As we head toward the end of April, the first month of the second quarter already, pull out those 2007 goals and see how you’re doing. Take a look at the progress you’ve made toward accomplishing the items on your list. If you set specific quarterly goals, gleefully mark off the ones you hit! Get out your pencil - it’s time to reset the others.
Remember, your brain is a “goal seeking organism” – once you commit to something, it will continue to find ways to make something happen you are intent upon achieving. So, for instance, if you have achieved some goals thus far, you must set more, otherwise you have no direction for the rest of the year. If your goal was to read 3 business books before June and you did that before April, reset it – build on that accomplishment and make it bigger. Read 3 more by June. The point is to stretch yourself – keep learning new skills and gathering information, expand your vision of what’s possible, and overcome your fears. Prove to yourself that you can achieve your goals and fulfill your dreams. Your self confidence will soar and your life will improve tenfold.
As author and productivity consultant Denis Waitley says, “Never rest on your achievements; always nurture your potential.”
Here are some reminders for resetting and creating your 2nd quarter goals:
Be specific – vague goals create vague result. Answer the questions “how much?” and “by when?”.
Reach higher – stretch into new areas, even uncomfortable ones, in order to grow
Write them down in detail – studies prove that those who write down what they want have much more success than those who do not. Be explicit – give your subconscious mind details to work with so it can keep directing you toward the right opportunities.
Make goals visible - read them each day, aloud if possible, and to make them even more powerful, close your eyes and envision your life with them already accomplished.
Set goals for all areas of your life – Spiritual, Physical, Personal Development, Relationships, Financial, Community - and don’t forget - Career.
Be accountable – ask someone to help you by holding you accountable and reminding you of your goals. (We do this for each other in one of my master mind groups – each quarter we share our goals in written format and ask for progress reports throughout the quarter)
It’s a little more work than usual, it causes us to really get honest with ourselves, and it may feel somewhat uncomfortable. That’s the thing, though, about growing, stretching and realizing our full potential. The fruit and biggest rewards are out there on the skinny branches. Get out there and make your life meaningful and exhilarating.
Please share your thoughts and goal setting tips! Also, please visit my website at www.LousbergUnlimited.com for information on how I can help you achieve you and your organization's goals.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Monday, April 16, 2007
My Book of the Month - The Success Principles
Here's one worth adding to your bookshelf: The Success Principles by Jack Canfield. I bought the hardback last year and it's recently come out in trade paperback. Buy one and another for a friend, mark it up with a highlighter and head toward the success you've dreamed of!
The book is filled with 64 principles, tried and tested throughout history, to help you get from "where you are to where you want to be". You can literally open the book at any point and find something of value. There are quotes, tips, exercises, and inspiration on building confidence, setting goals, setting up support systems, and much much more. All the way from Principle #1, Take 100% Responsibility for your Life to #64, Empower Yourself by Empowering Others, there is truly something for everyone to grab hold of and implement right now.
I rely on this book heavily in my work - when speaking or presenting workshops, it provides great additional value; and when coaching my clients through career transitions, it is a wonderful resource for exercises and tips. Case in point: The Life Purpose Exercise on page 23 is a tremendous way to begin exploring new career direction.
Undoubtedly you've read or heard of many of these principles from other sources, many of which are theoretical, too detailed, or paint a pie-in-the sky picture. This book provides an easy-to-read, easy-to-implement realistic guide on putting 64 powerful tools into your life's toolbox. Get your copy today!
Please post your comments! Let me know if you are interested in more discussion about this book. Visit my website at www.LousbergUnlimited.com and sign up for my weekly workplace wisdom message, the Monday Morning Stretch™.
The book is filled with 64 principles, tried and tested throughout history, to help you get from "where you are to where you want to be". You can literally open the book at any point and find something of value. There are quotes, tips, exercises, and inspiration on building confidence, setting goals, setting up support systems, and much much more. All the way from Principle #1, Take 100% Responsibility for your Life to #64, Empower Yourself by Empowering Others, there is truly something for everyone to grab hold of and implement right now.
