Lessons From Infants

Good Morning!

Every week is filled with new lessons to learn...

That is just one of the elements that creates a successful and fulfilled life...

I realized that this week...that among my my greatest teachers and mentors...the ones that stand out...

...are infants!

Yes...I learn so much from them!

It isn't so because they are pure and innocent...

In actuality...the exact opposite is true...

They are helpless...but they are programmed to be the epitome of selfishness!

It is not that I aspire to that end...in fact I strive to be the exact opposite...

But within the self-serving behaviors...there are things that we can learn!

The one thing that stands out as I write today...is the ability to communicate without words!

Their helplessness actuality "forces" the listener to work diligently to figure out exactly what they are trying to tell us!

"If the kid could only talk...it would be so much easier...

...but...I'll figure it out..."

Every parent has said that phrase!

Why?

Commitment and loyalty drives an individual to do so...

After words can be spoken to each other...the effort to truly understand wanes...HOW SAD!

There is a song that I like...and a line in it goes...

"You say it best...when you say nothing at all..."

We tend to over-talk...and under-communicate!

Life and our needs are not that complex...yet we assume that we have spoken clearly and that the messages are heard!

"Except that you become like little children..."  is an interesting concept that takes on some interesting challenges for us!

Try communicating messages without words...written or spoken...

This is a aspect of humankind that is much needed and yet so under-developed...

It is an exercise that should be constantly honed by those who strive to be effective and efficient!

People can get the message (the spoken or written words) and they can refuse it...but if they get the meaning...they'll never lose it...

If you wish to be effective in this world...look for lessons learned...

Discipline yourself and practice...

Just because it is only used by infants...doesn't mean that when you are an adult...you discard it...in fact this may be something that we should never grow out of...

Success requires clear communication...

Whether the message is...

I need help...or...

I want to help...

It needs to be understood...

Although this is written...I do hope that you get the message!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Pura Vida!

Leaders have no Secrets!

Good Morning!

I know that this week has been eventful for you!

Why?

Because you have grasped the importance of being a master of your events...

You'll remember...

If one is not experiencing the events that they envision...then they have abdicated their control or simply surrendered to fate...

Either of those situations are not part of your character...

That is why I know that you have had an eventful day...

My latest Rave!

In the "Secret" there is a thing called the "law of attraction."

There are two things I despise about the prior sentence...

The first is the word "Secret" (we'll address this later)...and...

The "LAW of attraction" itself...

The truth is...there is no law of attraction!  At bare minimum...it is a law of acceptance...

Let me explain this controversial position...

The "Law of Attraction" is a surrogate explanation for something much more fundamental...

That fundamental concept is simply the human right of choice...

We do not attract "good" things or "bad" things...we choose them!

Apart from cause and effect...which is a subject that I addressed in an earlier posting...

Life hands us these things almost randomly...

When we are approached by them...we choose which ones we allow to affect us...

Think about this...

There are things that you love and hate...and...

...there are things you choose to be indifferent to and simply ignore...

There is no SECRET LAW that says...how we think attracts more good situations or greater riches...

The real law says that it is how we think and what we choose determines what situations we allow to control us or reward us...

It is CHOICE...PLAIN AND SIMPLE!

OK...I have ranted enough about this...my advice is that you consider the truth when you start believing that rewards will come to you without anything other than thought...In my book...it is like participating in the powerball lottery...

The world operates on an energy principal...you get back from the world a portion of the energy that you expend...

This energy (your actions and efforts) are the currency with which you purchase your dreams and goals...

OK...

On to the thing that really bugs me...

The Secrets...

In an email that I received from a friend the other day...they asked for me to share my "secrets" of leadership...

As I thought through my reply...it suddenly hit me...

Leaders do not have secrets...they have answers...and advice and suggestions...

If a leader has secrets...they are not a leader!

The word "secret" is an interesting word...at the foundational level...it reeks of exclusivity...

It conveys a sense that someone does not deserve or have a right to the information...

