Blog is Changing

Many thanks to all of the readers of this blog.  Your interest and support has been greatly appreciated!

Effective September 27, 2012 I will be posting to a new blog.

Here is the link:
www.dennisegilbert.com/blog

So the author will be the same, but the look, feel, and name has changed.  This blog (Appreciative Strategies) will remain live for now.

Please join me at the new blog site! (Subscribe when you are there!)

Dennis

Shortcuts and Quick Fixes

It often seems that everyone is looking for a shortcut or a quick fix. Your future success probably will not come to fruition through a shortcut or a quick fix. That is the bad news.

Here is the good news. Having an appropriate focus can help you achieve the next step on your path. You can develop a better focus through three simple steps:

1. What has been successful for you up to this point? Do more of that!
2. What haven’t you tried because it feels too risky? Explore more of that!
3. Use these two questions to hone your focus and stay the course, be persistent!

Typically there are no shortcuts or quick fixes. Persistence will get you through the next step and beyond!

 

- DEG

Excuses or Results?

The brutal truth is that not everyone is cut out to obtain the success that they dream about. In some cases they may have unrealistic expectations and in other cases they just don’t remain focused and committed to their dream. Setbacks are commonplace and may require adjustments in the plan but success still can be achieved.

On your path to success results are what matter the most. Assessing the past is important, but often people drift into the blame game or make excuses for their shortcomings as they consider past experiences. You should only carry forward the lessons that you learned and not dwell on uncomfortable or embarrassing past performance.

Three critical factors separate those with excuses from those with results:

1. visualization
2. patience
3. persistence

Are you on the path and committed to achieving your success?

Are you making excuses or getting results?

- DEG

Persistence or Luck?

Luck may be an opportunity, an opportunity that is seized and something wonderful results, or it may be an opportunity wasted that dwindles away and is never recognized for the possibilities that existed. Worse yet, it may result in something unfavorable and become labeled as bad luck.

Persistence is what makes the difference for most people during their “luck” encounters. Those who discover an opportunity unfolding and make a commitment to the pursuit of that opportunity often may find others labeling their success as luck.

Some argue that they never have any luck. Others argue that we all have about the same amount of luck, but it is what we do with those opportunities that make the difference. Not everyone will win the lottery, not everyone will get the same opportunities, but it seems that those who are the most unlucky are those who are committed to nothing.

Be persistent in your pursuit, stick with it, push hard, be committed, and most of all – give luck a chance!

- DEG

Visualize to Thrive!

Olympic athletes do it, professional football players do it, golfers do it, and you can do it too!

Imagine yourself thriving in your success! Whether it is finishing school and getting that first “real” job, starting a family, or earning a sizable paycheck, if you visualize yourself in that successful place and are persistent you can get there.

Time and time again I hear stories and relate to my own personal experiences where visualization has been one of the factors that contributed to a successful performance. Many factors will contribute to your success and part of the commitment and persistence comes through visualization. Picture yourself with the improved time, walking in the door to start your new job, or shaking the hand of your boss as you receive acknowledgment for a job well done!

Visualize your end result, be persistent in your pursuit – success is in your future!

 

- DEG

Believing Matters

Someone recently asked me: “What is the single biggest thing that makes a difference between those that achieve the success that they desire when compared to those who do not?”

Two significant thoughts immediately came to my mind. One is persistence; most do not obtain the level of success that they seek easily. It takes great effort and the ability to endure hardship while also overcoming adverse conditions.

The other is belief. Belief that you belong and that you are worthy and deserving of the level of success you desire.

Are you prepared to be persistent? Do you believe?

- DEG

Balancing Commitments and Delivery

Assertive employees often raise their hand for new assignments, additional workload, and the opportunity to show their worth. They seek new challenges and expect to deliver; they picture themselves holding up the end result like a trophy and everyone congratulating them for a job well done. This sometimes happens and they become fast-trackers, moving onward and upward faster than anyone could imagine.

What about the others?

Others are sometimes assertive on the front side, they crave opportunities, they willingly offer to take on new tasks and assignments, but the bad news is, they seldom deliver. Perhaps it is over commitment, or a very limited span of attention. Perhaps it is their need for the feeling of belonging, of being visible, or being valued by the group. Sadly their promises often fall short of expectations and the people, teams, and even the entire organization feel let down and dissatisfied.

If this is you, an overcommitted and stressed out employee armed with good intentions but lacking the time and resources to deliver, there is good news. Control your urge to over commit by realizing that it isn’t what you volunteer for that counts, it is what you deliver. Find the balance between commitments and your ability to deliver.

The fast-tracker already figured this out!

