An Ocean Voyage Called Life
Daily Inspiration
By John H. Sklare, Ed.D, Lifescript Personal Coach
Published December 29, 2010
Life is a lot like an ocean voyage. We all have a journey ahead of us as we enter this world, but the journey called "Life" is different for everyone. When all is said and done, the twists and turns of your life are intimately tied to the actions you take and decisions you make. In a sense, we each get to choose the kind of journey we take. And we all have storms to endure that test our skills and threaten to sink our ships. Some of you find that your ships capsize easily during emotional storms. Others find a way to stay on board and keep their boats afloat no matter what challenges the seas of life present. It’s true that some seem to encounter more storms than others, but none of us can escape these storms entirely.
Sometimes these storms are predicted and you have time to prepare. For example, when you’ve been given notice that your job will be eliminated. However, other times these storms arise suddenly, like with accidents and illness. Nevertheless, the key to surviving these storms and maintaining your bearings is to keep a level head. Regardless of how often you find yourself in one of these battles, how you respond will determine the extent of the damage you incur. So the next time you feel the choppy waters of life churning, hunker down and persevere! These are more than just mere storms; they are also opportunities for you to gather strength, hone your battle skills and create character!
Wishing You Great Health,
Dr. John H. Sklare
www.innerdiet.com
MY THOUGHTS
well put. some may think nothing is new in this article. what caught my attention is the phrase "intimately tied" to our actions and decisions. it's a cop out to think that what happens to us is fate. that way we don't need to take responsibility for our actions. but God gave us the wisdom to make choices, to decide on which path to take. it's not God's intention for us to simply wait for His plans to be realized. His intention is for us to journey with Him and be the person He wants us to be. how long and how stormy the journey would be depends on how closely we journey with him. the "straight path" is truly the "path less chosen". it's easier to be crooked. there are no rules. no standards. you feel free. and yet it's the crookedness of life that makes us prisoners. and the true freedom we want can only be reached if we journey through the "straight" path. for sure there will be "choppy waters" here and there. but remember, with God you never journey on your own. you are the captain of your own ship. but you use God's map. even if you get lost. you will be found.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Learning from our Failures
A Lesson Learned
Daily Inspiration
By John H. Sklare, Ed.D, Lifescript Personal Coach
Published December 27, 2010
I said something to a friend that seemed to jump out of my mouth without any conscious thought. He was telling me about his failure on a project he was working on, and said that he learned a lot in the process, but it turned out to be a big waste of his time. My response: “A lesson learned is never time wasted.”
That phrase is also applicable to you. Often, when people come up short of reaching their goal, they feel like a failure. In my opinion, nothing could be further from the truth, particularly if you’ve learned something important along the way. When you find yourself feeling disappointed or emotionally devastated because you didn’t reach a targeted goal, don’t just feel the pain and disappointment from it… learn from it! Failure is often the precursor of success, and as I told my friend, a lesson learned is never time wasted.
Wishing You Great Health,
Dr. John H. Sklare
www.innerdiet.com
MY THOUGHTS
that could be the hardest part about failing. sometimes we avoid the lessons. because learning means changing. it means going against your grain. it means doing something you've never done before. we don't want to learn because it's so much easier to be "just the way we are".
Daily Inspiration
By John H. Sklare, Ed.D, Lifescript Personal Coach
Published December 27, 2010
I said something to a friend that seemed to jump out of my mouth without any conscious thought. He was telling me about his failure on a project he was working on, and said that he learned a lot in the process, but it turned out to be a big waste of his time. My response: “A lesson learned is never time wasted.”
That phrase is also applicable to you. Often, when people come up short of reaching their goal, they feel like a failure. In my opinion, nothing could be further from the truth, particularly if you’ve learned something important along the way. When you find yourself feeling disappointed or emotionally devastated because you didn’t reach a targeted goal, don’t just feel the pain and disappointment from it… learn from it! Failure is often the precursor of success, and as I told my friend, a lesson learned is never time wasted.
Wishing You Great Health,
Dr. John H. Sklare
www.innerdiet.com
MY THOUGHTS
that could be the hardest part about failing. sometimes we avoid the lessons. because learning means changing. it means going against your grain. it means doing something you've never done before. we don't want to learn because it's so much easier to be "just the way we are".
Monday, December 20, 2010
Managers Should Behave Like Adults
Aspiring Managers: Learn to Behave Like Adults
By Steve Tobak | September 11, 2009
It’s relatively easy to be a successful child. All you’ve got to do is learn how to be cute, get attention, and cry when you’re hurt or hungry. Learning how to be a teenager is much harder; I’m not sure anybody’s good at it. I certainly wasn’t. As for becoming an adult, I’ve been working on that for decades and making very, very slow progress.
Everything gets harder as you get older, and becoming a good manager is no exception.
In fact, becoming a good manager is harder than all of those other phases combined. Why? Because, it not only depends on how much of an adult you’ve become, but how adult your employees are. Not to mention all the management and leadership skills that so-called experts and gurus aren’t even sure about - they debate this stuff all the time.
So, for all you relatively new, aspiring managers, and for those supposedly seasoned veterans who are honest enough with themselves to admit that they’re still trying to figure it out, here are three relatively critical but not necessarily intuitive tips I’ve learned by trial and lots of error along the way.
Try to act like a mature adult. As I alluded to above, the best managers are those rare individuals who actually behave like mature adults. What does that mean? It means being as honest, comfortable, and empathetic with your own issues and shortcomings as you are with your strengths and skills. Only then can you do the same for others, and that’s what good managers do.
Do the work - hands on. Work your tail off learning the basics of your trade and industry, whatever that is, while you still can - before you get promoted and lose the opportunity. Why? No matter how smart you are, that’s the only way to get hands-on experience that will engender respect from employees and help you to make effective management decisions down the road.
Become adept at 5 things: finance, selling, presenting, negotiating, and business communications.
Finance. I don’t care if you manage engineering, HR, IT, sales, whatever, you need to learn about finance. Why? Because that’s how companies are run and how business works. Period.
Selling. To sell your own programs internally you have to learn how to open doors, help constituents and peers to make informed decisions, and close deals.
Presenting. It’s hard to imagine your career going anywhere unless you can deliver an effective presentation. Unfortunately, most of us aren’t born with the presentation gene.
Negotiating. Negotiation skills are critical to resolving conflicts, driving consensus among peers and other key constituents, and developing your own career.
Communicating. Great managers are also great communicators; it’s a critical success skill. Unfortunately, they don’t teach you about business communications in school.
MY THOUGHTS
finance and selling? 2 of my most disliked areas of management. i don;t mind selling ideas. and i don;t why i cringe at the thought of selling commodities. and finance? i just can't get my finger on all those figures. one would think after working for a financial and a retail company, i would be over this issue by now! the problem is me of course. i have to want to at least like finance and selling. and the best way for this is to educate myself. i promise to brush up on these before the year ends.
