Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity…Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.
Melody Beattie
Ah the holidays are upon us, let the madness begin. I love the holiday season! It gives me an opportunity to think more about all the blessings in my life which fills my soul with gratitude and prompts me to bless the lives of others. Indeed it seems there is magic in the air during the holiday season, like joy and happiness surrounds us, people are kind and generous, and love is everywhere to be found. So what happens during the holiday season? Why is there magic in the air? Well one reason isn’t necessarily magic at all, but it’s simply the power of gratitude.
Did you know it has been proven in many studies that those who show sincere gratitude are happier, more successful, and are better leaders? Being thankful lifts our spirits and helps us to reach our full potential. Being grateful helps us live a more satisfying and rewarding life. Being thankful translates into happier, more productive people. Indeed simply having an attitude of gratitude can literally change our lives for the good, and it will bless the lives of others. For this reason there really is magic in the air, because we turn our hearts and become more thankful and giving during this special time of year.
Now after the holiday season do you feel a letdown? I know often I do. This is not necessarily a result of the idea we will not be receiving gifts any time in the near future, but instead is due to the fact we return to our MO or our routine, and our high level of thankfulness returns to normal “rest of the year” levels. Thus, when we forget about being so thankful that a natural letdown occurs. And this turns us from being superstars into ordinary citizens once again. Thus, if we can figure out how to maintain the same thankful attitude we have during the holiday season throughout the year, we would greatly improve lives and our ability to be successful. Of course this is much easier said than done…
But, this thanksgiving week let us make a commitment to try and do! Let’s truly be grateful this season for all we have, and then let’s sustain an attitude of gratitude throughout the year. This simple act alone of being grateful will lead us to a much more rewarding and satisfying life.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Do Not Get Suckered In!
It seems to me that our society has taken a turn for the worst over the last several years. A sense of entitlement and ease has engulfed our nation. Modern technology, though wonderful, I’m afraid is also contributing to our lack of patience and our unwillingness to be diligent and disciplined. It seems hard work and earned success is going out of style, and they are being replaced by instant results and quick rewards. And, I believe this lack of effort as a whole is slowly eroding the very foundation of our great nation.
“That which we obtain too easily, we esteem too lightly. It is dearness only which gives everything its value."
Thomas Paine
Today often the mentality is if something is hard, then don’t do it. Rather than trying to overcome challenges and persevere, we turn from one item to another searching for instant success. If we do someday find it, this unearned excellence will not result in much satisfaction or happiness—for what is easy is never satisfying very long. Thus our quick success will soon feel very empty indeed.
“That which we persist in doing becomes easier, not that the task itself has become easier, but that our ability to perform has improved.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Neurologist Daniel Levitan conducted a study suggesting that for someone to master something he must spend at least 10,000 hours doing it. Study after study has proven great athletes, writers, composers, even businessmen have spent about this same amount of time achieving their very high level of success. To break this down, 10,000 hours is equal to three hours a day or 20 hours a week over a 10 year time frame. Thus, what we can conclude from this study is success does not come easy. Hard work, patience, diligence, discipline, and persistence are all needed to obtain true mastery of a skill. For this reason, we must continue climbing towards our goals rather than giving up or looking for an easy way out, because chances are, we will not find it.
“You must deserve victory to feel good about yourself.”
Rick Pitino
The true path to success is hard work, patience, and discipline. Without these, we may never amount to much, and we certainly will not experience the joy and satisfaction that comes from earning success.
“That which we obtain too easily, we esteem too lightly. It is dearness only which gives everything its value."
Thomas Paine
Today often the mentality is if something is hard, then don’t do it. Rather than trying to overcome challenges and persevere, we turn from one item to another searching for instant success. If we do someday find it, this unearned excellence will not result in much satisfaction or happiness—for what is easy is never satisfying very long. Thus our quick success will soon feel very empty indeed.
