Are you feeling like you’re at crossroads in either your career as an employee or within your business as a business owner? I know I am!

I’m writing this during my annual digital-detox (with pen and paper!) as all digital equipment was left behind. I’ve just finished reading the inspiring ‘Agents of Action’ published by Renee Mayne. Renee has gathered together 11 individuals who openly retell their stories of their entrepreneurial journeys – the common thread taking ACTION!

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Being a keen gardener and a business owner, I really warmed to this little video from ‘Let’s Grow’ where comparisons are drawn between nurturing a garden and leaders in the workplace!

A short, succinct, sincere and fabulous message from Kevin Spacey regarding ‘success’....

pro·cras·ti·nate  

v.  pro·cras·ti·nat·ed, pro·cras·ti·nat·ing, pro·cras·ti·nates

v.intr.  To put off doing something, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness.

v.tr.  To postpone or delay needlessly.

An investigative and exploratory hands-on gloves-off study into the practice of putting things 'off''. Sometimes the only way to get something done is to do two dozen other things first.

I’m guilty of procrastination when I find myself constantly pressing the “Send/Receive” button in Outlook! Are you aware when you’re procrastinating? What do you do?

I’m not sure where I first read this quote but I filed it away because it struck a chord with me coming from a Quality Assurance background.
 

"The true business owner creates a business that will run by itself even when that owner is not there. The owner has completely removed himself from the day-to-day operations. He has put people in place to create the machine that fulfills his or her ideas.

 

And that my friend is what you need to aspire to. When the business runs on its own, when it follows a set system you are then free. Your goal as a business owner is to take every little thing that you do and turn it into a step-by-step, connect-the-dots system anyone can follow. If one employee leaves or is fired a new one can be plugged in like a fresh battery."

Is your business systemised? Are the systems documented and supported by well defined position descriptions that are reviewed regularly. All documented business procedures are living systems and will change and evolve as technology changes and when you determine better ways of doing things. Have your business operating like a well-oiled machine. A business with documented and implemented systems will also display consistencies the client will come to expect. Documented systems and procedures can also add much value to your business when it comes to selling.

 

 

A prospective buyer will surely prefer the business that works like clock-work and has everything documented, than the business where all the systems are memorized in the owners head! So get them documented and get assistance if you need it.

Another favourite inspirational video - If you've learned a lot about leadership and making a movement, then let's watch a movement happen, start to finish, in under 3 minutes, and dissect some lessons.
 

The full transcript by Derek Sivers can be viewed here

 

I’ve just viewed this 18 mins TEDx talk by Simon Sinek: How great leaders inspire action and it’s certainly inspiration stuff. If you’re a business owner please take the time to watch this (if you haven’t already!) – it’s a must watch!