To err is human — and correcting an error requires the human touch. For Southwest Airlines, that means implementing internal and external initiatives after a computer meltdown caused nearly 17,000 flight cancellations over the holidays.

Southwest has processed over 90% of refunds for stranded passengers and given each 25,000 bonus frequent-flyer points (worth about $300) with no expiration date. Meanwhile, the airline is giving pilots a bonus of $4,500 on average, totaling $45 million.

Southwest claims that bookings have already returned, so the worst might be over.

That’s one way of defending your brand. For a different kind, join our free and interactive LinkedIn Live session, “Defending Your Brand in the Google Auction”, on January 31 at 1 p.m. PST. Paid media expert superstars Dana Berardi, Abby Carlson, and Esther Simeone — who’ve managed $1 billion in SEM campaigns for the world’s top brands — will take your questions, outline tactics, and discuss how you might be leaving money on the table.

Epic: How to achieve those lofty goals.

Key: The difference between success and failure.

Outlook: The tool you need to succeed.

(Source: Shutterstock)

Climbing Mount Everest would probably seem like an impossible task if you were looking up at the peak from base camp. 

That’s the same feeling most people have when tackling their long-term goals. Whether it’s saving enough money to buy an expensive sports car or losing 50 pounds, it can be overwhelming to think about the thousands of steps required to reach that goal post. 

Executive coach Bryan Gillette believes there’s a way to dismantle this frame of mind. In his new book, EPIC Performance: Lessons from 100 Executives and Endurance Athletes on Reaching Your Peak, Gillette outlines his performance framework for setting achievable goals. 

Gillette spoke with b. and outlined an EPIC acronym that can persuade you to take that first step up the mountain.

E = Envision

Most people base their decisions on what they can accomplish in the immediate future, but Gillette revealed that most high achievers he interviewed focused on setting long-term goals. 

“If I asked you if you could run a marathon tomorrow, your answer might be no,” Gillette said. “Right now, you can't, but in six months, you could. When somebody says, ‘I can't,’ I like to change ‘I can't now’ to ‘I can't yet.’ Once you say ‘yet,’ it starts to open up that possibility.”

When evaluating a long-term goal, Gillette said it’s vital to pinpoint those driving motivations that will fuel your journey.

“What is that emotional connection you have to the finish line?” Gillette asked. “Sometimes we have to look at the big picture and why we're doing this.”

P = Plan

When it comes to making your vision a reality, Gillette said taking a more limited approach and outlining the first few baby steps is the best strategy.

“What do I need today to get me to tomorrow?” Gillette asked. “Forget about the finish line. Forget about that mountain peak you're trying to climb. What is it that I need to get to the next step?”

Gillette compared this to the mentality he tries to keep while running a marathon. “You often aren't focused on the finish line for a long period of time,” he said. “You're focusing on the next aid station or the next rest stop.”

I = Iterate 

Runners don’t start competing in a 200-mile race; they start training for a 5K. And in the business world, associates have to work their way up the corporate ladder before being considered for a senior executive position. 

In each new role, you’ll master new skills and experiences before leaping to the next level. Gillette compared this to learning how to swim.

“You don't start swimming in the deep end of the pool,” he said. “Once you have the confidence to swim in the shallow end of the pool, the water in the deep end of the pool is no different. The only difference is whether or not you have that confidence to move in.”

C = Collaborate 

Goals aren’t achieved without expert insight — and part of that is taking notes from those who walked down similar paths. Your perceived outcome might look different, but this is the best way to reap others’ successes while avoiding some of the setbacks they faced.

For instance, if you’re a newer business owner who hasn’t experienced high inflation rates and hasty market corrections before, find others who have withstood similar business cycles. Cultivate key advisers who can help mentor you throughout your journey, or read informative resources — Gillette referred to this as “solo collaboration” — like the b. newsletter!

“Look at what other people have done to survive things like this because many of us have survived a bad market.”

Epic Performance is available now.

40.2% 

The increase in achieving goals when they are written down versus when they are simply kept in your head.

[Source: Research from Dominican University of California professor Dr. Gail Matthews]

1. OneNote: “It’s the tool that allows you to put ideas down. I also have my goals for what I want to accomplish this year. I look at it every once in a while, and I adjust.”
2. Outlook calendar: “I put everything on my calendar. When I prep for an interview, I will always schedule 30 minutes before to prep and 30 minutes after to hold.”
3. Outlook tasks: “With the task part of the calendar, I have the 12 things that I need to do today and there's a handful of things I need to do tomorrow. If it doesn't get done today, I can move it to another day. I am just very religious about looking at this in the morning and seeing what I need to get done today. That helps me stay focused.”

(Source: Apple Podcasts)

Wish you were part of a monthly book club where you could delve into the biggest books in business with a group of like-minded finance and business enthusiasts?

Well, now you can, with Business Books & Co. podcast hosts David Short, David Kopec, and Kevin Hudak delve into the most significant business books every week, providing viewers with book summaries, the main takeaways, and how to apply that content to the real world.

Available on Spotify and Apple podcasts, Business Books & Co. has covered dozens of books over three substantial seasons. The show has dissected some of the biggest books and authors in business, including Phil Knight’s memoir, Shoe Dog, about Nike’s cofounder; Sony cofounder Akio Morita’s autobiography, Made in Japan; and FUBU founder Daymond John’s book, The Power of Broke, which looks at how bootstrapping a business on a tight budget could be an advantage.

The podcast has been around since 2019 and shows no signs of slowing down in 2023. No longer will you be disappointed by friends’ excuses when you ask them to show up to your book club. Now you can spend some time with these bookworms instead. 

(Source: Twitter) 

“Decide whether or not the goal is worth the risks involved. If it is, stop worrying.”

– Amelia Earhart

Written by Antonio Ferme and Ali Saleh.

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