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"intensity-a Game Changer"
Intensity is a trait common among business owners. While the quality certainly isn't unique to business owners, they more often than not exhibit the characteristic; especially within certain highly stressed situations. ((Don't confuse intensity with passion; another trait common among business owners. Passion is that drive to succeed you bring to your business; the elusive quality many business owners strive to instill within their employees. You can find intensity within anyone within the business. Passion, for those who have it, will be evident at almost any time. Intensity is usually evident at times of high stress over impending opportunities or difficulties. Intensity, by its very nature, is typically sustained over a reasonably short period of time. It is high concentration; a sprint that is difficult to maintain over a sustained period. (( I believe virtually anyone can achieve the intensity, the kind of focus for the task at hand, which will effectively put you in the zone to effectively address the challenge of the opportunity or problem to be resolved. I believe Intensity leads to the single-minded focus that so often results in breakthrough thinking. ( (Think back to the last time you had a significant challenge to figure out. You knew going in you aren't going to be able to utilize usual and normal thinking to come up with a workable solution. It may have been a new, atypical, business opportunity. Because we seem to be confronted more frequently with problems then opportunities, it may have been a problem that because of the severity of its consequences had to be solved quickly and with only one chance to get it right. These are the types of situations that demand intensity. (( I find the best way to bring intensity into play, to get into the zone, is to get off by yourself at a time and in a place where the potential for distractions is low. If possible, it can be helpful to choose a location you don't normally associate with working on this type of challenge. ((It's also best state if your state of mind is not overly agitated about the issue. If you're dealing with an opportunity, a state of euphoria over the potential can possibly lead you to rushing your due diligence. If you are trying to resolve a problem and your mind is wrapped around all the potential disastrous outcomes, your thinking will tend to be in tight downward spirals with little room for creative thinking. ((Get comfortable. Clear your mind; as best as possible. Recognize there will be an outcome to your opportunity or problem; with or without your input or actions. Recognize that your challenge is simply to construct the best possible outcome. ((Whether you do your best thinking by writing things down or just cataloging in your mind, start by mentally identifying and considering various options. At this time, don't bother with the details. Think conceptually as you move through development of a decision tree or a simple enumeration of possible options. Allow the options to flow without real concern for their relative potential or merit. (( Since you are not concerned with which option is most likely to produce the desired outcome or the details of how to implement the options, you should find that in a short period of time, possibly as little as 10 to 20 minutes, you'll probably run out of different options. That is the beauty of intensity. When your mind is clear and open to any possibility, you're most likely to find the number of possibilities to be reasonably limited. ((I would be surprised if you come up with more than three or four. As you look back over the options, you should find you will have already recognized the one standout option. It will be as though the decision was already made for you. Now all you have to do is the easy part; develop the details to implement the option. May all your actions be Silver Bullets. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Sam Langfitt has more than 40 years of diverse business experience. This experience was gained leading companies overseas as well as domestically, with successful turnaround, M & A, joint venture and strategic partnering activities. He has served on Boards of Directors in Europe, Canada and the U.S. Mr. Langfitt has owned and operated two businesses, including his current practice, advising business, owners, CEOs and Presidents. Visit www.TriselCoaching.com/ Sam Langfitt |
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