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Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing

Steve Keating Leave a comment

I once had the opportunity to hear Steve Jobs speak. He was talking about focus and said, “When fishermen cannot go out to sea, they repair their nets.” He also said, “In simple terms, even when you can’t do your main thing, always do something that relates to your main thing.”

I thought, and still think, that it is amazing advice. But through the years I’ve discovered one major problem with that. The problem is most people, and I do mean most, have almost no conscious idea what their main thing is.

That means, of course, that they have no way of knowing if what they are doing at any given time relates to their main thing. It’s that lack of focus on their main thing that prevents them from reaching their full potential and living their best life possible.

So how can someone determine their main thing? Well, it requires knowing the purpose or priority that drives you. Discovering that purpose most often involves a good bit of self-reflection and focused attention to your natural inclinations. Here are some things to pay attention to as you seek your own “main thing.”

Alignment with Core Values: Your “main thing” usually aligns closely with your deepest values. If you value creativity, your main thing might involve artistic expression. For those who value service, it could be about helping others.

What Energizes You: When you’re doing your main thing, you tend to feel a unique kind of energy or flow, even if the work is hard. It might feel like time flies by or that you’re at your most effective.

Recurring Interest or Skill: Sometimes, a consistent theme in your interests, talents, or natural skills is a clue. If you find yourself drawn to similar projects, activities, or areas of study over and over, that could be pointing you toward your main thing.

What You Prioritize: Even if life demands a lot from you, notice what you naturally protect in your schedule. If there’s something you prioritize despite being busy or tired, it likely matters deeply.

Internal Reward: Your main thing tends to feel rewarding internally rather than because of external validation or rewards. You may not need a lot of external encouragement to keep at it.

Feedback from Others: Sometimes, those close to you can see patterns that you don’t. They may recognize your main thing in ways you haven’t yet, especially if they see how it impacts you or how often it comes up in your life.

Long-Term Fulfillment: If you think about the future, does it feel satisfying to picture yourself doing this for a long time? Your main thing typically offers fulfillment over the years rather than moments.

People who focus on their main thing are more successful. That’s good, but what’s even better is that they are happier, more confident, more fulfilled, and less stressed out.

But there can be no focus on the main thing until you know the main thing. Put some effort into determining your main thing, and it will pay great dividends. Not only for you but for the people in your life.

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Motivating Yourself When You’re Not Particularly Motivated

Steve Keating Leave a comment

Sometimes I feel like doing nothing. I’m pretty good at it too. And to be clear, sometimes doing nothing is the most productive thing I can do. From time to time, we should all do nothing. As humans, we need time to recharge, reflect, and reinvigorate. It helps us be more productive when we decide to do something.

There are also times when we must get something done when nothing is what we would prefer to do. It is in those times that we must find a way to motivate ourselves.

It can be tough to motivate yourself when you’re not feeling it. But there are some things you can try to boost your enthusiasm and motivation. Let’s take a look at those below.

1. Break Tasks into Smaller Steps

⁃ Large tasks can feel overwhelming, leading to procrastination. Break them into smaller, manageable steps and focus on completing one at a time. Progress, no matter how small, can build momentum.

2. Set Clear, Achievable Goals

⁃ Define specific goals for what you want to accomplish. Vague goals can make tasks feel pointless, while clear objectives help you stay focused and provide a sense of direction.

3. Use the “5-Minute Rule”

⁃ Commit to working on something for just 5 minutes. Often, the hardest part is starting, and once you’re in the flow, you’re more likely to continue.

4. Reward Yourself

⁃ Set up small rewards for completing tasks. This could be something as simple as taking a short break, enjoying a snack, or doing something you enjoy. This helps create positive associations with progress.

5. Change Your Environment

⁃ Sometimes a change in environment can stimulate motivation. Whether it’s working from a different room or going to a café, a new setting can refresh your mind and improve focus.

