If you’re really honest with yourself, you probably don’t always take ownership like you should. You probably have an opportunity to improve there. We all occasionally get caught up in the things we can’t control, and don’t spend the time and energy looking at the things we can control.
The blame game
When I sit down with business people, owners, and sales professionals, it’s amazing how often that happens. I frequently hear excuses from others related to things they can’t control. Depending on the industry, that can include:
“If only there had been a hailstorm.”
“If only it had been hotter.”
“If only it hadn’t rained for months.”
“If only the economy wasn’t so bad.”
“If only prospects were spending more.”
“If only donors were donating more.”
You’re only human! You can’t control Mother Nature. You can’t control the price of oil. You can’t control the economy. You can’t control the exchange rate of the dollar. And you definitely can’t control others!
Stop focusing on the things you can’t control! We’re all guilty of it at one time or another, myself included.
Ultimately, there are only three things you can control:
1. Your behavior
All too often, we focus on the outcomes. While the outcomes are important, your behavior is what directly impacts those outcomes. Your goals and tracking should focus your behaviors-things that you can directly control.
2. Your attitude
A common misconception is that attitude drives behavior. In fact, it’s the other way around. A more accurate concept is faking it until you make it. Change your behavior, and your attitude will follow.
3. Your technique
Once you’ve changed your attitude by changing your behavior, you can start to focus on honing your technique. This will vary based on your role, but ongoing reinforcement training will help techniques to be applied, become skills, and eventually become habits.
Focus on improving those three things, and everything you can’t control won’t matter nearly as much.
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