 

- DEG

Persistent – Going Beyond Average

We know about averages because we have high performers and low performers. Somewhere near the middle of those two extremes we have the average performers.

People often talk about what could have been, what they knew would work but they never tried, and what they tried but because luck was against them it didn’t work. Let’s face it, not everything will work on the first try, and some things that we try may never work; but successful people are persistent.

Persistence often makes the difference between those that achieve something great and those that settle for mediocrity. While some people may be very happy with being average, many are looking at the top achievers and feeling envy. Those who are average but want to be more are often limited by their focus. Their focus is on being average, not achieving greatness.

If you are an average performer who wants more, stop just doing enough to get by. Being on top doesn’t come easily; persistence and focus make the difference between high achievers and average performers.

Look around – are you average? What are you doing about it?

-DEG

What You Expect

Do you get what you expect? Sometimes we get exactly what we expect.

Consider the outcomes for persons who may make one of the following statements:

• I just want to pass the test.
• I don’t care what I do as long as I have a job.
• I can’t lose any weight.

Certainly not everyone wants to, or will be, the top performer in any particular situation, but those who strive for more often get more. Their expectations are supported by their efforts, they achieve more or reach a higher standard because they expect more. It is easy to say we want more, or wish we had done better, but often our own expectations guide the level of result that we achieve.

Another look:

• If I complete all the assigned work and study hard I will get an “A” on the test.
• If I learn more, work hard, and gain additional experience I will advance to a higher position at work.
• If I exercise more and avoid my cravings for apple pie I will lose at least 3 pounds this month.

Our expectations condition the outcomes. Positive and results driven thoughts are what make the difference between those who dream of more, and those who achieve more.

Are you getting what you expect?

 

- DEG

No Money

Success may sometimes be associated with a collection of money or material objects. Some may believe that the definition of success is wealth, measured by financial resources. This may be true for some, but many people measure success in a much different way. It may be having a family, a modest home, and the ability to earn an honest living. Still others may be striving for personal improvements such as obtaining a college degree, participating in various sports related activities, or making a career shift.

While there may be many factors associated with finding your success the following four I believe are most relevant:

1. Inspiration
2. Motivation
3. Commitment
4. Persistence

You can summarize these four factors with one word – passion. Money is important, but my belief is that no amount of money can replace true passion.

What is your passion?

- DEG

Get Moving!

Have you ever tripped, stumbled, or worse – hit the ground?  During the past three weeks I witnessed three different people in three completely different places – hit the ground. There was a little bit of pain, a little bit of embarrassment, but all three immediately were on their way again. Seeing these three separate events seemed very odd to me, but it made me think of an analogy that we may encounter in our lives or careers.

Things don’t always go as we may expect, but if we stumble, if we trip, if we fall we should get back up and continue our pursuit. Many people are dreaming of their success, and while success is different for everyone, we have at least one thing in common – the pursuit. During our pursuit we need to remain focused. When something unexpected happens we need to quickly check for damage, get up, brush off the dirt, and start moving again.

Have you stumbled? Get moving again!

- DEG

Your Frame – Your Future

We frame pictures. This limits and draws our attention to focus on what is inside that frame. Logically this makes sense, it is what we are trying to achieve. Framing our future is critical for our focus and ultimately for our success. The bad news is that if the frame that we place around our future is too small, we will never discover or accomplish the highest level of success.

Here is the good news – we control the size of our frame. Successful people in business, top performing athletes, and even rock stars never allow their frame to be too narrow. When their current picture is nearing capacity of the frame, they reach for more, they expand the frame. Many top performers develop the attitude that they are most comfortable when they are expanding the frame and feel discomfort when they are operating in the status quo.

Is the size of your frame fluid? Does it flow and expand, or do you get delayed (achieve less) with finding comfort in the status quo? 

Expect to be Tested

Learning new behaviors or replacing bad habits with good isn’t necessarily that difficult. Making them stick sometimes can be.

Depending on your tolerance for relapse or your level of confidence sometimes small setbacks can feel like change failure. Nearly everyone exploring something new or reaching for higher levels of achievement will face unexpected setbacks.

The good news is that just like reaching for more you can also condition your response to the unexpected. Expect the unexpected. Expect to face some relapse or setbacks. Expect to be tested. When you expect to face challenges and you are prepared to push through them suddenly it seems to feel like part of your fate, your destiny.  These “tests” prepare you for the next phase of your journey.

Will you pass the test?

When Wishing Isn’t Enough

People sometimes wish, spiritual people sometimes pray, but successful people will find their path regardless of the obstacle. There is nothing wrong with extending a good wish, nothing wrong with prayer, but at the same time there are often forces that are both unknown and uncontrollable that leads you to a different outcome.

