When leaders want to improve results fast, the instinct is to start doing more. But sometimes, what you stop doing makes the biggest impact.

Here are five things to stop this week:

1. Stop spending so much time on standards.
Yes, standards matter. But 98% of the time, when people aren’t meeting them, it’s not a training issue. It’s an accountability issue. Reset expectations. Make it clear what’s required. Standards should never be optional.

Remember one of my favorite sayings: People rise to the level of expectations and slide to the level of acceptance.


2. Stop making excuses for people.
You can’t improve what you don’t own. That goes for your team, too. I’ve always said KPIs tell the truth. In retail, conversion rate and average ticket have nothing to do with traffic. Stop letting people explain away their performance. See the above saying.


3. Stop spreading your focus across too many actions.
Most leaders don’t always need new ideas. Sometimes they just need to nail the right ones. Pick one or two actions most likely to move results quickly. Clarity beats creativity when speed matters.


4. Stop negative self-talk.
I used to roll my eyes at the idea of self-talk. Then I realized I was doing it. Especially when struggling. A few minutes of journaling each morning helps me flip the script. It’s one of the most important things I do for both my business and personal well-being. I might even teach a class on it someday.


5. Stop putting off investing in yourself.
I still invest in coaches, because there’s always another level. The leaders I work with don’t wait to grow into results. They accelerate into them by upgrading their thinking, skills, and strategy. If you're ready to do the same, maybe it’s time to work with someone who can help you get there faster, with a bigger impact.

So, let me ask, what is the one thing you’ll stop doing this week?

You're one action away. Starting today.


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