It’s Ok To Be Behind - Make A Point To Catch Up

If you are reading this in real time, you, like the rest of the world know, that last night was the Super Bowl.  Seeing as our family is not a big sports family, the games leading up to the big game typically are not part of our normal viewing repertoire, but as a family we typically make a point to watch the Super Bowl, if only for the commercials.

This year we were invited to some friends house along with another couple, and we along with the kids watched the game running commentary on not just the game, but the commercials as well.    

Although there are many who will attempt to analyze the game failing to recognize the high level of skill and talent the players, coaches and other staff have in reaching that level of success, I thought it important to focus on what I think is a takeaway we all can learn from and challenge ourselves with.

At halftime, both teams left the field with one leading the other on the scoreboard.  Based on first half play, it was obvious the losing team was struggling to get their game sorted out as the other team dominated.  

Obviously I, along with all of you, where not in the locker rooms during halftime, but I am pretty confident the following two conversations took place.  For the team leading at the half, the discussion centered around keeping up what was being done, and not let your guard down and become overconfident in what had already occurred.

For me, the conversation that took place in the other locker room though it what I want to focus on for a minute here.  No one wants to be losing, certainly not in the biggest game of the year.  But here is a fact, it is not uncommon to find yourself in a situation, be it at work, life, or with family, where you feel like you are behind and others are winning where you struggle.

May I ask you a question?  

What did you do at those times to make corrections to your plan so that you eventually came out ahead?

Within the context of sports, the coach on the team behind at the half most likely spoke to the team suggesting that each player reflect on the actions, plays, and movements made during the prior half, and seek ways to change their own response so that their individual play could effect positive change on the team as a whole.

We all know the team leading at the half did not exit the locker room intending to lose, their goal was to keep hold of and maintain the strides already made and add to it.  Life has a funny way of moving the expected outcome and surprising everyone though.  

Coming from behind and winning at that which you have set out to do is always great thing.  Sometimes being behind is enough of a motivator to help you pull ahead.  

This week, the challenge is simple.  Identify an area of your life that you feel like you are not currently winning at, and start laying out some plans to change that outcome.  Here is what I know for sure.  Just like the team that was behind at the half, they emerged from the locker room with a plan to win.  While I know you won’t always win at everything, when you choose to tackle that item you will make strides that has you coming out ahead in the end, even if you do not ultimately win.  Speaking from experience, I know that those strides will impact your life for the positive and make you, a better you.

So go ahead, the pep talk is over, halftime has concluded.  Get back out there on the field and start your journey to win.

*****

Personal Success Coach is pleased to offer coaching packages starting at $299 per month.  Each session is intentional and deliberately designed with you in mind to address the issues important to you taking you from where you are in life to where you want to be.

Don't Manage - Lead

Allow me to poise a question I think deserves answering.  Have you ever been around, or perhaps worked with or for someone who by job title may be a manager, but in action is in reality both a terrible manager, and certainly not a leader?  

This is an interesting topic for me, if you, like me, enjoy watching The Office on Netflix, you probably shake your head quite a bit at the antics of Micheal Scott.  As regional manager, he has certainly embraced the idea of authority, and yet within the scope of his world, he lacks any semblance of leadership quality.  I think what makes that show so engaging is the fact that despite how many times I have seen an episode, it is not uncommon to see something new that I have missed on previous viewings.

Arguing that art imitates life, might I suggest we have all known a Michael Scott within the circle we live, and might I also suggest the outcome is pretty much the same each and every time.  

Here is the thing we all know, there is a fundamental difference between a manger and a leader.

Taking that idea a step further, a leader typically makes a great manager, but a manager does not always equal a great leader.  

This past week I witnessed first hand some really bad leadership.  I cannot get into too many specifics because the person I witnessed is a frequent reader of mine, and it is never my intent to publicly call out someone, but what I can tell you is what I saw in and of itself could potentially make up an entire season of The Office.  

Managers manage, in theory.  Seems self-explanatory, heck, the word manage makes up over 90% of the word manager.  And yet, it comes as no surprise to anyone that there are some truly awful managers who have no business being in that role.  Some may be promoted, some may be in the role simply because they own the company they manager.  Some may have been born into it, nepotism is that description.  