6. Practice Self-Compassion

⁃ Don’t be too hard on yourself when you’re not feeling motivated. Motivation fluctuates, and it’s okay to have down moments. Be kind to yourself and remember that you can always try again tomorrow. Just make sure there aren’t too many “tomorrows” in a row.

7. Remember Your “Why”

⁃ Reconnect with the reason you started. Reminding yourself of the long-term benefits (or the bigger picture) behind your efforts can reignite your motivation.

8. Limit Distractions

⁃ Identify what typically distracts you and try to minimize it. Whether it’s turning off notifications on your phone or setting boundaries with people around you. Creating a focused environment can help you stay on track.

9. Visualize Success

⁃ Picture yourself having completed the task or achieved your goal. Visualizing success can inspire confidence and make the end result feel more attainable.

10. Stay Consistent

⁃ Motivation isn’t always there, but consistency is key. Develop a habit of showing up for yourself even when you don’t feel like it. Over time, the habit itself will carry you through periods of low motivation.

Each of these ideas can help you get your butt off the couch and turn a lazy day into a productive one. Even when nothing seems like a perfectly fine thing to do.

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But I Don’t Want to Be a Leader

Steve Keating 2 Comments

I recently had a conversation about leadership with the owner of what I would call a big, small company. He employs about 800 people, so not a small company but not really a big one either.

Anyway, we were talking about what type of person he generally tries to employ. He said he only hires people who want to be leaders. He went on to explain that having the opportunity to lead others, and not taking advantage of it, is a terrible waste. It shows laziness on the part of the person. He doesn’t want lazy people on his payroll.

He said it also shows an extreme level of selfishness, and he won’t have selfishness messing with the culture of his company. I assured him that his thoughts were understandable. I then also assured him that those same thoughts were, while understandable, also very wrong.

Not everyone is cut out to lead. Not everyone needs to lead to be successful. Organizations need individual contributors every bit as much as they need leaders. Hiring only people who aspire to positions of leadership is a recipe for organizational failure.

If you’re one of the many people who do not aspire to a position of leadership, don’t let others try to tell you that you’re wrong. Don’t let them make you feel that somehow you are “less” than those who do aspire to a leadership role.

You should know, without a doubt, that it is completely okay not to aspire to a leadership position. Here’s exactly why that is true.

1. Personal Fulfillment: Not everyone finds fulfillment in leading others. Some people derive more satisfaction from roles that allow them to focus on their specific skills, passions, or areas of expertise. Leadership often requires a shift away from hands-on work to more strategic tasks. Those tasks might not align with what makes someone happy or motivated.

2. Work-Life Balance: Leadership positions often come with increased responsibility. This can lead to longer hours, more stress, and a greater impact on one’s personal life. For some, the trade-off between career advancement and maintaining a healthy work-life balance isn’t worth it.

3. Different Career Goals: Career success looks different for everyone. Some people may value mastering a craft, contributing to meaningful projects, or working in a supportive team environment over climbing the corporate ladder. Success doesn’t have to mean being in charge.

4. Comfort with Current Role: Many people are content and fulfilled in their current roles. They might enjoy the work they do, feel appreciated, and see no need to take on additional responsibilities. If someone is happy where they are, there’s no need to pursue a leadership position just because it’s the traditional path to advancement.

5. Leadership Isn’t for Everyone: Leadership requires a specific skill set. These skills include decision-making under pressure, managing diverse personalities, and navigating organizational politics. Not everyone has an interest in developing these skills, and that’s perfectly fine. Recognizing one’s strengths and preferences is crucial in building a satisfying career.

6. Contribution in Other Ways: You can make significant contributions to an organization or cause without being in a leadership role. Many people are the backbone of their teams. They provide critical support, innovation, and expertise. They work drives success from behind the scenes.

7. Contentment and Satisfaction: Some individuals might feel content and satisfied with their current position and responsibilities. They may prefer stability and predictability over the challenges and uncertainties that often come with leadership roles.

It’s important to remember that everyone’s career journey is unique. What matters most is finding a path that aligns with your values, needs, and aspirations. Leadership is one way to have a meaningful and successful career. But it is far far from the only way.

