Why are they Still Here?

Good Morning!

This past week I read some very distressing news items that had a similar thread...

The first news item was of a murder of a woman...the victim of a long-running drama between her and her abusive spouse...

Friends and family reflected on her plight...saying that she had left him multiple times...kicked him out multiple times...the last of which was no more than 6 months before the murder.  Without exception the question that was asked...was, "we didn't know who was more deranged...the abuser or the abused!" 

Another story related the plight of a 92 year-old woman who found herself homeless after her son sold her home of 60+ years out from under her.  He took the money and left her to vacate!  All of this after he had "leeched" her for everything she and her husband had...never working a day in his life...

There was another story of a very public relationship that has "broken-up" another time...the man in question was a chronic "cheater" and a liar...each time he got caught...he would attempt to lie his way out...then admit to learning a lesson that elicited a "life change"  and then he would lie his way back into his spouse's good graces...then he would get caught again...and the cycle of lies and deception would repeat itself...

I actually had 6 others..,that I could reference...but you get the flavor...

The fact of the matter is...all of the individuals in these dramas were sick!  The question that I asked...after the first or second offense..."WHY WERE THEY STILL THERE?"  

Only a fool and a mentally deranged person would invite them back in...!!!

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Yesterday I was driving and was thinking about the past couple of years...

I was also looking for a fuel station...

As I drove...I passed a Toyota dealer...and I recalled the arrogance of that company.  It actually reminded me of those abusive relationships...they moved into the US and have taken us for billions if not hundreds of billions of dollars...

They paid no attention to the real US safety...refused to admit any liability and moved back in to the US market...as if nothing happened!

My question...Why are they still here?

I saw a BP station.  The price per gallon of gas was the highest of the stations that I passed...exceeding the others by more than a dime!  I was shocked to see nearly every pump busy!  I felt the urge to stop in and ask the patrons if they remembered the gulf oil spill!

My question...Why are they still here?

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Who is more sick?  The abuser who rapes and murders...or the abused who keeps inviting them back?

As Americans...we complain about nearly everything...yet we invite the abusers back into our fold!

Who is more sick...companies like these...or us who invites them back into our economy?

There are companies stealing billions of tax dollars...and we are doing nothing...

There are companies destroying our environment...and we are doing nothing...

Don't you think that it is time for us to be asking...Why are they still here?

Pura Vida!

       

Persistence and Success

Good Morning!

Success seldom comes to people on their first try...

As I think about real success...it seldom comes...to anyone!

The fact of the matter is...that most people actually compromise their initial dreams and settle...

There are a few special individuals who refuse to compromise...and persist despite the messages that life sends them...

Do you know what they are called?

FOOLS!

What do that thought mean for us?

If you are not successful on your first try...traditional advice is "Try and try again!"

The world references the persistence of Thomas Edison...and how many different materials he tried before he came upon a useful element for his light bulb...it is a nice story...but how many other legends reference this type of relentless persistence?

Then there are those who are "lucky"...and by chance happen upon the next greatest mouse trap...

True success and persistence is found in a balance...

But not in a compromise...

One must be smart about what they seek...and also about how they seek it!

There is a duality in seeking persistence...

Let me use a VERY simple example...

A friend is starting a business...

He makes great money when he is working...

But when he is not working (making money) he is working the other side of his equation...

Finding other clients...so he can make money!

He is working one side of his success equation or the other...

What he doesn't do is waste time sitting waiting for his next opportunity...

He asks himself...why am I not making money today?

and then he looks at what he did successfully and unsuccessfully....

He does those things that works...stops doing things that didn't work...and tries new things to see what else might work better...

This is not just the success equation for building a business...but also in every endeavor!

There are always 2 sides related to a success journey...

There is the destination side...

AND...

The journey side!

This may seem self-evident to many...

Actually I hope so!

During your journey...ask yourself...Are you fully experiencing the success that you aspire for?

If not...then keep working the other side of the equation...

DO NOT persist (in a bullheaded fashion) in efforts that have provided little or no return!

Persistence must be focused...

Thomas Edison was the epitome of persistence...but he was not stupid!  He did not use any material for his light bulb element that didn't work...

If he thought wool would work...and he tested wool over and over...all he would get from his efforts is an absolute confidence that wool doesn't work...