After observing this train wreck last week, I am more determined than ever to never be a manager again, instead focusing on being a leader.  A leader is someone who inspires.  A leader is someone who can paint a picture of what could be, and have those who are part of the journey buy-in fully to accomplish the vision.  A leader is someone who can take a team and achieve the impossible.

Consider this.  A soldier is led into combat, not managed into combat.  

This week the challenge is simple.  If you are currently in a role that requires you to manage or lead people.  Be intentional about leading versus managing.  If you are currently in a role that finds you managing more than leading, might I suggest you change your management style and adopt a leadership focused approach.

History tells us that great leaders are remembered and learned from.  History does not tell too many stories about managers.

I do not know about you, but I choose to lead, not manage.  This week, I hope you choose to do the same.

*****

Personal Success Coach is pleased to offer coaching packages starting at $299 per month.  Each session is intentional and deliberately designed with you in mind to address the issues important to you taking you from where you are in life to where you want to be.

Coloring Outside The Lines

Have you ever heard someone tell you that they like to color outside the lines?  It is an interesting word picture, and personally speaking as someone who always hated coloring in general, staying within the lines always seemed boring to me.  Of course, as an adult, I spend no time coloring, but in recent years there has been a renaissance of sorts with multiple adult coloring markets coming to market to rekindle that creative spark of a child past.

During the past few weeks I have heard several different people use the line, ‘color outside the lines’, and although each time I heard it the context had some similarities, the reasons given for, ‘coloring outside the lines’ was drastically different, but challenging.

What does it mean to color outside the lines?  In the simplest sense, it is a cliched way to suggest either breaking the rules, or expressing creativity, or being non-conforming in a particular area of life.  In the grand scheme of things, I really do not think any of those things are bad in and of themselves, but I also think that a value can emerge if the action is done effectively and with intention.

Some of my biggest breakthroughs have come as a result of challenging a convention or prior protocol.  The phrase, we do it that way because that is how we have always done it, in my opinion, is toxic both to the individual as well as the organization.  It is within those times that finding a new way to do things is not only needed, but necessary.  

Granted, it does not always have to be ground shaking change, but having the tenacity to suggest new methods to the process not only invites innovation, often times it will serve as a catalyst for change with others as well.

I remember years ago Hewlett-Packard ran a series of commercials that ended with the tagline, “What if?”  The idea is so simple, and yet so profound, that even to this day, the notion resonates with me and serves as a de facto question within multiple roles that I find myself in.

What if we can do things differently?

What if we try that process another way?

What if we identify ways to make things more efficient?

The “what if” question lends itself to so many different areas of life, but more than that, in asking the question you yourself start to color outside the lines.  Offering up a challenge that leads to positive change is always a good thing, and often times that change will impact the lives of those who fall under the changes made.

I don’t know about you, but I see that as a good thing.  Perhaps coloring outside the lines serves a purpose other than being a fancy catch phrase tossed around when bantering with others in the office.

Regardless of what you call it, creating opportunities for change is something I am always on the lookout for.  The challenge this week is to find ways to effect change within your sphere of influence.  Maybe someday others will refer to you as a person who colors outside the lines.

*****

Personal Success Coach is pleased to offer coaching packages starting at $299 per month.  Each session is intentional and deliberately designed with you in mind to address the issues important to you taking you from where you are in life to where you want to be.

Have The Best Day

Maybe it is because I was afforded an opportunity to take a few days off simply to relax and recharge, that I now find myself with a new sense of urgency and desire to accomplish even greater things than I thought possible.  Rest has a peculiar way of offering that to those who choose to adopt the model, and although finding the time to truly rest and recharge gets harder and harder the busier one gets, being intentional about finding that time pays dividends in all aspects of life.

One of the big takeaways I discovered during my down time, was the idea of tackling everyday and truly making it a ‘best day’.  The idea is not my own, rather a pull quote from an interview of someone on some channel I happened to have landed on during the aforementioned rest period.  I really liked the way it was presented however, and immediately knew it was something that needed to be shared with you.