It is a word that promotes prejudice!

I do not like that...

The word "secret" has become a marketing word...

People love secrets!

They love being privy to information that few have!

This gives them an advantage over the rest of the world...

In my book...this is not the way a real leader should act...

Keep a secret...and use it to hurt others...yes hurt!

Why?  If another person could benefit from the information...and it is withheld from them...that person has been hurt!  And the person withholding the information has hurt them...

Leaders do not intentionally hurt others...do they?

Leaders have advice...answers...suggestions and recommendations...

Leaders freely share...because their success is totally dependent upon the success of the whole...

Secrets promote selfishness...

Leaders can not be selfish...

You can judge a true leader by the level of selflessness they exhibit...

Leadership and secrets is an oxymoron...

Those two words together is like saying a "honest liar."

So...what did my reply contain...

It said...

***************************

WOW!

I am honored that you would think that I possess some secrets to leadership...I do not have any secrets...in fact that is one of the foundational tenets that I adhere to in my leadership style.  A leader first seeks to provide answers and directions...these answers and guidance spring from themselves and their knowledge and experience...or...

They go and get the answers and direction...and freely share it...

There are no secrets in leadership...if someone claims to have a secret...they have put themselves above you...

In fact...the secret to being a great leader...is to have no secrets!

I have never found a true leader that truly believes they must possess some secret to success...

I have however worked for and observed many leaders that did think they were above (better than) the people that they worked with...and they kept secrets...and destroyed many people during their career...

My first piece of leadership advice...have no secrets...be open and honest...

If something has to be kept secret...you have to wonder about the very nature of the information that you possess...

Generally things that have to be kept out of reach of others...are poison and detrimental!

Said another way...If you have to keep it out of reach of people (children)...the "Secret" that you possess may not be something you wish to handle either!

And that my friend is my second bit of advice...

As always...I am always here to give you answers...or help you find them...

That is just me!

**************************

Enough Said!

Have a wonderful weekend and an eventful upcoming week!

Put energy and passion into what you do...

If you do not see the efforts that you are working worth your effort and passion...seek other opportunities...

SERIOUSLY...seek other opportunities!

Life is too short to be wasting your time on meaningless events!

Vivamos la Vida Pura y vamos para el todo!

Social Responsibility and Charity

Good Morning!


I hope that you had a fulfilling week...


I sure did...then I realized that it could have been even more fulfilling...


Have you ever felt that way?


Like something was missing?


That was the topic of a conversation that I had this week...and it changed me!


I was talking with a friend about the many charitable organizations that are making a difference in this world!


And that we should and could be making the same relative impacts on our worlds...perhaps that empty feeling was coming from the fact that we were leaving an important aspect of our lives undone...


Then I reflected on something I saw this past weekend...


I was touched by an 84 year old man who has been on a crusade for the past 60 years raising millions of dollars to help his kids...Jerry's kids...yes Jerry Lewis...84 years old and 60 years into his MDA telethon!


Did you know that when he started...he was 24 years old...and the kids diagnosed with MD hoped to live into the double digits...yes 10, 11, 12!


60 years later...thanks to the funding that his telethons provided to research...kids diagnosed with MD live into their mid to late 20's!  He and his charity has doubled their life expectancy!


You could say that Jerry has changed their lives!


He would disagree...


The kids with MD have changed his life!


That is why he keeps doing it!


That is the secret of charity!


And Social Responsibility...


A lesson that we need to learn...


Do not set out to change the lives of others...


Go out and be willing to be changed and you'll attack your cause with all of the fervor that has kept Jerry going after a cure for MD for the last 60 years!


Let me say it again...do not go out thinking that you are going to change the lives of others...go out and look for a change in you!  Make differences in the lives of others and then look at what it does to you...


You haven't fully grasped this important lesson in life...until you understand that the most important thing that happens when you help someone is not the change in them but the change in you...and it is a by-product and should not be the reason for doing something...but it is often the biggest thing that happens...it is paradoxical!


