Well, I can truthfully report that Al Secunda’s 15 Second Principle works for me – in the form of using it to finally release the audio interview I did with him some weeks ago now.

Ever the latent perfectionist, I soon noticed the urge to do anything but publish the d^%n thing!

Such as:

• editing it with Audacity software’s bag of tricks,
• waiting for a written transcript to be produced (on hold, I ditched that one),
• thinking about releasing it on CD
• planning to release a workbook simultaneously!

La-di-da-dee-da! Just look at those four procrastinating verbs I saddled myself with!

At that rate you would be lucky to have access to it before March 2009!! Fortunately, I applied “15 and forgive” in the form of about 15 minutes each night (I’m tired after work at the moment) for about a week and here it is.

Maybe not a 100% perfect audio production – but good enough.

You can download the mp3 audio file of our interview for free
by clicking on this link: Fifteen and Forgiveness

While comments remain open, I really appreciate all constructive feedback on this Al Secunda interview.

- Mark McClure

PS – For a background post on Al Secunda’s work and how to apply some of it to career change and personal transformation, start with this post on taking mini actions.

I then used some ‘public accountability’ to get the actual interview done, as shown by the “DoTo” list item I described in this time management post.

I’d also recommend you to go straight to the source and get Al’s book on Amazon.com. His website is http://the15secondprinciple.com

My career coaching and mentoring work is guided by what I wrote about in just five rules.

But isn’t it ironic that Rule #1, “Take Action”, is the one which often causes people to hesitate! Maybe because they’ve been conditioned over many years by the advice of such popular wisdom as:

• “Fools rush in where angels fail to tread.”
• “Look before you leap.”

Of course, there’s certainly an element of truth in both statements. Reckless and poorly thought out choices and actions can and do have serious consequences.

And there’s no absolute guarantee that taking even well planned actions will lead to a desired result. There’s always a risk that things will screw up – though with planning and care (hello goal setting!) some of those risks can be identified and their probability of occuring reduced. (Notice I didn’t say “eliminated”. Stuff happens and none of us are immune to the outcomes.)

But “taking action” is still key to most successful outcomes and experiences in life – as Woody Allen apparently said: “80% of success is showing up”.

A method I often recommend is the habit of taking “mini-actions” around a big goal – such as a successful career change.

Mini-actions relieve the pressure because you’re no longer fixated on the stress and tribulations of achieving a major result in a short time. In fact, you’re not specifically focused on any result. Just on showing up.

Yes, if you have a big dream, keep it in mind from time to time. But focus on taking the very smallest of actions.

Exactly how small?
Oh, how about 15 seconds or so.

I shall return to Al Seconda’s wonderful book in tomorrow’s post.

- Mark McClure

You may notice on this blog new products and services designed to help people make successful career changes – from those just thinking about it (but stuck on taking action), right through to folks who have actually taken the plunge.

And since an important part of my career coaching philosophy is in “taking action”,
I am going to offer the very best bargains to readers who take action.

Here’s how it works:

Every time a new product or service is released it will first be announced to my list of email subscribers – usually at 70% or more off the full price.

That special price will be available for a limited time – anywhere between 24 and 72 hours, depending on the product. (It will NOT be visible on this blog during that time.)

Once that “early bird” special ends I will then release the product/service at a smaller discount via a blog post – usually 25% or more off the full price and for a limited time. (If you have only bookmarked the blog or added the RSS feed then you will see just that smaller discount price – but not the 70% or more offer.)

At the conclusion of any special offers the price will be increased to the full retail price. (And no future discounts will be given since that would be unfair to people who have already taken action.)

To sign up for the email announcement list just enter your name and email address in the box on the right, under my smiling picture:
http://markmccluretoday.com/

Once you signup and confirm your email address then you will receive a very brief email each time I make a blog post.

Of course, you can unsubscribe at any time with one mouse click.

Establishing trust is an important part of being a coach – so you can be assured that I will not be selling, renting or loaning your email address to anyone else.

– Mark McClure