ASK ALAN: The More Things Change, The More They Stay the Same
“ASK ALAN” is a Nationally Syndicated Business Advice & Idea column reaching 7+ million business leaders semi-monthly. I hope this resonates with you.
Back in the day, we called this a “Paper Fortune Cookie.” Later, we called it, “a Magic 8 Ball.” Today, we might call it an “algorithm.” As children, we reveled in being able to predict the future.
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– Fear
– Greed
– Hubris
– Procrastination
– Knowing when “good” is good enough
– Stopping short of the finish line
– Hiring weak team members
– Not delegatingFear
Have you ever been so afraid that you cannot think straight? Your mind is going so fast that you are paralyzed by your own thoughts? A daily distraction puts me in a calm frame of mind. It can be practicing mindfulness exercise or reading. For me, keeping a gratitude journal first thing in the morning calms and motivates me. I can think clearly about the solutions even though my problems are still there.
Greed
Greed can wreak havoc on your business if you allow it to influence your actions. Author, Kayla Matthews writes about 10 ways greed can ruin business.Hubris. Power is intoxicating. The only counterweight to hubris is surrounding yourself with strong, independent people you can trust. However, you must truly listen to what they have to say.
Procrastination 
Knowing When Good is Good Enough
Jim Collins, famously wrote that, “Good is the enemy of great.” However, sometimes trying to make everything great can be just as damaging. Knowing when good is good enough is an art form unto itself.
Stopping Just Short Of The Finish Line
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Do not let this happen to you. Keep fighting until you win.
Hiring a Weak Team
No one can do it alone and thinking you can is crazy. The old saying, “A players hire A players. B players hire C players,” is true.
You’re an A player, right? Hire the best people you can. Don’t be intimidated if they are smarter than you because that’s how you will win.
Not Delegating
You have hired a great team. You have pointed everyone in the right direction. You have a clear plan of attack. Now delegate as much as you can to your team!
1. Free yourself up, so you can play to your own strengths.
2. Motivate your team by responsibly giving your team as much responsibility as possible.
As leaders of businesses, we have the choice to stop searching the tarot cards and crystal balls for answers to the future. We can learn from other’s mistakes and from history. Make decisions only after you have gathered enough information and listened to trusted advisors. If you truly want to be successful, this is what you will do!