That was what my friend was missing...he was waiting until he was rich and had the luxury of time to make a difference...


I disagreed and it set him on edge...


If it is important...get after it...


If it can wait...then look for something else...because you haven't found it yet...and that may be where the empty feeling is coming from...


Let's expand on this thought just a bit...because the real lesson for today lies therein...


All of your work...whether charitable or professional or personal...should actually seek the same thing...


Do not seek to make change...but be courageous enough to be changed.  It is actually a terrifying thought...


Jump into everything that you do...with everything you have...knowing that you'll come out different for the experience...


If you go in guarded...you'll get nothing for the effort...


That is not a charitable contribution...nor is it professional commitment...or a personal one...


Contribute and commit...it is our real Social, Professional and Personal Responsibility...that is what a true leader does...


If you do that...you'll never feel empty...


You'll change!


And the change will drive you to a higher level...


Enough Said...


Vivamos la Vida Pura y vamos para el todo!

How am I doing on staying with a single topic?  Do you like this over multiple entries?  Drop me a note and let me know!  I miss hearing from you guys!  BTW...you can leave your comments directly below!

The Real Success Formula...

Good Morning!

Another great week full of challenges...for you and me!

I have received a significant amount of feedback from readers asking to keep to a single topic...

That will be hard for me to do...yet I will listen and try my best...

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The Real Success Formula

I have been thinking a lot about all of the pseudo-success coaches, religions, gurus and fanatics that are out there pushing their secrets of success...

When I was in my mind twenties, I bought a book that said that if you followed it to the letter you would be successful and achieve all of your dreams...

So I followed it to the letter and guess what?

I was no closer to achieving my dreams than before I started...

Was I deceived or cheated?

I don't believe so!

From that book and the exercise I learned the real secret of success...and how you can achieve all of your dreams!

It is an interesting secret...

Here is what I learned...

Even though I followed the book to the letter...there was always "things" that kept my achievements from becoming my successes!

It wasn't what I did...

or in fact...it wasn't what I didn't do...

There is no magic set of exercises that makes a person successful...or...

A set of incantations...

Or a special relationship with God...by following a specific sect!

It was...purely and simply that...

There was always a reason or two or three or more...for it not happening...

Like a delicate plant...success needs all of the right conditions...

Let's think about that for a moment...

You can plant the seeds...water it perfectly...but if the incorrect amount of light is not present or it is too cold or too hot...it isn't going to grow and bear fruit!

The conditions have to be perfect!

The same is true for success...

Success is about doing things...you have to work...but...

More important to success...is the taking away of the excuses for it not happening!

Why aren't you "living your dreams" today?

List out the reasons for your dreams not being real...your excuses...and

...these are the things you should be working on...

Examples include...

I am not a success because I need a PhD...then guess what...take that excuse away!

Get your degree...right?

I got a note from a friend the other day complaining that they have not yet achieved their goal of being a millionaire...

I wrote back and asked why?

And the list of reasons in their reply was astounding!

I suggested that he begins working diligently at taking away all of those reasons until he has no more excuses but to be successful!

His response was...that is too much work!

Therein lies the secret to success...it has as much to do about taking away the reasons for failure as it does with what you do...

There is no secret formula that provides success...that does not include work!

I take that back...there is one!  Lower your standard of success so low that you are satisfied with breathing!

Otherwise...Work!...Plant the seeds for success (however you define it) and then work diligently on eliminating every reason for them not to go into fruition!

Success is about working on the right things...but it is also about taking away every reason for failure until you have backed yourself into a corner and you no longer have any option but to be successful!

Find someone to complain to about your failures...as you do...listen to yourself...take detailed notes on every thing you complain about and every excuse for failure that you make...

Attack them and repeat that tactic...until you have no choice about success!

On a daily basis ask yourself..."Why am I not there yet?"

List it out and push forward...

Do not give yourself a chance to be a failure!

The outside world only momentarily lauds success...but failures go viral on YouTube!