He persisted...but he found what didn't work...and he moved on!

Persistence must be intelligently directed!

Persistence is an attribute related to the goal and not the journey!

Think about it...

The ability to adapt and adjust during the journey is the secret of success...

FOCUS your persistence!

Do not dwell too long on efforts or people or whatever...

that do not return on your investment...

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I have days when everything goes great!

I have days when everything fails...

I have days when I want to just quit!

I have days when I can't be stopped!

The fact of the matter is...I persist...not on my journey...but towards my goal!

If I have a day or two that doesn't work...I lick my wounds and remind myself to avoid those situations that hurt!

Success resides in the phrase..."Note to self..."

"Note to self...do more of this...none of this and try this..."

If you must persist on something during your journey...

Persist with "Note to self..."

Enough Said!

Pura Vida!

I DON'T Care Anymore...

Good Morning...Loyal Friends and Readers...

Let's start the update with some music to set the mood and foundation for today's thoughts and challenges...



I am really in a Phil Collins mood!  This also helps set the theme!



This is a bit "darker" than a majority of my posts...

The message is just as important...

It is about the stark reality of life...

And something that all people who aspire for success must learn...or face the utter consequences...

You can only take so much from benefactors,,,without giving in return...

Because if there is no return...it is simply charity...

Charity runs out!

Let me put it another way...

The "Good will" well has a finite reserve...

Once the well is dry...there will be nothing more available...

AND

More distressing...The benefactor(s) stop caring...

When that happens...the LEACH is alone!

I have written that "Thank you" and "IOU" more than rhymes...

When heartfelt and REAL...they are one in the same...

Any favor granted...needs to be recognized as that...

Those who aspire for success live with the mind set of achievement...

"I can and will achieve success...with or without aid and assistance..." is the mantra of one who truly aspires...

Help or assistance simply accelerates the journey...

Thankfulness is a promise of repayment...AND it should NEVER be forgotten!

If "the IOU" is lost...it quickly becomes charity for an underprivileged individual...

This leads us to the soul searching question...

Are you repaying the favors granted...or are you a beggar?

Have you forgotten the many superficial "thank you's" that you dealt out?

Do you realize that your well is running dry?

It is inevitable...

It is a fact of life...

Are you putting back as much or more to ensure your future?

At some point you could find yourself quite thirsty...

You know what a leach out of water looks like?

Enough said...

Do the ones that did...care anymore?

I bet that it is not their fault!

Pura Vida!

An Alternative Perspective on Personal Brand

Good Morning!

I have anguished over today's update!  That is why you are receiving it late!

This week I spent a significant amount of time "pondering" the short phrase "personal brand."

As with many others, it falls into the category of over-used and ill-defined...

This provides many "wanna-be" or self-proclaimed experts with the ability to gain income by selling value-less advice!

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Let's twist the meaning of "brand" ever so slightly...in order for us to pursue the truth behind a "brand's" real meaning and its value...

A "brand" is a unique mark...burned into a free-ranging, herd animal by an individual, as a claim of ownership.

Cow, horses and sometimes sheep are branded.

Most brands were scars...created by placing a hot iron with a unique shape...on to the skin of the animal and temporarily injuring them...resulting in permanent damage...after the 3rd degree-burn healed

Brands have been replaced with tattoos (most often placed on the animal's ear or inside of the lip)...which are generally less painful, yet still permanent...

In this context...brands are probably not something to be sought after or desired...

Just the thought of someone saying I want a brand makes me laugh!

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Although the brands discussed and promoted by personal coaches and marketeers appear significantly different...I do not see branding in a general sense much different...

Products have "Brands"...
Companies have "Brands"...

Brand recognition is a much sought after dream!

Think about this...

Imagine someone saying..."I see the scars deeply embedded on the cattle...and I know you we here!"

What they are saying is...

Brands are most often the result of a painful experience...

They can imagine the smell of burning hair and flesh...

They can still hear the "SCREAMS and CRIES" of  innocent animals as they are tied up, held motionless and...

OK...the mental image is even bothering me...

Next time someone says that they want to help you with your "brand"...may I suggest...

STAMPEDE...

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I have taken a rather biased view of brands and branding for a reason...

