Friday, September 30, 2011
Daily Post
Life provides us with constant reminders of just how precarious, short and precious it really is. Heed life's message, and choose to love completely, laugh often and live fully.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Article: How Effectively Are You Managing Your Plate?
The quality of your life and business are directly related to how well you manage all that is on your plate. Routinely, business owners take on so many projects and responsibilities that they become overwhelmed, confused and burned-out, eventually losing their way on the road to creating the happiness and success they desire.
“Plate management” is vital to your happiness and success, both personally and professionally. Without consciousness of what is already on your plate, and what you continue to put there as you move forward, you will eventually become bogged down under your over-whelming situation.
Here are specific steps you can take to improve your current reality:
PRINT: Write down everything on your to-do list. Most likely, the vast majority of this information is floating around in your head, which is only contributing to your feeling of over-whelm and confusion. It is wise to get the pieces of the puzzle, so to speak, down in front of you to see the totality of your situation. Whether you use a note pad, a white board, a spread sheet or another mechanism to clearly see what you have created, it is important to not forget the most valuable aspects of your personal life: quality time with family and friends, your interests and hobbies, activities you love, quiet time – time to reflect, study, learn and grow as a human being – and moments to simply relax and enjoy your life.
PRIORITIZE: Next, go through your list and prioritize. Make note of how long each item has been on your to-do list. This will allow you to clearly see what you have put off and for how long. By identifying the importance of each task, you will be able to create a new to-do list with the most important items at the top and the least time sensitive items at the bottom. You will also be able to remove items that are no longer necessary to achieving your goals.
POST: Now that you have your new, revised, organized and crystal clear action list, post it where you can easily see it, and get to work on completing the most important tasks first. Once an item is accomplished, cross it off and move on to the next. While you may have several things operating simultaneously as you work toward the completion of individual items, it is crucial to maintain heightened consciousness to avoid getting lost again.
POSITION: With greater awareness of everything currently on your plate you will be positioned to consciously choose whether or not to add additional items. Sometimes, the strongest choice is to say “no” to others, situations and opportunities in order to say “yes” to yourself, your happiness and you own success. Simply put, be discerning about what to place on your plate.
PERSIST: This step is very important! Once you have gotten on top of your to-do list with effective “plate management”, it is critical to stay the course. The moment you catch yourself falling back into the old habits that resulted in unwelcome outcomes, stop yourself, shift your focus toward how great your new situation is, and return to the new habit that actually works.
As you continue to take focused action on your to-do list, important tasks that contribute to the success of your business will be completed. You will begin to feel engaged and accomplished, your list will shrink in size and you will be a happier, more balanced person.
In my coaching and consulting work with business leaders across the country, it is not uncommon to hear business owners and managers refer – often and with heaviness – to the length of their to-do list. The truth of the matter is that unless you make sense of it, and take control of your tasks - instead of letting them control you - your situation will not improve. It is easier than you think, and the benefits far out-weigh the efforts required. It is a tremendous feeling to be in control of your own reality!
If you are struggling under a mountain of to-do’s, if your desk is a mess, if you are dropping the ball because you are overwhelmed and confused, if your happiness and success are leaving you, get the assistance you need to change your situation. Learning effective “plate management” will bring balance to your life, and set you on a new and rewarding course in life and business.
“Plate management” is vital to your happiness and success, both personally and professionally. Without consciousness of what is already on your plate, and what you continue to put there as you move forward, you will eventually become bogged down under your over-whelming situation.
Here are specific steps you can take to improve your current reality:
PRINT: Write down everything on your to-do list. Most likely, the vast majority of this information is floating around in your head, which is only contributing to your feeling of over-whelm and confusion. It is wise to get the pieces of the puzzle, so to speak, down in front of you to see the totality of your situation. Whether you use a note pad, a white board, a spread sheet or another mechanism to clearly see what you have created, it is important to not forget the most valuable aspects of your personal life: quality time with family and friends, your interests and hobbies, activities you love, quiet time – time to reflect, study, learn and grow as a human being – and moments to simply relax and enjoy your life.