If you think that the outside world is going to sincerely help you be successful...you are deceived!

They would rather see you fail...it is much more entertaining!

Do not give failure any reason to stand in your way of success...

Again...the secret of success is...taking away every reason for failure...

You'll have no other choice but to be successful!

Enough Said!

***********************************

Have a wonderfully long weekend!

I may have a special edition or two!

Remember my friends...

...y vamos para el todo!

Pura Vida!

You can not be a Success...if all you do is "Suc-k"...

Good Morning...

Let's start with a cool song today!  Great words!



Before I go into my thoughts about the week...there is a line in it that really struck me...it actually is the last two lines in the song (repeated)...and my guess is that you probably got bored with the song and missed them...

Well they are...

"We are all Africa..."

That is an amazing line that many of us do not think about...

WE are ALL Africa!

As far as archeological science can ascertain...WE are all Africans!

Every person's ancestry can be traced back to the few surviving humans from Africa!

I am awed by the fact that we are all the descendants of a remnant of as few as 40 child-bearing mothers that survived a world altering catastrophe! 

Think about that...

We are Africa!

Does this show in your behavior?  Are you helping the poorest continent in the world?

OK...enough of the "Do your part to Help the World" commercial!

Remember that being a leader means giving back...to those who need it!

You can not take forever...and that is part of this week's thought...
******************************
I have had an interesting week!

How about you?

Most of mine would bore you to death...for the most part I had to buckle down and simply work!

That felt great!

I have also been given the opportunity to coach Rachel's fast-pitch team!  I jumped at that one!  It is a chance to give back what I learned across my life!

All in all...the this week's recap is simple...in one sentence, I can say that I have made progress towards my goals...at least the ones that mattered!

People often delude themselves into believing that what they are doing is important and/or significant...or at least the amplify the importance of their existence...this misrepresentation is BAD!

...it sucks!

...sucks time...from others...by wasting their efforts and trust in someone and something that will probably never come to fruition...

There is no reason to do that...you are what you are!  The only one who gets fooled and disillusioned in the end is you...especially when you get caught in the lie that you told yourself often enough that you even believe it!  You will be that last one to realize it!  Every one else will see you for the fraud...and will leave!

That sucks...

...the people away from you that you need most!

So...what can you honestly and accurately say about your week and the work that you do?

..."this above all things...to thine own self be true!"...

If you start there...you will never let anyone else down...

How?

It starts with a commitment of honesty and accuracy with yourself!

You can't be honest and accurate with the outside world until you know yourself, thoroughly!

It also means that you have to drop the self-serving agendas...

Avoiding the long explanation...let it suffice to say, that it is self-serving behaviors that got you to that point in in your life in the first place!

That means accepting yourself for who you are and working diligently to apply what you are capable of doing without fail...being honest and accurate...

That is a lot of work, but it is also progress...and if you do that...you may not realize it...but you are halfway to realizing your dreams!

It isn't about appearing to listen and doing your own thing despite what you should have heard...

That's one of the worst failures that anyone can commit...one step up (but it was only an appearance...a lie!) and two steps back (when reality hits)...

...that sucks...

...the life out of any effort...and any chance for success and destroys the trust that people have given you freely!

People depend on you to be a person of your word...

"I will"...is a promise...a vow...it is powerful...and should not be taken lightly...

"...let you "yes" be "yes" and your "no" be no"..."  it is that simple!

...fulfill your promises...that is the essence of leadership...

A leader is the person who promises to cross the finish line and does so first...

Everyone else is a loser!

It sucks...

...when you realize that everyone in the stands watched you lose...I am embarrassed...they saw me for what I am...incompetent and a poor liar!

Yes there are varying degrees of losing...but in my book...they are all still the same class!

You are not a loser if you define what winning is...and achieve what you said you would do!

Be honest and accurate...

That is the cool thing about this race!

It does not have to be by "their rules" when if properly handled, by a person who is comfortable with what and who they are and can do...by yours!

