What Michael Dell and Lance Armstrong can teach us about change

We marvel at the accomplishments of the finest ‘doers’ of our time. How about Lance Armstrong’s miraculous recovery from cancer to win perhaps the world’s most grueling event – the Tour De France (7 times)? Remember the start of Michael Dell’s brilliant, revolutionary direct to consumer business model for selling computers?

For both of these examples, there certainly was a level of comprehension or understanding that Lance and Michael endured on the way towards their unparallel success. Did Lance settle on just understanding what it would take to be a Tour De France champion – the timing, the nutrition, and the perseverance? Did Michael Dell just ‘relax’ when he drew out the plan to remove the middleman from the computer sales process? No and No.

Both individuals understood, comprehended, and then ACTED. Action is of paramount importance here. If Lance and Michael just thought about their dreams and goals and never acted, think of the dissatisfaction that they would feel.

Think about what you want. Map out a plan to get there and ACT on it.

Next time: Step 3: People Need Follow-up to Get Better

Dan Naden

Naden's Corner

How to Change Behavior

People don’t change because they are too busy. Change is difficult for most people. Whether it be changing a behavior at work, or improving as a husband and friend, people usually repel anything that isn’t ‘business as usual’.

I am reading a fantastic book right now, “What You Get Here, Won’t Get You There” by Marshall Goldsmith. I couldn’t wait until its conclusion to share with you 4 ‘gems’. This is one of those books where you’ll need a notebook within arm’s length.

Goldsmith is on target when he claims that one of the biggest detractors from changing is ‘being busy’. Yes, we all have enough to do to fill our days. Work, kids, hobbies, and friends – the list is endless. But are you filling your days with that items that matter the most to you?

We must make ‘a change’ top of the list. If you want to learn the guitar, you MUST practice. You must push aside other ‘must dos’ and make guitar playing part of your normal routine. The other ‘busy stuff’ can’t be used as an excuse anymore. You’ve made a commitment to a change in behavior – learn to play the guitar – and you’ve placed it at the top of the list. It is as simple as that.

Stay tuned for Step 2: There is an Big Gulf between Understanding and Doing.

Until next time,

Dan Naden
Naden's Corner

Wells Fargo helps give me back some of my day

Something happened on the way to the Wells Fargo ATM the other day. My ATM got smarter.

I would imagine most people withdraw the same amount of cash from their account on a somewhat regular basis. Whatever the amount ($50, $100, $150), you mindlessly move through the prompts until you have cash in hand.

The other day, however, I was frozen in my tracks at the ATM. No, Pamela Anderson didn’t drive by the bank; the user experience remembered me!! I was routinely clicking through the screens (PIN, account type, amount to withdraw, etc.) when I noticed a ‘recent withdrawals’ area on the left-hand portion of the screen.

There, conveniently within reach, was a list of the five most frequent transactions that I’ve made over the near future. They have essentially trimmed 6 clicks on the monitor down to 3.

After logging into with my PIN, I choose one of the ‘frequently used options’, click confirm and my cash is in hand.
Compare this to the old scenario:
--Log in
--Choose withdrawal/deposit
--Choose account
--Choose amount
--Confirm
--Receipt?
--Cash in hand

In today’s busy world, it is refreshing to see a company like Wells Fargo using technology to save time and make our lives easier. Those saved seconds add up to minutes and hours over a long period of time. Switching from Wells Fargo to another bank just got much tougher now.

Until next time,

Dan Naden