I rely on this book heavily in my work - when speaking or presenting workshops, it provides great additional value; and when coaching my clients through career transitions, it is a wonderful resource for exercises and tips. Case in point: The Life Purpose Exercise on page 23 is a tremendous way to begin exploring new career direction.
Undoubtedly you've read or heard of many of these principles from other sources, many of which are theoretical, too detailed, or paint a pie-in-the sky picture. This book provides an easy-to-read, easy-to-implement realistic guide on putting 64 powerful tools into your life's toolbox. Get your copy today!
Please post your comments! Let me know if you are interested in more discussion about this book. Visit my website at www.LousbergUnlimited.com and sign up for my weekly workplace wisdom message, the Monday Morning Stretch™.
News on Today's Workplace
In yesterday’s Parade Magazine, the popular Sunday newspaper supplement, they presented their annual report on what people around the country in all lines of work earn. Very interesting figures, statistics and comments from those interviewed. Still a huge disparity between athletes and entertainers, and the rest of us!
There were also some very interesting articles about work. Here’s a brief overview:
Hottest jobs for College Grads: Forensic Accountant, Logistics Manager, Corporate Librarian, Emerging Media Specialist, Physical Therapist, and Information Security
Hottest Jobs (no college degree required): Sales Representatives, Translators, Dental Hygienists, Registered Nurses, Insurance Adjusters, Transportation Workers, Athletic Trainers, Auto Technicians, Legal Secretaries.
Wages: National median weekly income: $671 (Northeast: $736; South: $624; West: $694) Highest median weekly salary: Washington D.C.: $864; Lowest median weekly salary: Mississippi: $564 (You can check your own salary against others at www.salary.com)
Vacation: Americans receive less vacation time (14 days) than other Western countries, yet the typical employee only uses 10 of their days. (French – 39 days; Germans – 27; English – 24; Canadians – 19) Only 37% take less than 7 consecutive days off, and those working more than 50 hours per week is increasing.
And in “Change your career, change your life” by Sharon Male, they ask: “If time and money didn’t matter what would you want to be?” followed by 3 encouraging steps for making a career change: Open your mind; Be prepared; and Get sound advice.
While reading some of their downward trends and somewhat dismal opinions, it’s important to focus on what’s important, which they do also make mention of: “The happiest employees are those who have flexibility and control over how much they work” and “A growing number of Americans are leaving their jobs to pursue their real passions.” If you missed reading this issue, you can find it at www.parade.com.
It all goes back to maintaining perspective and taking control of your own future and career by managing every piece of it – your Time off, Wages, Direction, Growth, Meaning, and Communication skills to ensure you get what you want. It’s never too late. Grab hold and make it the life you’ve dreamed of.
Please post your comments. Visit my website at www.LousbergUnlimited.com and sign up today for weekly workplace wisdom, the Monday Morning Stretch™.
There were also some very interesting articles about work. Here’s a brief overview:
Hottest jobs for College Grads: Forensic Accountant, Logistics Manager, Corporate Librarian, Emerging Media Specialist, Physical Therapist, and Information Security
Hottest Jobs (no college degree required): Sales Representatives, Translators, Dental Hygienists, Registered Nurses, Insurance Adjusters, Transportation Workers, Athletic Trainers, Auto Technicians, Legal Secretaries.
Wages: National median weekly income: $671 (Northeast: $736; South: $624; West: $694) Highest median weekly salary: Washington D.C.: $864; Lowest median weekly salary: Mississippi: $564 (You can check your own salary against others at www.salary.com)
Vacation: Americans receive less vacation time (14 days) than other Western countries, yet the typical employee only uses 10 of their days. (French – 39 days; Germans – 27; English – 24; Canadians – 19) Only 37% take less than 7 consecutive days off, and those working more than 50 hours per week is increasing.
And in “Change your career, change your life” by Sharon Male, they ask: “If time and money didn’t matter what would you want to be?” followed by 3 encouraging steps for making a career change: Open your mind; Be prepared; and Get sound advice.