It can be on your terms!

Say...I can if...

And when you do...

You have set yourself up to win!

Again...Can you honestly and accurately say that you made progress?

You do not have to answer...

The fact of the matter is...I actually know that you can...it is that fact that makes me proud to be writing to you!

I don't waste my time (that which I have on this earth) with chronic losers...that is because they are deluded liars...to themselves and the people that they serve!  They have chosen the easy path...to lie rather than work!

They are "gutless" individuals afraid to face reality and negotiate results through saying "I can if..."

They are afraid that if people see them for what they really are...they won't be liked or seen for who they really are and force to a reality that they have deluded themselves into believing!

The fact of the matter is...at some point in every one's life you have to participate in the race...you have to put your feet in the starting blocks and the gun is going to go off!

If you have been lying to to world and to yourself...the people watching are going to be entertained by a sprinter running a race, in clown shoes...if you are that person...you will find yourself friendless and worse than that...unemployed!

I know more people who are stumbling towards that race in clown shoes (that they do not even know that they have on)...than the few real sprinters...

Some of those people I have tried to help...others I have left to their own demise and I wait patiently in the stands, for the starting gun to go off...it will be entertaining...then when the race is over...I'll just go home...with my friends and family...they will leave alone...

It goes without saying...but I will say it anyway...Honesty and Accuracy with yourself first and then with the outside world is a critical (if not the most critical) characteristic of a leader...

It first shows confidence in one's perception in the value of what they have done...there is no need to amplify an event to make it seem legendary...


...if it was a legend then...cool!...it was a legend...


...if it wasn't a legend ...cool!...it wasn't a legend...

Remember that a legend without historical basis is a myth...a fantasy...What kind of people live in a constant fantasy or out of touch with reality?

Stop lying to the world...after repeating the lie over and over...you will find yourself believing it at some point!

It also shows the pride you take, in what you can do and who you really are...no need to make it (or you) something that it (or you) is not!  The antithesis communicates that you are embarrassed by your performance (and you) for some reason...maybe because you shirked responsibility and you cheated your employer...or...it is just a lie...or you are incompetent...

The bottom line is DON'T LIVE IN A FANTASY WORLD...stay real!

It also shows a real understanding of oneself...

Question...What do you honestly think of someone that is living a lie and believes it?  Like the last point...What kind of people live in a continuous fantasy world?

I never read advice in books on making friends and influencing others that says..."lie to yourself and others"...have you?

Anything other than accuracy and honesty (no matter how difficult it is to face) is simply smoke!

It is ethereal...

The lightest of breezes blows it away and clears the air...and then people see clearly!

Rest assured that anything that is inaccurate or dishonest will be uncovered and blown away...

Do not waste anymore of your life...or that of others...

That reminds me!

I once knew a guy that had terrible body odor and refused to believe it about himself...

He was quite high up in the organization and his smell was often the subject of the whispered humor that pervaded the entire organizations...like his odor (I couldn't help myself!)

It was always everyone else's problem when he talked about the fact that he didn't have any friends...or that no one wanted to work with him...

Yes...It was so bad that it even caused the people who worked with him to avoid him...and he was the Number #2 (pun not intended even though it was funny!) guy in the company.  It got so bad that even the Health Services and HR departments had private discussions with him...when they did...he nodded...blew them off and continued on his "stinky" way.  "I don't smell," I often heard him say as he walked past my office...and that was an indicator that someone had another talk with him...

His problem was that he refused to face reality...he was not receptive to the needs of the world around him...

All he cared about was himself and his agenda!

The world was only on his terms...it was the rest of the world that had a problem...not him!

I left the organization before he did and I do not know what happened to him...given our age difference...he is probably now retired...stinking up some retirement home!

The important lesson is not one of personal hygiene...but about real awareness of oneself, one's impact and one's capability.

Don't think that your work is brilliant...when the outside world thinks it stinks...

Don't think you are brilliant when you have to carry 2 flashlights to shine as bright as one...

