Consider our habits when we play board games. We roll the dice, and let’s say we get a “9.” We then tend to consider our options, try to think through a few rounds ahead, before we take our nine paces. All in the effort to win a fictitious reward. How much more should we do so in the activities of our careers and life?
Begin this week by carefully considering your options and choosing actions that will garner progress.
Roles and positions with granted authority are needed and have utility, but the allure can be misleading. Even authority granted, must be leveled up to earned respect. Further, to truly make an enduring impact, one must shift focus to serving and influencing leaders, creating bonds that live beyond the season of that role.
Daily, we make decisions that run the gamut from the seemingly unimportant to the life-altering. In reality, each time we make a choice, we add an element to our life’s tapestry. Visualize the reflecting principles you want to see in that beautiful fabric and let those guide you.
The focused pursuit of a goal is a good thing. However, zooming out periodically allows you to check progress, assess new information, survey the evolving landscape, and assimilate. With that, you can determine what, if anything, you need to do differently as you re-engage in the pursuit.
Purpose, goals, and even clear priorities alone won’t move the mountains in front of you. Those are the aiming mechanisms. The action that follows creates progress.
Build quality relationships with people whom you have something in common. “Something in common” doesn’t mean you will agree on everything, nor should you. It is the exchange of ideas and the element of “iron sharpens iron” that proves out the quality of the relationship. [Read more…]
As we enter the second full week of July, midway through the year, you may not be ready to even think about having your mid-your performance appraisal nor writing a self-assessment.
However, try to reframe this as telling your story. As a fan of keeping things simple, here are five steps (FAVOR) to help you prepare. [Read more…]
Have you ever found yourself in a business meeting or sales transaction, negotiating from a defensive posture? Where you feel consumed with what you stand to lose, and your actions are focused on protecting and minimalizing that loss?
It is difficult to create solutions from that posture as you are not standing in your power when consumed with those thoughts.
Work towards a shift that starts with knowing there will be change, but you [as a person] will not be reduced by it. Continue with a primary focus on growing something better together, finding the common ground, the common goals and the collective win.
A great collective win means you win. A bigger pie means bigger slices!
Last weekend I accidentally began watching “Alone,” a survival series on the History channel. The plot is simple. Ten contestants are dropped off on an island, must live off the land, and be the last person standing to win. They must build shelter, find food, manage through the elements, deal with the wildlife, etc. [Read more…]
You have something that others need … a gift, a talent, a skill, a treasure, etc. There is no need to ask if you can be of use. The only questions that remain are when and where do you want to be of use.
Put first things first (be purposeful), set aligned goals, prioritize actions, and execute.
Be present. Care for yourself and others.
Stubbornness gets doggedly locked into an attitude or position (the how).
Stay determined to reach your goals and be measured on “how” you get there.