PRIORITIZE: Next, go through your list and prioritize. Make note of how long each item has been on your to-do list. This will allow you to clearly see what you have put off and for how long. By identifying the importance of each task, you will be able to create a new to-do list with the most important items at the top and the least time sensitive items at the bottom. You will also be able to remove items that are no longer necessary to achieving your goals.
POST: Now that you have your new, revised, organized and crystal clear action list, post it where you can easily see it, and get to work on completing the most important tasks first. Once an item is accomplished, cross it off and move on to the next. While you may have several things operating simultaneously as you work toward the completion of individual items, it is crucial to maintain heightened consciousness to avoid getting lost again.
POSITION: With greater awareness of everything currently on your plate you will be positioned to consciously choose whether or not to add additional items. Sometimes, the strongest choice is to say “no” to others, situations and opportunities in order to say “yes” to yourself, your happiness and you own success. Simply put, be discerning about what to place on your plate.
PERSIST: This step is very important! Once you have gotten on top of your to-do list with effective “plate management”, it is critical to stay the course. The moment you catch yourself falling back into the old habits that resulted in unwelcome outcomes, stop yourself, shift your focus toward how great your new situation is, and return to the new habit that actually works.
As you continue to take focused action on your to-do list, important tasks that contribute to the success of your business will be completed. You will begin to feel engaged and accomplished, your list will shrink in size and you will be a happier, more balanced person.
In my coaching and consulting work with business leaders across the country, it is not uncommon to hear business owners and managers refer – often and with heaviness – to the length of their to-do list. The truth of the matter is that unless you make sense of it, and take control of your tasks - instead of letting them control you - your situation will not improve. It is easier than you think, and the benefits far out-weigh the efforts required. It is a tremendous feeling to be in control of your own reality!
If you are struggling under a mountain of to-do’s, if your desk is a mess, if you are dropping the ball because you are overwhelmed and confused, if your happiness and success are leaving you, get the assistance you need to change your situation. Learning effective “plate management” will bring balance to your life, and set you on a new and rewarding course in life and business.
Daily Post
In your rush to get everything done, don't forget the most important task of all - to live a fulfilling and meaningful life. Take every opportunity you can to laugh, love, and play, to listen, learn, care and share. Make the enjoyment of your life a priority.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Daily Post
“What is happening to you” is not the issue, because this is a dis-empowered perspective and not true – one that puts you at the mercy of life. “What is happening for you”, and how you will utilize it in your learning, growth and becoming is the real issue. From this perspective you embrace your life with gratitude as it is created which, in turn, empowers you in your life.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Daily Post
Today you will have numerous opportunities to be happy and experience success - to live with intention and on purpose. Embrace your fantastic life, engage your opportunities and make this a day, one you will remember fondly.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Daily Post
The crisp mornings, golden leaves and shorter days remind us of life's constant changes. Embrace the changes in your life, turning them into your ally so that you may open yourself to what can be.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Daily Post
There is so much joy to be experienced in life. Free your heart of past hurts, clear your mind of negativity, unleash your passions, and enjoy the new and brilliant life that unfolds before you.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Daily Post
You have the wonderful opportunity to have a positive impact in the lives of others today. Rise up in your life, and let your actions and words touch people in an empowering way.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Daily Post
Your level of satisfaction in life, and your impact on life in general, is determined by who you are in the moments of your life. Stand tall in the midst of the challenges you face, cultivate gratitude and happiness within letting your best shine forth, and you will be a success in life.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Daily Post
Move into your day with gratitude, think only your best thoughts, soak up life, let your heart fill with joy and be that wonderful light unto life that you most definitely are.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Daily Post
Be diligent, so that you never give your power away to anger. Otherwise, your anger will get in the way of effective solutions and your happiness. Instead, choose to use your anger in a constructive manner. Step back, look at the situation with composure and respond the most effective way you can.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Daily Post
Opportunities come and go. Be sure to engage the ones that will add to your life before they pass you by.
Article: Are You Hiring Potential Superstars?
The quality and character of the individuals essential to the operations of a company directly affect the efficiency and effectiveness of the business, in addition to having a direct impact on the pleasure of those who own and operate it. Simply put, the higher the caliber of those you choose to hire, the more happiness and success you will derive from your company.
As an executive business coach and consultant, every business I work with has – at some point – experienced issues with its team members. A reality for every business is the potential for people on staff to continually inhibit the smooth operation of the company, as well as, negatively impacting the work environment itself.