I believe that (another twist of words) an individual should pursue a "REPUTATION"

Why?

Brands are permanent and irreversible!

Reputations can be changed!

I have worked with leaders in the past that were branded as:

"Totally useless..."
"Adding no value..."
"A waste of payroll..."
"Complete and utter idiots..."
"Unethical and immoral and self-serving...hiding behind a curtain of religious piety"
"Lacking any personal integrity..."
"Thieves..."

After typing those descriptions...and thinking of these individuals...I believe that these people deserve to be branded!

They should not be given a chance to change!

They have caused permanent and irreparable damage...to others...and...

They too...should reap the benefit of their actions!

There needs to be the proverbial smell of burning hair and flesh...and "SCREAMING AND CRYING!"

For all others...pursue reputation!  Especially those who have committed to their Quantum Obligation!

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A person's reputation is built upon consistency of behavior...

It is based upon the simple "Cause and Effect" equation...

What is your reputation?

What results and behaviors are you known for?

What can you site consistently as "the way you act?"

Here is an exercise for you to try...

On a sheet of paper put the numbers 1 - 10 in a column...

Next to each number write an example of a specific event and/or behavior that supports an element of your reputation that your are pursuing.

If you can not EASILY cite 10 examples from the past month or so...that element is probably not part of your real reputation...and simply a personal delusion!

If you can name 10...give that list to a friend...and ask them if they agree that that list points to a piece of your reputation...

SCARY?

What do you think you are really going to see or hear...especially if you are honest with yourself...or your friend(s) is/are honest with you...

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Brands are easy...but usually facade...permanent...and the resulting from a painful experience...

They are usually not a positive thing...

In actuality...I do not believe that it is I who twisted the word...but today...we untwisted them...

Do not be deceived into chasing a brand!

Build a reputation...

ENOUGH SAID...

Short and Sweet (OK a bit bitter)

Pura Vida!

21st Century People Deserve Great Leadership

Good Morning...

Throughout much of the late 19th and early to mid 20th centuries, workers could count on a "job for life."

That is...if they decided to stick with it...

This was an unspoken rule...that was so strong that people and companies could not envision a different world!  Both parties knew and understood it...

It was so embedded in the honor and integrity of workers and organizations...that once a person worked in a job or for a particular company...they depended upon that vocation or company...and the dependence was mutual from the company's perspective...

People...however...feared being terminated for unjust reasons...by poor managers...

Although the workers trusted the organizations...they didn't trust particular individuals within management...

It doesn't take an advanced degree to recognize poor management or incompetent leadership...

As a result they required protection...some type of representation with clout...for protection from bad management practices...

There was power in numbers and unity...(UNIONS)...

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The fact of the matter is...most of the companies that had unions...deserved them...

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I personally opposed unions and unionization because they stood in my way of being the kind of leader that I wanted to be...

Not a poor one...but one that could work with each individual as each needed...treating people like people...rather than some "cog" in a machine...

I couldn't do what I wanted to do or be what I wanted to be...because of limitations imposed in bargaining agreements...

Then the tides changed...

Towards the end of the 20th century...unions and unionization began to lose favor with the workers...Companies found they could actually pay non-unionized workers more and make more money!

"Employment at will" and "union-free" environments became commonplace...

What a great opportunity to focus on what really matters...

Yet many organizations did not take advantage of the situation to expand their ability to improve their leadership...and overall treatment of the general labor force...

Instead the BAD organizations took the advantage of the "employment at will" opportunity to a point that they began treating employees as expendable...

"Bring them in...use them...fire them...we have that right!"  "We can replace anybody"

...and on and on...

AND these same organizations demand loyalty...

...and when times got tough...

...they cut the strings without so much as a minute's notice...

Blind-side the unsuspecting workers...under the guise of doing it for their own protection...

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Companies take an inordinate amount of time and spend lot's of money to find just the right person...

"...Although you possess many admirable skills and your experience is commendable, we have found an individual with more qualifications and a better fit..."  is sent in thousands of rejection letters and emails daily...

Are these same companies looking hard and long at their existing management?

Do they trim the under-performing managers as quickly as they cut those who are working on the floor?

Are they gone on a moment's notice?