By Steve Tobak | September 11, 2009
It’s relatively easy to be a successful child. All you’ve got to do is learn how to be cute, get attention, and cry when you’re hurt or hungry. Learning how to be a teenager is much harder; I’m not sure anybody’s good at it. I certainly wasn’t. As for becoming an adult, I’ve been working on that for decades and making very, very slow progress.
Everything gets harder as you get older, and becoming a good manager is no exception.
In fact, becoming a good manager is harder than all of those other phases combined. Why? Because, it not only depends on how much of an adult you’ve become, but how adult your employees are. Not to mention all the management and leadership skills that so-called experts and gurus aren’t even sure about - they debate this stuff all the time.
So, for all you relatively new, aspiring managers, and for those supposedly seasoned veterans who are honest enough with themselves to admit that they’re still trying to figure it out, here are three relatively critical but not necessarily intuitive tips I’ve learned by trial and lots of error along the way.
Try to act like a mature adult. As I alluded to above, the best managers are those rare individuals who actually behave like mature adults. What does that mean? It means being as honest, comfortable, and empathetic with your own issues and shortcomings as you are with your strengths and skills. Only then can you do the same for others, and that’s what good managers do.
Do the work - hands on. Work your tail off learning the basics of your trade and industry, whatever that is, while you still can - before you get promoted and lose the opportunity. Why? No matter how smart you are, that’s the only way to get hands-on experience that will engender respect from employees and help you to make effective management decisions down the road.
Become adept at 5 things: finance, selling, presenting, negotiating, and business communications.
Finance. I don’t care if you manage engineering, HR, IT, sales, whatever, you need to learn about finance. Why? Because that’s how companies are run and how business works. Period.
Selling. To sell your own programs internally you have to learn how to open doors, help constituents and peers to make informed decisions, and close deals.
Presenting. It’s hard to imagine your career going anywhere unless you can deliver an effective presentation. Unfortunately, most of us aren’t born with the presentation gene.
Negotiating. Negotiation skills are critical to resolving conflicts, driving consensus among peers and other key constituents, and developing your own career.
Communicating. Great managers are also great communicators; it’s a critical success skill. Unfortunately, they don’t teach you about business communications in school.
MY THOUGHTS
finance and selling? 2 of my most disliked areas of management. i don;t mind selling ideas. and i don;t why i cringe at the thought of selling commodities. and finance? i just can't get my finger on all those figures. one would think after working for a financial and a retail company, i would be over this issue by now! the problem is me of course. i have to want to at least like finance and selling. and the best way for this is to educate myself. i promise to brush up on these before the year ends.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Driver or Passenger?
Driver or Passenger?
Daily Inspiration
By John H. Sklare, Ed.D, Lifescript Personal Coach
Published December 14, 2010
When you boil it all down, there are basically two types of people in this world: drivers and passengers. The drivers take charge, grab the helm and take on a leadership role during periods of crisis. The passengers take direction well, excel in working closely with others and get the job done.
Even though we all exhibit both of these behaviors at times, you’re typically and consistently more one than the other. Today I ask you to consider this concept and think about the following question: When it comes to matters in your life, do you take on the role of the driver or passenger?
Wishing You Great Health,
Dr. John H. Sklare
www.innerdiet.com
MY THOUGHTS
in my life, i'm a driver most definitely. especially when no one else is taking the wheel. but once in a while, it feels good to let someone else do the driving. there's also a lot to learn from being the passenger. what i know about driving i didn't just learn on my own. i become a better driver when i remind myself of how it feels to be a passenger. but of course, i drive only up to certain point. and i try hard to use the map of the greatest driver of all. God is the one who's supposed to drive my life. and for as long as i'm in tune with Him, even if i get lost, for sure, he'll direct me to the right path.
Daily Inspiration
By John H. Sklare, Ed.D, Lifescript Personal Coach
Published December 14, 2010
When you boil it all down, there are basically two types of people in this world: drivers and passengers. The drivers take charge, grab the helm and take on a leadership role during periods of crisis. The passengers take direction well, excel in working closely with others and get the job done.
Even though we all exhibit both of these behaviors at times, you’re typically and consistently more one than the other. Today I ask you to consider this concept and think about the following question: When it comes to matters in your life, do you take on the role of the driver or passenger?
Wishing You Great Health,
Dr. John H. Sklare
www.innerdiet.com
MY THOUGHTS
in my life, i'm a driver most definitely. especially when no one else is taking the wheel. but once in a while, it feels good to let someone else do the driving. there's also a lot to learn from being the passenger. what i know about driving i didn't just learn on my own. i become a better driver when i remind myself of how it feels to be a passenger. but of course, i drive only up to certain point. and i try hard to use the map of the greatest driver of all. God is the one who's supposed to drive my life. and for as long as i'm in tune with Him, even if i get lost, for sure, he'll direct me to the right path.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Managing Yourself: Learn Confidence
Psychologists: Confidence is a Learnable Skill
By Jessica Stillman | November 5, 2010
Some people are born brash and full of confidence, but for us introverts learning to speak up with our ideas and sell our skills is not something that comes naturally. So does that mean that, for the most part, confidence is something you’re born with, and those of us less gifted in the area simply have to muddle through as best we can?
Absolutely not, say psychologists, according to a long and fascinating article recently published on Psychology Today. According to author Erika Casriel, “the reality is that most socially confident people deliberately learn specific skills.”
So what exercises do the experts recommend for the confidence-challenged who are keen to learn to keep cool in front of others? First, forget about simply repressing your anxiety, which simply makes you more self-conscious. Then, consider honing the following skills:
Read your body right:
“You can create a crisis of confidence by overreacting to your own normal heightened alertness. But if you can work yourself up simply by misinterpreting your body’s signals, you can chill yourself out by reading them correctly. The irony of misreading your nervous system’s cues is that far from harming you, your natural excitement can enhance your performance. Increased activation is not a sign that you’re failing, but that you want to do well and your body is ready to help.”
Focus on helping others: “Mastering social skills requires tuning in to your self-esteem. But instead of being self-conscious and fixating on your anxiety, work on creating positive interactions that make the people around you feel engaged and happy. Focusing less on yourself and more on others will yield big payoffs in expanded social opportunities.” Also, “feeling allegiance to a larger cause can make your discomfort more tolerable”
Get cozy with your fears: If you’re brave enough, “try ‘implosion’ — tackling a challenge so intimidating that once you’ve made it through, your original goal no longer fazes you.” Comedy stars Conan O’Brien and Will Ferrell apparently first started performing because it was what they feared most. By tackling their fears head on they overcame them.
The article includes much more information on the science of shyness, including statistics on its prevalence (40 percent of young people report they’re shy) and the genetic basis of social anxiety, as well as a ton of personal anecdotes about introverts’ battles to become more confident. If you’re interested, it’s worth checking out.
MY THOUGHTS
i am naturally shy. yes i am. but shyness won't get me nowhere. so i know, for a fact, confidence can be learned. i learned to conquer my fears by learning about something,finding out more about what i need to do, practicing, taking calculated risks but not setting myself up to fail by taking on too much.