While reading some of their downward trends and somewhat dismal opinions, it’s important to focus on what’s important, which they do also make mention of: “The happiest employees are those who have flexibility and control over how much they work” and “A growing number of Americans are leaving their jobs to pursue their real passions.” If you missed reading this issue, you can find it at www.parade.com.
It all goes back to maintaining perspective and taking control of your own future and career by managing every piece of it – your Time off, Wages, Direction, Growth, Meaning, and Communication skills to ensure you get what you want. It’s never too late. Grab hold and make it the life you’ve dreamed of.
Please post your comments. Visit my website at www.LousbergUnlimited.com and sign up today for weekly workplace wisdom, the Monday Morning Stretch™.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Living Life on Purpose
The idea of having a specific purpose in life is interesting, yet in the heat of our daily lives, can sound a little unrealistic to even contemplate. Let me share some insight though, on why we all should take time to consider it.
Dr. Barry Heermann, an organizational consultant and creator of the Noble Purpose program says, “When you are connected to your Noble Purpose, you gain a deeper knowledge of yourself and access a wider dimension of your gifts. Alignment of who you are in the world with your unique gifts allows you to make important contributions to others regardless of the scale. You are simultaneously freed and able to experience unbounded joy, vitality and a sense of accomplishment.”
Jack Canfield writes in The Success Principles, “With a purpose, everything in life seems to fall into place. To be “on purpose” means you’re doing what you love to do, doing what you’re good at and accomplishing what’s important to you. When you truly are on purpose, the people, resources, and opportunities you need naturally gravitate toward you. The world benefits too, because when you act in alignment with your true life purpose, all of your actions automatically serve others.”
Theologian David Steindl-Rast asks, “What is it you tend to tackle with spontaneous mindfulness, so that without effort your whole heart is in it?...you find meaning in it – not a meaning you could spell out in words, but meaning in which you can rest.”
Powerful enough reasons! Ask yourself some of these questions this week:
What do I “tend to tackle with spontaneous mindfulness”?
What am I doing when time seems to slip away?
What am I doing, when upon stopping, I say “when can I do that again?”
What tasks do I love to do at work, and how can I do more of them?
One of the first steps in finding fulfillment in your work begins here, with identifying your unique gifts, your strengths, your “Noble Purpose”. Upon that foundation, everything else can be built and you will be living the life you’ve always dreamed of.
It can be done. Start today.
I invite your comments! Please visit www.LousbergUnlimited.com for more information on my career development services, for both individuals and organizations.
Dr. Barry Heermann, an organizational consultant and creator of the Noble Purpose program says, “When you are connected to your Noble Purpose, you gain a deeper knowledge of yourself and access a wider dimension of your gifts. Alignment of who you are in the world with your unique gifts allows you to make important contributions to others regardless of the scale. You are simultaneously freed and able to experience unbounded joy, vitality and a sense of accomplishment.”
Jack Canfield writes in The Success Principles, “With a purpose, everything in life seems to fall into place. To be “on purpose” means you’re doing what you love to do, doing what you’re good at and accomplishing what’s important to you. When you truly are on purpose, the people, resources, and opportunities you need naturally gravitate toward you. The world benefits too, because when you act in alignment with your true life purpose, all of your actions automatically serve others.”
Theologian David Steindl-Rast asks, “What is it you tend to tackle with spontaneous mindfulness, so that without effort your whole heart is in it?...you find meaning in it – not a meaning you could spell out in words, but meaning in which you can rest.”
Powerful enough reasons! Ask yourself some of these questions this week:
What do I “tend to tackle with spontaneous mindfulness”?
What am I doing when time seems to slip away?
What am I doing, when upon stopping, I say “when can I do that again?”
What tasks do I love to do at work, and how can I do more of them?
One of the first steps in finding fulfillment in your work begins here, with identifying your unique gifts, your strengths, your “Noble Purpose”. Upon that foundation, everything else can be built and you will be living the life you’ve always dreamed of.
It can be done. Start today.
