Resources, Relationships, and Routines: How to Be Efficient
It will be February by the time you read this. Your resolutions may have faded already. We are only 1/12th of the way through the year (about 8.3%). What are you going to do to make sure that you stay on track for the rest of the year?
Let’s move past the resolutions.
I present to you; three other “R” words.
Resources, Relationships, and Routines
I find that these things make staying on track more manageable. They do not guarantee success, nor are they essential for it. However, I know you’ll find that making an impact is easier to execute with them.
Resources help you create things, solve problems, and scale your efforts.
Relationships add to your pool of resources and improve morale.
Routines systematize things, leading to efficiency.
Establishing Your Limits
Any good leader knows what they are good at and what they are not. In many cases, identifying the latter is more important.
A motivated impactmaker will find where they excel out of sheer effort. It’s the hard things that often go unidentified.
When you know where you need help, you are that much more effective. Those things can be done better and you understand that. You then seek resources to help you get better, or better yet, to eliminate those things from your list of responsibilities. There is someone out there who excels at those things and they (not you) should be doing them. Not only are they good at them, but they enjoy the work and should be doing it consistently.
I look at resources as ways to fill in gaps. Said gaps could be big, obvious shortcoming of your own, or maybe a small inefficiency that you noticed in your processes. The more natural it is for a leader to consult his or her resources, the easier it will be for them to excel.
Some of the most successful leaders have hired coaches in order to help them achieve their goals. Last week’s episode of Speaking of Impact (30) had Justin Breen from BrEpic Communications talking about Strategic Coach. This program is quite an investment, but the abundance mindset is based on the premise that there is plenty of success to go around. We are each other’s resources, not competitors.
The Class “Field” Trip
My third grade class took a trip to the library. I wasn’t too excited. At the beginning of the day, it was sold to us as a “field” trip.
How is walking 50 yards to another building a field trip? It’s not. I don’t care what you say. In this context, “field” means somewhere not at the same address of your school.
Despite my disappointment (I guess I thought it would be better being cooped up in the classroom all day.), we walked in a single file line over to the library. I always preferred double file.
I had heard of this “library” before. I had even seen it from the outside. But, I never made my way into the expansive building and had a look around.
Upon arrival at the library, we were instructed to be quiet. I hated the place already. Then, we were told to sit at a group of tables. Getting worse, right?
“Teacher! Couldn’t we have just stayed in the classroom and sat down?”
“Bobby. Please be quiet.”
“Ugh!” - shutters and sinks head
This was borderline torturous. The next four hours (okay, probably ten minutes) were so boring! The librarian had to explain to us the rules and explain what the library was for (other than torturing third graders).
In order to avoid boring you as much as an explanation of the library does to nine year-olds, I’ll skip the contents of the library lesson (actually, I lost my notes and can’t remember). At the end of the talk the librarian mentioned something really interesting.
Do you remember learning about the Dewey Decimal System? This thing was fascinating. I have to give credit to Mr. Dewey (I call him Mel). His classification system made it so easy to consult resources. Nowadays, the internet has changed things. But, when I was in third grade, information was not that easy to acquire.
Once we had an opportunity to explore the library and try out Mel’s system, I forgot how bored I was. We had a scavenger hunt that I zipped around the aisles to complete. I gathered all kinds of information and certainly learned to appreciate the library.
I think I associated the library with reading. Which to this day, I still do not enjoy (as I write a blog I expect you to read). I’ll admit, Speaking of Impact is more my medium, but I have learned to appreciate reading because it is a way to acquire more information. It’s not a pastime for me, but it’s extremely valuable. I now know why Reading is Fundamental.
Mel’s creation enabled me to navigate the library on many occasions throughout my education as efficiently as possible. It was vital to acquiring resources.
Networking
Searching for resources doesn’t always happen in a library or on the internet. Our relationships also provide us with things we need to be successful. The more people you know and understand, the more sources you have.
I think most people understand the importance of having a network. However, the network should have strong bonds. You have to understand the people in your network.
What good is a Local Area Network (LAN) or wireless network if the connections aren’t strong? Remember this guy (Paul Marcarelli) from the Verizon Commercials?
“Can you hear me now?
You’re out of luck if the internet goes out as you read this.
Just like the electronic networks of today, our human networks need strong connections. The people you know can be tremendous resources for you. Make sure they know what you’re about, and more importantly, know what they’re about. If you don’t, ask. People love talking about themselves. Why else would I write this blog?
Don’t rush the “wiring” of your network. Not everyone is going to be your best friend, but you can understand people beyond the surface. Here are some example questions:
What are you passionate about?
What’s your mission?
What’s your expertise? (What are you good at?)
What do you enjoy?
What brings you joy?
How do you spend your free time?
Where would you go for your ideal vacation?
Where is your family from?
Notice how none of those questions directly reference anything about a vocation or business cards? Asking what someone does for a living is too easy. Answering the question is also often too easy (the dreaded elevator speech). If you just want to know where someone works, look for them on LinkedIn.
The Game Plan
A well coached sports team has a solid game plan. In fact, a well developed and executed game plan can often overcome a talent disparity.
I would encourage you to look beyond the commercials, half-time show, instant replays, and highlights during the Super Bowl this year. The biggest game on Earth is set to happen at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa less than two weeks from the release of this entry (February 7, 2021).
I will keep my selling of the sport of football to the September 22, 2020 E-Impact Blog entry, but I believe it’s the best game we have. Pay attention to specific player matchups and the way the coordinators for the teams are lining up their players during the game. There is a system in place that is specific to this one game of the season. Part of a team’s routine during the week (in the case of the Super Bowl, two weeks) leading up to a game is to “install” a game plan. The coaching staff of a team routinely prepares its players to execute the game plan that they believe gives them the best opportunity to win.
Perhaps the most fascinating thing to pay attention to (for us football nerds) is the halftime adjustments that teams make after seeing how their opponents are playing in the first half. A team may have to call on some previous routines (or even try to develop one on the spot) in order to be successful.
What Works, Works
The great thing about making a positive impact in the world is that you have more than sixty minutes of game clock to do it. You don’t have to develop routines in a fifteen minute halftime meeting, or a week, or even a full six month season.
I would say finding great routines is urgent, but not make or break at any given time to your impact project. However, it takes great effort to develop the best routines and execute them consistently.
Routines don’t just happen. They form over time. In some cases, you may not even notice that you have developed a routine. It just forms as you do things repeatedly. It’s important to make sure those routines are positive. Consistent review of your efforts must be done to ensure you and your team are using your time as wisely as possible.
Once you find a great routine, you are a master. You are able to teach it to someone else and scale your project.
If you have spent some time working on an initiative, you can take some time to identify the routines that exist and determine which are good and which aren’t. Then you can figure out who else can execute the routine to allow for greater impact.
The things that are working are great. Why not do more of them?
We’ve all heard the saying “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.” There is some great wisdom. I’ll add that we should always be building. You’ll have some things to fix, but you’ll also make things that don’t break. Those things will become the foundations of your efforts.
The Three “R”s as One
Great leaders and impactmakers have mastered the triangle that is Resources, Relationships, and Routines. Each is a force on its own. But together they are exponential.
Resources help you execute. Relationships provide more resources. Routines make you apply thee others most efficiently.
Strategically consider each of the “R”s on a consistent basis (make it a routine).
Own your impact system.