| I just finished unpacking my bags after six weeks | | | | Many of the items I had in my suitcase were |
| of travel. As I put things away I found myself | | | | purchased specifically for this trip. I When I did |
| reviewing whether it had been worth carrying | | | | some research knew that what I already owned |
| each item with me for the duration of the trip. I | | | | wouldn't serve me on this particular trip. The |
| kept thinking back to my vision for them all those | | | | world has changed since I last traveled and there |
| weeks back. | | | | were several items that became apparent as |
| Luggage, and how we use it, is a great reflection | | | | missing from my travel took kit: locks, laundry |
| of how we live our business lives. | | | | cord, cotton skirts, 3 oz bottles for the fluids I'd |
| Why do I say that? Because the way we carry | | | | be taking with me. |
| and use our luggage in travel is much like the way | | | | You and your team have years of experience |
| we carry the 'luggage' of our Know How and skills | | | | and Know How. Do you know what you have on |
| and use our resources through our business lives. | | | | hand in skills and talents and resources? |
| My coaching clients have shown me that most of | | | | Once you can name what you need it leads |
| the time they're unaware of what result they get | | | | naturally to |
| from their old ideas, old decision-making habits and | | | | Step 3 - Locate where you can get what you |
| old communication style. They carry that luggage | | | | need now for your trip |
| with them each day as they go to meetings, | | | | Some of the resources I needed were easily |
| solve the challenges that arise, and strategize the | | | | found - the corner drug store and every other |
| growth of their business. And their shoulders ache. | | | | shop in the city is selling the new locks. |
| I hauled a load of luggage for six weeks - 37 | | | | Cotton skirts that were precisely what I was |
| pounds of clothes and books, 16 pounds of | | | | looking for took 10 shopping trips and that's |
| computer, back up drive, cell phone and cables | | | | devotion - I hate to shop! |
| and work papers, and the ever present 6 pound | | | | Worst of all - those little innocent "3-ounce |
| oversized purse to use each day. | | | | bottles". I knew I needed to carry right up to the |
| I regret about half of the clothes. But I wouldn't | | | | limit and when I saw the industry standard of 2 |
| have left them out despite the weight of hauling | | | | ounce and 4 ounce sizes it made me nuts! Round |
| them from plane to metro to hotel to ship, etc. in | | | | bottles waste a great deal of space in the |
| 8 locations. My shoulders were aching from the | | | | required plastic pouch and no one had 3-ouncers. |
| weight, yet I knew why I was carrying each item | | | | That meant lots of wasted space! After weeks |
| and how I intended to use it. | | | | of searching, I found newly released 3-ounce flat |
| Have you noticed, your shoulders are arching, | | | | containers in a beauty supply store. |
| probably with old luggage rather than what you | | | | Why did I spend all that time on these 3 steps? I |
| actually need on your trip. | | | | knew it would be High Payoff if I could find those |
| I used the following 3 steps last week to help one | | | | resources. And in fact the trip was smooth sailing |
| of my client's look at where she's headed, what's | | | | once I had those resources as I didn't have to |
| needed to get there. She took a fresh look at the | | | | give them any further attention for six whole |
| baggage of old skills and habits she was hauling | | | | weeks of travel. |
| along and why her shoulders were aching. | | | | The result for my client? She realized that she |
| These steps will ensure you're getting the best | | | | needs to delegate 30% of the work she now |
| value out of what you're taking with you. | | | | does so that she'll have the time and attention to |
| Step 1 - Evaluate where you're headed | | | | grow her company. She now knows she doesn't |
| Identify what you 'really' need to take with you. I | | | | need someone full-time, nor in her same city, nor |
| knew I was going to be in weather that ranged | | | | even time zone. She needs a person she can |
| from 21C/70sF to 40C/100+F on a regular basis, | | | | reliably hand work off to and know it will be done |
| with a wonderful alpine side trip to a glacier where | | | | properly. Period. Her perfect next resource is a |
| the temperature would be as low as freezing with | | | | Virtual Assistant. |
| gusting wind. I knew I'd be taking clothes that | | | | So, what's the tool you need for the next project |
| could be layered so I wouldn't have to take | | | | or business challenge you're facing? Are the |
| multiple wardrobes. And I knew that meant I'd be | | | | resources you're planning to use really a fit? Are |
| seeing clothes I'd not be wearing every time I | | | | they High Payoff or will they actually slow you |
| opened my suitcase. | | | | down and demand ongoing time and attention? |
| Where are you and your team heading? Do you | | | | Now's the time to evaluate the luggage you're |
| know the conditions you'll encounter on the | | | | carrying with you and see if it's still a fit for your |
| journey? | | | | journey. |
| Step 2 - Review what you're carrying with you | | | | |