I invite your comments! Please visit www.LousbergUnlimited.com for more information on my career development services, for both individuals and organizations.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Focus, Focus
As we all know, it’s difficult to accomplish anything with a scattered, unfocused mind. With things moving at the speed of light around us these days, we have more responsibilities than ever, yet with the same 8 to 10 hours in our work day. This frustration is something we all encounter at various times, so I’m sure you’ve developed your own tricks for staying on task and ignoring distractions. Here are some reminders and common ways to calm and center your mind:
Meditation is an age-old way to develop concentration. The most difficult part of this can be finding the 10 or 20 minutes a day to just sit and clear your mind. Some people begin their day by rising 20 minutes earlier just so they can spend it in quiet mediation, centering themselves in preparation for the busy day ahead. Meditation can be as simple as focusing on your breath or the birds outside your window, letting no other thoughts interfere with your observations. Contemplating a simple quote or affirmation works too.
Exercise is a very popular way to still the busy chatter going on inside your head. Begin your day with a walk, run or a yoga session. Stay present in the moment of stretching and working out your body and let nothing work-related distract you from the pleasure of this activity. Get out during the day and calm yourself with a walk or lunch-time workout.
Remind yourself of your priorities each day. Once you’re clear about what’s important, you can better discipline yourself to find ways to make time for the people and activities most needing your attention. Thirty minutes spent planning the day ahead and setting your intentions is well worth the effectiveness and peacefulness you’ll feel.
Decrease amounts of caffeine and sugar. These things mess with our energy levels and ability to focus. All things in moderation. Enough said!
Turn off email. Nothing distracts me more than seeing new messages pop up in my inbox. Even a quick glance immediately sends me off in another direction and ruins my train of thought. Have certain times of day for checking and responding to new mail.
Ask yourself this question: “What’s important about that for me right now?” A small business expert asked me this recently, after I described my business and activities to her. It caused me to really get focused and down to the core of what truly is important to me. “Why am I doing this?” is another good one. These are great tools when I feel scattered or overwhelmed and off track.
This week, try out a new idea for focusing and taming the power of your incredible mind. Deliberately and consciously creating your work day makes you more focused and productive and relaxed at the same time. I’d love to hear what tips and techniques you’ve developed for staying focused on what matters most and making the most of your work days!
I welcome your comments. Be sure to visit my website at www.LousbergUnlimited.com for more information on my Career Development Services.
Meditation is an age-old way to develop concentration. The most difficult part of this can be finding the 10 or 20 minutes a day to just sit and clear your mind. Some people begin their day by rising 20 minutes earlier just so they can spend it in quiet mediation, centering themselves in preparation for the busy day ahead. Meditation can be as simple as focusing on your breath or the birds outside your window, letting no other thoughts interfere with your observations. Contemplating a simple quote or affirmation works too.
Exercise is a very popular way to still the busy chatter going on inside your head. Begin your day with a walk, run or a yoga session. Stay present in the moment of stretching and working out your body and let nothing work-related distract you from the pleasure of this activity. Get out during the day and calm yourself with a walk or lunch-time workout.
Remind yourself of your priorities each day. Once you’re clear about what’s important, you can better discipline yourself to find ways to make time for the people and activities most needing your attention. Thirty minutes spent planning the day ahead and setting your intentions is well worth the effectiveness and peacefulness you’ll feel.
Decrease amounts of caffeine and sugar. These things mess with our energy levels and ability to focus. All things in moderation. Enough said!
Turn off email. Nothing distracts me more than seeing new messages pop up in my inbox. Even a quick glance immediately sends me off in another direction and ruins my train of thought. Have certain times of day for checking and responding to new mail.
Ask yourself this question: “What’s important about that for me right now?” A small business expert asked me this recently, after I described my business and activities to her. It caused me to really get focused and down to the core of what truly is important to me. “Why am I doing this?” is another good one. These are great tools when I feel scattered or overwhelmed and off track.
This week, try out a new idea for focusing and taming the power of your incredible mind. Deliberately and consciously creating your work day makes you more focused and productive and relaxed at the same time. I’d love to hear what tips and techniques you’ve developed for staying focused on what matters most and making the most of your work days!
I welcome your comments. Be sure to visit my website at www.LousbergUnlimited.com for more information on my Career Development Services.
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