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The New Equilibrium

The general labor force deserves great management and leadership...just as much as companies demand and deserve great workers...

This is what the 21st century is now demanding...

The sooner that organizations realize this...the sooner the new equilibrium will be achieved!

An organization can not exercise what they interpret as the "right to work" flexibility...without having to provide great leadership and management...

Companies should also balance their hunger for profitability with a need for longevity...

Companies depend on people...and people depend on companies...

This is the one of the many epiphanies that must occur for 21st century organizations...

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Those organizations that do not realize the aforementioned...or choose to ignore it will experience either...

Death by arrogance...(a slow decline of profitability and inability to meet compliance requirements)...or...

Death through strangulation...(an inability to find anyone competent to work for them)

In either case...the outcome is not a good one...

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The 21st century organization will step up to the challenge...and thrive...

Those undeserving of that honor...will head down the track of becoming a fond memory...

Which organization do you want to work for?

Which organization do you want to be?

Enough Said?

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Pura Vida!

Appreciation and Success

Good Morning...

One of the more consistent parts of my weekly routine is the identification of a topic of weekly theme...which leads to:

• An assessment the concept's role in personal or leadership success
• An evaluation of its current performance 
• A decomposition of the significant driving aspects
• Identification of the current weakness of those driving aspects
• Identification of improvements for those weaknesses
• Modeling of the proposed changes

AND finally...

Re-composition of the proposed solution set into a new behavior scheme that I often share in this blog!

The funny thing is that this is just a complex way to say that something comes up and I think about it...

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Although there are arguments against my routines...I believe that focus, rigor and discipline are critical components of success...whether success is viewed personally, professionally, organizationally or globally.

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This week's topic came from a discussion that a great friend and I had early in the week...

Before I share the topic...I have to share this friendship with you...because something about it is important in emphasizing this concept...

I realized this week that, except for a few rare exceptions...we talk EVERY weekday between 7:45am and 8:30am...the awesome things is...we have been doing this for almost 10 years!

Some of the conversations are short and others are longer...

How many friends can you say that you have...that you do this with?

How about...a twist....how many friends do you do this for?

When our routine first started...he was either in the office and I was driving...and it evolved to both of us conversing while driving...and our current conversations have him driving and me not...

We talk during a time that normally is wasted...

Many times our conversations occur when one or both of us is walking or bike riding...

The important thing to me is that it happens consistently and that I can count on it!

We have seen each other through rough times and celebrated good times...we give each other feedback and advice...other times we just laugh!  The cool thing is that we are much better for the exchanges...

This week we talked about "Thankfulness" and how important it is...

My friend opened the discussion with a concept that he had read about...that held...a person can not move to a higher level (success) until they are truly appreciative of their current state...

As a result of our conversation...we committed to writing 2 thank-you notes each day!

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Those who know me can point out that I routinely go on "Thank you" campaigns!

I believe that heartfelt appreciation is critical to being a successful leader...

Perspective is critical...Appreciation puts life in the proper perspective...

How do you act if there is a 10% chance of success?

What if you are thankful for that 10% chance?

Enough of that for now...

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I realized that I had never took the time to fully understand the role that "thankfulness" plays in success...

My goal was to leave this week differently...

I was "thankful" for this opportunity!

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People relish being appreciated...

Saying "thank-you" is like publicly...increasing the font size..."bolding" and underlining a written recognition of their actions...

Interestingly...some "thank-yous" are effective...while others are a total waste of every one's time...

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The "thank you" difference...

I have been given my share of "thank-yous" and also given more than I can count...

Although I am probably guilty of the same mistakes...I stepped back and looked at a few "thank-yous" that I received...

I found that there are three types of "thank-yous!"

Type 1 - Totally Self-serving (those said to get something more out of another)
Type 2 - Right-track (Said for the right purposes, but lacking all of the components)
Type 3 - Effective (Containing all of the necessary elements)

Type 1

I do not have to waste much time on these "thank-yous"  We easily recognize them...

...They are non-specific in context
...They are insincere
...They feel forced

The bottom line is that they are hollow...