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Why Little Details Are a Big Deal

Steve Keating Leave a comment

Steve Jobs was a big believer in getting the details right. He said he’d rather wait to launch a product until every detail was exactly right. Professional salespeople know that when details fall through the cracks the sale often does too.

It really doesn’t matter what kind of work you do; details, the “little things,” often make the difference between success and failure. Between winning and losing. Between earning that promotion or being stuck where you are.

They also make a difference in our personal lives. When others know that you will do exactly what you said you would do, exactly when you said you would do it, exactly how you said you would do it, you build trust. Trust is the foundation for every successful, lasting relationship we have.

Details matter, and if you tell yourself they don’t, you are either being lazy or foolish. Possibly both. I know that’s kind of harsh but honesty with yourself is step one in the self-improvement process.

You can become more detail-oriented by focusing on the finer points of commitments, tasks, and projects to ensure accuracy and thoroughness. Here are some strategies to help.

1. Plan and Organize:

◦ Create To-Do Lists: Break down tasks into smaller, manageable steps.

◦ Use Calendars and Schedules: Allocate specific times for tasks and stick to your plan.

2. Develop Good Habits:

◦ Double-Check Work: Always review your work for errors or omissions.

◦ Stay Organized: Keep your workspace and digital files in order to reduce distractions and errors.

3. Practice Mindfulness:

◦ Stay Present: Focus fully on the task at hand and avoid multitasking. Some of you won’t like hearing this, but the only proven benefit of multitasking is that it helps you screw up more than one thing at a time.

◦ Take Breaks: Short breaks can help maintain concentration and prevent burnout.

4. Enhance Observation Skills:

◦ Notice Details: Train yourself to observe and remember small details in everyday life.

◦ Practice Memory Games: Engage in activities that challenge your memory and attention to detail.

5. Utilize Tools and Technology:

◦ Checklists and Templates: Use checklists to ensure you don’t miss any steps in a process. This may seem counterintuitive, but the more repetitive the task, the more beneficial a checklist becomes.

◦ Software Tools: Employ software for task management, proofreading, and data verification.

6. Seek Feedback:

◦ Ask for Input: Get feedback from colleagues or mentors on your work to identify areas for improvement.

◦ Learn from Mistakes: Analyze any mistakes you make to understand what went wrong and how to avoid it in the future.

7. Cultivate a Routine:

◦ Consistent Workflow: Establish a routine that includes regular times for planning, working, and reviewing.

◦ Healthy Habits: Maintain a healthy lifestyle with adequate sleep, exercise, and nutrition to support cognitive function.

8. Develop Patience:

◦ Take Your Time: Allow yourself enough time to complete tasks thoroughly.

◦ Avoid Rushing: Rushing through tasks increases the likelihood of mistakes. As someone much smarter than me once said, “if you don’t have time to do it right the first time, how will you ever have time to do it again?”

9. Focus on Accuracy:

◦ Prioritize Quality: Aim for high-quality work rather than just completing tasks quickly.

◦ Use Resources: Refer to guides, manuals, or experts when in doubt to ensure accuracy. Do not guess.

10. Continuous Learning:

◦ Stay Informed: Keep learning and updating your knowledge in your field. The most successful people learn something from almost every single day. Keep that in mind the next time you think you know enough.

◦ Attend Workshops: Participate in workshops or courses that emphasize attention to detail.

Incorporating these strategies into your daily routine will cause some people to call you anal. You can take comfort in knowing those people are likely pretty sloppy with details. They might be calling you names but you’ll be so far ahead of them you’re be unlikely to hear them.

Improving your attention to detail, like most things in life, is a choice. The sooner you make that choice, the sooner all areas of your life will improve. Why not make that choice today?

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How to Always Do the Next Right Thing

Steve Keating Leave a comment

I’ve been truly blessed with incredibly wise mentors throughout my life. These are people who cared enough about me to be honest. They were skilled enough communicators to deliver challenging coaching to me in a way I could accept it. They were smart enough to not ever attempt to make a decision for me. They provided all the pluses and minuses of a given decision and then stepped back to allow me to decide.