Most likely you will not find success in the status quo. There are no secret formulas and no magic potions. When the path develops into something unexpected successful people may wish, and they may pray, but they will definitely face the obstacles head on, take risks, and make the best possible choices.

When your path takes an unexpected turn – what will you do?

 

- DEG

Discipline Delivers

Achieving success requires discipline. People often start off great, they are dedicated, enthusiastic and goal oriented. Along the way things sometimes start to change, they get off track, accomplishments fail to reach expectations, they become discouraged and even the smallest success starts to wane and ultimately they give up.

Here is the good news, you can discover more discipline and persevere through five simple steps:

1. Recognize and accept the gap between where you are now and where you want to be
2. Assess the steps required to close the gap
3. Visualize accomplishing each step
4. Evaluate progress by measuring accomplishments not short comings
5. Be flexible in your approach – make changes as necessary to keep moving forward

Desire to achieve the goal is critical for discipline. If you want something you have to reach for it, often pushing beyond your comfort zone in order to achieve it.

Success is knocking at your door, it arrives via delivery, the driver is discipline.

 

- DEG

Discovering Worth

Do you want a pay raise, job promotion, or better personal (or professional) relationships? How do you know if you are worth it?

Discovering worth is not that difficult, the real challenge exists in the risk. You will never achieve the success you are seeking without risk. Play it safe or stick with the status quo and nothing will change.

You can discover your worth through three easy steps:

1. Honestly assess your goals. Your goals should be a stretch but realistic, they should represent the gap between your current worth and where you (realistically) see yourself in the future.
2. Seek and LISTEN to feedback (coaching) from people you trust and respect.
3. Recognize that every opportunity doesn’t mean it is “the” opportunity. Practice patience.

Overstating or understating your worth, dishonesty about who you are, and unrealistic expectations are often a problem. Stretching is good, but fraudulent representations by you, about you, or by someone else on your behalf will likely result in disaster. Properly managed your worth will continue to grow.

Remember you are worth it!

 

- DEG

Values That Fit!

Goals and values represent foundational elements for your success. Here is the question you should be asking yourself, “Do my values fit within the framework of the path necessary to achieve my goals?”

Non-profits or for-profits, social work or investment banking, traditional construction or building green, harvesting trees or growing them, many people could make arguments for either side. What are your values? Do they align with your path for success?

Success and abundance are not always measured through money. Many experts believe that your passion is the foundation for your success. Values that don’t align or fit within the framework of your goals will cause confusion. Confusion causes hesitation, and hesitation may create fear. Fear is one of the roadblocks in the way of your success.

What are your values? Do they fit within the framework of your current path?

 

- DEG

Stay Focused

Unexpected things happen. Circumstances and situations may sometimes anger us. Staying focused is the key to achieving your success.

When we replay thoughts from past negative experiences or are preoccupied with finding evidence to support negativity we tend to find what we are looking for – negativity. In this scenario our view shifts from seeking the positive to discovering reinforcement for new negative experiences.

The good news is that you can control what you see through your lens. If you stay focused by looking for positive situations and outcomes you can find them. You can resist anger and irritation and replace any negative thoughts with positive thoughts that support forward motion on your path to achieving your goals.

Take control of your state of mind – stay focused. 

What do you see?

 

- DEG

Finger Licking Good? No BAD!

On a recent visit to the grocery store I noticed something terrible. It made me think about big mistakes we may be making that we don’t even realize we are doing.

While shopping I noticed a lady selecting raw packaged meat from the refrigerated section and placing the packaged meat into the sanitary bags that are provided in that section. My understanding is that those additional bags are to help prevent the spread of nasty germs (bacteria, virus) from raw meat. What’s the problem here?  She was touching the packages, grabbing the sanitary bags and separating them by first licking her fingers. Nice.

Rolling this into our lives or careers, we should ask for feedback on performance. Recognize that you may not always like what you hear but take a risk and get some feedback. Even hard working, good upstanding employees are sometimes oblivious to critical errors.

Don’t give a lick discover how to do the trick! 

- DEG

Create Opportunities

“The early bird gets the worm.”

Many of us have heard this and some of us have shared this as an analogy, but how many of us are looking for more opportunities? Many people are looking for more opportunities; opportunities for sales, financial freedom, or for new levels of personal or professional success.

Based on news reports and evidence based analysis many would likely agree that the world economy is shifting. This isn’t the bad news, it is the good news. A shifting economy creates change, change creates more opportunities.

Do you want more good news? Opportunities are created when we are persistent in our efforts and work both smart and hard. Simply put, being persistent and engaged in our pursuit of continued success creates more exposure for our desired outcomes. More exposure creates more opportunities.