By Jessica Stillman | November 5, 2010
Some people are born brash and full of confidence, but for us introverts learning to speak up with our ideas and sell our skills is not something that comes naturally. So does that mean that, for the most part, confidence is something you’re born with, and those of us less gifted in the area simply have to muddle through as best we can?
Absolutely not, say psychologists, according to a long and fascinating article recently published on Psychology Today. According to author Erika Casriel, “the reality is that most socially confident people deliberately learn specific skills.”
So what exercises do the experts recommend for the confidence-challenged who are keen to learn to keep cool in front of others? First, forget about simply repressing your anxiety, which simply makes you more self-conscious. Then, consider honing the following skills:
Read your body right:
“You can create a crisis of confidence by overreacting to your own normal heightened alertness. But if you can work yourself up simply by misinterpreting your body’s signals, you can chill yourself out by reading them correctly. The irony of misreading your nervous system’s cues is that far from harming you, your natural excitement can enhance your performance. Increased activation is not a sign that you’re failing, but that you want to do well and your body is ready to help.”
Focus on helping others: “Mastering social skills requires tuning in to your self-esteem. But instead of being self-conscious and fixating on your anxiety, work on creating positive interactions that make the people around you feel engaged and happy. Focusing less on yourself and more on others will yield big payoffs in expanded social opportunities.” Also, “feeling allegiance to a larger cause can make your discomfort more tolerable”
Get cozy with your fears: If you’re brave enough, “try ‘implosion’ — tackling a challenge so intimidating that once you’ve made it through, your original goal no longer fazes you.” Comedy stars Conan O’Brien and Will Ferrell apparently first started performing because it was what they feared most. By tackling their fears head on they overcame them.
The article includes much more information on the science of shyness, including statistics on its prevalence (40 percent of young people report they’re shy) and the genetic basis of social anxiety, as well as a ton of personal anecdotes about introverts’ battles to become more confident. If you’re interested, it’s worth checking out.
MY THOUGHTS
i am naturally shy. yes i am. but shyness won't get me nowhere. so i know, for a fact, confidence can be learned. i learned to conquer my fears by learning about something,finding out more about what i need to do, practicing, taking calculated risks but not setting myself up to fail by taking on too much.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
The New Job Security
Ask yourself what you can do for the company
Candidates should stop chasing job ads and start marketing themselves to employers: author
By Kim Covert, Postmedia News October 16, 2010
People don't create job openings, problems do. And if you can market yourself as the solution to a problem, chances are you'll be able to create a job where there wasn't one before.
Welcome to the new job security: creating your own job opportunities. And that means, however counterintuitive it might sound, that your job search isn't about you.
That's a major message in the revised edition of The New Job Security: The 5 best strategies for taking control of your career.
Author Pam Lassiter says the art of the job search has changed dramatically since she originally published the book in 2002.
"Technology is the obvious answer, but it's not just technology, it's how our communication patterns change, too. So we're shifting as people -how we talk, how much time we want to spend thinking about something, how much bandwidth people get from us when we want to talk to them. It's affecting career change as well."
That's why No. 3 on her list of five strategies for taking control of your career is to stop looking for a job.
"We could lower the unemployment rate if people didn't chase job openings as actively," says Lassiter during a phone interview from Massachusetts. The unemployment rate is higher in the U.S. than in Canada and the economic situation there more dire, but the principle holds north of the border as well -applying to advertised job openings is a sort of masochism.
"People are desperate for work, they sit in front of their computers during the day, they will fire off 100 responses to job openings, feel like they have worked really hard, but in reality they're not going to get responses to hardly any of them," says Lassiter.
"That's the sad part. There's a three per cent interview rate for responses to help-wanted ads. Three."
(That statistic also holds true for those in the dating world, Lassiter says with a laugh -- and some authority.)
If you're one of those poor shmoes still looking at the job boards and help-wanted listings, don't kick yourself too hard -professionals above your pay scale are doing that, too.
"We think that because it is posted that it's a real ad and people are paying attention to us on the other side.
"And on the other side, if a person is getting 1,000 responses to an ad, which isn't unusual, the odds of your being found are slim-to-none."
The majority of jobs these days are found through networking, says Lassiter, but not all networking strategies are created equal.
"People are typically running after their friends and sometimes the best connections they have saying, 'I need a job, I just got laid off -it's all about me'," says Lassiter. "There are two fallacies there, basically. Chasing specific job openings and playing on the sympathy or 'it's all about me.'"
The secret to finding the job you want is to identify the company you want to work for, identify a problem within that company that you can help fix, and then use your network to get your foot in the door. Don't use up your best connections too early and, just like in dating, try not to appear too desperate.
"I try to get people to think about what business challenge might they have some ideas about and following the problems to be solved and not the job openings," says Lassiter, who advises not ignoring job ads altogether, but greatly reducing the time spent chasing them down.
Lassiter's advice is based on marketing strategy. People looking for a job should consider themselves as the product, and potential employers as the consumers. And just like any successful product, you have to be able to sell yourself as something the consumer needs --and recognizes. You need to be able to talk your target industry's talk and walk its walk.
- - -
BEST STRATEGIES
According to Pam Lassiter, who has just published a revised edition of her book The New Job Security: The 5 best strategies for taking control of your career, the way we search for jobs has changed radically.
Lassiter says the five keys to a successful job search are:
1. Send clear signals -- Develop a plan for your job search and then follow it.
2. Market for mutual benefit -- Telling a company you have an idea for increasing profitability makes you a more attractive interview than the person petitioning for a job.
3. Stop looking for jobs -- Chasing down and answering job ads is a sad and unfruitful exercise, says Lassiter. "The number of approved openings is finite. The number of problems to be solved is infinite."
4. Build sustainable networks -- Build a network that can and will help you over the long term.
5. Negotiate in round rooms -- Don't get backed into a corner. "Negotiating strategies are simple and often require only that you use the right vocabulary at the right time," writes Lassiter.
Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/yourself+what+company/3682513/story.html#ixzz12rcBCHHH
MY THOUGHTS
that's a staggering, depressing figure - 3% chance of getting an interview!!!i do agree that having the right connect is key. if you are marketable. even if you're a friend of the country's president, you won't get referred if you have nothing going for you. the best thing todo when out of ajob is to keep active. get as much and learn as much as you can from all the free time you have.
Candidates should stop chasing job ads and start marketing themselves to employers: author
By Kim Covert, Postmedia News October 16, 2010
People don't create job openings, problems do. And if you can market yourself as the solution to a problem, chances are you'll be able to create a job where there wasn't one before.
Welcome to the new job security: creating your own job opportunities. And that means, however counterintuitive it might sound, that your job search isn't about you.
That's a major message in the revised edition of The New Job Security: The 5 best strategies for taking control of your career.
Author Pam Lassiter says the art of the job search has changed dramatically since she originally published the book in 2002.
"Technology is the obvious answer, but it's not just technology, it's how our communication patterns change, too. So we're shifting as people -how we talk, how much time we want to spend thinking about something, how much bandwidth people get from us when we want to talk to them. It's affecting career change as well."
