Coaching Tip #994 "The Power of Gratitude"

If you doubt the power of gratitude to dramatically improve your attitude, and therefore, the quality of your life, replace any feelings of frustration and disappointment, and thoughts of entitlement and greed that arise in you, with a deep and heartfelt appreciation for your very life and all you are currently blessed with. Lead yourself to FEEL the joy, excitement and wonder of life and you will know the amazingly transformative power of gratitude. Repeat as needed to live a grateful and happy life. 

Coaching Tip #993 "Spread Happiness"

Whenever the opportunity presents itself, and there will be many if you're looking for them, praise the people in your life. Share your genuine smile as often as you can, be generous with your time and understanding and leave people with the indelible mark of your compassion and kindness. Let those you love know it, and even more importantly, let them feel it from you. When you give from the best in you it awakens the best in others and life becomes a more meaningful and fulfilling experience. Spread happiness.

Coaching Tip #992 "Live Now!"

Think about how quickly each day, month and year is over. It may seem like there are an inexhaustible number of days and many years before you reach the end of your road. But, in reality, none of us knows how long we have and the time we do have will go quickly. Therefore, live now, and make the most of each day. Radiate gratitude and love. Go places, and have experiences you yearn for. Work toward your goals and dreams, but not to the point where you postpone truly living. Life is happening right now and time waits for no one. Live Now!

Coaching Tip #991 "Excitement"

Life is better when you have something to look forward to and are excited about it. Whether it's getting cozy in front of a fire and reading a good book, going out to dinner and a movie or planning a dream vacation and making it happen, there are endless ways to add excitement and anticipation to your life. Whatever it is that brings a smile to your face, puts a bounce in your step and fuels your happiness, do it!

Business Times Column #68

Are you working to expand your team’s potential?

Article date: Dec 3 2013

 

Marcus Straub

Human potential is an expandable resource that becomes static when it doesn’t receive the stimulation it needs to grow and develop. This is where the terms “I’m in a rut” and “I’m stuck” come from. Owners, team members and companies get in ruts, too, and this must be overcome if they are to reach their potential in business.

The way out of this stagnant state is through continual and ongoing learning opportunities that expand the potential of everyone on the team. Reflect on a time when you got out of a rut, and you’ll see this happened as a result of being exposed to something new and learning from it. You took actions that challenged you, expanded your capabilities and stretched your potential.

Trainings are a vital component in consistently providing opportunities for team members to learn, grow and develop. However, trainings — if done at all — are often sporadic, inconsistent and lack vital follow-up and follow-through. For any training program to be effective, it must be conducted regularly and delivered by a competent professional to participants who’re willing to learn.

To clearly illustrate this, consider any sports team. Training and practice are the norm, not the exception. The teams that reach the greatest levels of success have the best coaches and trainers, and the work they do with the team is consistent and high quality. Their pursuit is one of excellence and everything they do is designed and executed with the sole intention of bringing out the very best in each player and the team as a whole. Why would you run your business any other way?

The ultimate success of any team or company depends on this highly effective approach of training and coaching. When you research the greatest companies, you find a solid business model that includes consistent, ongoing and effective training as a key component in their exceptional success.

One of the best ways to assist yourself and your team members is through targeted trainings to overcome gaps in skills, abilities and attitudes. The use of unbiased and statistically accurate assessments is extremely effective in identifying specific gaps in individuals and teams. With this vital information, the trainer can target areas that are obstacles and most in need of development.

Targeted, effective trainings infuse your company with new information, strategies and energy. When talented and motivated individuals are stimulated through trainings and their growth and development are supported along the way, they rise to new heights in efficiency and effectiveness. A sustained internal effort will elevate your company, and the return on your investment will be huge.

Quality trainings also will help you identify team members who aren’t motivated, don’t want to learn and grow and who present obstacles to the success the rest of the team is working to achieve. Once these people are identified, further work can be done with them at a one-on-one level to help them become a powerful asset. If it’s determined this isn’t going to happen, letting these individuals go positions your company to bring on potential superstars who will become valuable additions to the team.

People come alive with excitement, motivation, clarity and direction when working with a dynamic trainer who connects with them. Those who desire to learn and grow stand out: they listen intently, ask questions and reach for even more with open eyes and receptive minds. The reality is that most people have a strong desire to learn. When given the opportunity and their learning is supported in an ongoing and consistent way, they will.

While providing trainings that solely enhance the technical skills of your team is great, it’s the trainings that teach your people how to manage their minds as well that are far more effective and long-lived. If you truly desire to stretch the potential of yourself and your team, the trainings you offer must be engaging, challenging and empowering to the very thought processes of those in attendance.

Remember, people are at the very core of every successful company. It’s the strength of their mindsets that allows them to operate at their highest levels.

When learning and growth become the cultural norm, the company as a whole stretches its potential. This equates to happier team members, improved customer satisfaction, steady growth and increased revenue.
Related Articles:

1. Are you building a powerful business team?
2. Do you encourage your team members to think?
3. Are you held hostage by a member of your team?
4. Are you in the business of producing happiness?

 

About Marcus Straub

Website: http://www.lifeisgreatcoaching.com

 

Marcus Straub owns Life is Great! Inc. in Grand Junction. His personalized coaching and consulting services help individuals, business owners, executives and companies build teams, organizations and lives that are filled with happiness and success. He is the winner of the 2011 International Coach of the Year Award, and is also the author of “Is It Fun Being You?.” He is available for free consultations regarding coaching, speaking and trainings. Reach Straub by phone at 208-3150, by e-mail at marcus@lifeisgreatcoaching.com or on the website at www.lifeisgreatcoaching.com.

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Coaching Tip #990 "Positive Self-Talk"

People do not respond well or like being talked down to or condemned by the words of another. Given this, it is very important that you do not put yourself down and beat yourself up with your self-talk. If you do, it will only compound any negative self-perception you already have. Instead, be honest in your self-appraisal because there are always aspects of yourself you can improve. Then, use this information to make a decision to improve, take the actions to make it so and support yourself along the way.

Coaching Tip #989 "Hope"

When the light of hope goes out in the human heart and mind, it is a dark day indeed. In this position, there's nothing to live for and nothing to lose - life has no meaning or value. Never lose your hope, and the belief that things will improve. There are always solutions to the challenges you face, as long as you look for them. They may be difficult to see, but as you stretch to find solutions you fuel the light of hope within. As you take actions to improve your situation you grow stronger. It takes effort, but staying optimistic and active in the face of difficulties is worth it. Remember, there is always something to be grateful for.