These team members typically do not handle themselves, or their position, well - they are not easy to communicate with, consistently have complaints and personal issues, are resistant to learning and change, and therefore, create a drag on the overall moral and success of the entire organization. Owners and managers must frequently spend a great amount of time working with them to improve performance and attitude, or they may find it easier to avoid them all together because they don’t know how to effectively handle the situation.
There is a better choice here! By hiring potential superstars – individuals with a positive attitude, who are solution-oriented, with a willingness to learn, a desirable skill set, and strong character – you will position your company to operate far more effectively and achieve new levels of happiness and success.
In hiring potential superstars, the first step is to “stack your bench”. Think of your company in terms of a sports team. Should a member of your team need to be replaced due to under-performance or lack of commitment, you will need someone to replace them. Unless you have qualified, motivated and effective “players” to bring in, you will be hesitant to make a change.
Many business owners and managers fail to let go of ineffective team members that inhibit the company’s operations because they do not have qualified candidates ready to replace them. By gathering a list of solid individuals to choose from you will be positioned to make the necessary changes that will enhance your team, and therefore, the performance of your business.
As with any successful team, it is vital that you do not just “fill” a position with the first available person. Instead, strive to hire the very best person you can for the position by carefully considering excellent candidates that embody the values, mission, goals and objectives of your business. By doing so, you will make a strong choice for your company, your team, the clients and customers you serve and yourself.
I work with many companies throughout the process of interviewing potential candidates to “stack their bench” with qualified team players. This process always includes the standard procedures of completing applications and submitting resumes. Some also choose to have them complete standard hiring or behavioral assessments, such as a DISC profile, but we do not rely on these tools alone. The most important part of exploring the fit of any individual for your team is the actual interview.
I highly recommend that interviews be done in person, and more than once with qualified candidates. The vast majority of communication comes to us through body language and tonality, with spoken words accounting for a mere 6 percent of the actual message. Knowing this, and preparing to interview with the assistance of a qualified coach and consultant, can help you understand what an interviewee is telling you not only with their words, but also in their tone and body language – the truest signs of who they really are.
Assistance can also position you to ask questions that provide clues into a person’s level of commitment and involvement. For example, by asking what they do in their free time you can ascertain their engagement in other areas of life. There is typically a significant difference between a person who spends a great deal of time on the computer or watching television, and one who seeks out opportunities to learn, read and stay physically active. The more engaged a person is in their personal life, the more likely they are to be an engaged team member.
In the end you will need to trust your gut. There are no guarantees, but when you do your due diligence, you will position yourself to make the best choice possible in identifying potential superstars for your team.
As an executive business coach and consultant, every business I work with has – at some point – experienced issues with its team members. A reality for every business is the potential for people on staff to continually inhibit the smooth operation of the company, as well as, negatively impacting the work environment itself.
These team members typically do not handle themselves, or their position, well - they are not easy to communicate with, consistently have complaints and personal issues, are resistant to learning and change, and therefore, create a drag on the overall moral and success of the entire organization. Owners and managers must frequently spend a great amount of time working with them to improve performance and attitude, or they may find it easier to avoid them all together because they don’t know how to effectively handle the situation.
There is a better choice here! By hiring potential superstars – individuals with a positive attitude, who are solution-oriented, with a willingness to learn, a desirable skill set, and strong character – you will position your company to operate far more effectively and achieve new levels of happiness and success.
In hiring potential superstars, the first step is to “stack your bench”. Think of your company in terms of a sports team. Should a member of your team need to be replaced due to under-performance or lack of commitment, you will need someone to replace them. Unless you have qualified, motivated and effective “players” to bring in, you will be hesitant to make a change.
Many business owners and managers fail to let go of ineffective team members that inhibit the company’s operations because they do not have qualified candidates ready to replace them. By gathering a list of solid individuals to choose from you will be positioned to make the necessary changes that will enhance your team, and therefore, the performance of your business.
As with any successful team, it is vital that you do not just “fill” a position with the first available person. Instead, strive to hire the very best person you can for the position by carefully considering excellent candidates that embody the values, mission, goals and objectives of your business. By doing so, you will make a strong choice for your company, your team, the clients and customers you serve and yourself.