That's why No. 3 on her list of five strategies for taking control of your career is to stop looking for a job.
"We could lower the unemployment rate if people didn't chase job openings as actively," says Lassiter during a phone interview from Massachusetts. The unemployment rate is higher in the U.S. than in Canada and the economic situation there more dire, but the principle holds north of the border as well -applying to advertised job openings is a sort of masochism.
"People are desperate for work, they sit in front of their computers during the day, they will fire off 100 responses to job openings, feel like they have worked really hard, but in reality they're not going to get responses to hardly any of them," says Lassiter.
"That's the sad part. There's a three per cent interview rate for responses to help-wanted ads. Three."
(That statistic also holds true for those in the dating world, Lassiter says with a laugh -- and some authority.)
If you're one of those poor shmoes still looking at the job boards and help-wanted listings, don't kick yourself too hard -professionals above your pay scale are doing that, too.
"We think that because it is posted that it's a real ad and people are paying attention to us on the other side.
"And on the other side, if a person is getting 1,000 responses to an ad, which isn't unusual, the odds of your being found are slim-to-none."
The majority of jobs these days are found through networking, says Lassiter, but not all networking strategies are created equal.
"People are typically running after their friends and sometimes the best connections they have saying, 'I need a job, I just got laid off -it's all about me'," says Lassiter. "There are two fallacies there, basically. Chasing specific job openings and playing on the sympathy or 'it's all about me.'"
The secret to finding the job you want is to identify the company you want to work for, identify a problem within that company that you can help fix, and then use your network to get your foot in the door. Don't use up your best connections too early and, just like in dating, try not to appear too desperate.
"I try to get people to think about what business challenge might they have some ideas about and following the problems to be solved and not the job openings," says Lassiter, who advises not ignoring job ads altogether, but greatly reducing the time spent chasing them down.
Lassiter's advice is based on marketing strategy. People looking for a job should consider themselves as the product, and potential employers as the consumers. And just like any successful product, you have to be able to sell yourself as something the consumer needs --and recognizes. You need to be able to talk your target industry's talk and walk its walk.
- - -
BEST STRATEGIES
According to Pam Lassiter, who has just published a revised edition of her book The New Job Security: The 5 best strategies for taking control of your career, the way we search for jobs has changed radically.
Lassiter says the five keys to a successful job search are:
1. Send clear signals -- Develop a plan for your job search and then follow it.
2. Market for mutual benefit -- Telling a company you have an idea for increasing profitability makes you a more attractive interview than the person petitioning for a job.
3. Stop looking for jobs -- Chasing down and answering job ads is a sad and unfruitful exercise, says Lassiter. "The number of approved openings is finite. The number of problems to be solved is infinite."
4. Build sustainable networks -- Build a network that can and will help you over the long term.
5. Negotiate in round rooms -- Don't get backed into a corner. "Negotiating strategies are simple and often require only that you use the right vocabulary at the right time," writes Lassiter.
Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/yourself+what+company/3682513/story.html#ixzz12rcBCHHH
MY THOUGHTS
that's a staggering, depressing figure - 3% chance of getting an interview!!!i do agree that having the right connect is key. if you are marketable. even if you're a friend of the country's president, you won't get referred if you have nothing going for you. the best thing todo when out of ajob is to keep active. get as much and learn as much as you can from all the free time you have.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Time Management Isn't Just for Crises
Time Management Isn't Just for Crises
By Jessica Stillman | July 14, 2010
Time management is a lot like studying if a new post up Time Management Ninja is to be believed. Just like preparing for a test, there are two ways to approach time management. The first is the rough equivalent of cramming for the test. In this model you wait for obligations to pile up and then when panic starts to kick in you pull out all your best time management practices to cope with the onslaught. Like cramming, this tends not to work.
What works better? According to TMN, the answer is the same as it in the academic world — a steady pull. Rather than turning off and on your time management A-game to suit the circumstances, the blog suggests you have an always-on approach to managing your work and offers several reasons this approach works better.
The Steady Pull. An even steady pull is much easier to bear and allows you to be more productive. Starting and stopping your productivity efforts only creates more work for yourself.
Habits vs. Extra Effort. If you make time management part of your habits, the effort disappears and time management simply becomes part of your lifestyle. If you try to “turn it on” only once in a while, it becomes an extra effort that you must bear.
It is a Skill. Time management is a skill that you must hone just like any other. It takes practice and experience like other skills and activities. The more you do it, the better you will be at it.
Myth of the Crisis. People tend to think they only need time management in a jam. But, the truth is that you need it just as much when you are not in a crisis. It is proactive action that prevents the problems in the first place.
All of this advice makes plenty of sense, but I also see a flip side. Turning off for a weekend or the odd day here or there might not make logical sense if humans were machines, but we’re not (not most of us anyway). A nice stretch of slacking may not be good for your email inbox, but couldn’t it do wonders for your energy level and creativity when you’re burnt out and need a fresh perspective?
MY THOUGHTS
i'm a crammer. i seem to work best when under pressure. crises seem to come with the package when deadlines are far far off, it's difficult to get things done. however, this won't work when there are other people whose tasks are intertwined with mine. i need to plan and manage my time.
By Jessica Stillman | July 14, 2010
Time management is a lot like studying if a new post up Time Management Ninja is to be believed. Just like preparing for a test, there are two ways to approach time management. The first is the rough equivalent of cramming for the test. In this model you wait for obligations to pile up and then when panic starts to kick in you pull out all your best time management practices to cope with the onslaught. Like cramming, this tends not to work.
What works better? According to TMN, the answer is the same as it in the academic world — a steady pull. Rather than turning off and on your time management A-game to suit the circumstances, the blog suggests you have an always-on approach to managing your work and offers several reasons this approach works better.
The Steady Pull. An even steady pull is much easier to bear and allows you to be more productive. Starting and stopping your productivity efforts only creates more work for yourself.
Habits vs. Extra Effort. If you make time management part of your habits, the effort disappears and time management simply becomes part of your lifestyle. If you try to “turn it on” only once in a while, it becomes an extra effort that you must bear.
It is a Skill. Time management is a skill that you must hone just like any other. It takes practice and experience like other skills and activities. The more you do it, the better you will be at it.
Myth of the Crisis. People tend to think they only need time management in a jam. But, the truth is that you need it just as much when you are not in a crisis. It is proactive action that prevents the problems in the first place.
All of this advice makes plenty of sense, but I also see a flip side. Turning off for a weekend or the odd day here or there might not make logical sense if humans were machines, but we’re not (not most of us anyway). A nice stretch of slacking may not be good for your email inbox, but couldn’t it do wonders for your energy level and creativity when you’re burnt out and need a fresh perspective?
MY THOUGHTS
i'm a crammer. i seem to work best when under pressure. crises seem to come with the package when deadlines are far far off, it's difficult to get things done. however, this won't work when there are other people whose tasks are intertwined with mine. i need to plan and manage my time.
