Investing in You

Are you investing in you? For the last ten to 20 years the pace of life has gotten faster and faster. While the COVID-19 pandemic has created hard times, it has also forced us to slow it down and push the pause button. One of the positive outcomes from this is the gift of time. The question now is how are you using this gift? Are you spending this time investing in you? In considering that question, here are a few themes that will help you be more successful.

1) Think big, start small, act fast. Have a few big areas for improvement, take small steps, and start today.

2) You cannot eat an elephant in one bite. Create a plan and then be methodical about moving through it.

3) Think about the power of three (three ideas/three priorities/three investments).

Adopting these overriding themes will help you stay on track. I would begin by thinking of this as if you were going back to school or joining a health club. This means a willingness to invest time and careful thought. Below are some ideas to provide further insight.

1. Going virtual. This requires skills, tools, and the right set up. Begin with interviewing people that have been working virtually for many years and ask them about the techniques, technologies, and skills they have developed. I have studied the masters and they don’t reinvent the wheel. Study hard and develop a “going virtual mastery skills schedule.” Practice these skills and expand your comfort zone.

One of the positive outcomes from this is the gift of time. The question now is how are you using this gift? 

2. Process improvement. Break your client experience process down in a linear way. Begin with the first contact and take it all the way to 12 months after the project is complete. Doing this will help you establish various “moments of truth” or weak links in the chain of your own process. I have found for most remodeling businesses there are a dozen or more moments of truths. After finding them, pick one or two to drill into it. Document the weak spot and create a plan to improve it. If you focus on one moment of truth per week, in just three months you will have increased your effectiveness substantially.

3. Leadership. Great companies have great leaders. Great leaders are students of success. This gift of time means you have the luxury of reading a leadership book (or a few). You can work on communication skills. You can coach your upcoming leaders. You can also hire a coach or advisor for yourself. People want to follow great leaders in tough times so make leadership improvement a priority.

There are many other areas where you can invest time such as expanding relationships, new products and techniques or talent acquisition and training. The most important theme, however, is that this gift of time will help you create the new normal. Right now, the time is there for everyone—how you chose to invest it is what will differentiate you. Make it happen!