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Are You Playing to Win?
Or Playing Not to Lose?

A Bridge for Business Owners

I recently had a conversation with someone in one of our Playing to Win Teams who said: “a POD is a bridge that allows a Quantum Leap to happen.”

When I asked him to say more about that he mentioned that business owners and teachers hope for and/or expect a Quantum Leap when they teach something they believe to be game-changing, and they are frustrated when that Quantum Leap doesn’t occur!

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Why doesn’t the leap happen?

I’ve discovered it’s because there has not been the time and space provided for applying the learning in real-time while allowing for and dealing with the disappointment, dissatisfaction, and disillusionment of not getting a quick ROI.

Follow the Process, People!

For example - I recently spoke with a frustrated business owner who mentioned she had spent a lot of time and money on a training program to increase her salespeople’s closing rates. They learned a 6-step proven process that thousands in their field have successfully used to double and triple their production. Yet her staff is not getting those results even with the help (and additional expense) of one-on-one coaching.

She said it’s because her team is only using the parts of the process they personally like and are comfortable with. That’s like altering the recipe of an award-winning dish!

She asked how I could help her get them to implement the entire 6- Step Process.

This had me look at my own life for similar situations. At first, I could sympathize with her frustration. After all, I too had clients who generated millions of dollars in additional sales by following the proven Painless Prospecting process, only to slide back into using only the parts of the process they liked or were comfortable with.

Follow the Process, Denise!

Then I looked even closer to home and my struggle to lose weight, so please indulge me as I share my story and self-discovery.

My son Geoff is getting married in 5 months and I would like to drop 15 pounds for the wedding. That should be doable right? After all, that is only ¾ of a pound a week and I work out 3-4x a week.

What you need to know is: about a year and a half ago I was in a 6-month weight management program and successfully dropped 20 lbs. (YAY!!!) But try as I might for the last year on my own, I have not been able to shed the last 15!!! Here are just of few of the many things I’ve tried to lose the final 15 lbs.:

  • Eating more protein
  • Increasing my cardio
  • Increasing my strength training
  • Minimizing complex carbs
  • Going on a Fat Burner diet
  • Dabbling with the Keto diet, (my son-in-law lost over 60 lbs. on that)

When I look back and de-briefed why I was successful before, I realized I followed their process! Here is what I discovered about following their process:

What worked was:
  • I was in a Supportive Applied Learning Environment (just like a POD)
  • I was reporting my successes and struggles to someone on a regular basis
  • I got to see, experience, and discuss what happened when I tried altering their process
  • I lost 20lbs and successfully kept them off for over 1 year
What didn’t work was:
  • After having success with their program, I tried to alter the process and follow “my” version of their program
  • I no longer had a support system around me
  • I no longer had anyone, other than myself, to report my actions to and look at what was working and what was not
What I learned is:
  • Go back to the plan and process I followed a year and a half ago when I lost 20 lbs. And, this time does it within my Playing to Win Teams
  • Commit to following the process daily and weekly (even the parts of the process I don’t like)
  • Inside this environment, I will be held accountable for my commitments
  • I will be surrounded by support and encouragement as I continue the process week after week until I reach my goal
  • And, by being in a Playing to Win Team I will discover what’s working, and what’s not working, identify what I’m learning, and reapply that learning the following week

It takes more than me alone to accomplish my goals. I flourish when others come alongside and help me follow the entire process (not just the parts I like!) Now I see what he meant when he said a Playing to Win Team allows the Quantum Leap to happen.

What do you see???

Stay tuned, there is more to unpack on this!