Learn 6 Steps to Eliminate Roadblocks in Business and Life
Challenges arise in business and life. Many times these challenges create roadblocks. Roadblocks impede progression. Last week I heard an awesome business leader, Paul Anderson, speak on 6 steps to eliminate Roadblocks. Here are the 6 Steps:
6 Steps to Eliminate Roadblocks
1. Identify the Root Cause
Identify the root cause. It's important that everyone involved with the roadblock help to identify the root cause. It might help if you answer this simple sentence, "The roadblock is being created by (insert root cause)." Make sure you identify the root cause of the roadblock or challenge, not the surface problem. You can get to the root cause by asking why five times. This is the first step to eliminate the roadblock, identify the root cause.
2. Capture Ideas
With your roadblock and root cause clearly identified, make sure you capture all the ideas (the solutions). These ideas will come at random times. It might be when you first wake up, while you are in the shower, or even out on a run, wherever they occur, you need a good way to capture them. All ideas count.
3. Write Down the Solutions
Write down the ideas (solutions) instantly. Remember this key fact, solutions can be clear one moment and gone the next. You have to write them down. Almost every smart phone has a note app or even a voice memo app. Stop, take a second, write it down.
4. Digest the Solutions
Steps 2 and 3 are brainstorming steps, now it's time to digest all your solutions and prioritize them by what you feel will have the quickest and biggest impact. What solutions can you put in action today? What resources would you need? How long would it take to remove this challenge if it had your full attention? Write down a three-bullet game plan. It might just be one bullet. Just make sure it's not more than three. Make sure that everyone involved in the roadblock is bought into the plan. This is key, because you'll work as a team to eliminate it.
5. Share It
Now everyone is bought in and your actions prioritized. It's time to share the game plan. This will help you own it. It will also help others clearly understand the direction you are heading and why. To eliminate roadblocks, it takes focus, resources, and buy in. Sharing your plan is the best way to accomplish this. Once everyone is bought in, it's time to get to work.
6. Own It
Yep, get it done.
Start at the top of your game plan or prioritized list. Get those tasks (actions) done first. This will help you create momentum and motion which are key to getting work done and removing obstacles. As you're working, make sure to measure results a long the way. This will help you determine if your plan is actually working and that you roadblock is disappearing. If not, step back and assess the situation. You might need to alter your plan if you're not seeing movement in the right direction.
Of course, be patient. It might take some time to remove the roadblock. If you don't let it break you, these challenges can strengthen you and your team. You can gain a lot of power, wisdom, and unity when your team works together and successfully removes a roadblock.
There you have it, six simple steps that will help you eliminate the roadblocks of business and life. Of course, make sure you breath deep, be patient, work together, and enjoy the journey.