Riding home last weekend from my Thanksgiving visit with family in Arizona, I had time to read some items from my ever-growing “To Read Later” pile. One was an article by Business Coach Scott Hunter, entitled The Art of being Outrageously Successful in Business. What he said really resonated with me. See what you think:
He says that Success is not about knowing the right things to do, how smart one is, what job one holds, working really hard, attending the “right” college, or even attending college at all.
Simply put, “Successful people think differently than other people”. “Successful people believe they have the internal capacity to make desirable things happen, they pursue opportunities, and they tend to have a positive interpretation of their past performance.” And here’s the characteristic I was drawn to: “They have courage – they don’t stay in jobs or other circumstances that don’t support their vision and don’t bring them excitement and aliveness. They play the game of life to win.”
Here’s an exercise he recommends on helping yourself to think “success”: Jot down what the term “success” means to you, such as financial freedom and the application of your talents and creativity in a meaningful job. Then write down how a successful person with those success traits would think; perhaps, confidently and without fear of others’ opinions. Maybe you can even interview someone you regard as successful and find out how they really think. Either way, you now have some ideas on how to start thinking like a person with your particular definition of success.
Napoleon Hill talked about this topic in his book, Think and Grow Rich and Dr. Wayne Dyer said that “what you have in your life is a reflection of your beliefs” in his book, You’ll See It When You Believe It. Albert Einstein, in his infinite wisdom, said the basic component of the universe is pure intelligent energy and that human thought activates this intelligent energy, thus giving credibility to all these “positive thinking” theories.
All of us are like magnets, attracting things and situations to us that are consistent with our thinking and beliefs. What’s going on in your head causing what you’re experiencing today at home and at work? Go ahead and be enthusiastic, positive, passionate, and satisfied with your life. Get out on the skinny branches and take some risks. Play to win. You can create your own successful life!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Monday, November 20, 2006
An Attitude of Gratitude
I heard recently that starting the day listing 5 things one is grateful for is a powerful way to get things off on the right foot and change an attitude, thus helping yourself to create a really good day. Furthermore, I just read that 84% of Americans say that expressing gratitude reduces stress and fosters better health and optimism. What a great, easy tool for improving your outlook on life and your well-being, while getting through this typically stressful season!
This week, as you make your holiday plans and shopping lists, make yourself a daily list of things you are grateful for. Since work is such an integral and time-consuming piece of our lives, be sure to include it in your list. This can be a stretch if one is unhappy or contemplating a change in their worklife. Still, there is much benefit to be had by shifting focus to what’s working there, who’s inspiring to be around, which tasks are sparking that old enthusiasm. Be grateful and enjoy those pieces. Notice that the other not-so-good stuff moves out of your way and becomes less important. Change of job or career may still be the way to go; however, the peace of mind and clarity accompanying the decision is now huge.
Make a list! What a great exercise to do with a work team and your family. Give it a try and notice the shift.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving!
This week, as you make your holiday plans and shopping lists, make yourself a daily list of things you are grateful for. Since work is such an integral and time-consuming piece of our lives, be sure to include it in your list. This can be a stretch if one is unhappy or contemplating a change in their worklife. Still, there is much benefit to be had by shifting focus to what’s working there, who’s inspiring to be around, which tasks are sparking that old enthusiasm. Be grateful and enjoy those pieces. Notice that the other not-so-good stuff moves out of your way and becomes less important. Change of job or career may still be the way to go; however, the peace of mind and clarity accompanying the decision is now huge.
Make a list! What a great exercise to do with a work team and your family. Give it a try and notice the shift.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Just Say "No" to Overcommittment!
Well, it’s starting to happen – solicitations for donations, invitations to holiday get-togethers, and numerous opportunities to volunteer during this season of giving. It all becomes overwhelming while we’re juggling our work and our own family commitments. Saying “no” is not easy for most of us - we get wrapped up in old stuff like others’ expectations of us, and our own definitions of success.
I found good advice in Jack Canfield’s Success Principles:
He reminds us that highly successful people say no all the time, “to projects, to crazy deadlines, to questionable priorities, and to other people’s crises.” In fact, he says, “they view the decision to say no as equally acceptable as the decision to say yes.”
I think the first step in doing this is exactly the first step I recommend in preparing for career review, promotion or transition. Take stock of what you want out of your life. Set your own standards for work hours, commute time, family time, and acceptable levels of salary, stress, and R & R days, financial management rules, donations, etc. Define what you stand for and put your stake in the ground. Then, when that question comes around asking for your commitment of time or money, you know the answer.