One of the best pieces of advice came from perhaps the best salesperson who ever lived. I mean that literally. His name was Tom. He sold billions of dollars’ worth of his product throughout his career to always delighted clients. I was at a point in my own career where I was feeling a little “stuck.” I wasn’t sure what I should do, so I went to Tom and asked him what he thought.

He said he couldn’t tell me specifically what to do, but in his opinion, I should do the next right thing. I had received some “interesting” coaching from Tom in the past, but this particular information seemed more “interesting” than ever. I replied to Tom that if I knew what the next right thing to do was, I wouldn’t be stuck. I also wouldn’t be asking him for advice.

He was undaunted. He said that somewhere within me I knew what the next right thing was. He said if I didn’t know, I had all the skills and knowledge needed to figure it out on my own. It was frustrating advice, but as he helped me work through my thought process, it became clear that as usual, he was correct.

He simply reminded me what I knew and where I wanted to go in life. He reviewed my Core Values with me and assured me that “the next right thing” would be found in those values and in my goals.

Determining the next right thing to do is a continual process that involves a combination of self-awareness, goal-setting, and review, prioritization, and reflection. Here’s a step-by-step guide that Tom shared with me to help me navigate this process.

1. Define or Review Your Goals

• Set Specific Goals: Break down your overarching goal into smaller, manageable tasks.

• Time-bound: Assign deadlines to each task to create a sense of urgency and structure.

2. Assess Your Current Situation

• Self-Assessment: Evaluate where you currently stand in relation to your goals.

• Identify Obstacles: Recognize any challenges or barriers that may impede your progress.

3. Prioritize Tasks

• Urgency vs. Importance: Use tools like the Eisenhower Matrix to categorize tasks based on their urgency and importance.

• High-Impact Activities: Focus on tasks that will have the most significant impact on your progress.

4. Break Down Tasks

• Small Steps: Divide larger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps.

• Actionable Items: Ensure each step is actionable and can be accomplished in a reasonable timeframe.

5. Stay Organized

• Planning Tools: Use planners, calendars, or project management tools to keep track of your tasks and deadlines.

• Daily Review: Review your plan daily to stay on track and make adjustments as needed.

6. Maintain Flexibility

• Adaptability: Be willing to adjust your plans as new information or opportunities arise.

• Continuous Learning: Be open to learning and improving your approach based on feedback and results.

7. Seek Feedback

• Mentorship: Seek advice from mentors or peers who’ve had experience in your area of focus.

• Reflect: Regularly reflect on your progress and identify areas for improvement.

8. Take Action

• Commitment: Commit to taking action, even if it’s imperfect. The act of moving forward is crucial.

• Consistency: Regular, consistent action, even if small, leads to progress over time.

9. Evaluate and Reflect

• Review Progress: Periodically review what you’ve accomplished.

• Learn from Mistakes: Identify what didn’t work and learn from those experiences to refine your approach.

10. Stay Motivated

• Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge and celebrate small wins to stay motivated.

• Positive Mindset: Maintain a positive attitude and focus on the progress you’ve made, not just what’s left to do.

Practical Example

Let’s say your goal is to write a book. Here’s how you can apply the steps:

1. Define Clear Goals: Set a goal to write a 300-page book within a year.

2. Assess Your Current Situation: Determine your writing speed and available time.

3. Prioritize Tasks: Outline the book’s chapters and prioritize writing the most critical sections first.

4. Break Down Tasks: Break down writing each chapter into smaller tasks, such as drafting an outline, writing 5 pages per day, and revising.

5. Stay Organized: Use a calendar to schedule writing sessions and deadlines for each chapter.

6. Maintain Flexibility: If you encounter writer’s block, be willing to adjust your schedule or change your writing environment.