Type 2

These "thank-yous" are no more effective than Type 1...yet they were well-meant!  They:

• Recognize a valuable contribution
• Are well timed
• Are specific

The sad thing is that...lacking one component makes them as hollow (in the long run) as Type 1

Type 3

These "thank-yous" go "full course."  Containing all of the elements of Type 2...the final component is added that elevates them...a rare occurrence...in the lives of most people!  That element being...

Appreciation and Indebtedness!

A true thank-you is recognition of the act or event...and...

A reflection of the value of that act or event...and...

A vow of indebtedness (an IOU)...

When all of those components are present...the "Thank-you" is meaningful!

How many of those have you received?  

How many of those have you given?

How many times have you said and meant..."Thank you for...X...  I will show you how appreciative I am for this by...Y...?"

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Type 3 "thank-yous" need to be an important part of your regular vocabulary...

But do not use them if are not willing to make commitments...

They are powerful!

REAL "thank yous" are "IOUs"

The fact of the matter is...if they are truly heartfelt...the person who has committed...

...Will look for a way to repay...at the earliest opportunity...

Thank you is not a long-term investment...

It is a short-term note...that "buys time"

It is the beginning of the higher and more important concept of "trust."

It is the foundation upon which true success is built!

To my LOYAL friend...with whom I talk every day...

Thank you!

Our conversations mean the world to me...

You have helped me more than I fell I have helped you!

If ever a time comes that my phone doesn't ring by 8:30...you can rest assured that I will call you...or text you...

Remember that If you need me...I am just a phone call away!

ENOUGH SAID!

Pura Vida! 

Whole Brain Success

Good Morning...

I thought this week about how our physical make-up (our brain function) affects our success...

In a general sense, we have a dominant side...which controls our perceptual and "computational"  preference.

Logic is controlled by one side of the brain...(the left-side)...

...and that happens to be the preference of some...

Whether right or left side dominant...

We spend a majority of our lives working to convince only half-of our head...of what we have to do!

and we neglect the other side!

So for those "left brain dominant" readers...Let's start by talking to the other side of our head!




Music and inspirational messages!

Food to the right side!

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Here is an interesting historical fact...

The first recorded war occurred in 2700 BC...

I thought about the fact that what the numbers meant...

Our species has gone over 4700 years and continues to war...

As I thought deeper I realized that about 2700 BC is also when we began writing!

That historical fact really points not to the first war...but to the first recording of one!

We probably been fighting battles much further back...

Numbers can be VERY misleading without understanding what is not said by them...

The reason why I am mentioning this...is that the number 2700 went to your left side...but as I expounded on the written word...it moved your interpretation to the right side...

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It was that simple bit of research that has pointed me to a critical element in success...

Dominant thinking risks serious bias...

Individual success requires an effort that first resists the urge to draw conclusion and engages the other side to get a BIG picture!

We are programmed to be biased!  It is a survival instinct...

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Although survival could be defined as success...it is not!

Every living thing is programmed to survive...

Surviving is is a minimal requirement...

Unless you have extremely low standards of success...surviving and success do not exist in the same category...

Survival is simply a precursor...a required element...

You disagree?

Look at Maslow's hierarchy...

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Have you found yourself less than the success that you aspire for?

It is probably the result of performing in a biased fashion...(one side of the brain or the other)

I watched a figure skater perform a technically perfect routine...

The judges and the audience saw it...

She received mediocre scores!

I expected the crowd to go into an uproar...

It did not...

In fact I saw a majority of them nodding in agreement!

Why?

Her routine lacked fluidity...

She wasn't "choppy" or robotic...

It just didn't provide what the judges and the audience expected...and therefore was not outstanding...

Her routine lacked "artistic interpretation"

The other side of the equation!

She needed input from the other side...

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If you are finding yourself in a less than "stellar" situation you may need input from the other side!

If what you are doing to be successful falls short of your expectations...you may be working only one side of the equation...you may need input from the polar opposite!

Success is defined by the majority...

In some cases, it is a majority of the population...other times a panel of judges...still others...on your own terms...

Whatever the case...if it isn't success...if there is not agreement on "success" you fail!

This means that you have defined success too narrowly and need to engage "the other side."

Success comes from a directed...a disciplined and concerted effort...

Through a well executed plan that meets the requirements of all of the "judges"

Consider seeking input from the "other side" if you are not as successful as you desire...

Pura Vida!