Years ago, long before kids, my wife and I resided in California.  At the time, we attended a church that was experiencing a season of growth and change as it merged with another church, and with that merge, systems, procedures, staff, and all the other logistical items that go into a merger was on full display for the congregation to view as the process initiated and ultimately completed.

The new pastor who took over during that change would routinely discuss his morning habits, offering insight in to how his day-to-day was began.  He told those who would listen, that his day began in prayer, certainly not a bad start to anyones day, and certainly something that if you are not doing, I would encourage you to start at once.  But more than that, he stated that as part of that daily process, he would recite the following, “This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice, and be glad in it.”  Of course, for those of you who have been in the church environment for more than a few minutes, might recognize that as a Psalm, Psalm 118:24 to be exact.

I love that messaging though, it is extremely powerful, and a springboard that can be used to set up a truly ‘best day’ experience.  The strength of the statement comes from, first and foremost, acknowledging that we, you, me, had nothing to do with the fact that we are fortunate enough to wake up and get to live life for another day.  It addresses the fact that God, and God alone made that decision.

Taking that idea a step further, once we recognize that we had nothing to do with getting to have another day, the proclamation states that, “I will rejoice, I will be glad in it.”  Hey, you woke up, you get another chance, be happy about it, embrace it, own it, make it the best day you can possible make it.

Here is what I know.  No matter how bad yesterday was, today is a day that can be better than the last.  Think about that for a minute.  No matter what terrible thing may have occurred, no matter what bad circumstance you may have found yourself in, no matter what hurdle you may have thought was standing in the way - today is new, and you are afforded the opportunity to tackle it afresh and anew.  

I do not know about you, but for me that is some pretty powerful stuff that should not be taken lightly.  In fact, if that does not give you hope and encouragement, perhaps there is something wrong with you.  

Perhaps you are on the flip side of that equation, fortunate to not currently facing any monumental challenges, life is good right now.  First off, great.  I celebrate life with you and am pleased that you currently find yourself in a good place and enjoying what is going on within your life.  Stop, give thanks, rejoice in the fact that you get another chance at creating a ‘best day’.  

Being intentional about creating opportunity for each and everyday to be lived as a ‘best day’ positions you to not only enhance your own life, but the lives of those around you within your sphere of influence.  In other words, tackling life in this manner has exponential effects on others, and your desire to make each day a ‘best day’ spills over into the lives of others creating a better world for all.

So here is the challenge this week and beyond.  Make each day a best day.  It sounds simple, and truth be told, it really is, but if it seems hard or impossible given the life events you currently find yourself a part of, take a minutes and simply repeat the Psalm my pastor in California recites everyday.

“This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice, and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

Knowing that the words you speak have power, I promise you in speaking those words you will truly begin the process of making everyday you are fortunate enough to have left a best day that you and those around you will enjoy.

*****

Personal Success Coach is pleased to offer coaching packages starting at $299 per month.  Each session is intentional and deliberately designed with you in mind to address the issues important to you taking you from where you are in life to where you want to be.

You Give To Get

Merry Christmas.  This time of year is always so special, and although this season certainly has seemed rush given the short time in between Thanksgiving and now, it is always a joyous time, and sadly before you know it, it will be over and life, well at least normal life, returns.

I want to take a few minutes today to throw an idea at you.  If you missed it in the title, let me revisit an idea with you here.  You give, to get.  

Now, I know what you are thinking, giving should be unconditional, pure of motive, and strictly for the purpose of enriching another’s life.  Giving should be done expecting nothing in return, absent condition, and I agree with you 100%.

But there is a funny thing I learned a long time ago about giving, when you give, you get.  

For the purpose of our discussion today, I want to ignore physical gifts instead focusing on an item I consider to be the most valuable commodity you and I have, our time.

When you give of your time and talent in helping those around you, that investment comes back to you in droves.  There is something so fulfilling about that act of giving of yourself, I am constantly amazed how how large a return of investment those acts yield.

And the reality, when you choose to give of your time and talent, you typically do not do it seeking something in return, but the fact is, when you give, you are the one who almost always gains the bigger benefit.