I work with many companies throughout the process of interviewing potential candidates to “stack their bench” with qualified team players. This process always includes the standard procedures of completing applications and submitting resumes. Some also choose to have them complete standard hiring or behavioral assessments, such as a DISC profile, but we do not rely on these tools alone. The most important part of exploring the fit of any individual for your team is the actual interview.
I highly recommend that interviews be done in person, and more than once with qualified candidates. The vast majority of communication comes to us through body language and tonality, with spoken words accounting for a mere 6 percent of the actual message. Knowing this, and preparing to interview with the assistance of a qualified coach and consultant, can help you understand what an interviewee is telling you not only with their words, but also in their tone and body language – the truest signs of who they really are.
Assistance can also position you to ask questions that provide clues into a person’s level of commitment and involvement. For example, by asking what they do in their free time you can ascertain their engagement in other areas of life. There is typically a significant difference between a person who spends a great deal of time on the computer or watching television, and one who seeks out opportunities to learn, read and stay physically active. The more engaged a person is in their personal life, the more likely they are to be an engaged team member.
In the end you will need to trust your gut. There are no guarantees, but when you do your due diligence, you will position yourself to make the best choice possible in identifying potential superstars for your team.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Daily Post
This is the greatest day of your life, simply because it is the only day you really have. Live this day, with a positive perspective, gratitude and love in your heart so that when you remember it, you will be filled with happiness and joy for having lived it so fully.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Daily Post
Deep within you there is a voice coming from your higher understanding. Listen intently, for this is a message of love, courage, gratitude, happiness, success and joy. It is the voice that will, if you listen, lead you to the life your heart longs for.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Daily Post
The majority of what is most valuable, lives locked away in the hearts and minds of mankind. Be sure to express, as constructively as you can, the powerful love that is within you.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Daily Post
Chances are, you will cross paths with someone today that is in need of your kindness. Whether that be simply listening to them, a smile, a hug, a kind word or some other act of generosity, let the very best in you give freely. Chances are, someday you will be in the same position.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Daily Post
In all of creation there is only one of you, and only you, can share your unique gift with the world. Be who you are, and let the best within you rise so that your special gift will flow into life itself.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Daily Post
Change is inevitable and constant. The moment you accept change, a door opens in your life to meet new people, have new experiences, engage fresh opportunities, learn, grow and become more than you have ever been.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Daily Post
Today is your day! Be sincerely grateful, engage your life, look for opportunities rather than problems, have some fun, laugh and be happy. Live your life and enjoy it.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Article: Are You An Inspiration Within Your Business?
There is a distinct difference in the atmosphere of companies where the owner and managers bring their inspiring energy on a consistent basis and those where this does not happen. It is a feeling that is known by both team members and customers alike, and one that will ultimately have a positive or negative effect on your bottom line.
I recently returned from a vacation in which I spent considerable time in the city of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. It has long been a favorite place for me to visit and has a coffee shop downtown, close to the lake, called Java on Sherman. I have spent many hours as a customer in this establishment over the past 15 years, and have always felt great being there.
This time my experience was very different. From the moment I walked in, this place I have always enjoyed felt “empty” to me. There was a lack of energy and the team members were not smiling or happily greeting customers. Furthermore, once I received the items I had ordered, it was absolutely apparent that the quality of the products I had come to appreciate - coffee, pastries, and breakfast - were not at the high standard they had always been.
Java is the only place I have ever started my days in Coeur d’ Alene, simply because of the exceptional experience, quality products and the great feeling I received. I did return to Java several times over the 11 days I was in town in hopes that the feelings I knew before would return again. When they didn’t, for the first time, I also started searching out other businesses to start my day with. The point here is that since my last visit - only one year ago - the experience had deteriorated so much, I was no longer getting the value I was looking for and, since doing business there did not feel good anymore, I was willing to take my business elsewhere.
Lost patronage, and the lack of new customers, is the cost of not providing an inspired workplace, and this starts with the business owner.
Last year I spent considerable time conversing with the owner of Java. This man shared with me the story of how he came to own the business through his love for the town, coffee and people. He could be seen in the coffee shop on a daily basis, sometimes talking to and visiting with customers and at other times working behind the counter with his team. He always exuded a great energy that was contagious, as did his team members.