Friday, September 24, 2010
3 Ways to Break Out of a Career Rut
3 Ways to Break Out of a Career Rut
By Jessica Stillman | September 23, 2010
Learning, like getting in shape, isn’t a comfortable process. If you’re not sweating and worrying about whether you’re adequate to the task, you’re probably not pushing yourself hard enough. And what’s true in the classroom and at the gym is also true at the office, according to an excellent guest post by Tara Mohr on blog Productive Flourishing.
Entrepreneur Mohr shares her own story about plateauing at a place where she was comfortable with her skills but not gaining many new ones, but her problem could be experienced just as easily by someone working at a large company. She relates that six months into starting her business,
Things started to settle. I had a regular group of clients. I had run a few workshops. I was guest posting regularly… That was April 2010. Now we’re in September. Here’s what I’ve noticed: I’ve gotten stuck in a business comfort zone.
So what is Mohr doing to break out of her rut? She has a three-step process to get fired up for new career challenges:
Get clear on the current state reality. Write down the list of business activities that are within your comfort zone and those things that are outside of it. In your second list, focus on the top five activities you believe would enrich your business but that you are avoiding, delaying, ignoring, because they are out of your comfort zone. How do you know if you are avoiding something because it’s outside of your comfort zone? These are some good indicators: Do you get anxious when you think about doing it? Does it involve risking rejection, “failure,” or taking messy, imperfect action? Do you get mentally foggy when thinking about it?
Clear your own BS. Using your list, review the items outside of your comfort zone one by one and deconstruct or disprove the BS that is stopping you from going after each one. Create new incentives. We all have a huge natural incentive to play it safe. We have to create an alternative incentive to leave the comfort zone. When my husband and I were working conventional jobs, we had a special agreement on salary negotiations. We agreed that the first one of us to ask for a raise that got turned down by the company would win a prize from the other. On the one hand, we both wanted to win. On the other hand, neither of us wanted to propose a raise so outlandish it would offend our bosses. That stretched us to ask for the most money we thought would be perceived as not-offensive. We gave ourselves an incentive to take a risk.
If you’re curious what sort of BS Mohr is talking about in her second point, she lists three types that often come up and ways to combat each:
Fears. Fear of rejection, failure and the unknown. Get down to that root of the fear. See it for what it is. Have compassion for yourself. Question whether the fear is realistic, and look at whether you are willing to move forward in spite of the fear.
Inner critic chatter. You might hear your inner critic saying you aren’t ready to do x, that you aren’t good enough. You might hear old stories that you picked up from your mean second grade teacher, about how you can’t write or aren’t good with people. It’s all BS. Notice how the inner critic is functioning to keep you in the comfort zone, and start separating your own best thinking from its voice. Create a character and a name for your inner critic and talk back to him or her.
Your crazy stories: “I need to get x number of blog subscribers before I reach out to so and so about a collaboration.” “I need to have a fancy website before I sell products.” We make up all kinds of false rules like these about how the world is. Check out your assumptions. Write them down, look at them in the plain light of day, and question them. Talk them over with a friend or adviser.
MY THOUGHTS
what this article is saying to me is i should feel lucky that my job hardly gives me the time to feel my comfort zones. i am not in a plateau. sometimes i feel i'm spiralling down. i tell my boss, "we make 1 step forward and then slide back 5 steps". and yet, in reality, these steps backwards are ways for us to get out of a career rut. i thought this article was about getting another job. silly me. for someone who runs the 7 habits, i should have known, that looking for another job is a cop out. God will not take us to a place where we cannot handle things. He will never take us even a step further. He wants us to take certain steps in faith, even when they seem too much for us. Then, He will put a stop if we can't wing it- and we won't have to make a single step.
By Jessica Stillman | September 23, 2010
Learning, like getting in shape, isn’t a comfortable process. If you’re not sweating and worrying about whether you’re adequate to the task, you’re probably not pushing yourself hard enough. And what’s true in the classroom and at the gym is also true at the office, according to an excellent guest post by Tara Mohr on blog Productive Flourishing.
Entrepreneur Mohr shares her own story about plateauing at a place where she was comfortable with her skills but not gaining many new ones, but her problem could be experienced just as easily by someone working at a large company. She relates that six months into starting her business,
Things started to settle. I had a regular group of clients. I had run a few workshops. I was guest posting regularly… That was April 2010. Now we’re in September. Here’s what I’ve noticed: I’ve gotten stuck in a business comfort zone.
So what is Mohr doing to break out of her rut? She has a three-step process to get fired up for new career challenges:
Get clear on the current state reality. Write down the list of business activities that are within your comfort zone and those things that are outside of it. In your second list, focus on the top five activities you believe would enrich your business but that you are avoiding, delaying, ignoring, because they are out of your comfort zone. How do you know if you are avoiding something because it’s outside of your comfort zone? These are some good indicators: Do you get anxious when you think about doing it? Does it involve risking rejection, “failure,” or taking messy, imperfect action? Do you get mentally foggy when thinking about it?
Clear your own BS. Using your list, review the items outside of your comfort zone one by one and deconstruct or disprove the BS that is stopping you from going after each one. Create new incentives. We all have a huge natural incentive to play it safe. We have to create an alternative incentive to leave the comfort zone. When my husband and I were working conventional jobs, we had a special agreement on salary negotiations. We agreed that the first one of us to ask for a raise that got turned down by the company would win a prize from the other. On the one hand, we both wanted to win. On the other hand, neither of us wanted to propose a raise so outlandish it would offend our bosses. That stretched us to ask for the most money we thought would be perceived as not-offensive. We gave ourselves an incentive to take a risk.
If you’re curious what sort of BS Mohr is talking about in her second point, she lists three types that often come up and ways to combat each:
Fears. Fear of rejection, failure and the unknown. Get down to that root of the fear. See it for what it is. Have compassion for yourself. Question whether the fear is realistic, and look at whether you are willing to move forward in spite of the fear.
Inner critic chatter. You might hear your inner critic saying you aren’t ready to do x, that you aren’t good enough. You might hear old stories that you picked up from your mean second grade teacher, about how you can’t write or aren’t good with people. It’s all BS. Notice how the inner critic is functioning to keep you in the comfort zone, and start separating your own best thinking from its voice. Create a character and a name for your inner critic and talk back to him or her.
Your crazy stories: “I need to get x number of blog subscribers before I reach out to so and so about a collaboration.” “I need to have a fancy website before I sell products.” We make up all kinds of false rules like these about how the world is. Check out your assumptions. Write them down, look at them in the plain light of day, and question them. Talk them over with a friend or adviser.
MY THOUGHTS
what this article is saying to me is i should feel lucky that my job hardly gives me the time to feel my comfort zones. i am not in a plateau. sometimes i feel i'm spiralling down. i tell my boss, "we make 1 step forward and then slide back 5 steps". and yet, in reality, these steps backwards are ways for us to get out of a career rut. i thought this article was about getting another job. silly me. for someone who runs the 7 habits, i should have known, that looking for another job is a cop out. God will not take us to a place where we cannot handle things. He will never take us even a step further. He wants us to take certain steps in faith, even when they seem too much for us. Then, He will put a stop if we can't wing it- and we won't have to make a single step.
