Page 6 - August 2022

Through these associations with when Vince Lombardi was looking Now is the time to A.C.E. your
others who have attained wealth for a great quarterback, do you small business. First ASSESS where
or success, the informal learning think he looked for that individual one's small business is within the mar-
takes over. In the words of Jim with the greatest strengths or ketplace. This will require research as
Rohn: “Successful people do what greatest weaknesses? Unfortunately, both internal and external assessments
unsuccessful people are not willing to people are negatively conditioned must take place. If business has slowed
do. Don’t wish it were easier, wish you from those red marks on our papers down because of the recession, one
were better.” to focus on our weaknesses or should take the time to redirect your
During down times, the second what is limiting us instead of one’s energies to this research.
opportunity is to focus on how well strengths and where we can leverage The next step is to CLARIFY what
everyone learns and applies self- opportunities. was discovered. Some of the data
leadership knowledge towards his/ The last key to self-leadership may be what is called an outlier. For
her attitudes, skills, and habits. This skill includes goal setting and goal example, time to close a sale with
application can first be seen in the achievement. In my executive coach- a qualified sales lead may be three
application of time. ing practice and my observations as months from first contact to the
Time management is in all a REALTOR®, I still am astounded signing of the contract. Yet, there
honesty an oxymoron as no one can as to the number of small business may be a few contracts that closed
manage a constant. Each day has 24 owners who do not have a written in less than two weeks. Clarify
hours, 1440 minutes and 86,400 sec- strategic plan or even simple goals. what that happened during these
onds. This is the same situations.
for every individual. Finally, now is the
No one can increase time to take action and
time or decrease time. EXECUTE. If the desired
The opportunity results, as indicated
arises in how each of Today with the constant within one's strategic
those measurements plan, are not achieved then
of time are applied referencing of inflation, one return to the A.C.E. and
through self-leader- re-ASSESS, re-CLARIFY,
ship. During slow could postulate that it is an and re-EXECUTE. Francis
business or office Bacon shared his wisdom
times, sometimes impending obstacle. Albert in regards to opportunities
people have the Einstein most aptly stated and success when he
tendency not to work. stated, “A wise man will
Procrastination sets “In the middle of difficulty make more opportunities
in because of the than he finds.”
attitudes of “No one is lies opportunity.” Today with the
buying,” “the market is constant referencing
slowing down,” and/or of inflation, one could
“It’s just too tough to postulate that it is an
sell right now.” impending obstacle.
One of my favorite and often The SMART goals criteria states Albert Einstein most aptly stated
repeated quotes is attributed to Zig goals must be specific, measurable, “In the middle of difficulty lies oppor-
Ziglar who stated, “Attitudes are attainable, realistically set high, and tunity.” This difficulty may require
habits of thought.” Henry Ford stated time-driven. It has been around for de- more hard work, but as Henry Ford
his own analysis of attitudes: “If you cades. I updated this idea with my own said, “Many people miss opportunity
think you can or think you cannot, acronym titled WAY SMART. it states because it came disguised in overalls.”
you are right.” Humans have very that goals must be Written, Aligned to One should reassess his/her business
little ability to restrict what we hear. Your Passion, Purpose, and Plan, and plans and practices to make a difficult
However, we have the incredible Yours. Regarding the SMART criteria, time successful and/or profitable. N
power to not let all those thoughts I substituted the word achievable for
take room in our minds. attainable. For at the end of the day, Leanne Hoagland-Smith is a clarity
Another self-leadership skill leadership is about results. However, I strategist, solving people and process
is understanding one’s strengths believe the addition of “by the applica- problems. As a thought leader who
and leveraging those strengths. tion of positive core values” is critical challenges the status quo, she turns
Acknowledging weaknesses is given the desire for results may lead tomorrow’s goals into today’s results.
necessary for improvement. Yet, to sacrifice. Follow her on Twitter @CoachLee.

6 NBIZ ■ August 2022