Don't say...I will do it...and bring excuses to the table...or something other than what the world asked for...

If they ask for a snack...give them a snack...not a 7 course meal!  You have failed miserably and wasted everyone's time...

Listen to the advice of people who care...or are paid to care...they know a lot better than you do...

The fact of the matter is...these people desire success in their work...if you continue to be their failure...they'll give up on you...you aren't worth their time...and they'll go on to others that will be a success...

Whatever you think is what you need to do is probably just what you think you need to do...(this is a bit confusing but it is your agenda)  Leave that behind you...

You can not claim customer sensitivity and have any of your own agenda items!

Don't think that you are legendary and do not aspire to be...until you have created a real legend!

You can not be a success if you just suck!

Stop thinking about yourself...and look inside and then to the outside...

Enough Said!

************************

Short and sweet!

If you want to be a success...then

1 - be honest with yourself
2 - be consistently honest with the outside world
3 - be what you can be...not trying to be something you aren't
4 - be realistic about what you are willing to do to fulfill your promises and, without failing, fulfill them
5 - bring results to the table...not excuses...no one cares (if you did not fulfill your promises you are either incompetent or a liar)
6 - define success on your terms, that meet your customer's needs and live up to that definition 100% of the time...

Have a great weekend...make progress...

Look at yourself sincerely...you may like what you see!

For most of you...I liked what I saw in you..

...for others...I was courageous and I told you...

...Are you courageous to hear?

Do not say "yes"...without taking the first step and working at it!

We are Africa...care enough to help...

...y vamos para el todo!

Pura Vida!

Scarred for Life

Good Morning!

I realized that I made it through the summer with the kids constantly around!

They don't hate me any more than they did at the beginning of the summer...and I...

OK...I admit it...feel a bit closer to them...

A few nights ago...a line from some kid on a reality show got me thinking about a common phase that we have all heard and many have said...She was talking about her mom and said that she had been "scarred for life..."

It was in reference to her mom's treatment of her...and some emotional damage that she was trying to blame on her...

Since I do not have the patience to listen to the whining...I left...

I do not really know if she was justified in saying that...for all I know...she was...but emotional scars are really an exception...(that is an entirely different subject)...what bothers me is that we have began using that phrase as a commonplace excuse...the truth is...it is rare...

Not being one to leave "stupid" well enough alone...

It got me thinking about scars...

When you hear the phrase "scarred for life" What meanings and feelings does it elicit?

From my perspective "Scarred for life" automatically has a negative connotation...and negative feelings associated with it...

As I really thought through scars...i realized...it shouldn't!

From both a physical and emotional perspective...There are bad scars that interfere with activity

BUT, there are scars that are the result of actually improving one's ability...surgical scars..for example...

There are some scars that are the result of removing some detrimental and perhaps even fatal malady...providing a "new lease on life..."  Like removing a malignant tumor, or a bone chip that interfered with range of motion, or a heart transplant, or a corneal transplant (giving sight)...I do not have to go any further...

Surgical scars from a repair or a removal...

I suddenly realized that "Scarred for life" can have two meanings...but we always think of "Scarred" from a bad perspective!

There are scars that will last a lifetime...Some are good and some are bad!  All scars are a sign of life...the good ones, a new life...or at least a new lease on life...

I actually know that there were some experiences that we (my kids and I) have, that scarred us for life...BUT... in the good way!

In fact...I am going to begin seeking those opportunities for me and for the ones I love to help them see the good scars on a daily basis!  and be thankful for them!

It sounds weird and mean...it is not meant to be!  It is love!

And as I think about that...sometimes tough love...

What is "tough love?"

I have thought about that one too...tough love is when the recipient is self serving and "I" centered and cares less about the other person...than themselves.

Guess what that means...?

When both people really care about each other, more than themselves...it isn't tough...and it leaves no scars or at most ones that aren't noticed!

So...

If I were to go through life unscathed and un-scarred...I probably haven't lived life to the fullest...if I am going to be scarred...may it be ones with meaning and that have made me a better person for having them!  AND...