Do you want more opportunities? Create them!

 

- DEG

Confidence Required

This may seem very apparent but have you ever noticed that successful people have higher levels of self-confidence? In many cases they may analyze choices, options, and strategy in a completely obsessive manner but regardless they still have confidence.

Is this a chicken and the egg scenario? Which comes first?

Self-confidence is typically considered to be made up of two primary factors, self-efficacy and self-esteem. Lower levels of one or both factors will result in a lower level of confidence. Here is the good news – both factors can be developed. You are not born with a fixed or predetermined level of self-confidence.

Do you want to improve your self-confidence? Here are two easy ways to get you on the right track:

1. Visualize your future, plan, prepare, be realistic and think about small wins on your way to your goal
2. Defeat negative self-talk, promise yourself you are committed to your success, surround yourself with positive people and thoughts

Successful people are confident. They have healthy amounts of both self-efficacy and self-esteem. They are balanced.

Do you have the confidence required?

Don’t think it - know it, get it, grow it!

 

- DEG

Growing from Stress

So much has already been written on the subject of how to reduce stress, have you considered what are the positive benefits (if any) of working through very stressful situations. I argue that there is a positive benefit, and the positive benefit is that you learn and grow from extreme stress.

 

Extreme stress allows you to discover what you are capable of, what really makes you tick, and how to better manage stress in the future. Here are a few examples of situations that may push you to achieve new growth:

1. College students, especially those maintaining both jobs and academic studies
2. Goal or quota expectations that are a stretch, but you find a way to make it happen
3. Unexpected change and adverse conditions that temporarily set you back
4. Managing work, life, and raising children, especially in single parent situations
5. Combinations of any of the items (1 - 4) listed above

Rather than being overcome by extreme stress, discover ways to push through it, learn from it and grow. Short term you may be out of balance with work and life commitments, but recognize that your decisions and choices can and will make a difference in the future.

Learn something about who you are, don’t eat crow – make a plan and GROW!

 

- DEG

Move Fast!

Our economy is shifting, like it or not things are changing. Arguments continue about the state of the economy in the United States but one factor that appears consistent is that successful businesses and people are changing.

 

I work with business that are doing great, and those who are not doing so great. My informal survey of this sample suggests that those who are doing great are moving fast. They are capitalizing on what works and abandoning what doesn’t. They are planning and calculated, not irresponsible. They are committed to not being satisfied with the status quo.

It seems that successful endeavors, and the people who manage, own, or otherwise operate them, are masters at analyzing the opportunity cost. As individuals we have that same opportunity. Our ability to assess our environment, recognize the opportunity cost, and make fast but calculated changes help us get on the path to success. Things are changing fast, too fast to hesitate.

If you want to improve from the past, be calculated but move fast!

 

- DEG

Take Chances

“I didn’t stand a chance!”

How often have you heard this phrase? How often have you said it? Most people would likely agree on the meaning of this phrase to be - given a particular opportunity there was absolutely no possible way to win or be successful.

Many people lack the self-confidence to take risks. They view the risk associated with chance, as too risky. They see the opportunities in front of them as a disaster, a dead end, or something that they will never attain. If you try nothing new, take no risk, see opportunities through the lens of “I don’t stand a chance,” then guess what? You will never know the amount of success you could have achieved.

Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook fame has a motto, “Move fast and break things.” Apparently this motto was adopted as a core value in the organization. A core value which ultimately may have helped them achieve such high levels of success. They took chances, and so can you.

Risk isn’t for everyone, then again, neither is success. Are you taking chances?

 

- DEG

Take the Stairs

It’s sadly amazing the number of people that I talk with who tell me they want more, they want a better job and more success, yet they feel they are not worthy of achieving it. I hear every excuse about what “might happen” or “what if this happens” and I hear very little “I’m going to make it happen.”

Here is the good news, these are normal thoughts for many people and success is just a few steps away. If you can dream it, if you can see it, you can start on the path to getting there. Here are five simple steps to help you get there:

1. discover your dream
2. plan the steps to get there
3. start taking steps, reasonable risks 
4. constantly exceed your expectations
5. reflect on accomplishments and push for more

Like a ladder or stairs, the steps should be reasonably separated allowing you to move from one step to the next without a big jump. In contrast to this analogy, life or your career may not always present opportunities in equal increments. Some steps may be more of a stretch then others. This is where risk and reflection will be important factors in your success.

I like taking the stairs – do you?