Never Be Late Again: 9 Ways to Make It Happen
Never Be Late Again: 9 Ways to Make It Happen
By Jessica Stillman | September 1, 2010
For the perpetually tardy it sounds like mission impossible — reform your ways and never be late for an appointment again. But now that you’ve left behind your lazy college days and joined the working world, the inability to be on time can have a serious impact on your career. So can it you transform yourself into a punctual person?
Awesomely named blog Dumb Little Man thinks it’s possible. In a post written by the habitually late child of a habitually late father, the blog lays out the case that there are ways to become more punctual, even if your inability to be on time feels like a deeply ingrained aspect of your character. Here are nine tips to try:
1. The first step is acceptance. Admit you have a problem and enlist help.
2. Surround yourself with clocks (not just the one on your cell phone).
3. Bring something to read or occupy you, so if you arrive early, you don’t feel like you’re “wasting time.”
4. Give yourself a handicap. If you’re a bad estimator, double the time you think it will take to get there.
5. If you’ve never been where you’re going, look up directions beforehand (not at the time you’re supposed to be walking out the door).
6. Before you accept invitations for engagements, ask yourself if you really can, or want to, attend. If you’re hesitant, perhaps it’s better to politely decline than rudely arrive late.
7. Don’t try to do too much. Keep a detailed schedule and don’t be distracted by tasks not on it.
8. Fine yourself a dollar (to your piggy bank) for every minute you’re late.
9. Hypnosis. Hey, it can’t hurt, right?
MY THOUGHTS
hypnosis? oh, well, surrounding your self with clocks works. well, i think i've tried the rest. my problem is that the only really quiet time - without people dropping in and out of your office, no calls, no disractions- is in the evening. so, i end up working well into the night. stay up late, wake up late. an endless cycle i find hard to break. might as well try number 8. like the idea.
By Jessica Stillman | September 1, 2010
For the perpetually tardy it sounds like mission impossible — reform your ways and never be late for an appointment again. But now that you’ve left behind your lazy college days and joined the working world, the inability to be on time can have a serious impact on your career. So can it you transform yourself into a punctual person?
Awesomely named blog Dumb Little Man thinks it’s possible. In a post written by the habitually late child of a habitually late father, the blog lays out the case that there are ways to become more punctual, even if your inability to be on time feels like a deeply ingrained aspect of your character. Here are nine tips to try:
1. The first step is acceptance. Admit you have a problem and enlist help.
2. Surround yourself with clocks (not just the one on your cell phone).
3. Bring something to read or occupy you, so if you arrive early, you don’t feel like you’re “wasting time.”
4. Give yourself a handicap. If you’re a bad estimator, double the time you think it will take to get there.
5. If you’ve never been where you’re going, look up directions beforehand (not at the time you’re supposed to be walking out the door).
6. Before you accept invitations for engagements, ask yourself if you really can, or want to, attend. If you’re hesitant, perhaps it’s better to politely decline than rudely arrive late.
7. Don’t try to do too much. Keep a detailed schedule and don’t be distracted by tasks not on it.
8. Fine yourself a dollar (to your piggy bank) for every minute you’re late.
9. Hypnosis. Hey, it can’t hurt, right?
MY THOUGHTS
hypnosis? oh, well, surrounding your self with clocks works. well, i think i've tried the rest. my problem is that the only really quiet time - without people dropping in and out of your office, no calls, no disractions- is in the evening. so, i end up working well into the night. stay up late, wake up late. an endless cycle i find hard to break. might as well try number 8. like the idea.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
the secret of becoming a champion
The Secret Of Becoming A Champion
Today, I’d like to teach you how to become a Champion.
I’d like to teach you how to get Big Returns in your life.
Now if you want small returns, skip this piece.
It won’t interest you.
If you want to live a mediocre life, content with mediocre harvests, mediocre results, mediocre rewards, mediocre marriage, a mediocre job, mediocre relationships, mediocre happiness, I repeat: this stuff isn’t for you.
But if you want big returns, big miracles, big blessings, big healing, big happiness—then continue reading.
This is for you!
Look around you.
The Secret of Big Returns is known by champions of the world.
Why are they champions?
Because they practice the secret.
How Many Sit-Ups Can You Make?
Why is Manny Pacquiao the best pound-for-pound boxing champion in the world?
You and I only see what Manny does on the ring.
We don’t see what he does outside the ring.
For example, I can do 10 sit-ups comfortably.
One day, to impress my wife, I tried doing 30 sit-ups. I only reached 25. After that, she had to carry me to bed.
Do you know how many sit-ups does Manny Pacquiao make in a day? 100? 200? 500? 1000?
Nope.
He does 3000. Every single day.
No wonder he’s a champ.
No wonder his abs are like steel.
When he’s training before a fight, from Monday to Saturday, he starts at 5:30am and ends at 4:00pm. That’s more than ten hours of rigorous, grueling, hardcore, violent training. Everyday!
In fact, Coach Freddie Roach says that Manny has one weakness: “Manny has a tendency to over-train, I have to stop him.” That’s dedication.
Why is Manny a champion in boxing?
Because he knows the secret of big returns: He gives his all.
The Guy Couldn’t Miss A Shot
Larry Bird was one of the best basketball players in the history of the game.
He was known for his shooting magic.
But it was no magic. It was practice.
After every team practice, he’d be the last player to leave the gym. While everyone else was taking a shower in the lockers, Larry would close the lights in the court and practice shooting in semi-darkness. Many times, he’d practice three-point shots while closing his eyes. He’d do that everyday.
One day, Larry Bird was making a commercial. The Director instructed him to miss a shot. That was what the scene required. Because his muscle memory was so strong, Larry had to take 10 shots before he missed it!
Why was Larry a champion in basketball?
Because he knew the secret of big returns: He gave his all.
Diabetes Couldn’t Stop The Dancing
Gary Valenciano is “Mr. Pure Energy”.
He’s the only entertainer that has won the Awit Award for Best Male Performer 11 times!
Yet this man has had Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes since he was 14 years old. So far, he’s had 90,000 insulin injections in his body. Yet his sickness has not stopped him giving his all every single time he’s on stage.
Why is Gary a champion in entertainment?
Because he knows the secret of big returns: He gives his all.
Broken Bones Come With His Job
Jackie Chan is one of the most successful action movie stars in the world today. He’s big both in Hongkong and Hollywood.
Jackie appears twice in the Guiness Book of World Records.
First, he holds the record for “most stunts by a living actor”. In fact, no insurance company is willing to insure him.
Because of his movies, he has fractured his skull, dislocated his pelvis, broken his fingers, toes, nose, both cheekbones, hips, sternum, neck, ankle, and ribs many times.
Second, he holds the world record for the most number of takes for a single shot in a movie. To make one scene perfect, Jackie had to shoot 2900 retakes. Of one scene!
Talk about dedication to his craft.
That’s Jackie Chan.