7. Seek Feedback: Share drafts with peers or mentors for constructive feedback.

8. Take Action: Write daily, even if it’s just a few sentences.

9. Evaluate and Reflect: Review your progress weekly and adjust your plan if necessary.

10. Stay Motivated: Celebrate finishing each chapter and keep a positive outlook on your progress.

You absolutely know what your own “next right thing” is. By following these steps, you can ensure that you bring it to the surface and use it to make progress towards your goals. Remember, ALL progress is progress, even baby steps.

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Living According to Your Core Values

Steve Keating Leave a comment

Many people struggle with setting meaningful goals for their life. Many of those same people find it difficult to make decisions, especially big, life altering decisions. A good number of those same people have relationship issues throughout their lives. They can’t quite seem to find their “match.”

All of those challenges have one underlying cause. That cause is Core Values.

Just to be clear, it is not a lack of Core Values. It is a lack of understanding exactly what their Core Values are. I believe everyone has Core Values, those values that are life defining. Values that are worth fighting for. Even values that are worth dying for.

But through the years I’ve come to realize that most people, perhaps even the vast majority of people, have invested scant time thinking and reflecting on what their Core Values actually are. Those Core Values are buried deep within them but not so deep that they don’t impact their thinking. Their ever present Core Values inform their thinking but they do so subconsciously.

When people know and understand their Core Values they bring them to the surface. Once surfaced their Core Values help them make better and bigger decisions. They inform them as to what goals truly matter long term. Their Core Values help them find and keep a person who will be their partner for the rest of their lives.

Core Values are a very big deal. They are an even bigger deal once you’ve determined your Core Values and decide to consciously live your life accordingly.

Determining your Core Values involves reflecting on what matters most to you in life. Start by considering experiences, beliefs, and principles that have consistently guided your decisions and actions. Ask yourself probing questions about what brings you fulfillment, what you stand for, and what you couldn’t live without. Write down a list of potential values, then narrow it down to the ones that resonate with you the most deeply. Your Core Values should reflect your authentic self and serve as a compass for making choices aligned with your true priorities.

Core Values vary from person to person, but some common examples include:

1. Integrity: Being honest, trustworthy, and acting with moral principles.

2. Respect: Treating others with dignity, empathy, and understanding.

3. Responsibility: Taking ownership of one’s actions and obligations.

4. Excellence: Striving for the highest quality and continuous improvement.

5. Compassion: Showing kindness, empathy, and care towards others.

6. Courage: Facing challenges with bravery and perseverance.

7. Equality: Believing in fairness and justice for all individuals.

8. Gratitude: Appreciating the blessings and expressing thankfulness.

9. Authenticity: Being true to oneself and living with transparency.

10. Collaboration: Working together and valuing teamwork and cooperation.

These are just a few examples, and individuals may prioritize different values based on their personal experiences, beliefs, and aspirations.

Actually living according to your Core Values involves aligning your actions, decisions, and behaviors with the principles that matter most to you. Here’s how you can do it.

Identify your core values. Reflect on what truly matters to you and define your core values. Write them down to have a clear understanding of what they are.

Integrate values into decision-making. When faced with choices or dilemmas, consider how each option aligns with your core values. Choose the path that resonates with your principles, even if it’s challenging.

Set goals aligned with your values. Define short-term and long-term goals that reflect your core values. This ensures that your actions are directed towards what you find meaningful and fulfilling.

Practice self-awareness. Regularly evaluate your thoughts, feelings, and actions to ensure they are consistent with your values. Adjust your behavior if you notice any discrepancies.

Communicate your values. Be open about your core values with others, including friends, family, and colleagues. This helps create authentic connections and fosters mutual understanding.

Stay true to yourself. Resist the temptation to compromise your values for external approval or short-term gains. Stand firm in your beliefs, even in the face of adversity.

Learn and grow. Continuously seek opportunities for personal growth and self-improvement that are in line with your core values. Embrace challenges as opportunities to strengthen your commitment to what matters most to you.