If I am scarred and no one notices...I know that I am loved!

Enough Said!

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FACT - Beggars Can't be Choosers...

Now that is an interesting thought!

Most of the time, I have a "spin" on traditionally accepted axioms...this time...I think this time...I have to agree with it...

Let's start with the definition of what or who is a beggar...

Rather than belabor the point that can be easily made without a long logical dissertation...let's conclude...

A beggar is anyone who is not making a tangible contribution to those who support them...

It could be a microcosm as small as a couple's relationship, a family or as large as the world itself...

Moreover...If an individual expects a return larger than the contribution that they make to their world...they become a beggar!  Let me remind you that the contribution must be tangible.

Given the fact that the contribution is tangible, it falls into the realm of net value.  One can not do 3 bad (costly) things and 1 good thing of equal value and expect a return on their contribution.

Although one would like to be the judge of value...the truth is...the value judgement is external to the contributor,,,

Any compensation in return for the contribution that is of greater value than the contribution is a gift...

What they get can not be rightfully judged as inappropriate because it is gift...it can be rejected...but it can not be expected that it will be replaced...

Now we need to look at choice...

We wrongly believe that the freedom of choice is related to age!

Given the wisdom of this axiom...choice (choosing) is based upon contribution.

If an individual is not contributing...they do not have the right to choose!

In this context, self-determination is not a right...but compensation...it is earned...and at any given point it is a sum zero proposition...and can be lost through irresponsible behavior or lack of activity that adds value.

**********************************

A Toast...

Let's start today with a toast...

Not bread...

A public announcement of our commitment to changing ourselves for the better!

Let us...

Toast to change...

...and commitment...

...to never again listening to those voices, whether they be from your inside or from the outside...

...telling you, "that you can't!"

From this day forward, we'll listen to the whisper of Hope...

...that quiet voice...that can easily be blocked out by the din of doubt...

A salute to those of the past that refused to listen and to those who have today committed to ignoring doubt, past failures and feelings of inadequacies...

Stand-up...grab that drink defiantly...

...face the noise that is already sounding around you...

RAISE THAT DRINK AND JOIN WITH ME...COMMIT!

I will not listen to excuses...

I will listen to that faint voice that says...I can...and I will...

The next time I raise drink will be to celebrate yours and my achievements...

ENOUGH SAID!

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Remember...you are the heroes

It is the work of ordinary people doing extraordinary things...

It is sad that the extraordinary things in life have become "simply doing the right things"...

Make "doing right" commonplace

You are the heroes...remember that...

Enough Said!

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Your efforts can be a thing of beauty...

AND a masterpiece...

There was once a prophet whose accuracy was unmatched...

He has attracted a rather large following, so large in fact that the king was threatened by it...

The king called 2 of his magicians into his presence and told them that they must discredit this prophet...

The magicians conspired...we will go to this prophet and ask for his prophecy...

I will hold a sparrow in my hand...and ask him if the sparrow is alive...

If he says the bird is dead, I will open my hand and the live bird will fly away...and he will be wrong...

If he says the bird is alive, I will crush it and drop it dead on the floor...and he'll be wrong...

Either way...he'll be discredited and we'll have fulfilled the king's wishes...

They traveled to the prophet and when it was their turn to stand in his presence they said...

"Oh Great Seer...I hold in my hand a bird"  "In your infinite wisdom and knowledge...Is it dead or alive?"

The prophet did not even look up and answered...

"It is in your hands"

and he turned and walked away...

For you my friends...

It too...is in your hands!

Have a great and glorious weekend and a week that surpasses that!

Pura Vida!

Your Career is an Ongoing Interview...

Good Morning!

I hope this week was challenging for you!

I like challenges...and sought them out continually...WHY?

You don't really know what you are capable of...until you stand up to a challenge...or...

Don't stand up to the problem...

I learned a lot about myself and about the challenges themselves...