Why is Jackie a champion in action movies?
Because he knows the secret of big returns: He gives his all.
The Most Admired Person
In The 20th Century
Mother Teresa was called a living saint.
According to Gallop polls, survey after survey shows that even while she was still alive, Mother Teresa was already the single most admired person in the 20th century.
She served the poorest of the poor for 45 years. When she passed away, she left the world with 4000 nuns that ran 610 centers in 123 countries.
Why has she inspired millions of people?
Because she gave her all.
The Bible says, Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. (2 Corinthians 9:6)
It’s really the Law of the Harvest.
What you plant, you harvest.
If you plant small, you harvest small.
If you plant big, you harvest big.
And if you plant all, you harvest all!
Let me now tell you a fascinating story.
Jack, Ken, Poy
There were three brothers named Jack, Ken, and Poy.
One day, they were walking on the road. Each was carrying a bayong (native basket). They had just come from the field and harvested some potatoes.
Soon, they met an old poor man on the road, pulling a rickety cart behind him. He was dressed in rags and was walking barefoot.
“What happened to you?” the brothers asked him.
The old man said, “My whole town has been flooded! Hundreds of people are now homeless, without food or water. They are very hungry. Can you give your sweet potatoes so I could feed my poor townspeople?”
Jack, Ken, and Poy looked at each other and nodded their heads.
I’m telling you this story because Jack, Ken, and Poy represent the three kinds of givers in the world today. I want you to find out what kind of giver you are.
Jack, The Token Giver
Jack reached down his basket, pulled out 3 potatoes, and placed them onto the cart of the old man.
And the beggar said, “Thank you so much, my son.”
Jack represents the first type of giver: The Token Giver.
All Jack does is give tokens of himself whenever he can.
In his family, he gives tokens of his time and energy to his kids and his wife—just enough so his wife won’t leave him.
In his job, he does the barest minimum possible—so he won’t get fired.
And in Church, whenever the love offering basket is passed, he doesn’t tithe—he gives tokens. Just to say that he gave.
Because of his habit of giving tokens, his returns are tiny.
He has a job but his career is stagnant.
His family lives in one house but relationships are shallow.
He goes to Church but hasn’t grown spiritually.
Others however are like Ken…
Ken, The Tentative Giver
Ken did something different.
He brought his bayong near the cart, tilted itand poured half of its contents.
The old beggar said, “Thank you very much, my son.”
Ken represents the second type of giver in the world: The Tentative Giver.
He gives more than just tokens, but he still holds back.
In his family, he gives himself to them tentatively.
He has a 50/50 approach to relationships. Because of this, his relationships are average. Not great.
Let me tell you why.
I’ve been married for 12 years and here’s one very important principle I’ve learned: Marriages don’t work if the husband gives 50% and the wife gives 50%. A marriage works only if the husband and the wife each give 100% to each other.
When it comes to relationships, you don’t measure what you give. You don’t count. You throw away the ruler.
You don’t say, “I rubbed your back, you should rub my back.” That’s not love, that’s business. That’s not love, that’s legal contracts.
When you love a person, and you feel like you’re giving more than he’s giving you—don’t be bitter. Because you know that even if you don’t count, God is counting. And the Law of the universe will be the one who will reward you.
(Note: When I talk this way, I’m not talking about tolerating abusive, or drunkard, or philandering husbands. That’s a totally different issue. I’m talking about healthy marriages here!)
In his job, it’s the same: Ken gives satisfactory work. But not great work. He never goes beyond average. He never exceeds expectations.
How many of you know this: Promotions doesn’t go to performance. Promotions go to superior performance.
Ken hasn’t been promoted. Because he doesn’t take initiative or develops himself. He doesn’t look for ways to become better, or get trained, or look for mentors.
In his spiritual life, it’s the same story.
He tries to follow God but doesn’t trust Him with his entire life. He holds back.
Not like Poy.
Poy, The Total Giver
It was Poy’s turn.
Poy brought his bayong to the cart, inverted it and unloaded everything. He now carried an empty bayong.
The old man said, “Thank you very much, my son.”
Poy represents the third kind of giver: The Total Giver.
Manny Pacquaio is a Poy in boxing.
Larry Bird is a Poy in basketball.
Gary V is a Poy in entertainment.
Jacky Chan is a Poy in making action movies.
Haven’t you noticed? If you want to be successful, you’ve got to be a little bit crazy. Insane. Illogical. Unreasonable. Fanatical.
Can you imagine doing 3000 sit-ups every day?
Or shooting 3-point shots while closing your eyes?
Or doing 2900 retakes for one scene?
They’re nuts.
But that’s Poy.
Poy knows the magic of giving his all.
Note: You also realize that there are two types of successful people in the world. First are those who are successful in one field only—but are dismal failures in other areas. The second are those who are successful in the most important areas of their lives. And you find these people living among us. And that’s what God wants for you!
Let me go back to Poy.
Poy gives his entire heart to his family. He doesn’t want an okay marriage. He’s committed to a great marriage. He doesn’t want to have an average relationship with his kids. Each day, he works to build deep bonds with them that will last forever.
In his job or business, Poy also works with passion. He loves what he does. And he loves his customers. For him, work is play. Because of this, he’s pro-active, takes initiative, gets training, hones his craft, and has a lifelong commitment to grow .
And in his relationship with God, Poy completely surrenders himself to Him. He trusts God. He follows God all the way. He gives his time, his talent, and his treasure to God.
I repeat my question: Who are you?
The Law Of The Universe
My story isn’t over.
As Poy stepped back with his empty bayong, lo and behold, the old beggar transformed and became a Wizard!
Instead of tattered rags, he now wore a golden robe.
He had a long beard and his face seemed shining.
The three brothers were so shocked, they could hardly speak or move.
The Wizard said, “The Law of the Universe says that whatever you give, you shall receive. It’s the Law of Reciprocity. So be ready to receive. How much will you receive? The measure that you used in giving will be the same measure used for rewarding you.”
And in a flash, POOF, the Wizard was gone.
The three brothers rubbed their eyes, wondering if it was all a dream. They walked home in a daze.
Because they were still in shock, none of them noticed that their bayongs were getting heavier with every step they took.
It was only when they reached home did they realize that something miraculous happened.
All their bayongs were filled to the brim!
Jack opened his bayong and shouted, “Ken, Poy, look! The 3 potatoesthat I gave the old man were now replaced by 3 bars of gold.”
Ken opened his bayong and said, “Half of my bayong filled with gold bars!”
And Poy opened his bayong, and saw all of it filled with gold bars!
Once again, tell me, who are you: Jack, Ken, or Poy?
Create A Bigger Vacuum
Once upon a time, I asked this question: Why is God so demanding?
Just look at the greatest commandment. Why does God want you to love Him with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your strength. (Matthew 22:37)
Shouldn’t He be satisfied if you loved Him with half your heart, ¾ of your mind, and 58% of your strength?
Why does God want you to give your all?
Helloooooow.
God doesn’t need your time.
He’s the owner of eternity. He invented time.