The challenge is really simple this Christmas season, you are going to give something to someone, it is inevitable - why not package your gift with an investment of you - choosing to speak into other people lives to make their life, and yours better.

Sound simple enough?

I think it does.  

And if you have not yet found a place to invest your time and talent, I challenge you to make it a New Years Resolution.  Commit to finding something that you commit to, to enrich the lives of your community and the world you reside in.

Trust me on this one, next year this time you will reflect back on the massive ROI you saw for the time you willingly gave.  

And to me, that isn’t a half bad Christmas present to gift yourself.

Merry Christmas.

*****

Personal Success Coach is pleased to offer coaching packages starting at $299 per month.  Each session is intentional and deliberately designed with you in mind to address the issues important to you taking you from where you are in life to where you want to be.

Success Is More Fun Shared

Have you ever made it to the top?  Perhaps you are not sure of what I am referring to.  Have you ever made it to the top, the pinnacle of success, the peak of perhaps a career, or a life long accomplishment.  Those are the sort of ‘tops’ I am referring to.  So let me pose the question again, have you ever made it there?

Humor me, and allow me to ask another question.  When you got to the top, did you feel alone or were you surrounded by those who helped achieve that success that you now celebrate?

For me, it is a timely topic.  I recently had the opportunity to be a part of celebrating a friends success.  I, along with hundreds of other people all played a small role in their success, but in seeing them achieve that goal I can’t help but be proud to have been allowed to be a part of the process.

Success is awesome, and it is something we all seek.  Success alone however is hollow and lacks the substance that success shared with others brings.  The fact is, very rarely will a person achieve success all by themselves.  It is inevitable that many people played roles that allowed you to accomplish the things you want to accomplish.

I for one have been on both sides of that equation.  I have been fortunate to celebrate success with those who helped me achieve my goals, but likewise I have been involved as others sought the success desired for their life.

The amazing thing is both circumstances offer such fulfillment in life.  As I left the event that celebrated my friends success, I was honestly filled with pride and a true sense of accomplishment knowing that my bit role was important to the much larger picture.

Inversely, reflecting back I know that my successes in life would not have come were it not for the sacrifice and support of others invested in me and the vision outlined.  

As humans, we were not designed to do life alone.  Life is much better in community, and success simply comes as a byproduct of that community.  Are you connected in community?  Perhaps the better question might be, are you connected in community and working towards a common goal that will see you or others achieve success?

The challenge is really quite simple.  If you are the one seeking success in an area of life, embrace those that are there to support you.  And when you accomplish that item, recognize those that helped and share your joy with them.

Likewise, if you are part of someone else’s journey, embrace that time and put your all into it.  Be the person they need you to be, and do not be afraid to celebrate with them when they accomplish the item set out to be conquered.

I promise you, when you tackle life in that manner, life will reward you and truly make your life lived fuller and more complete.  And in the end, that helps to define success, no matter where you are at in your life right now.

*****

Personal Success Coach is pleased to offer coaching packages starting at $299 per month.  Each session is intentional and deliberately designed with you in mind to address the issues important to you taking you from where you are in life to where you want to be.

Preparation Is Kay

May I ask you a question?  How much time have you spent since this week planning for Christmas?  Please do not just answer without considering your answer, take a moment to reflect back to how much time you have actually spent planning for the upcoming holiday.

I get it, the holidays are a big deal, and require a lot of planning.  You are not alone, in our own house plans are being made, decorations being hung.  Consideration is being given as to who gifts will be given, and what those gifts will be.  Truth be told, as of this morning, my wife and I have not purchased a single item yet - for anyone!

I raise this question for a very specific reason.  I would like for you to stop and think for a moment how much time you will spend planning and preparing for Christmas, and then ask yourself if you are investing at least that amount of time and energy into planning for the upcoming new year.

At this moment in time I am either hearing crickets or conversation.  I have some friends that have not done any planning for Christmas, and yet when the topic of their life plan for the upcoming year, they will go on for hours talking about all the things they want to accomplish.

Let me be clear, I am in no way, shape, or form, suggesting that a well laid plan that includes the perfect present for that special someone is not important - but might I suggest a well laid plan for the next chapter of your life is of more significance and importance.

