Did you know that Ferdinand Porsche designed the Volkswagen Beetle?
No? Then you may jot know that he also said that "We all have a desire to create something that will show we were here". it's a statement with which, I couldn't agree more. Creating that difference isn't easy; Like drawing car curves free hand (as I didn't last night as I begin my process of creating a VW based Beetle commission).
Much in life which takes effort - and effort, in my experience, provides us all with the opportunity to feel satisfaction and pride.
Having worked with thousands of leaders over the years - the inescapable fact is that success is delivered when we tie a vision and a 'why' with a 'process to success'. In simple terms, a process to success is a map of the stages you'll go through and the milestones you will celebrate on the journey to creating your difference. Without knowing these stages - it's easy to lose sight of what you're doing and why; and to maintain motivation.
A process to success is something I've consistently mapped out in my life, as a change agent for large corporate organisations, as a senior leader and as an incredibly important part in building what has been ratedas one of the best coffee houses in the UK - our coffee house on the beautiful Isle of Wight - The Freshwater Coffee House
Stepping back into the world of Art as an artist in the past year - I created on for my business as well as individual pieces of art. Here it is:
Stage one complete - rough outline.
Stage two - Refine outline
Stage three - Fill with colour
Stage four - Add shading
Stage five - Breathe and smile
Stage Six - Share
Stage Seven - Look for a buyer
Stage Eight - Buyer found; ship and celebrate
In Japanese culture, 8 is lucky number and in all walks of life we benefit from finding our own 8 lucky stages to success. Porsche himself said that "there is no such thing as the perfect car. But as engineers and designers. we have to do everything in our power to approach this ideal'.
It's all too easy to 'wing it', to shy away from putting in the 'hard yards' and planning for success; but without out it to quote the French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupery "a goal without a plan is just a wish". And whilst I know wishes sound magical; the true magic comes when we are illuminated by success.
My question; on this glorious Saturday morning, for you, is:
Have you got a 'process for success' for what you're working on?
If not, get in touch today. I'm also an executive coach and helping great people work out how to achieve their ambitions is my day job.
I'm looking forward to hearing from you
Stefan
- Helping great people do great things.