by Kirby Hasseman
In Stephen Covey’s all time best-seller 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Covey talks about spending time in your “Circle of Influence.” The idea is simple. The most effective people spend more time on things that they can control than what they cannot. And, as Covey points out, when you spend more time on those things you can control, your Circle of Influence often actually grows.
I am reminded of this the morning after any Election Day.
When you are working on a campaign, you are spending time in your Circle of Influence. You are promoting, talking and educating people about an issue on which you care deeply. In doing so, you are investing time in that circle. It’s productive and (often) powerful.
Then, on Election Day, those who exercise their right to vote are in their Circle of Influence too. You take the time to cast your ballot so your voice can be heard.
But what do you do after that? Many of us worry and lament and complain about the outcome of the election. We might even take to social media to express our frustrations. It’s totally understandable. But it’s not in your Circle of Influence. You (and I) can change nothing by doing so.
So on this day after the Election, you might find yourself on the wrong side of an outcome. The election (whatever election it was) might not have gone your way. It is frustrating (trust me, I understand). But as you start today it’s important to bring your focus back to your Circle of Influence.
Ask yourself this: What can I do to make things better today?
Now take your time, energy and talent…and do that.
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by Kirby Hasseman
It’s time for Episode 26 of the He Said/She Said Podcast with Hasseman Marketing! This podcast is designed to give an inside look at being married and being entrepreneurs and the projects we are working on and the challenges we are facing! We talk about business, family, community and more. So listen in and let us know what you think!
On this episode we talk about…
Trending Topic
This week Kirby and Amy talk Appreciation season. Now is the time of year to show your team and your customers how much you appreciate them. They talk about a few things to consider and why “thank you” never gets old.
Weekly Whirlwind
This week in the Weekly Whirlwind Amy talks about slow progress at the building. Though she is not seeing big action, there is movement and that is encouraging. Kirby talks about getting back into the swing of things and what that looks like after a few months on the road.
Lesson In Life
This week in the “lesson in life” Kirby and Amy discuss the power of taking action. Way too many people are handcuffed by perfection and trying to get everything just right. They talk about the power of “ready, fire, aim.” Kirby also mentions the books 5 Second Rule and Finish as resources to check out about this topic.
Shout Outs
Each week we want to give a shout out to an organization or an individual doing good work. This week Amy gives shout out to the road warriors (from our industry and more) who spend so much time on the road. We appreciate those suppliers that work with us! It’s a lot of travel. Kirby gives a shout out to D & K Races, who have stepped up and created some cool running events that serve the community well!
So that’s a wrap! Thanks for listening to Episode 24 of the He Said She Said Podcast! Any feedback will be welcome as we try to provide you value! If you want to subscribe you can do that where you normally get podcasts…or you can head here to follow on Soundcloud.
Thanks so much for listening! If you have any topics you want Kirby and Amy to cover, please comment and let us know! Oh…and if you like this content, check out this page where you can find all of the content we create!
by Kirby Hasseman
In nearly every area of life, there are two paths. There is the path of what I want to do. Then there is the path of what I need to do.
When I am most happy, I find the path of what I need to do and what I want to do are the same. They are in perfect alignment. These are the mornings when it’s easy to get out of bed. I need to get up early because I am going on vacation. What i want to do and what I need to do are the same.
I get out of whack when the “I want” and “I need” are not in lock step.
I need to work out, but I want to sit on the couch.
I need to get up early but I want to sleep in.
I need to make sales calls but I want to gossip with friends.
I need to work on a piece of content but I want to waste time on social media.
You get the idea. The most successful people are able to do two things really well. First, they are able to focus on what they need to do instead of just what they want to do. Second, they are able to make sure what they want to do and what they need to do align. They are able to convince themselves (and this is really important) that what they want to do IS what they need to do…and vice versa.
I struggle with this like everyone else. But the one thing I find to be true is this. When I am able to focus my energy and focus on what I need to do, I get a lot more done. And maybe more importantly, when I take care of what I need to do, I get to do what I want to do more of the time.
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by Kirby Hasseman
I was asked to attend a meeting this morning. It was a little early, but I certainly could have been there. But as I sit here typing this post, I am glad that I said “no.”
When you are a people pleaser, a do-er or an entrepreneur, sometimes the hardest thing in the world is to say the word “no.” You want to help and you love to be included. So when you get the request to join a committee, attend a meeting, or help on a project your automatic response is to say “yes” and figure it out. And, in my experience, the more successful you get the more people want you on their committee!
But there is a cost to saying “yes” to everything.
You end up with a calendar full of things that you really don’t care about. It’s not that you are against them. In theory, you think they are great. But you calendar quickly becomes full of activities that you are NOT passionate about. And of course the problem is, you don’t have time for the things you are passionate about!
Several years ago I came across a rule from Derek Sivers from his book Anything You Want. Though I still struggle to apply it all the time, it has helped me tremendously when it comes to making decisions about what to join. The rule is simple.
If this answer is not “Hell yes,” it’s “No.”
In other words, if you are so excited that you say “Hell yes,” the answer is easy. You will more than willing to bump other stuff off your calendar to work on this project. You are excited about it! But if you hesitate at all, then the answer is probably “no.” Otherwise you get a calendar full of things are are “meh” about. You are not against them. You just don’t really care.
And that is no way to live your life…or to be productive. So take a look at your calendar and evaluate how many things are “hell yes,” and how many things should be a “no.” You might want to re-evaluate your priorities and embrace the Power of No.
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by Kirby Hasseman
I was meeting with a local leader recently and he asked me what I thought about an issue he was considering. He had taken a stance that I didn’t agree with. I had kept my opinion to myself up to that point. But he asked me…so I opened up. I always tell people that “my two cents is free.” And since he had asked me, I REALLY told him!
Don’t get me wrong, I was respectful. But I was direct. He was thoughtful. He asked questions. But for those most part, he simply listened.
In the end he said, “I have been thinking about this all the wrong way.”
In other words he said “I was wrong.” And in that moment, I gained respect for him.
So often as leaders we feel like we have to have all of the answers. We need to chart a course for our team and “stay that course” and have the “courage of our convictions.” We need to be strong and confident and determined. But what happens when the information changes? What happens when the course we charted is no longer working?
And this is not just for leaders. So often, as humans, we establish an opinion or view of the world, and then move on. Often, we don’t re-examine these positions. The world changes…but do we? And if we do notice that change, doesn’t that make us weak to change our opinion? We hear people talk about politicians changing their position and we call them “flip floppers.” This is silly and small minded. The world evolves and so should we. It doesn’t make us weak, it makes us wise.
In that moment, when he said “I was wrong,” that man gained my respect. He was able to listen. He took the opportunity to get new information. Then he acted on that information. That is what true leadership looks like.
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