BNI Minnesota & N. Wisconsin Blog

By B. Scott Binion, CPA

“Let Your YEA be YEA and Your NAY be NAY”

Have you heard this saying before?   I’m sure we all have from time to time.   It comes from Matthew 5:33 and is great advice for all.   Let me share what it means to me and my business.   In its simplest form – if you say it, do it.   If you can’t do it, say so.

We have all been in situations where something didn’t get done by another team member, co-worker or manager that adversely affected others and the overall company.   But they said it would be done, on time, and within budget!   We trusted them to get it done and then made our plans accordingly.    Again, they didn’t follow-through and we all had to suffer from their mistake.

Not a welcome outcome, but it is far too common.   I know in the past, I have been the one making this mistake, most likely you have too.   Let’s work hard not to see it happen ever again.

Here are a few simple sayings that can help everyone stick to what they say or to follow-through with greater success:

·          Practice saying NO more often

·          Say NO when you are unsure or have serious questions

·          Say YES when you can actually do it, without reservations

·          When something comes up, as it always will, let others know

·          Set a pattern or habit of doing what you say

If you want to learn more, go to my website www.InsightCos.com and sign up for the FREE Insight of the Week publication.  Over the next few weeks, I will go a little deeper into each one of these helpful suggestions.    

If there is anything that you need help with, call me at (952) 270-1800.  Make it a wonderfully successful day!

What do we turn to when we can’t find something in the dark?  A flashlight helps, doesn’t it!  I recently heard a comment about light and darkness.  It went something like this – light simply punches holes in darkness.  Never quite looked at it that way, but it makes sense.  So what does that have to do with my job or my business?

In many businesses, key managers often make decisions while they are in the dark.  Sometimes, not knowing all of the key information can be compared to trying to find your lost keys in the pitch black.  Not having the right information available, when you need it, to make an informed decision is the same very thing.

Here are a few observations that may give you a new perspective on this very subject:

1. Light dispels dark – more info will often lead to better decisions
2. Your flashlight provides focus for your company’s direction
3. It’s hard to see where you’re going if you don’t have the right tools, like a flashlight
4. Make sure your flashlight is in good working order – last thing you want is for your light to grow dim or burn out when you need it most
5. Lastly, your flashlight needs to be working – guiding you along the path to profitability

Next time your power goes out and you reach for that flashlight, remember these few simplistic perspectives.  If you find it challenging to even find your flashlight or not even sure if you have one, seek help right away to lighten your path!

By B. Scott Binion, CPA, MBA

• If only I could have had one more week to get ready
• If only I had closed that deal and got the project, my year would look great
• If only I stayed away from doing work for them, what a hassle
• If only things could be different!

The answer is “You’re right!”  Things would not be the same as they are today, they would be much different.  Constantly knocking yourself for missed opportunities or deals gone bad does one great big thing for you……..causes REGRET!  If only I could have or should have or would have – Oh there I go again, got to stop doing that.

So next time you are about to use one of those “shoulda, coulda, woulda” terms – STOP!  Instead reflect on what is going right. Dwelling on what you missed out on doesn’t help anyone.  You can’t change one thing about what happened in the past.  Come to think of it, right now you can’t change anything in the future.  But, you can immediately impact the now or present.

If you want to learn more about my regrets – I mean the ways to make an impact on where you are now, call me today and I’d be happy to listen.  Make this year the best of your life – that’s what I’m going to do!