I was 15 when I started my first band. Oh yes, The Obnoxious Goblins were destined for great things. Especially with Nessy on guitar (a red flying V with red dots), Nonky on drums (bit like the bloke from Motorhead’s but louder) and me on keyboards (a Roland SH101 with shoulder strap).

With coffees and many biscuits in hand, we planned for hours our global pop domination, including; our first gig, what we would wear, how we would sell the tickets, the number of tracks we’d have on our first cassette and the very best moment for the flash bombs to explode. At this point, with such lofty plans and early eighties style, you may be wondering why you never heard of the potentially chart topping Obnoxious Goblins. Simple, we couldn’t play a note.

We knew what we wanted but the prospect of having to learn how to actually play (even the basics) put a real spanner in the works.

The basics are the foundation blocks for success; too many times we want the short cut, the quick fix or the easy route. I can assure you the only easy route is to get the basics down first – then, and only then, super success can come your way.

Writing this newsletter I thought of a dozen or so basics I wanted to share.  Then I edited the list, cut out the weakest two and was left with five – the real basics. Here they are, but be warned they are basic, so basic you might miss them.

Five Basic Basics

1)    Crack communication. The number one reason for; arguments, stress and frustration is lack of communication.  Because you know what you want , does it mean others will know? Crack communication by asking…  Who else needs to know? What do they need to know? How will I tell them? What do YOU need to know? And who should you ask?

2)    Master your fundamentals.  Chefs know what goes with what. Joiners can read the grain. IT consultants know how a computer works.  Comedians know timing is more important than jokes.  What are your fundamentals?  What can you learn from the history of what you do?   What gives you firm foundations?

3)    Know what they want. Do you know what they want? Do you know who ‘they’ are?  ‘They’ are the people who you have as your customers and your customers are anyone who you have a contact with.  Don’t trip at the first fence by not knowing what your customers really want.

4)    Do what you say you will do.  It’s one of the top three referability habits, it’s basic but critical. So why is it people spend more time working on their excuses than they do on what they should be doing?

5)    Take action.  What’s much worse than taking the wrong action? Taking NO action at all!  The fate of the procrastinator is one of inertia and regret.  This, the fifth basic, I think is the best.  What will you stop putting off and take action on now?

That’s my list, what’s yours?  If you agree, disagree or would like to add more then email michaelsdesk@michaelheppell.com with your thoughts and ideas. We’d love to hear from you.

Be Brilliant, 

Best

Joanne

Hi Joanne

The challenge with most time management systems is they are written by people who are already good at managing time. This makes them challenging to implement for the more creative types like you and ME. 

I became disillusioned with time management systems like this so I wrote my own, called it Time for Time, tested it, then taught it to others. I found by focusing on just two or three key ideas which worked for me I could save an hour every day.

The CD version of this programme is half price in our sale but to save you ordering (and because I bet you’ll put if off) I’ll send you a complimentary one for asking such a brilliant question.

Be Brilliant

Michael

Do you have a question for Michael?  If so send an email to michaelsdesk@michaelheppell.com with ‘Ask Michael’ in the subject line.  We’ll happily send you a gift if yours is used.