three years later he was teaching aerobics. The momentum was building. Five years after that he competed in the National Aerobics Championships. Along the way he decided to further his education by first completing his high school diploma and then successfully working his way through university.

Next, he and a friend started their own manufacturing business, specializing in producing apparel for retail chains. Starting with only four employees, Brent built the company into a multi-million-dollar enterprise supplying high-profile clients such as Nike. By deciding to make better choices and create better habits, Brent Vouri turned his life around—from yesterday’s zero to today’s hero.
Isn’t that an inspiring story?

Life doesn’t just happen to you. You determine how you respond to every situation, and bad choices often lead to unpleasant outcomes. Your everyday choices determine your destiny; however, one poor choice doesn’t doom you to make poor decisions forever.
Consistent choices lay the foundation for your habits, and your habits play a major role in how your future unfolds. This includes the habits you display to the business world every day, as well as the variety of behaviors that show up in your personal life. The truth is, successful people have successful habits—unsuccessful people don’t!

YOUR HABITS WILL DETERMINE YOUR FUTURE

Simply stated, a habit is something you do so often it becomes easy. In other words, it’s a behavior that you keep repeating. If you persist in a new behavior, eventually it becomes automatic.

For example, learning to drive a car with a standard gearshift is often difficult. One of the initial challenges is figuring out how to synchronize the clutch and accelerator pedals so you have a nice, smooth gear change. If you release the clutch too quickly, the car stalls. If you press down too hard on the accelerator without releasing the clutch, the engine roars but you don’t go anywhere. Sometimes the car jumps down the street like a kangaroo, surging and stopping as the new driver struggles with the pedals. However, with practice, the gear change eventually becomes smooth and you don’t think about it anymore.

We are all creatures of habit. When I drive home from my office every day, there are nine traffic lights along the route. Often I get home and don’t remember any of the lights.  It’s like I’m unconscious as I drive. If my wife asks me to make a detour to pick up something on the way home, it’s not uncommon for me to totally forget because I’ve programmed myself to take the same way home every night.

The great news is that you can reprogram yourself any time you choose to do so. If you’re struggling financially, this is important to know!
Let’s say you want to be financially independent. Doesn’t it make sense to check your money-making habits? Are you in the habit of paying yourself first every month? Do you consistently save and invest at least 10 percent of your income? The answer is either “yes” or “no.” Immediately you can see if you are moving in the right direction. The key word here is consistent. That means every month. And every month is a good habit. Most people dabble when it comes to growing their money. They are very inconsistent.

Suppose you start a savings and investment program. For the first six months you diligently put your 10 percent away according to plan. Then something happens. You borrow the money to take a vacation, and you tell yourself you’ll make it up in the next few months. Of course you don’t—and your financial independence program is stalled before it even gets off the ground! By the way, do you know how easy it is to become financially secure? Starting at age eighteen, if you invest one hundred dollars per month compounding annually at 10 percent, you will have more than $1.1 million tucked away at age sixty-five. Even if you don’t start until you are forty years old, there’s hope, although it will take more than what you would have invested at age 18.

The solution is called a no exceptions policy. In other words, commit to your better financial future every single day. It’s what separates the people who enjoy a great lifestyle from those who continually struggle.

Let’s look at another situation. If maintaining excellent health is high on your list of priorities, exercising three times a week may be the minimum standard to keep you in shape. A No Exceptions Policy means you will maintain this exercise habit no matter what happens, because you value the long-term benefits.

People who dabble at change will quit after a few weeks or months. And they usually have a long list of excuses why it didn’t work out for them. If you want to distance yourself from the masses with excuses, understand that your habits determine your future.
Successful people don’t drift to the top. It takes focused action, personal discipline, and daily commitment to creating good habits. Rich or poor, healthy or unhealthy, fulfilled or unfulfilled, happy or unhappy—it’s your choice, so choose wisely.

Les Hewitt, author / business coach
(403) 295-0500    www.thepoweroffocus.ca

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