“That which we persist in doing becomes easier, not that the task itself has become easier, but that our ability to perform has improved.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Neurologist Daniel Levitan conducted a study suggesting that for someone to master something he must spend at least 10,000 hours doing it. Study after study has proven great athletes, writers, composers, even businessmen have spent about this same amount of time achieving their very high level of success. To break this down, 10,000 hours is equal to three hours a day or 20 hours a week over a 10 year time frame. Thus, what we can conclude from this study is success does not come easy. Hard work, patience, diligence, discipline, and persistence are all needed to obtain true mastery of a skill. For this reason, we must continue climbing towards our goals rather than giving up or looking for an easy way out, because chances are, we will not find it.
“You must deserve victory to feel good about yourself.”
Rick Pitino
The true path to success is hard work, patience, and discipline. Without these, we may never amount to much, and we certainly will not experience the joy and satisfaction that comes from earning success.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Thoughts on Leadership
Recently I finished reading the book Journey to the Emerald City by Roger Connors and Tom Smith. In the book there was an interesting quote about leaders and leadership. It said, “Leadership is honest motives, conscious thought, and focused effort.” Being interested in leadership, I’ve pondered on this quote and its true meaning. Below are my thoughts.
First, leadership is honest motives. To me this means leaders are sincere, and they do not have to “fake” it. They are committed to the cause, and they are focused on a purpose. Good leaders have a pure intent on accomplishing the end goal of the group, and they will do whatever it takes to get there. To me honest motives equals true commitment and a sincere desire along with a willingness to do whatever the "hard" stuff. Thus it is easy to see how a leader with honest motives can easily motivate those who they are leading. As leaders, do we have honest motives?
Second, conscious thought. Leadership involves making wise, decisive decisions. Leaders must study decisions out in their mind. They must have a knack for sifting through piles of data and then deciphering what will help them and what will hinder them in their decision making. Likewise, as leaders, everything we do, every word we use, and every action we take will be watched closely by those we lead. For this reason good leaders consciously make an effort to always lead by example—because true leaders are always leading. Conscious thought allows leaders to overcome challenges effectively, helping them to quickly continue down the correct path. Are we consciously striving to make wise decisions?
Lastly, focused effort. To me this means leaders are bound and determined to accomplish a vision. They know what can be accomplished, they see the potential that exists, and they work hard to see it come to fruition. Leadership is overcoming distractions and keeping the end in mind. Many people work hard and put forth great effort, but it is continued focused effort that sets successful leaders apart. Likewise, leaders do not wait for things to happen, instead, they make things happen. Tenacious, focused effort will establish one's leadership quickly. Are our efforts focused?
So, as the book states, leadership does involve “honest motives, conscious thought, and focused effort.” As we strive to follow and develop our skills in these three elements of leadership, we will become more powerful and effective leaders.
First, leadership is honest motives. To me this means leaders are sincere, and they do not have to “fake” it. They are committed to the cause, and they are focused on a purpose. Good leaders have a pure intent on accomplishing the end goal of the group, and they will do whatever it takes to get there. To me honest motives equals true commitment and a sincere desire along with a willingness to do whatever the "hard" stuff. Thus it is easy to see how a leader with honest motives can easily motivate those who they are leading. As leaders, do we have honest motives?
Second, conscious thought. Leadership involves making wise, decisive decisions. Leaders must study decisions out in their mind. They must have a knack for sifting through piles of data and then deciphering what will help them and what will hinder them in their decision making. Likewise, as leaders, everything we do, every word we use, and every action we take will be watched closely by those we lead. For this reason good leaders consciously make an effort to always lead by example—because true leaders are always leading. Conscious thought allows leaders to overcome challenges effectively, helping them to quickly continue down the correct path. Are we consciously striving to make wise decisions?
Lastly, focused effort. To me this means leaders are bound and determined to accomplish a vision. They know what can be accomplished, they see the potential that exists, and they work hard to see it come to fruition. Leadership is overcoming distractions and keeping the end in mind. Many people work hard and put forth great effort, but it is continued focused effort that sets successful leaders apart. Likewise, leaders do not wait for things to happen, instead, they make things happen. Tenacious, focused effort will establish one's leadership quickly. Are our efforts focused?
