Hamish Mackenzie
- 2 min read

Get serious.

If you're not getting the results you want, it's time to get help.

My lead mentor, Alan Weiss PhD, tells a story about his wife Maria's reaction when he decided to become an independent consultant in the 1980s. Essentially, she said, “Go for it, but you’d better get serious.” He did. Thirty-plus years later, he is probably the world’s most successful and respected expert in his field.

Reaching a plateau…

And yet, so many of us never do “get serious”. We drift, we procrastinate, we moan that we're not getting anywhere. And then, worst of all, we don’t seek the help we need to create dramatic change. I spent years on a personal and professional plateau, making the same mistakes, doing the same kind of work, earning the same money. Oh yes, I read the odd self-help book, took an online course every now and again, but real progress? Not so much.

…and taking off.

A couple of years ago, I took Maria's advice. I took the time to decide what and how I wanted to change, and started making it happen. I started making proactive choices about the books I read, the events I attended and the people I mixed with. I hired a mentor. Then I hired another one, and now I have three, all helping me with different aspects of my life and work. This year, I am investing a minimum of €25,000 in those relationships. That might sound like a lot, but I consider it a bargain. The return I am getting personally, professionally and financially is far, far greater.

Ready, steady, fly.

You don’t have to spend that much. You might want to invest much more – I know many people who do. But if, now that we are nearly a quarter of the way into 2019, you have a sinking feeling that you’re not going to reach your goals for the year, I would urge you to look for a professional coach or mentor who can help.

After all, most of the world’s most successful people in business, sport and elsewhere got to where they are by building a strong support network, populated by experts. Why should you be any different? Get the wheels in motion today. Start small if you have to, but start.

In short: It’s time to get serious.

If you'd like to know more about the coaches and mentors I work with, contact me and I'll be happy to connect you.