- DEG

The Grocery Store and Success

One of the chores I dislike the most is grocery shopping. A failure for planning what to buy and what meals to prepare leaves me open for a disastrous shopping experience. My dislike to for the experience positions me to want to move fast and make quick choices. My lack of planning often opens me up to be forgetful and leave the store without something I desperately needed. I know the solution to this problem. It is better planning and an appropriate pace, it is the discipline to want to overcome the negative outcomes and have a positive shopping experience.

Success in our personal or professional careers may be an analogy to the grocery store experience. The good news is that there is a solution to achieving success. It requires planning and an appropriate pace. Knowing the desired end result and creating a plan for a path to get there is important. Pursuing that path at an appropriate pace is also critical. Going too fast we may burn out early. Going too slow may limit our options, or we may find the doors closed as we approach a desired milestone.

Approaching your life and career unprepared and without a plan could limit your success.

What is your plan?

 

- DEG

Pleasing Everyone

Have you ever tried to please “everyone?” Trying to please everyone can be amazingly frustrating.

Have you ever felt like there are too many choices? Have you felt confused, not knowing which option to pick? Do you worry that the outcomes of a decision or choice you make will cause anger or hurt to another person?

At times, by our own desire, we may seek a wide variety of options. However, limiting our choices and narrowing options will be less confusing and make us more confident in our selection. In order to make a good choice there is always a balance between having the widest array of opinions and options and choosing a responsible path.

The good news is, recognition of too many opinions and not enough commitment to a choice or a path can be avoided. Don’t try to please everyone, don’t pursue every recommended option. Select your path, make your choice. Be committed to your choice. Start by thinking – “Yes, I can do this. I’ve got this one!”

Confusion is frustrating. Pick your own path!

Who Are You?

What is your elevator speech? You know that short paragraph or expressions that describes who you are and what you do. 

Do you know who you are? Sometimes your inability to define who you are is not only a matter of not being up-to-date on your elevator speech, but it is a matter of understanding yourself.

Right now, I am asking you, “Who are you?” In our personal or professional lives we sometimes feel forced to be the person that someone else wants us to be. Worse yet we sometimes allow ourselves to become “invisible.” We become so introverted (introversion is not necessarily bad) that we fail to be noticed by others. Fear, pressure, and obedience represent at least three of the factors that may drive us into this place.

The good news is this, if you are truly determined to become successful you can break out of the mold or frame that you or others have placed upon you. Have courage to take your own path, forget about the pressure that someone else has placed on you; and obedience, well quite honestly that only brings one thought to my mind. Training a four legged furry creature we know as man’s best friend.

It is unlikely that someone else will make you successful, so only you can make YOU successful.

So I’m asking. Who are YOU?

 

- DEG

Beware of the Masquerade

There is an old mantra, “Keep your friends close but your enemies closer.” Many of us have probably heard this or other similar rants regarding people and friendships. If you explore the discussion of friends in the workplace you will often come across people who are very willing to tell their story about a once beautiful friendship that has gone painfully wrong.

There may be many reasons for this, some of which include: misunderstandings, poorly communicated changes, and unfortunately -jealously. It is one thing to be aware of a problem or grievance with a person, but it is yet another type of situation when people are masquerading themselves as a very close friend, meanwhile they do not have your best interest in mind.

Friends matter, people matter, and relationships that you build matter, what doesn’t matter is trying to please those persons who will never share in your enthusiasm, energy, and success. There will always be someone who doubts you, there will always be someone who is jealous or envious, and there will be someone who pretends to be your friend who is not. Don’t get caught in the masquerade trap, free yourself and stay focused.

Here is the great part. You have the option to take a position, your position. Make the decision to pursue what you believe and you will feel alive, free, and focused. Accept advice, listen to friends, but beware of the masquerade.

It’s a party I’m not attending – are you?

- DEG

Growing or Shrinking?

Some people change and grow. They get more mature, have better thoughts, healthier habits, and improved social skills.

Some people change and regress. They go back to poor habits, they lose faith in their ability to achieve, they lose hope, and they get worse as a person.

Are you growing or shrinking? There are three simple steps to keep you focusing on growth, they are:

1. Accurately self-assess
2. Focus on positive past accomplishments and outcomes
3. Be self-disciplined and commit to role modeling positive behaviors

There is a distinct difference between those who achieve more through growth, and those who regress and revert back to poorer performance or regressed habits.

Are you growing?

 

- DEG

Beyond My Control

“It was beyond my control!”

Circumstances may sometimes be beyond our control but our lives should not be driven by circumstances. We should be driving the outcomes and accepting the responsibility for the choices that we make. Blaming others, or blaming “circumstances” for unfavorable outcomes in your life may help ease the sense of discipline, responsibility, and accountability but it will not change future outcomes.

