January 2007
Monthly Archive
Sun 28 Jan 2007
Opportunities present themselves every single day. We have opportunities to expand enthusiasm, to increase sales by tapping into our team’s creative ideas and solutions and by listening closely to our perfect customers when they tell us what they really want. The list is longer than we can imagine and … the possibilities are limitless!
Opportunities are literally in front of us. All we have to do is pay attention. If we are missing these priceless gems, we simply need to consciously open ourselves up to the miracles that surround us everyday. It just takes an intention to choose to see the opportunities, rather than the issues and challenges.
Think of it this way - we can only discover what we are looking for. We can only see what our current state of consciousness allows us to see. So if you are thinking strictly about the challenges in your business, that is what you will discover - more issues and challenges.
Decide today to make a subtle, but powerful and deliberate shift in your thinking. Choose to see the opportunities, miracles and endless possibilities that are there - just waiting for you to say yes!
To infinite opportunities!
Thu 18 Jan 2007
From: Motivation at Work: Transform Your Business in 6 Extraordinary Steps
Strategy 41. Market your success. Build and use a continuous communication strategy to expand momentum and postive energy in and around your business. Maximize exposure for individual and team contributions that support your goals and objectives. Shout from the rooftop when you launch a new program, achieve important goals, give or receive an award, attract more ideal customers or make progress on major initiatives. Use the power of positive progress to keep you moving in the direction of unlimited potential and endless opportunities! This strategy builds:
- Commitment, Enthusiasm and Respect
- Coaching to Lead and Inspire
- A Highly Skilled Team
All the best,
Fri 12 Jan 2007
There’s a ZEN saying that goes … “When the pond is still, the reflection is clear.”
So how is this related to motivation and employee enthusiasm?
It’s very simple, when our activity is frenzied, when we jump from one task to the next without pausing, we can no longer think and act in a manner that effectively supports us or our team.
When actions are scattered, morale declines and it becomes difficult to attract and retain talented individuals. People simply do not want to work in an environment where leaders don’t appear to know where they are going.
This might sound harsh, but if you’ve ever worked in an environment where people are continuously jumping from one crisis or “overdue” task to the next, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s physically and mentally exhausting.
The simple truth is .. this form of leadership drains everyone’s energy including your own. I’ve seen this scenario often where people actually convince themselves that they are adding value because they’re sooo busy. In reality, this type of thinking creates more problems than it solves. You’re not as productive as you could be, alot of unnecessary rework is required, costly mistakes increase and burnout eventually happens.
So, if this is your leadership style, my question to you would be … how do you measure value? Is it based on a person’s ability to meet objects effectively or are you confusing “activity” with accomplishments and real sustainable value?
Don’t feel bad if you recognize a little of yourself here, because it’s very easy to fall into this trap. Our culture promotes mindless activity and endless task lists. But, if you’re tired of firefighting, shift your thinking. Focus on what’s really important to you and your business in the long run. What do you really value most personally and professionally? Dig deep here because the answers you receive can be life changing.
Do you really want to be tied to your desk or “Crackberry” every single day because you just can’t take a day off?
What does your ideal business and life look like? What type of workplace do you need to create to be in alignment with what’s really important to you and your team?
Do you really want more frenzied activity and haphazard accomplishments or ….do you want to experience the freedom and satisfaction that comes from an empowered team, expanded creativity and the spirit that puts far more zeroes on your bottom-line than the rapid fire leadership approach ever could.
When the mind is still, when you provide a sense of calm, thoughtful action in your work environment, the reflection clear … and reflection brings the clarity needed to develop a top performing business.
To your ever-expanding potential!
Thu 4 Jan 2007
It’s Janaury, a time for new beginnings, a time filled with anticipation of the things to come in the new year. It’s also a time for review of what we’ve accomplished in the prior year and what we want to do differently in the upcoming year. Ahh… here come the resolutions.Whether your goals or resolutions are made for your business or for personal growth… one thing is certain - many changes we consider do not materialize. In fact, most resolutions don’t make it past the month of Janauary.The reasons - they’re rarely incorporated into our daily lives and some of them, frankly, just miss the “what’s in it for me” factor. Let me put this another way.
First, resolutions or goals must have juice behind them. They need to have real meaning to us on a personal level... the what’s in it for me factor. Many goals are simply “shoulds”. Things we “should” do because it’s expected or on some level, we think it’s “good” for us. Maybe it’s simply someone else’s dream. Whether your resolution is to:
- Attract more ideal customers
- More money
- Lose ten pounds
- Spend more time with family or
- Develop a new product or service
… you need to connect with that desire on an emotional level. This is where getting specific, visualizing and clearly defining your desired outcomes will really make it happen for you. See what your life looks like when you accomplish your goal. Feel the excitement. You do this by asking why.
Why do I want to this? Hint - it’s always about the underlying experience behind the goal or resolution. It’s because it makes you feel good. So connect with that on a regular basis and do that first before you plan or take any action. Connecting with the reason why gets you jazzed and keeps you going long after the New Year’s Eve celebrations have faded into memory. It also helps you work less and achieve more because you’re thoughts, feelings and actions are aligned with what you really want to experience.
Second, find and use a system that helps you infuse your goals or resolutions into your daily life. There are hundreds of tools to help you do this. The key to success is to use them on an ongoing basis until you’ve reached a point where you are living your desired reality. At that point, you no longer have to think about your resolution and it’s part of your daily life. That’s when you can take your affirmations off your bathroom mirror :). So consider the following tools, experiment with them and mix and match to see what works best for you. Incorporating your goals into your daily life is what makes them materialize from the spiritual to the physical reality in which we live and work. This is what helps you achieve your greatest hopes and dreams.
A Few Tools to Consider:
- Personal affirmations
- The Daily Motivator http://www.greatday.com/
- Books that feed your soul
- Use a proven system (no need to reinvent the wheel)
- Join a Mastermind Group
- Day planners or MS Outlook to schedule dedicated time to work on your goals
- Audio tapes
- Form a support network
- Commit time to conscious creation every day
- Get an accountability partner
- Journal about your progress
- Use check lists
- Outsource the things you don’t like to do … you get the idea.
Here’s to your resolutions … may they feed your soul, strengthen your self-confidence and fill you with joy and happiness.
To your absolute best,
