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Letter From The Editor

Dear Friends,

Singer/songwriter John Mayer’s “Waiting on the World to Change” has a catchy tune, but I am frustrated by the lyrics. The lyrics talk of the perception that until the world changes, there isn’t anything we can do to make a difference. That simply isn’t true.

The world, your neighborhood, your work environment, your government, your schools and your communities are all made up of people. Doesn’t it stand to reason that if we want to change what is around us, we first need to change ourselves? We need to change our assumptions. We need to give up “knowing” everything and being right. We need to change negatives into positives. The list goes on.

If we don’t stand up for what we believe in and be the change we want to create, how can we expect the world to change in the way we would like it to?

• Genocide in Darfur continues because we’re waiting on someone else’s thoughts and beliefs to change.
• Schools in many areas of the country are falling short. People are willing to complain, but few are actually doing something about it.
• Children are killing each other in the streets, and we just avoid the seedy areas of town so as not to get caught up in the violence. What about doing something to help the children make a positive change?

While speaking on the topic of global warming and climate change, Professor Varun Sahni, vice chancellor of University of Jammu, said, “Such issues will not be resolved by any single country unless all of us join hands together.” This philosophy doesn’t just apply to environmental issues.

Positive change — no matter what the issue — doesn’t happen on its own. It requires people whose passion runs deep to step up and create that change. If we all sit around on our hands, no one will ever move forward.

Agree with his politics or not, Barack Obama is someone who believes change is possible. His passion mobilized masses of people to the point that this not-so-long-ago freshman senator from Illinois is now president of the United States.

Unless you’ve lived under a rock for the past couple of years, you’ve witnessed the power created by one person being willing to step out and make a difference. Don’t tell me that any of us has to settle and be willing to wait on the world to change.

I know children who want desperately to make a difference and change the lives of other children who are fighting cancer. You know what? They are doing it… one piece of candy, one cup of lemonade, and one talent show at a time. Have they made millions of dollars yet? No. But notice the use of the word “yet”, and the best part is that they are inspiring other children to get involved too! (Editor’s note: check out my young friends website at www.backyardtalentshow.shutterfly.com)

We have examples all around us of people who believe that change is possible — that we can make a difference. The cool thing is that a difference being made isn’t predicated on someone else making a move first. Each of us can be the first to break inertia. Each of us can be the one who others choose to follow.

To all of those who have been waiting around for the world to change, let me ask you: Are you tired of waiting yet? If so, step out there and make a difference where a difference can be made. You don’t have to be rich, you don’t have to be “beautiful” and you don’t have to be famous. You only have to be committed to change and get in action.

Warm Regards,

Clay S. Nelson

Managing the Urge to Put Things Off

Are you a procrastinator, always putting things off until the very last second? Most of us are, at least to some extent. It is part of our nature.

Human beings have the very unique talent of being able to procrastinate. We put things off, things we know we should be doing, to first handle those things that are squeaking the loudest; making it really easy to avoid those quiet and sometimes dreaded tasks that await our attention elsewhere! We procrastinate from a place of: “I don’t know if I can do that”; “I don’t want to do that”; “I don’t like doing that”; or “I’ll get to it”. And because it is a part of who we are as human beings, we have to put systems in place that manage our unique ability to put things off.

The system you use doesn’t have to be complicated either. Simply:

1. Make a list with priorities and dates by-when for the tasks that need to be completed.

2. When there is an item on your list that doesn’t ever seem to get done (it has been rescheduled 2-3 times), evaluate why that is.

1. Are you the right person to be doing this task? Is there someone that the task should be delegated too?

2. If you find that there is nobody else that can do the task but you, and it still isn’t getting done, what accountabilities do you need to put in place so that it does get done?

3. Ask for help. Ask a co-worker, a friend, your spouse, to hold you accountable. Tell them what needs to be done and by-when (heck, even give them your whole list), and ask them to hold you accountable for doing it. Ask them to check in with you half-way between the time of the request and the due date, making sure the job is halfway done, that you are moving forward, and that you still agree to be your word to get the job done by the established by-when… And the job will get done!

We all need accountability and putting a system of accountabilities into place is very easily done! So, give up your procrastinating ways and consider how much more mental freedom you will have when you stop putting off until tomorrow what you can do today!

Don’t Let Summertime Distractions Derail Your Progress

It is that time of year when the resources of our businesses often become stretched even thinner than they already are. Kids are out of school, families leave on vacations, and relatives arrive on our doorsteps for a visit. These distractions take their toll on our businesses and teams!

While some may view these distractions as part of the summer time ebb and flow, there are things that you can do to make sure you, your team, and your business doesn’t fall behind during the summer months. The key is ORGANIZATION!!!

1. Be prepared. Plan for a shortage in man power. Be clear about when your team members are going to be away, and plan accordingly.

2. Get commitments from your team members regarding their plan for making sure their responsibilities are managed while they are away.

3. Hold your team accountable! You can’t assume that your team members are going to do what they say they will do. Remember: The time leading up to a vacation is a distraction in and of itself… there is packing to do, lawns to mow, pets to get to the kennel. Hold your team accountable by following up with them to make sure they have a written plan and review the plan with them BEFORE they leave.

4. Communicate! Communicate plans with the entire team, once again BEFORE a team member leaves for his/her vacation. This provides an opportunity for questions to be asked and clarification to be made. Hold a meeting to make sure everyone understands what they are responsible for.

Your team members are ultimately responsible for making sure all bases are covered while they are away. However, your not staying on top of the planning for their absence can result in some unhappy surprises for you, your team, and your customers. And you can’t afford to be surprised! So, be clear with your team with regard to your expectations for organization and communication in this season of distractions, and enjoy the summer!!

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June 2009

In This Issue:

Letter From The Editor

Managing the Urge to Put Things Off

Don’t Let Summertime Distractions Derail Your Progress

Audio CD Sets

Free eBook

Would You Like to Have Clay Speak at Your Next Event?

Custom Home Article

Clay Nelson is a contributor to Custom Home Online! Read his current article Breaking Through, about adapting and surviving in tough economic times.

Click here for Clay's Article »

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2009 PCMA Leadership Conference
June 8, 2009
Austin, TX

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June 16-19, 2009
Indianapolis, IN

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October 27-30, 2009
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November 12-18, 2009
Las Vegas, NV

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