I spoke to a potential client several weeks ago, it was a cold contact that came as a result of a referral service I subscribe to.  During the conversation, the gentleman told me how screwed up his life was, how he lacked direction, and how he didn’t know what he wanted out of life.  

It only took a few minutes of this for me to recognize that for this individual, absent a plan his life would continue to track on the path it has thus far within his journey.  

Absent a plan, it is impossible to live life with intention and accomplish the things you want to accomplish within your life.  And just like the effort expended on making sure the holidays are perfect for those you love in your life, effort expended on creating a plan and sticking to pays enormous dividends for you and the ones you love.

The challenge is simple this week.  In between work, and family and all the other things that consume your time, spend a few minutes jotting down some ideas that you can formulate into a plan that allows you to not only end 2019 strong, but kick off 2020 with the momentum you need to own it and make your life the life you want it to be.

I promise you, the effort you spend making that plan will always pay bigger dividends than the time spent planning for the holidays.  Make today the day you get intentional about your life and its direction.

*****

Personal Success Coach is pleased to offer coaching packages starting at $299 per month.  Each session is intentional and deliberately designed with you in mind to address the issues important to you taking you from where you are in life to where you want to be.

Everyone Is A Success At Something

Let’s face it, we all know the person in our lives who is in a constant state of chaos.  Every time you encounter them, it is only a matter of minutes before the drama starts.  The complete rundown of everything going wrong, and the list of those who wronged them.  The never ending pity party of failure and distress.

You know the person(s) in your life, I know the people who fit that bill in my life.  Truth be told, I try to avoid them like the plague.  I cringe when I see their name popup on my caller ID, I squirm when meeting them in public.  To add a little bit of humor too in person meetings, I will go out of my way to excuse myself leaving my wife or others there to listen while I move on to other things.

I just do not have time to listen as they regurgitate their life issues, over and over and over again.  It grows old, we all grow weary, and if we are truly honest, often times we probably ponder the age old question, why won’t they make a change.

Here though, lies the most unfortunate truth with those people.

THEY ARE SUCCEEDING IN LIFE!

You heard me, they are truly a success in life.  They have succeeded at choosing to lead a life that has something or someone to blame for the current predicament they are in.  And within that context hides the lesson I think we all can embrace and apply to our own lives.

You (and I) will succeed at something in life.  We may succeed by being successful, we may succeed by failing.  But guess what, either way, success has occurred.

I know some awfully successful failures.  No, I am not talking about those who have failed, picked themselves up and tried again achieving the success they were seeking.  

Nope, the kind of success I am referring to is the person who constantly is in a state of failure in their lives.  Technically speaking, they have succeeded at what they set out to do.  If success is consistently doing things right to achieve an outcome - then failing all the time at everything tried is a success in and of itself.

Imagine living life being known as successful for failing.  

And yet, we all know people who fall under this definition.  People who allow life, or the events of their life, to dictate the path their life follows.  People who use those events as the catalyst to not effect change, thereby failing in whatever they try.

Around my house, the word ‘can’t’ is equivalent to a cuss word.  It is a word that I find so self-destructive as it contains within it a self-fulfilling prophecy.  I tell my kids all the time, “when you say you can’t do something, you will succeed at that statement.”  I can’t is the opposite of I can, and I can is the springboard that successful people use to make their lives one that effects change in those around them, and in some cases, the world around them.

Circling back to the opening salvo this week, in identifying those you know who live their life in a constant state of excuse thereby creating an environment that they continually succeed at failing, let me ask you if that is the way you want to live life?  

My guess would be, “No,” I for one know that I may not always succeed at that which I try, but the success comes from trying, learning, and applying to future endeavors.

This week be intentional about surrounding yourself with people, who like you, choose to succeed in life.  Be open and receptive to not only sharing your secrets to success, but listening as they shares theirs with you.

Anyone can makes excuses, choose instead to make successes.

*****

Personal Success Coach is pleased to offer coaching packages starting at $299 per month.  Each session is intentional and deliberately designed with you in mind to address the issues important to you taking you from where you are in life to where you want to be.