Jack adds that a response he’s found helpful to saying no is “It’s not against you; it’s for me”. This means that instead of shutting someone down who’s making a well-intended request of you, go a bit further with acknowledging the importance of their request, then a brief explanation that your decision is not against them or their organization; it’s for you, your family and your own commitments. He says “Few people can get angry at you for making and standing by a higher commitment. In fact, they’ll respect you for your clarity and your strength.”
So, this holiday season, as the invitations and requests come at you, remember what matters most. By the way, your peace of mind and good health should be at the top of that list! Say no to overcommitment and enjoy your work and your personal life in equal healthy doses.
I found good advice in Jack Canfield’s Success Principles:
He reminds us that highly successful people say no all the time, “to projects, to crazy deadlines, to questionable priorities, and to other people’s crises.” In fact, he says, “they view the decision to say no as equally acceptable as the decision to say yes.”
I think the first step in doing this is exactly the first step I recommend in preparing for career review, promotion or transition. Take stock of what you want out of your life. Set your own standards for work hours, commute time, family time, and acceptable levels of salary, stress, and R & R days, financial management rules, donations, etc. Define what you stand for and put your stake in the ground. Then, when that question comes around asking for your commitment of time or money, you know the answer.
Jack adds that a response he’s found helpful to saying no is “It’s not against you; it’s for me”. This means that instead of shutting someone down who’s making a well-intended request of you, go a bit further with acknowledging the importance of their request, then a brief explanation that your decision is not against them or their organization; it’s for you, your family and your own commitments. He says “Few people can get angry at you for making and standing by a higher commitment. In fact, they’ll respect you for your clarity and your strength.”
So, this holiday season, as the invitations and requests come at you, remember what matters most. By the way, your peace of mind and good health should be at the top of that list! Say no to overcommitment and enjoy your work and your personal life in equal healthy doses.
Why do you do what you do???
One of the important steps I encourage clients to take when considering a career change is to look at their Motivators. These are the things that move you to action, inspire and excite you. A method for uncovering them is a self assessment: think about the times you’ve been extremely satisfied and happy with your life. What was occurring, who were the people involved, what activities were you engaged in, and how did all this make you feel? Find the common thread and there you have some clues to your personal motivation.
Many think that money and benefits are the top reasons people stay with their jobs. Psychologists’ research shows that these are only temporary motivators and actually become expectations of a job – that we will receive payment, salary increases, and some kind of benefits package.
Here’s an interesting finding from an annual Employee Motivation survey. The first column shows how Employees rate 10 possible motivators. The second column shows how Supervisors expect employees to rank them, unfortunately highlighting a considerable disconnect between the two groups.
Employees
Appreciation
Feeling “in” on things
An Understanding attitude
Job security
Good wages
Interesting work
Promotion opportunities
Loyalty from management
Good working conditions
Tactful discipline
Supervisors
Good wages
Job security
Promotion opportunities
Good working conditions
Interesting work
Loyalty from management
Tactful discipline
Appreciation
An Understanding attitude
Feeling “in” on things
Notice the top three wants from employees have to do with being appreciated and feeling like a part of the bigger picture, huge components to career satisfaction. Too bad those top three are at the bottom of the Supervisors’ list.
Take a little time this week to identify your own motivators. Are you getting what you need from your work, and if in a management role, are you giving what others need?
Many think that money and benefits are the top reasons people stay with their jobs. Psychologists’ research shows that these are only temporary motivators and actually become expectations of a job – that we will receive payment, salary increases, and some kind of benefits package.
Here’s an interesting finding from an annual Employee Motivation survey. The first column shows how Employees rate 10 possible motivators. The second column shows how Supervisors expect employees to rank them, unfortunately highlighting a considerable disconnect between the two groups.
Employees
Appreciation
Feeling “in” on things
An Understanding attitude
Job security
Good wages
Interesting work
Promotion opportunities
Loyalty from management
Good working conditions
Tactful discipline
Supervisors
Good wages
Job security
Promotion opportunities
Good working conditions
Interesting work
Loyalty from management
Tactful discipline
Appreciation
An Understanding attitude
Feeling “in” on things
Notice the top three wants from employees have to do with being appreciated and feeling like a part of the bigger picture, huge components to career satisfaction. Too bad those top three are at the bottom of the Supervisors’ list.
Take a little time this week to identify your own motivators. Are you getting what you need from your work, and if in a management role, are you giving what others need?
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