Not every decision or choice may be the best but we have the opportunity to continuously seek new paths or directions as we analyze the outcomes of our choices. Even the smartest and most visionary minds of today sometimes make bad choices. The difference between those who are successful and those who are not is that successful people accept responsibility and make changes. 

Acceptance of responsibility gives us the opportunity for personal growth. It gives us the opportunity to learn from mistakes, and most importantly it gives us the opportunity for another choice, the choice to get it right. 

It’s not beyond your control – it’s waiting for you. Are you going to take this opportunity or leave it “on the table?”

 

- DEG

Success and Abundance

Success and abundance have something in common. What one person considers success another may not. Creating abundance may not be different than creating success, it may simply mean creating an oversupply.

Our mind is a powerful tool. As a society many people thrive on the drama, the negativity, and all that is wrong instead of focusing on all that is positive and good. We turn on the news, we check our social media applications, and we listen to friends. Often we hear bad news and we read and hear negative and energy zapping complaints.

Can we train our brain? I believe the answer is yes. Chemical reactions in our brain play a role in how we respond to situations, especially in the areas of happiness and stress. Flood your brain with what you have accomplished, think about it often, refresh and wipe out negatives with positives.

Success, you define it, abundance you create it!

- DEG

Unstoppable Success

Some people are having unstoppable success. Some people are having unstoppable failures. Some people are just rolling through life, not exceedingly successful and not an absolute failure.

Many people take the easy road in life. They will let life happen to them, instead of making it work for them. This is the easy road because they accept little or no responsibility for their choices or actions. In their mind, what happens is what happens, it is an unchangeable fate.

There are at least two important points to consider:

1. You define what success means to you
2. You create it, but only if you choose to

What are you experiencing? Unstoppable success, unstoppable failure, or are you just rolling through life?

I know my choice – what is yours?

 

- DEG

Setback or Comeback

Sometimes it feels like life just isn’t fair. We try really hard, we follow societal standards and guidelines, we don’t break any rules, and we still have a feeling of coming up short. We could sell our story as the next box office drama or donate it to Nashville for a good country song.

Setbacks are a part of life. Disappointments happen and backup plans fail. So often we view others as having it better, we feel they got lucky, or they have family money. Some of this may be true but we still have choices. We can choose to let life happen to us, or we can make it happen for us. We can simply survive in the threat of more setbacks, or we can thrive in the reality of comebacks.

Leave setbacks in the past, move forward with what you have learned, create your way, and find your path.

Are you thriving, or just surviving?

- DEG

The Good Fight

People are people. People exist, function, and build character based in-part on their emotionally triggered behaviors. People get frustrated with other people. Sadly, some people serve as road blocks, inhibiting others on their way to a better place.

People may fight you, not physically but emotionally, intellectually, or through the power they may have over you either in your job or other manifestations of your life. Fight the good fight; don’t let these temporary roadblocks inhibit your path to your greater destiny. Your ultimate destiny is in front of you, but you choose the path of greatness or mediocrity. Remember you are in-charge.

Nearly every successful person I come in contact with has a story, a story of the good fight.

What is your story?

- DEG

Backwards Energy

“Never look back” this and other mantra’s seem almost commonplace in our lives. Everyone who has had a rough day, a rough week, or some on-going difficulty has often heard this or similar advice. It’s good advice.

 

In some cases looking back can give us energy. We find comfort in things that are familiar; we fondly remember happy moments with friends and family, moments of inspiration and happiness. We draw energy from those positive moments of the past. Here are a few examples:

“It’s been a long time since I’ve heard that song, it was so great to hear it again.”

“I haven’t been here [a place] in years, I forgot how awesome it is here.”

“It’s been awhile since my last workout, wow that felt good.”

Reflecting on past successes, past moments of happiness and inspiration help us build positive hope for the future. Make today a day you look back, not at the moments that bring you down, but at the moments that brought you up. There are more of those in your future, you control your destiny and you can make it happen!

 What is your energizing memory?

- DEG

Dream of Homemade Ice Cream

It was special because we made it to celebrate. It was mysterious because it was concocted from a “secret” formula. It felt worth it because the anticipation was almost unbearable. 

Special, mysterious, and worth it – as we process through life’s ups and downs, career changes, successes, and even setbacks or failures we never forget how it felt. Some believe that we are driven by our emotions, and a passionate pursuit of life and success. Definitions of success vary considerably from person-to-person but everyday millions and millions of people awake to experience another day in the pursuit of everything from survival to chasing dreams.

I have a dream, it is special, mysterious, and worth it. I can almost taste it now.

What is your dream? 

 

- DEG

Unrealized Customer Expectations

Manager: This will save us money.

Employee: I don’t think that is what the customer wants.

