•80/20 - Where Do You Fall?
? You're a little bit past mid-year and some of those around you are beginning to close down for the year in attitude and effort. There is still time for you to rev up your gears. No time like the present to energize yourself in order to make things happen in your life. All you need is focus and discipline.
I have the delightful opportunity to attend networking events in several cities due to the wide ranging proximity of my clients, friends and family. I recently attended one such event...
•Achieving Balance, Rhythm & Flow
Starting something new is always awkward at first. Many of you know this from the New Year Resolutions you set earlier this year. Your initial steps are tentative, hesitant and unsure. You intended to develop a new eating or exercise program yet when you got right down to it, nothing felt easy or natural.
Just like a toddler first attempting to stand, you have no balance, rhythm or flow when entering a new regime. This toddler has what it takes -- focus and tenacity. He doesn't know that...
•Expectations Are Creating Your Results
Wayne Dyer tells an insightful story about a man who sees a spider trying to get out of a sink. Instinctively the man puts his finger down to help the spider and the spider bites him. The man shakes it off and again, in an effort to save the spider puts his finger in the sink. Once again, the spider bites him.
Wayne's synopsis: 'That's what spiders do, they bite when threatened. Why would anyone expect anything else?' We've all been guilty of looking through the same lens. We assume that...
•Focused Energy
Imagine your partner focusing all of his energy on you, watching for constant feedback, setting immensely high personal expectations to take care of you, sacrificing himself to provide everything you need. While this may sound exciting short term, this intensely focused energy would grow uncomfortable and boring long term.
Where's the intrigue? You are far too free-spirited to be watched this closely. And, without asking, how could he possibly know what is truly important to you?
This...
•Honoring What Is Most Important in Your Life
Mathew has a reoccurring dream. He is on his deathbed at age 88, about to peacefully cross over and a bean counter appears boldly at the foot of his bed, calculator in hand. "Well Mathew, how do you think you scored in this lifetime?" the bean counter asks.
Mathew softly replies: "I think I did pretty well. I had a great marriage, three healthy children and a number of substantial professions. Sure, I may not have seen my family too much because of work demands, had few true friends due to...
•Magnetic Personality
We just entered into summer! The very concept is magnetic. This is a time when everything grows and our world becomes more beautiful. We smile, become more optimistic and creative - more alive.
The same phenomenon occurs when we are in the presence of someone who is magnetic; better yet, when we feel undeniably magnetic! We stand straighter, are focused and sure of ourselves; our communication is crystal clear.
The dictionary defines magnetism as 'the strong attractiveness of something;...
•Making Leadership Decisions
Leaders make decisions all day long, some major and some minor. Some are bold moves, other are run-of-the-mill choices. The key is that they make them.
The two challenges I find with my clients decisions are
a) they often don't have enough information on which to base the decision and
b) their timing is off.
Think of the best decisions you've made. You were most likely feeling confident and well-informed.
In "The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader," author John Maxwell explains:...
•Management Communication Techniques
Client Claire recently described her week as being 'fast and furious.' We soon discovered that this was the story of her life, not just one week. Claire has a full plate and then some. She thinks, moves and talks fast. She prides herself in being a quick learner, an expert in her field. Silently, she berates those who cannot keep pace or who slow her down with questions or concerns.
What Claire is missing in her 'fast and furious' pace is her influence on those around her, those on whom...
•Prosper Through Tenacity
One of the most rewarding professional endeavors that I undertake is an annual 'Client Appreciation' celebration. It is a true delight for me to see so many clients all in one place. These are individuals who commit themselves daily to being a little (or a lot) better tomorrow than they were yesterday.
Seeing them all in one place, I couldn't help but ask myself "What separates these folks from the rest?" The first answers were clear. There was an undeniable 'aliveness'. The laughter was...
•Silent Retreats
Each year I encourage my clients to have at least one 'silent retreat' and more than one if possible for the sake of fresh inspiration and clarity. This last weekend was mine. I feel it important to share the process and benefits with you as you too can create this remarkable experience for yourself.
First, I plan ahead. What location will heighten my experience? For me, it's the Oregon Coast. My long time readers know that I am fascinated by oceans and coastlines; perhaps my Midwest...
•Stop Talking and Dream
Adam quite literally saved his life on Monday of this week when he stopped his thought process to dream up a new approach. Imagine what is possible for you.
Collectively, society has stopped dreaming. We focus on 'what is in front of us' instead of dreaming of 'how to shake things up and make them better.' We remember the challenge and forget the rush of amazing ourselves (and others).
Unless we have stimuli to change, the pace of our days causes you and I slip into old modes of thinking...
•What do Gardeners Really Know?
? At the risk of sounding like something embroidered on a pillow adorning your grandmother's couch, gardeners truly do have a lot of wisdom. Why else would they spend so much time weeding, pruning, digging, sweating and injuring themselves?
I was recently witness to this on my own deck. As I dove into the daunting task of cutting back an unwieldy planter box of petunias, dianthus and wandering verbena, I admired the distant appearance of abundance. The growth brought about by the late summer...
•What You Say and How You Look Speaks Volumes
One point that students struggle with in my 'Networking for Success' workshops is the following:
"Have your physical and verbal presentation represent who you are and what you do, always."
What is their struggle? They have 'off days' or 'casual Fridays' when they can't look their best...then there are the weekends. I'll be the first to admit that I don't always look completely together on a Sat. morning trip to the nursery, but I'm not presented in a manner that would prove embarrassing if...
•Who Is Inside You Talking?
? 'Change' is inevitable as are the 'voices of change.' Some voices are internal; others, external. The larger your change, the more voices appear. We all need a variety of voices in our world. Sometimes we need a devil's advocate, and at other times, expansive thinking. Deciphering which ones are valid in each instance makes you unstoppable.
Internal voices are often a mystery. Some may seem supportive yet are designed to hold you back. For example, while considering taking on a huge...
•Write It Down If You Want To Get It Done
Ryan returned home from two weeks on the road. His meetings went exceptionally well, he made outstanding contacts, and sales exceeded even his expectations. Yet, he woke up the next morning feeling like something was missing. How could this be?
He decided to at least try to do what his coach had suggested, pull out his journal and explore his unclear feelings on paper. He soon discovered how out-of-balance he had become with this new job. He loved the job, the challenge, the people and...
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