When I was a kid I’d go up the stairs two steps at a time, and sometimes three. It’s a challenge but you get there faster and it’s more fun. You may have done the same thing at times – let me know.
It’s the same with your journey toward your business goals. You can pluck along today doing stuff, one step at a time – or you can go up three steps today.
How? You identify the highest priority things that if tackled, will make tomorrow much better than today. You go after the major roadblocks. You do the difficult things – or at least you THOUGHT they were difficult, so you have been putting them off.
Not all activities pay off the same. Do the things that will pay off the most.
Take three steps at a time – you’ll get there faster!
Yes to 2-3 steps at a time up stairs as a kid. Not too long ago, maybe November, you basically said to stop doing a low priority task that day. Well, that day I found myself processing a huge stack of mail, mail from my non primary business. Someone already processes the mail in my primary business.
I decided that day to stop. By the first week of January I had hired a new assistant. A person specifically for me. Game changer. At the same time I was focused on hiring another estimator. It was a project. Now it’s done. New person starts 2/1. The number 2 candidate also starts with us in a field position 2/7 with growth potential. Those are all big things that move the needle. Thanks to you and others I pay attention to, and my own growth, I’m learning to focus and move the needle. Thank you!
Btw, watched into the dust 4 this week. Well earned result. Great crew and movie!
Hi Larry, Read you every day. Thank you!
I’m 61 years old and I still take the stairs two at a time and sometimes three. When I was about 19, I discovered that if you do things with great intensity, it changes the dynamic of untolerable to not only tolerable, but even find some form of enjoyment. This discovery has helped keep life interesting, enjoyable and more productive.
Thanks again… Bret
I have known what the most important thing I needed to do for the last 2 weeks was and I pushed it off because I was not sure how to accomplish it, yesterday I buckled , closed my office door and got at it, I nailed it, great results..I THOUGHT
it was going to be difficult but it was not at all.. 🙂
Love a challenge! Thank you for reminding me of taking several stairs up at one time. As a kid I also loved a down the stairs challenge also. My parents’ house had a basement set of stairs with handrails on both sides. Lean in as far as possible with your hands, lift and toss your legs forward. My record was 13 steps! To me down is as great a challenge as up. Embrace the challenge!
I still run up two steps at a time, almost every time! The only difference is when I get to the top I have to stop and catch my breath because I left it at the first step :). Business wise, two or three “steps” really does help. I find the accomplishments are coming a lot quicker these days because the talent pool is getting larger, therefore making those steps much more possible. The larger the talent pool we have the quicker those steps go by. Thanks for this one today Larry.
My dad and I were in business together- everything became an opportunity for better including steps. In airports we were always racing each other up escalators. Fun and challenging and reflects the way one wins in life. Today I race Vintage motorcycles to stay sharp. Appreciate your messaging- thanks.
Love this.
Larry, I love this. I am definitely a three-step guy! I hardly ever take the stairs one at a time and whenever I can I jog to where I need to go! I don’t have time to dilly-dally, there’s too much to get done! Besides, running up stairs and jogging across job sites has got to be good exercise right?!
Now, it’s harder for me to do this in my business because I’m a rather cautious guy. However, this year I’m getting a little more adventuresome. I’m going outside my comfort zone and looking to expand in many ways. My goal this year is to work less hours than last so I can spend more time with my family and on personal goals but also expand the business at the same time. That requires hiring people, and there I go, outside my comfort zone. Have a great weekend!
I do the same thing! I still do sometimes, too!