From Positivity to Perseverance

From Positivity to Perseverance

This has surely been the longest winter of discontent…..a time when perseverance and positivity have to be soul mates to create change. Where changing one’s world view is as critical to survival and prosperity as bread and water.  Not for the faint hearted.

Every week I talk to friends, colleagues, clients, suppliers, even competitors – and so many have the variations of the same story – “The recession is over? – Not that I know!”  Support is the lifeblood of friendship – and of great professional relationships but what advice can one give to those who are still struggling to survive this longest of economic winters?

The one thing I have known for a very long time is that at least 80% of business success is perseverance – when the chips are down, look for new cheese and persevere until you find it! Of course a pre-requisite is to first know that your cheese has indeed moved! And a second pre-requisite is to recognise what new cheese looks like – because in my experience it doesn’t quite look like the old stuff. This takes an open mind, – open to opportunity, to risk, to innovative ways of looking to the future, to feeling breathless and excited about the new possibilities.

This takes courage, belief (in one’s self at the very least), and determination to succeed against all odds. It means ignoring (or at least diminishing) the sound of the naysayers. It means turning up the IQ – not for intelligence but for intuition! It means having a mind which explores possibilities, looks at them from different angles and sees them as a prism – with light catching the eye as you turn them in different directions. 

It requires an unshakeable belief that you can create your own future. But note the word ‘create’ – not ‘wait’, or ‘hope’.  Creation starts in the mind, then fills your being, and drives you towards your vision. This necessitates ‘doing’ and ‘accepting’: Doing things which may lead you in the direction of your creation; and accepting turns of event en route.  I am not talking about doggedly pursuing a ‘straight path’ because life is full of interesting twists and turns; instead I am talking about being intuitively flexible and adaptable as you create your future.

So for anyone who reads this, I wish you every success as the world emerges from the long winter and evolves into the new world. You can have your part in creating this – so long as you persevere and stay positive!

Why do people put more energy into negative things than positive things?

Why do people put more energy into negative things than positive things?

This has always puzzled me. It takes more energy – and creates more negative energy back – to be negative. My daughter commented on this to me the other day when she mused that why have local City Councils spent more time and money (a billion dollars by some estimates) to fight ‘leaky buildings’ claims than just use that money to help people correct the problem. This is just one example – and of course the critics would say it might open the flood gates to more claims etc – however the principle is what I am commenting on.  There will always be the ‘critics’ – those who have not created anything themselves but who love to take ‘pot shots’ from the sideline and seem to hope that the successful people will fall into some huge hole. Then there are those who come across as negative because they live in fear – always expecting the worst, being cynical about the motives of others, seeing the cup half full.

There is a simple but undeniable truth: A positive, forward-looking approach and attitude CREATES positive outcomes.  It really is that simple. Of course there are challenges along the way; of course positive outcomes need to be CREATED by positive actions; of course world events impact on us all; however the one thing we can have total control over is how we respond.  Next time you are about to criticise someone, or show disrespect to another culture, or feel a situation is hopeless, – try smiling, try saying something genuinely positive, try on the cloak of gratitude and feel the warmth it instantly provides. NOW you can create positive outcomes.

Christine Bear

Bias for Action

Greetings,   I have been raising the issue of the need for a bias for action ever since we held our Positivity Party in April of this year. This need has not gone away. At CBA Consulting we remain passionately committed to helping stimulate the the NZ and global economy wherever we work by demonstrating and supporting a powerful bias for action!   We are frequently dismayed and sometimes shocked at the lack of bias for action everywhere. – And this is not just to do with the ‘global financial crisis’.

It is “easier” to put off action or decisions for another week, another month, another quarter. It is “easier” to think progress can wait until after the holidays, or after the next executive meeting, or when I am not too busy.  It is “easier” to think someone else should be taking the initiative or starting the ball rolling. You get the picture I am sure.  

We listen intently to our clients and alliances bemoaning the lack of progress in their organisations, the low levels of staff motivation, the average or poor results, – overall – the  outcome of a lack of bias for action: – Yet we see this demonstrated at all levels in the organisation. Then there is a rush to try to achieve (superficial) progress when the heat comes on.  

I urge you to change this!   

It is stimulating and exciting to have a bias for action! It achieves superior results. It is motivating for staff and managers alike. It sends megastar messages to your clients and stakeholders about your organisation. And most importantly, it creates the future!  

The related blog below articulates this well.   Many thanks for taking the time to read this.    

Christine Bear  

Bias for Actionby Matt HeinzShould one of your company, department or individual core values be a bias for action?What does that mean? It means you take action. Get projects, products and campaigns to market quickly. You test. You spend more time executing, learning and improving. You let the market help you make decisions vs. doing it in isolation. You test quickly instead of debating via PowerPoint, email or endless meetings. You’re OK with constructive failure, as long as you can learn, improve and avoid the same mistake twice. You encourage, demand and/or require those around you (peers, direct reports and superiors) to think strategically, but act quickly. Bias for action does not mean acting without forethought. Execution without strategy is just guessing, and prone to high error and failure rates. Instead, bias for action means having an idea or premise, and understanding quickly what that market thinks of it. The faster you take action, the faster you execute, the more quickly you will deliver innovation, results and growth. How important is a bias for action to you individually? How about for your department and/or organisation? More importantly, how do you put that into practice on a regular basis?