Imagine you’re on an airplane and the pilot announces, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, pardon the interruption, but I need to let you know our flight pattern is one degree off today, and we’ll be landing in Chicago instead of New York. Sorry for any inconvenience.’
Can’t you just hear a resounding…What!?
Aviators know for every one-degree traveled off course for a distance of 60 miles, the plane will land 1 mile off the intended destination. So, what does this mean for a trip from Vancouver to London? It means a 79-mile walk to baggage claim!
Applying The ‘One-Degree’ Concept to Your Business
The One-Degree principle has several applications in business. Making a positive one-degree change in your business can have a significant impact over time, and the more strategic the change (more degrees), the more exponential the impact over time.
Many entrepreneurs try to make several changes at the same time, only to get overwhelmed with the enormity of it all. Rather than getting frustrated and discouraged with all the changes you would like to make in your business, get laser-focused instead.
Identifying Your ‘One-Degree’ Change
To focus in on a high impact change, ask yourself:
- If you could only make one ‘one-degree’ change, what would it be?
- What change would have the most bang for your buck over time?
Clarifying your ‘One-Degree’ Change
To clarify your ‘one-degree’ change, consider these four steps:
- Ask the Lord a question like: ‘What is one area of my life you would like to see a change in order for me to be more like Christ and bring you glory?’
- Ask others you trust: Your spouse, friends, mentors or colleagues a question like: ‘If I were to consider focusing on changing one area of business, what would it be?’
- Talk to your customers: As we’ve pointed out in previous posts, your customers are the most important part of your business. So, why not ask them what you can change that would have the greatest positive impact?
- Check the books: Go over your financials, on your own or with your CPA, to help you focus on small changes with big bottom-line impact.
Focusing on the little things can sometimes seem trivial, but like the pilot flying just one-degree off course, over time–even the little things have big consequences. So, identify the little things you can change in your business, be consistent and focused, and watch time take care of the rest.
This has been adapted from an earlier blog posted on 5/7/2012 by Dr. Steve Brown.