Manager: I think they will be fine with this.

Nearly every day I witness first hand, or hear about bad business decisions. When the quality or value of product or service offerings decrease so does customer satisfaction.

Sometimes good employees make bad decisions. They hear about economic woes and being engaged and committed to the organization (not to mention empowered) they make decisions that affect the customer. Many of these choices seem insignificant at the time, but become deal breakers later. Unrealized customer expectations are a leading cause of customer dissatisfaction and loss.

When the customer, or economic buyer, of a good or service also faces tough times, they too will make changes. Where do they start? If they are smart, they eliminate vendors or strategic partners who provide the least value. Price is important, but value is what should be the basis of the decision. Value represents itself in various ways, it may be quality, reputation, experience, value add (niceties), and even the feeling (emotions) of the transaction.

Don’t forget that nearly every organization has both internal and external customers. The same “rules” apply.

Do you know what your customers need? Do you know what they expect? If yes, how do you know? (Guesses or “I think” may not be good enough.)

- DEG

Victim or Champion

There are those who are always blaming someone else when their decisions turn out bad. Often referring to themselves as the victim they tend to view outcomes of their life as fate or some predetermined destiny.

If we believe in fate, then we must also believe in the concept that fate presents us with choices. Those choices and their associated outcomes are not predetermined, but provide us with opportunity. While it may be true that we can be the victim of a crime, we have an opportunity to create our own destiny.

Successful people persevere, they take risks, confront fears, and they assume responsibility for their future. They are not the victims of their own life, they are the champions.

Are you creating your destiny? Are you a champion?

- DEG

Always Changing

We get bored with the “same old – same old” so we change. We face a conflict or controversy so we do something different the next time by changing. We learn about a new product or service that peaks our interest and we try it, so we have changed.

High achievers reach for change, they get excited about change, and they do something that others don’t – they find energy and motivation in change. Often bored with the status quo they innovate. They don’t procrastinate or hesitate, instead they get things started by doing something great.

Successful people change, not by force, but by desire.

When was your last change?

- DEG

New Sneakers

The other kid on the playground, your brother or sister, or the kid down the street; I remember whenever I got a new pair of sneakers that I was suddenly faster. I could challenge the other kids, run hard and run fast. I wouldn’t quit, I couldn’t give up, and often I could win. It probably wasn’t that I was exceptionally fast, and I did get beat, but it was because I was determined that I could do it.

A positive mindset, determination, and a never give up attitude. Many of us may have experienced “the sneakers make us faster” scenario. Do these childhood experiences carry on in our hearts forever? Desire, determination, and a positive mind set may make the difference for adults who want to create success.

It’s not too late, put on a new pair of sneakers!

- DEG

Don’t Hesitate

Disappointment, struggle, and stress, we face challenges every day. So often we allow ourselves to get caught up in the negative side of life. We don’t talk about that fantastic customer service experience; we talk about the two we hated the most. We don’t say how great we feel, we complain of the headache, backache, and arthritic pains.

Sometimes we take for granted the things that provide us with happiness, hope, and inspiration. We forget everything that we have accomplished, the challenges that we have faced, and the difficulties that we have overcome. Everyone has the ability to create their own destiny. Taking a positive approach to getting there may make the difference between those who achieve it and those only dream it.

Take a risk and make some positive changes. No regrets, be smart, work hard, and most of all don’t hesitate - take action.

Believe in Success

Many people believe in success, they have faith that their dreams of success will become reality. They understand the 3 P’s of success: practice, persistence, and patience are required. They are largely optimistic and are relentless.

Then there are those who envy others success, they claim to be unlucky and assign blame for their shortcomings. They are the haters of success. It is easier to cast hate and blame than to be responsible and take action. Often feeling that they are entitled to more they strike out at those they feel obtained, or from their viewpoint “were given” unjustified success.

Success is what you make. Success is different for everyone. Believe in what you are shooting for, don’t be a hater, exercise the 3 P’s and you will be on the road to making a difference.

Believe in success!

 

- DEG

Positive Duty

Nearly everyone would agree that starting your day with a positive mindset is helpful and productive. Often it doesn’t take long until we encounter someone who is not so positive. We then have three choices, convert them to our positive way of thinking, allow them to bring us down, or just walk away.

Many people consider it their civic or moral duty to help convert them to more positive thoughts. You try to cheer them up, you encourage them to “look on the bright side,” sometimes you even put your own dignity at risk by making excuses for them. Is that noble, caring, and considerate? Yes, but should that occur at the expense of your own attitude? No, never.

You should never go so far as to allow others to bring you down to their unhealthy place of existence. Many people have heard the negative mantra: “misery loves company.” Don’t become the company. Consider another mantra: “take care of you!”