So, as the book states, leadership does involve “honest motives, conscious thought, and focused effort.” As we strive to follow and develop our skills in these three elements of leadership, we will become more powerful and effective leaders.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Journey to the Emerald City
“Journey to the Emerald City” by Roger Connors and Tom Smith is an interesting book about organizational culture. The premise of the book is based on the belief that culture is a result of experiences that people have that determines their beliefs about the organization. These beliefs typically translate into actions which in turn produce results. Thus, to truly change culture in an organization, one must start with changing beliefs through experiences.
As people, our perspective on life is most often shaped by experiences. We have good experiences such as spending time with family during Christmas, and bad experiences such as waiting too long in a line at a store. Our experiences shape our beliefs about every aspect of our life. Hence, for us to have the organizational culture we want, we must shape beliefs. The book focuses a lot of its attention on this point, and it really stresses how experiences and beliefs are most critical to results. Thus we must consciously and proactively strive to create experiences for people that will shape their beliefs.
Reflecting on this, it is a powerful insight to realize that the majority of our memories and beliefs are based on experiences. Thus, what kind of experiences are we creating for others? Are our actions allowing others to have a positive experience or negative one? Experiences are so powerful because of how they shape our lives, and make us who we are. Powerful experiences, both good and bad, are never forgotten.
The book offers strategies for helping us understand beliefs and experiences and how we can shape them. One way to accelerate belief change is through feedback. The book illustrates how feedback is a useful tool that can help create good experiences for others, because when we seek honest feedback and take action, people notice. One of the points the book makes is feedback should be viewed as a “perspective shared” rather than a “truth declared.” Feedback is simply a perception, not necessarily truth; however to most people, perception is reality--thus we must work on changing perceptions based on the feedback we receive.
Another strategy to accelerating culture change is through alignment. By creating alignment among individuals, the opportunity to create positive experiences is greatly enhanced. The book clarifies that organizational alignment is a continual process rather than a desired destination, and it is something an organization should always be striving to achieve. The more alignment increases, the quicker positive experiences will be felt by all.
In the end, the main message of the book is that as leaders, we must manage our organizational cultures or it will manage us. Through creating positive experiences, we can shape the beliefs of others which will translate into to action and produce results. Overall I thought the book was worth reading and I would recommend it to those interested in the topic.
See how I ranked this book
As people, our perspective on life is most often shaped by experiences. We have good experiences such as spending time with family during Christmas, and bad experiences such as waiting too long in a line at a store. Our experiences shape our beliefs about every aspect of our life. Hence, for us to have the organizational culture we want, we must shape beliefs. The book focuses a lot of its attention on this point, and it really stresses how experiences and beliefs are most critical to results. Thus we must consciously and proactively strive to create experiences for people that will shape their beliefs.
Reflecting on this, it is a powerful insight to realize that the majority of our memories and beliefs are based on experiences. Thus, what kind of experiences are we creating for others? Are our actions allowing others to have a positive experience or negative one? Experiences are so powerful because of how they shape our lives, and make us who we are. Powerful experiences, both good and bad, are never forgotten.
The book offers strategies for helping us understand beliefs and experiences and how we can shape them. One way to accelerate belief change is through feedback. The book illustrates how feedback is a useful tool that can help create good experiences for others, because when we seek honest feedback and take action, people notice. One of the points the book makes is feedback should be viewed as a “perspective shared” rather than a “truth declared.” Feedback is simply a perception, not necessarily truth; however to most people, perception is reality--thus we must work on changing perceptions based on the feedback we receive.
Another strategy to accelerating culture change is through alignment. By creating alignment among individuals, the opportunity to create positive experiences is greatly enhanced. The book clarifies that organizational alignment is a continual process rather than a desired destination, and it is something an organization should always be striving to achieve. The more alignment increases, the quicker positive experiences will be felt by all.
In the end, the main message of the book is that as leaders, we must manage our organizational cultures or it will manage us. Through creating positive experiences, we can shape the beliefs of others which will translate into to action and produce results. Overall I thought the book was worth reading and I would recommend it to those interested in the topic.
See how I ranked this book
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