04 Nov What Makes a Game Changer?
The debate continues…is a game changer born or created? At The CFO Suite we would say both. Not everyone can be born a game changer, some of us are developed over time. So how is it done? How does someone transform themselves (or others) into true game changers?
game changer [geym cheyn-jer]:
(noun)
A person or individual that effects a significant shift in the current manner of doing or thinking, often by introducing an element or factor that changes an existing situation or activity in a significant way.
- Develop, review, and refine your purpose.
WHY do you do the things you do? A game changer asks themselves the “why?” From this answer so many other questions are revealed. It keeps them focused and grounded. It is the thing that brings them back after stumbles or setbacks. If you want to develop a real game changer mindset, cultivate a purpose that serves, improves, helps, and inspires, but above all, answers “why?”
2. Leave “great” behind…your goal is to be “the best”.
High performers are great at what they do, there’s no arguing that. But game changers? Game changers are THE BEST at what they do. They’re not just dreamers, they’re doers. They make a goal to create, improve, and innovate best practices in order to find NEW practices. This is how game changers propel themselves, and us, forward.
3. Avoid negative influences.
Negativity can be found around every corner – in the media, in our relationships, in our own self-image. Game changers look to surround themselves with the reaffirming, meaningful, educational, and motivational. What are the things in the world that foster your beliefs, rather than exploit your fears? Take time every single day to quiet your mind, intentionally remove negativity from your consciousness and recenter on possibilities.
4. Relentlessly pursue other game changers.
Game changers are never satisfied with the status quo. In fact, they’re committed to shattering the status quo. If you’re committed to following suit, you’ll need to surround yourself with fellow game changers. Pursue mentors with game changing traits. Research and read about the game changers in your field. What habits do they incorporate into their daily lives? How can you emulate them?
5. Change is a game changer’s friend.
Game changers don’t like stagnation. By definition, a game changer effects a significant shift to change an existing situation. If nothing changes, if nothing is created, if nothing is improved, if nothing is transformed, then you don’t have a game changer. Game changers know that to experience sustainable improvement, you need change.
6. Stay focused.
Game changers recognize that they are only human. Any number of things can knock them off course, but their mindset requires them to stay on track as much as possible, and when they do veer off course, they don’t stay there for long. Study how game changers think and act in various situations and you’ll learn how to stay focused and rebound quickly when needed.
7. Think and operate five years ahead.
To be truly disruptive, game changers look to start five years ahead and work backwards. Experimenting, planning, and failing is part of the equation. While many of today’s leaders are trying to squeeze whatever they can out of models that lead to past success and greatness, game changers are moving past not only “great” but “tried and true” as well.
At The CFO Suite, we find Accounting & Finance Game Changers.