Strategic Acceleration by Tony Jeary (#1)

How would you reply when someone asks: "What does success mean to you?" If you are like me, you would list a level of professional development, family development or perhaps material items. Tony states "We are successful when we achieve objectives we have established in advance." (Page 3) Makes sense right?

Tony Jeary has coached many highly successful individuals and helped them run their organizations. In his own words ... "I helped them develop:
1) Clarity - the ability to get clear about what they really wanted to achieve
2) Focus - the ability to avoid distraction to concentrate on high-leverage activities that produce the most significant results
3) Execution - the ability to use strategic communication to exceed expectations and get results faster."

Each of us has been shaped by our past. Family, life, finances, and just about everything else create impressions and cause us to view the world in a particular way. Tony Jeary defines this as "the belief window, it contains everything you believe to be true, false, correct, incorrect, appropriate, inappropriate, possible and impossible." This belief window is what you see the world through and it frames your views of people, situations and places and also influences "the actions you take regarding those same people, places and things." (Page 12)

How could this be hindering your professional development? The belief window "blocks out what you do not consider important and screens information and circumstances you don't think you need. ...you will not recognize the importance of things that might be critical to your success" It is important that you have the ability to adjust your belief window from time to time to make sure you are not missing opportunities.

"When you lack clarity about what you really want, you will find yourself being pushed toward living in problems. When you have clarity about what you really want, you will be pulled toward living in solutions." (page 21)

The four necessary steps to become effective in a new endeavor (page 21-24):
1) Become Aware of the Need
2) Clarify the Need
3) Focus on the Need
4) Execute the need

"Go as far as you can see, and then you can see farther"

Tony Jeary tells us the story of an African man who was born into a small mud hut and eventually ended up being one of the top 5 sales people for the yellow pages in the entire US. This individual was amazed at a young age when he saw a movie from America where everyone was wearing shoes. This man was determined to get to America. He didn't know how at that point, but by proactively taking small steps towards connecting with the US he made it. The idea here is that if your vision is clear, it will create a pulling effect and will draw that success into your life.

Tony Jeary goes on to mention that "When you become clear about what you want, you suddenly begin to see that everything in your life up to that very moment has uniquely prepared you to do the very thing you now see so clearly. ...the daily events of your life ...are really opportunities that will take you one step closer to your vision." (page 43)

"Achieving clarity of vision is the cornerstone of Strategic Acceleration" (page 47)