Encourage the positive, sometimes walk away, but never let them bring you down!

 

- DEG

Love the Underdog

Rocky Balboa from the famous Rocky movie series was a tremendous success as the underdog. There was the 1969 Super Bowl where the New York Jets defeated the then Baltimore Colts. In the 1980 Winter Olympic Games it was team U.S.A. that defeated the heavily favored Russian team. People often rally behind the underdog and sometimes develop strong dislike for the “popular” champion.

What is it about the underdog that we admire? Our desires to do something different, a feeling of hope for equity, or could it be a hidden lust for growth of our own self-confidence?

Underdogs are fighters, they are persistent, they seem to develop confidence through small wins. They often represent the person or team who has not had great success or who appears clearly out matched. They develop belief in themselves, take risks, embrace change, and jump in to get things started. 

Underdogs create their success. What’s stopping you?

- DEG

Do Something Epic

Epic is a hot word. People have epic experiences, laugh at epic jokes, and achieve success through epic moments.

Epic is a great word because it can make us value something enjoyable, spring us into action, and appreciate those who achieve the extraordinary. People are sometimes looking for motivation, and many believe that motivation is a truly intrinsic process. Popular wisdom suggests that there is a large part of motivation that is intrinsic, but if we have role models for achieving higher performance we may also discover intrinsic motivation. Positive role models do epic things; they create a call to action through their success, overcome adverse situations, and are a positive influence on others.

Epic sells - what are you selling?

- DEG

Hope – Strength or Weakness

Many people dream of success, they dream of a specific job, a career, or sometimes for financial freedom. Hope keeps people moving along, it can motivate, and it can make us persistent in our pursuit.

Hope can be a strength making us tough, resistant, persistent, and courageous.

Hope can be a weakness, making us too trusting, blindly conforming, wasteful (time and effort), and vulnerable.

Hope is great, use it in moderation, capitalize on the strengths and be aware of the weaknesses. Always remember that you are in charge of your own destiny. Do not hope it will happen, make it happen!

- DEG

Motivation Monday

Some people drag into Monday, others are excited and recharged, ready to get started.

Everyone is different. Everyone has their own needs and reasons to do what they have to do to earn a living. Many people simply want to be part of the team, they want to make a difference, and what is important to them is evidence of making an impact. Making an impact is critical for me. Regardless of the hard work, regardless of the risks and rewards, making a positive impact is what really motivates me for more.

It’s Monday and I’m motivated – are you?

- DEG

Leaders as Beginners

Sometimes the word leadership feels like it is overused, misused, and possibly abused. Recently I wrote a couple of blogs related to fear, such as the Fear of Choices and Fear of Success. This is another one to add to the list of things we fear. Often “leaders” fear being a beginner.

Leaders know everything. Leaders are the best of the best. Leaders have all the answers – right? Well, not exactly.

Let me give you something thought provoking. Do you know any “leaders” who avoid one or more of the following:

• the latest cellular telephone platform
• social media engagement and tools
• electronic media/marketing

Everybody starts somewhere, leaders – lead.

Being a winner starts as a beginner!

- DEG

Worth It

“I ordered the buffet at the restaurant yesterday and it was worth it.”

“I stayed at the more expensive hotel and it was worth it.”

“I went to the gym and worked out even though I didn’t feel like it and it was worth it.”


Do you see a pattern to this way of thinking? I do – and I would like to make the suggestion that everyone in every circumstance has value, they have worth.

If you are pursuing a pay raise or a job promotion, don’t settle for less because you are worth it. If you are facing challenging decisions in your personal life, don’t settle for less because you are worth it. If are working on your dream job, or your dream career, don’t change your game plan or make poor choices, because you are worth it.

Make your life a success story. YOU - are worth it!

- DEG

Risk of No Risk

Everything around us is changing. Would you agree? We live in a world of constant change. Many people grow and adapt but some like the safety of their comfort zone, the safety of the status quo.

Some people cling to their comfort zone as a seemingly unstoppable force to reckon with, they put up a tremendous fight with comments such as:

“We tried that before a couple of years ago, it didn’t work then, it won’t work now.”

“We’ve always done it this way.”

Often priding themselves on their temporary victories they almost bully their co-workers, direct reports, and sometimes even their supervisors into their change resistant ways. They avoid risk at all costs. Change and the risk associated with it is too scary.

Here is the question that everyone should be asking themselves: If everything around us is changing, isn’t the riskiest position to take one of no risk at all? I see reasonable risk as something that reminds us that we are alive. That we have free will. That we control our own destiny.

What do you think?

 

- DEG