This year he was visibly absent. I hardly saw him, and when I did, he did not appear to be happy. To the astute observer, with a trained eye, it is obvious why the atmosphere in Java had deteriorated so dramatically. You see, as the business owner, you are the fountain head of the energy within your company. The owner of Java no longer had positive energy – he was not happy – and that was having a devastating effect on the entire team.
I have always shared with my clients the truth that they are not selling products and services. What they are, in fact, selling is an “experience”. While it is true that your products and services are part an overall customer experience, it is the feeling people get – and take away with them - when they do business with you that matters most. The experience that you and your team provide will either turn customers on or off to you, even after 15 years of loyal patronage.
An unhappy business owner lacks the positive energy, clarity of vision, engagement and inspiration to create a truly successful business – one where everyone benefits from the wonderful experience it provides. Owners in this position do not attract or hire the best people; they do not train and treat team members in ways that inspire them to give their very best to the customers that give life to the business.
Whether a business owner’s unhappiness comes from discomfort in the business itself, from their personal life or both does not matter. What does matter is that unhappy business owners seek professional assistance in overcoming what stands between them and the happiness and success they want to experience. With happiness at the foundation of who you are, you will be a powerfully inspiring force within your business.
I recently returned from a vacation in which I spent considerable time in the city of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. It has long been a favorite place for me to visit and has a coffee shop downtown, close to the lake, called Java on Sherman. I have spent many hours as a customer in this establishment over the past 15 years, and have always felt great being there.
This time my experience was very different. From the moment I walked in, this place I have always enjoyed felt “empty” to me. There was a lack of energy and the team members were not smiling or happily greeting customers. Furthermore, once I received the items I had ordered, it was absolutely apparent that the quality of the products I had come to appreciate - coffee, pastries, and breakfast - were not at the high standard they had always been.
Java is the only place I have ever started my days in Coeur d’ Alene, simply because of the exceptional experience, quality products and the great feeling I received. I did return to Java several times over the 11 days I was in town in hopes that the feelings I knew before would return again. When they didn’t, for the first time, I also started searching out other businesses to start my day with. The point here is that since my last visit - only one year ago - the experience had deteriorated so much, I was no longer getting the value I was looking for and, since doing business there did not feel good anymore, I was willing to take my business elsewhere.
Lost patronage, and the lack of new customers, is the cost of not providing an inspired workplace, and this starts with the business owner.
Last year I spent considerable time conversing with the owner of Java. This man shared with me the story of how he came to own the business through his love for the town, coffee and people. He could be seen in the coffee shop on a daily basis, sometimes talking to and visiting with customers and at other times working behind the counter with his team. He always exuded a great energy that was contagious, as did his team members.
This year he was visibly absent. I hardly saw him, and when I did, he did not appear to be happy. To the astute observer, with a trained eye, it is obvious why the atmosphere in Java had deteriorated so dramatically. You see, as the business owner, you are the fountain head of the energy within your company. The owner of Java no longer had positive energy – he was not happy – and that was having a devastating effect on the entire team.
I have always shared with my clients the truth that they are not selling products and services. What they are, in fact, selling is an “experience”. While it is true that your products and services are part an overall customer experience, it is the feeling people get – and take away with them - when they do business with you that matters most. The experience that you and your team provide will either turn customers on or off to you, even after 15 years of loyal patronage.
An unhappy business owner lacks the positive energy, clarity of vision, engagement and inspiration to create a truly successful business – one where everyone benefits from the wonderful experience it provides. Owners in this position do not attract or hire the best people; they do not train and treat team members in ways that inspire them to give their very best to the customers that give life to the business.
Whether a business owner’s unhappiness comes from discomfort in the business itself, from their personal life or both does not matter. What does matter is that unhappy business owners seek professional assistance in overcoming what stands between them and the happiness and success they want to experience. With happiness at the foundation of who you are, you will be a powerfully inspiring force within your business.
Daily Post
The quality of your relationships has a direct impact on the quality of your life. Be diligent in building mutually beneficial relations - ones that bring value and fulfillment to all parties - so that you will experience far greater happiness and success.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
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