Both when I won and when I lost...

As I look back over my career...I found a commonality in every challenge that I took on...

Can you remember when you were interviewing for the job you now have and when that interview was over you said to yourself..."I am glad that this is over..."?

The fact is...it isn't over!

In a real interesting way...your career is an interview and if you treat it that way...you will always be successful!

Yes...your entire career is an interview...so don't breath that sigh of relief too soon!

The other interesting thing about taking this view of your career is that it recognizes that the interview questions change over time...well most of them...

Here are a couple of questions that are always asked...

Can you do the job?


Can you handle multiple tasks at the same time?


Are you able to prioritize your efforts and keep my needs at the forefront of your activity?

Ask yourself...How would you answer these questions?

If you said, "...I would say..."

You got it all wrong!

Your answers (if they are to be effective) are no longer verbal...

What?  I can't talk?  I don't know sign language...and my penmanship stinks...what am I going to do?

Remember the old axiom...Actions speak louder than words?

Focus on the "Actions" and you know the answer...

I said that the interview kept going...I didn't say that it didn't change!

Your answers are found in what you do...

After the talking period...you answer the organizations questions through your activity and behaviors...

All of your answers are now in the realm of non-verbal communication...YOUR ACTIONS ...and even more importantly...

YOUR RESULTS...

So let's dig a bit deeper into the ongoing interview...

Where are the loudest messages sent?

Most people incorrectly assume that the biggest messages are sent with the biggest accomplishments...

In actuality it is in the "little" things...

My Mentor once showed me that he would give his people a big assignment and then he would inundate them with little but critically important things...why?

Because that is life!

His people quickly learned that they needed to step back (OFTEN) and assess what was on their plate...and hit those small tasks quickly so that they could get back to their major project...

LESSON TO BE LEARNED:  The size of the task or request does not dictate importance!

I used to watch his people file away those little things...thinking that they would address them when the BIG thing was done...and would pride themselves at trying to prove their ability to focus by saying to him...I am going to file it away...and I'll get to it later...

That's not their call...if they only knew that if he asked for help or an opinion...he needed it...

Guess what?

Some of these people after 10 years of interviewing...finally didn't make the cut...he was tolerant but not stupid...their value was over-shadowed by the cost associated with getting their output!

Let's look at this a bit more...

His ongoing question..."Can you do multiple things at one time?"

Their verbal answer..."I am an expert at multi-tasking"

Their behavioral answer..."I'll do what I think is important..."

Without belaboring this any further...

His question was posed...not in the major assignment...but in the little things that he needed help with...

They looked innocent enough to be blown off...

"Can you take a quick look at this?"

"Can you help me with this?"

They were the ones that mattered,,,

Are you able to do those seemingly minor things without interfering with your commitment to deliver?

Is, what you deliver at deadline another excuse rather than what was expected?

Is that excuse...the list of those little things?  The things that may have been more important?

Let me say it again...Do you bring excuses to the table or excuses?

Is your signature...disappointing performance or success?

Just because you got the job doesn't mean that the interview is over...

In fact...it has changed from interviewing with a small number of people...to...interviewing with the entire organization.  Think about that one...It could be thousands of people!

Everyone is always watching and assessing...

Few people are really capable of making it through that series of cuts...unscathed!  (the real interview)

The important thing is not to bleed to death!

My advice...look for the real questions...they are quiet...then shift your attention appropriately...it is sometimes the quiet voice who is the decision-maker...he or she has no reason to yell! Their job is to decide appropriately!  They didn't get to where they are by making the wrong decisions...so...

What decision about you are YOU driving them to?

That person is a stellar performer...he/she delivers just what I want...when I want it...and isn't afraid to take on any challenge!

or

That person has an excuse for every failure...missed deadline...and disappointment...

Challenge...I welcome challenges...but for those who take the conservative road...or the road of excuses...

Look out!

Have a great day!

So what commonality did I find in every challenge that I took on?

You tell me!

Think about that!

Pura Vida!