I’m a growth consultant, wired to see opportunity. When you’re in the day-to-day grind, it is hard to see the opportunities in your business. The busier we are, the less productive we become, and work becomes…work.
The challenges of COVID-19 have made it especially hard to step out of a reactionary state and into an opportunistic state. However, you can interrupt the grind and shift into an opportunistic state this year.
Below are the five best practices I’ve used to help advisors and their teams regain clarity about what they are doing and why they are doing it to drive value for their clients.
One requirement for these tips to work is to believe that you are in control, which you are. When you believe you are in control of your outcomes, anything is possible.
Set yourself and your team up for success with these five tips:
1. Use momentum goals
Momentum goals are small and achievable to build the feeling of progress, and achievement. Small wins drive engagement, motivation, and progress. Small wins lead to big results (read my article, The Downside of Thinking Big, Think Small to Grow).
Access my Momentum Goal Worksheet to develop your momentum goals.
2. Tie a selfless impact goal to your business goals
Giving back feels good. You started your business because you believed in your services, skills, and ability to deliver value. Growth not only impacts you and your business, but your ability to positively influence others.
Consider how your success will impact others. How will it affect your team, clients, and the people and organizations you support? As part of your business goal setting, consider the positive influence you will have if you achieve your goals. Specifically, for revenue and AUM goals, what is possible if you achieve or exceed those goals?
Identify at least one impact goal that requires you to meet your business goals.
For example, if you generate $1 million in revenue, you will give $10,000 instead of $5,000 to a charity that’s important to you. Don’t stop there; imagine writing a check for a specific dollar amount, more than you’ve ever given and handing it to the leader of that organization. How does that feel? What’s their reaction? Your success isn’t only about you. Your success has a ripple effect that can be bigger than you if you are intentional.
3. Seek out people who support and push you
If you believe you’ve got it figured out, you are wrong. The easiest way to up your game and take the necessary actions towards your goals (even if they are scary) is to surround yourself with people you admire and who have skills, strengths, and perspectives different from yours – people who can help you grow.
Who will help you develop skills, overcome weaknesses and achieve your goals this year? Share your struggles and aspirations and ask for help.
Schedule a monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly check-in with them to keep you focused and accountable.
4. Double down on your values and strengths
When you play to your strengths and live your values, work becomes play. You get to be proud for being yourself and doing what you’re great at. Every time I’ve worked with an advisor and helped them articulate what differentiates them, they light up. They feel heard, seen and inspired to be themselves. Your differentiation lives at the intersection of your values, strengths, and the solutions you offer.
Identifying your strengths and values is hard to do in your head. Ask people who know you for feedback on what you’re great at. Seek examples of times you’ve felt proud, passionate, or hurt. Likely, those experiences were grounded in your values being lived out or threatened.
Being authentically yourself always serves you well.
5. Look back and account for all you have accomplished
Our memory is fleeting. Negative memories are stickier than positive ones; we forget or lose track of the small wins.
A daily gratitude practice can have a powerful effect on attitude. I also like to check-in and list everything I’ve received and accomplished in the previous month. When I read through those lists, I always feel proud and inspired.
As you start 2021, don’t look forward without looking backward. As part of your business planning make sure you include a list of accomplishments from the previous year. When I completed that exercise, I was thrilled by what I achieved and received. Seeing this list got me excited about what was possible.
This is your year. You are always in control of your mindset, actions, and goals.
Shauna Mace is a growth consultant, wired to see opportunities and the path to positive outcomes. She partners with financial advisors, asset managers, and business owners in financial services, ready to unlock potential through sales and marketing. She helps them take inspired actions that produce concrete results. Growth strategist, opportunity hunter, and accountability partner – those are some of the names she’s been called over the past 15 years. Learn more at www.shaunamace.com or contact Shauna at [email protected].
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