Today’s post on The Methodology Blog is from Chris Arnold. He is the owner of Arnold Business Advisors, LLC which is a coaching and consulting business primarily focused in the areas of strategy implementation, leadership development, team alignments, and executive coaching.

The Productivity Loop

By: Chris Arnold

Recently, I had the opportunity to read Chris Brady’s book, Rascal.  In this book, Brady defines key characteristics of a Rascal Leader and even has a self-assessment for testing your “rascalinity”.  Brady’s humor and passion clearly make this book an easy read and his heart for freedom is readily apparent.

In particular, one of the things that I related with this book and wanted to pass along to The Methodology Blog is “The Battle Plan - The Productive Loop.” 

Arnold Business Advisors LLC’s mission is aiding businesses and individuals in truly defining what success looks like and building strategies to achieve this success. Substituting the word success for dream in the loop, we offer the following. Brady states:

Rascals start out ignorant like everyone else.  They simply don’t know what they don’t know about a certain subject, and they may not even realize they are Rascals.  But then new information finds its way into their consciousness, either through a good book, a friend, a life experience, or whatever.  The new information suggests a path toward accomplishment, a route of opportunity, an idea to be tried.

In our terms this is a picture of what success look’s like.  From this, the process begins. Whether it’s someone looking to find a new career, start a business, partner with a new business, increase sales, work through a difficult relationship, raise their leadership capabilities, increase team effectiveness, or many other circumstances, individuals become aware of the possibility of success and normally immediately are skeptical. Things like, “I’m not good enough to do that” or “we’ve tried that before” come to mind.  However, then, curiosity is raised leading to a process of learning, followed by excitement to a point where we need to take some action.  But, prior to this action, we have that critical step of overcoming fear.

Assuming a Rascal overcomes fear, they immediately transition into action which enters the “Productivity Loop” and progress is seen.  However, our experience is that many don’t overcome fear which leads to inaction, becoming paralyzed and frustrated to a point where they meet the “Fork In The Road.”

You see, it’s not the initial lack of overcoming fear that diminishes our dreams or picture of success, it’s at the “Fork In The Road” that most of us experience the make it or break it decision.  Will we wimp out or, as Rascals, will we reengage in our dream and press on to a point where we find ourselves in the productivity loop and having the experience of being in ‘The Zone”! Brady states:

The Zone is a concept that describes a peak performer in a moment all their own, where they are doing exactly what God built them to do, to the best of their ability, with all of their faculties aligned and intensely focused.

It’s that point at which we’re hitting on all cylinders and seem invincible.  I’m sure you have experienced it at points in your life. So, how are you and your team with being Rascals and operating in “The Zone”?  What’s your “rascalinity” score?

It’s our experience, which Brady also comments, that most need a coach or mentor to continually stay in the Productivity Loop.  He states that this coach or mentor should “have fruit on the tree” and not just academic knowledge for aiding in Rascal development.  For this reason, we mentor with those who “have fruit on the tree” and provide the same for our clients.

In association with Chris Brady and LIFE, Chris Arnold, a “Leading Rascal”, inspires communities of individuals to Live Intentionally for Excellence through 8Fs – Faith, Family, Finance, Freedom, Following, Fitness, Friends, and Fun.

❖ ❖ ❖