Leaders’ Self-regulate, Continued.

Leaders constantly make and communicate decisions (as they change and as they lead change); they balance satisfying the immediacy of short-term needs to the strategy of long-term goals.

How many of your decisions are from your ‘have-it-now system’ as opposed to your ‘plan-and-wait system.’  I ask you this important question – how impulsive (or thoughtful) are you in your decisions?

Today, I did a self-accessed impulsivivity test to access how many of my buying decisions were reactive instead of proactive.  I went shopping with cash and credit card.  Being extra self-aware today, I was additionally contemplative over each and every purchase.  In the day’s shopping, I saw lots of pretty things for my granddaughter; successfully not overspending for her; I bought one item – spending only $10 which was just what I set out to buy.  I also bought three towels for the home that were 75% off – spending another $8.50.  As you can see, involved in my buying decisions was the balance of now versus the future.

How would you do in an impulsiveness test?  I urge you to conduct your own impulsiveness experiment to watch your own decision-making processes.  Email me and let me know how you did, I’d love to hear.

 Principle 4:  Controlling Impulsiveness

The good news is being deliberate is learned.  You can develop a stronger brain braking system to control distractions that move you away from your intention and into immediacy.   Leaders must know, in the moment of action, what to say ‘yes’ to and what to say ‘no’ too – your company depends on you.

The key to intentional decision-making is practice and intentionality.  I offer you this list of nine strategies; many of these strategies are listed in a fantastic book by Dr. Pier Steel, The Procrastination Equation.

Nine Strategies to Living Less Impulsive

1. Rest and sleep.  Dr. Piers Steel tells us that the number one procrastination challenge is being tired; in that state we don’t have enough brain power to win over distraction.  Stay rested to control of your energy reserves.

1. What are your top five values (or your company’s values)?  We make our decisions what we deem valuable – be it beauty, kindness, innovation, adventure, etc.  Anchor to your values and you’ll have more power to say ‘no’ to the impulsive temptation in the moment.

1. Create positive goals instead of negative goals.  In other words, craft your positive intention of ‘Live well – strong and full of energy’ instead of the negative phrasing ‘lose 10 pounds.’  You want to feel good (not bad) when thinking of the goal (Steel, 2011).

1. Do a goals plan.  In order to achieve, you have to choose and embrace your targets (goals).  Clearly identify what you want in life.  Then objectively know where you currently stand.  Next, list the steps that take you from here to there.   You’ll more likely stay on course focusing on a 15-minute doable action over an overwhelming goal.

1. Select 1, 2, or 3 ‘things’ to get done in a day, no more.  Committed to a small number keeps you focused and on track.  Using a planning system, not just a phone reminder system, will advance your execution.   Stay focused on the important not simply trapped in the urgent.

1. Create a personal email routine.   All of life is not urgent; our fast technology world has taught us differently.  Create your email habit with intention.

My base email behavior is I log in to email at the beginning of a work-day, at the end of a work-day, and when I have an email to send.  When I log in to email out, I of course, check the incoming emails, I read them and handle the urgent, respond to others that take a less than two minutes of my time, and star the ones that require future attention.   Are all your emails urgent? I think not.  Develop a system.

1. Have support.  Ask for help – Hire a personal trainer. Hire a personal or business coach (www.qleadintl.com).  Buddy with a friend.   Bond with your spouse.  Create yourself an advisory board.  We are social animals; use group power to help you live strong.

1. Speak your intention out-loud.  Nothing like putting your integrity (do what you say you will do) on the line to hold you what is important.

1. Control your environment.   Manage your situations – don’t put yourself in spots of difficulty.   I find it difficult to concentrate at home sometimes – I see the laundry that needs attention, the floors that need vacuuming, etc. etc…and then I get in a spin of deciding what to do.  The temptation to do something easy or more fun can become stronger instead completing the important.   My answer is to go to a coffee shop to work; I then focus and get my task completed.

Dr. Kevin Ochsner of Columbia University offers us a great strategy; he says create ‘condition statements’ to help us win over a strategic change.  For example, “If I want a chocolate bar, I’ll eat one chocolate kiss (instead of a whole candy bar.)  Re-enforce the ‘if then statement by putting a picture of a chocolate kiss in a strategic place.

1. 10.   Small reward pays a big return.  Our brain uses a brain-chemical that moves us to action.  This chemical feels good to us – it’s our reward system.  So, apply this intentionally.  When you start a task, decide on a small reward – maybe its lunch with a friend.  You’ll find fuel to get the task done when you are motivated by the pleasure of lunch with your friend.  This works.

In closing, self-awareness is a key to impulsiveness.  Know your goals, your current reality and the steps to closing the gap.  Know your values.  Get support and control your environment.  And finally, give yourself rewards along the journey to success.