By consciously integrating your Core Values into your daily life, you can lead a more authentic, purposeful, and fulfilling existence. You will make better decisions, choose better friends, and set meaningful goals that motivate you to achieve your full potential. In short, you’ll live your very best life and you’ll know exactly how, and why you’re doing it.

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How to Develop Perseverance

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There are many very talented people who fall short of reaching their full potential. They are even more people who set forth on a journey towards success who never reach their final goal or destination.

Many of those simply gave up before they reached their goal. Many of those would have reached that goal if they could have just pushed themselves a little further. But they lacked one of the most important attributes of successful people. That attribute is perseverance.

Perseverance is so critical because with every endeavor comes challenges and obstacles. On every journey towards success there will be times of fatigue and stress. There will always be instances where quitting seems like the practical and perhaps only alternative. But sometimes doing what’s practical is the least practical thing to do.

People with perseverance understand that achieving ultimate success often requires doing the unconventional and many times doing it when they would much prefer not to. If you’re not certain that you have the perseverance required to succeed I have good news for you. You can develop it.

Developing perseverance involves two things. You must cultivate a mindset of success and adopt certain practices. These things help you stay committed to your goals despite challenges and setbacks. Here are some of those practices to help you develop perseverance.

• Set Clear Goals. Define specific, achievable goals that align with your values and aspirations. Having clarity about what you want to achieve will provide you with a sense of direction and purpose. You are never too old to set a new goal and it’s never too late to adjust a goal if circumstances dictate it.

• Break Goals into Smaller Tasks. Divide your goals into smaller, manageable tasks. This makes them less overwhelming and allows you to focus on making progress one step at a time. Never forget, all progress, big or small moves you closer to your goal so never let small steps dissuade you from pushing forward.

• Maintain a Positive Attitude. Cultivate a positive mindset and believe in your ability to overcome obstacles. Instead of dwelling on setbacks, focus on what you can learn from them and how you can improve. Your attitude is always your choice and choosing a positive attitude might be one of the most important choices you’ll ever make.

• Develop Resilience. Understand that setbacks are a natural part of any journey. Learn to bounce back from adversity by building resilience and adapting to challenges.

• Stay Committed. Commit to your goals wholeheartedly and prioritize them in your daily life. Avoid distractions and stay focused on what truly matters to you. Share your goals with people who care enough for you to hold you accountable. None of us exactly likes accountability but we all do better when we have it in our life.

• Practice Self-Discipline. Develop self-discipline by setting routines and sticking to them, even when you don’t feel motivated. Consistent effort over time leads to progress and eventual success.

• Ask for Help. Surround yourself with supportive friends and family. Also, seek mentors or peers who can encourage you in tough times. Stay away from negative naysayers who are not on the path to success and would like to knock you off yours as well.

• Celebrate Progress. Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Recognizing your progress can boost your confidence and motivation to keep moving forward. Remember, all progress is progress and therefore worth celebrating.

• Learn from Setbacks. Embrace setbacks as an opportunity for growth and learning. Analyze what went wrong, extract valuable lessons, and use them to improve your approach in the future. Some people would say setbacks are the same as failures. The difference is setbacks are mere interruptions. Setbacks don’t become failures until you choose to not pick yourself up and begin again.

• Stay Flexible. Be willing to adapt your strategies and approach as needed. Sometimes, the path to success may require adjustments and course corrections along the way. The most successfully people expect the unexpected. They know “surprises” are likely to happen and they actually plan accordingly.

• Visualize Success. Use visualization techniques to imagine yourself achieving your goals. Visualizing success can help you stay motivated and focused on your desired outcome. In all likelihood, if you can see it, you can do it.

• Practice Patience. Understand that success often takes time and perseverance. Stay patient and trust the process, even when results may not come as quickly as you’d like. Just make sure you’re not mistaking patience for procrastination. Patience allows you to gather information while resting up a bit. Procrastination stops your momentum and most often leads directly to true failure.

By focusing on these practices and making them a daily habit, you can change your mindset. You will gradually develop greater perseverance and resilience to overcome challenges and achieve your goals.

You will be unstoppable!

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