God doesn’t need your talents, definitely.
He can just snap his finger and ten thousand battalions of angels kneel before him to serve.
And obviously, God doesn’t need your money.
He’s owns the universe.
So why does He want you to give your all?
Here’s why:
When you give, you create a vacuum.
An empty space.
When I was a kid, my Grade 6 science teacher said, “Nature abhors a vacuum.” Nature wants to automatically fill vacuums.
That’s why vacuums are powerful magnets.
That vacuum—that empty space—attracts blessings. What blessings? The stuff that you gave away will be returned to you, only of far better quality and greater quantity.
Listen carefully. The more you give, the bigger the vacuum you create. The bigger the vacuum, the stronger the magnet—and the more blessings you’ll attract into your life.
That’s why giving your all is the secret of big returns.
There’s magic when you give your All.
Because you also attract All that God wants to give to you.
This reminds me of a poor widow in the Bible.
The Secret of Big Returns
In Luke 21:1, it says…
Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ”I tell you the truth,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
How much are two small copper coins?
Scholars argue a lot here. These coins are called Lenta in Greek. Many scholars believe that those two small copper coins are equal to around P25 in our money today.
Here’s something that you need to know: To be a poor old widow in biblical times was Hell on earth.
I’m serious. By law, she couldn’t inherit the property of her husband. For this particular widow, her kids probably were very poor or didn’t care for her—that’s why she was poor.
Let me be honest with you.
If I were Jesus, and saw what she was about to do, I would have stopped her. I would have ran to the widow and said, “Lady, please. Be practical. You don’t have to give those two copper coins. How will you go home? Do you have something to eat tonight? Tomorrow? Hey, if you really want to give something, just give one. Because that’s all you’ve got.”
But Jesus didn’t do that.
He did something very disturbing: He praised her.
He honored her to the high heavens. He put her on a pedestal for the entire world to imitate. He really thought she did a great thing.
To Jesus, there’s magic in “Giving your all”.
And that’s what I want to share with you today.
Giving Your All has incredible magic.
It’s really the secret of big returns.
My Life
I’ve given my all to God.
Very imperfectly.
One of the things I gave to God was my youth. I started serving God when I was 12 years old.
People ask me all the time, “Bo, don’t you regret giving your life to God so early in life? You never tasted the world.”
I laugh.
And I tell them, “I’ve preached in 16 countries, visited 14 more nations, and preached in 38 cities in North America alone. I’ve written 18 bestselling books, performed in concerts, lived in slum areas, built non-profit organizations, started 12 businesses, and talked to presidents, judges, and cardinals. The world has become my playground.”
When I gave my all to God, He has given it back to me a hundredfold.
Friend, I urge you: Give your all to God.
Nothing Is Too Small For God
And don’t look down on how small your all is.
Nothing is too small for God.
Take a look at the Bible and see for yourself:
Moses used a simple walking stick to part the Red Sea and save an entire nation.
Gideon used a little trumpet to defeat the Midianite army.
Samson used a donkey’s jawbone to slay a thousand Philistines.
David used a stone picked up from a river to knock down the giant Goliath—and win back the honor of Israel.
Elisha used a piece of cloth to divide the Jordan River.
Peter used his shadow to heal the sick in Jerusalem.
And Jesus used five pieces of bread to feed the multitudes.
All Is Never Small
Perhaps you feel that you’re insignificant.
That you don’t amount to anything.
You feel like you’re that walking stick.
Or that little trumpet.
Or that jawbone.
Or that small stone.
Or that piece of cloth.
But I’ve got news for you: No matter how small you think you are, God has big plans for your life.
Really big!
I want you to believe that God has a big plan for your life.
Today, I urge you to give your all to God, so that you can receive all the blessings He wants for your life.
May your dreams come true,
Bo Sanchez
MY THOUGHTS
talk of going the extra mile. these champions seemed to have done more than that. "All is never small". I like that. lik that very much. sometimes we do our all. and nothing happens. worse, your "all" just brought you 5 paces back. my faith tells me, that;s how God planned it. it's like those pull back cars. you have to really pull back. hard. for the car to go speeding forward.
Today, I’d like to teach you how to become a Champion.
I’d like to teach you how to get Big Returns in your life.
Now if you want small returns, skip this piece.
It won’t interest you.
If you want to live a mediocre life, content with mediocre harvests, mediocre results, mediocre rewards, mediocre marriage, a mediocre job, mediocre relationships, mediocre happiness, I repeat: this stuff isn’t for you.
But if you want big returns, big miracles, big blessings, big healing, big happiness—then continue reading.
This is for you!
Look around you.
The Secret of Big Returns is known by champions of the world.
Why are they champions?
Because they practice the secret.
How Many Sit-Ups Can You Make?
Why is Manny Pacquiao the best pound-for-pound boxing champion in the world?
You and I only see what Manny does on the ring.
We don’t see what he does outside the ring.
For example, I can do 10 sit-ups comfortably.
One day, to impress my wife, I tried doing 30 sit-ups. I only reached 25. After that, she had to carry me to bed.
Do you know how many sit-ups does Manny Pacquiao make in a day? 100? 200? 500? 1000?
Nope.
He does 3000. Every single day.
No wonder he’s a champ.
No wonder his abs are like steel.
When he’s training before a fight, from Monday to Saturday, he starts at 5:30am and ends at 4:00pm. That’s more than ten hours of rigorous, grueling, hardcore, violent training. Everyday!
In fact, Coach Freddie Roach says that Manny has one weakness: “Manny has a tendency to over-train, I have to stop him.” That’s dedication.
Why is Manny a champion in boxing?
Because he knows the secret of big returns: He gives his all.
The Guy Couldn’t Miss A Shot
Larry Bird was one of the best basketball players in the history of the game.
He was known for his shooting magic.
But it was no magic. It was practice.
After every team practice, he’d be the last player to leave the gym. While everyone else was taking a shower in the lockers, Larry would close the lights in the court and practice shooting in semi-darkness. Many times, he’d practice three-point shots while closing his eyes. He’d do that everyday.
One day, Larry Bird was making a commercial. The Director instructed him to miss a shot. That was what the scene required. Because his muscle memory was so strong, Larry had to take 10 shots before he missed it!
Why was Larry a champion in basketball?
Because he knew the secret of big returns: He gave his all.
Diabetes Couldn’t Stop The Dancing
Gary Valenciano is “Mr. Pure Energy”.
He’s the only entertainer that has won the Awit Award for Best Male Performer 11 times!
Yet this man has had Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes since he was 14 years old. So far, he’s had 90,000 insulin injections in his body. Yet his sickness has not stopped him giving his all every single time he’s on stage.
Why is Gary a champion in entertainment?
Because he knows the secret of big returns: He gives his all.
Broken Bones Come With His Job
Jackie Chan is one of the most successful action movie stars in the world today. He’s big both in Hongkong and Hollywood.
Jackie appears twice in the Guiness Book of World Records.
First, he holds the record for “most stunts by a living actor”. In fact, no insurance company is willing to insure him.
Because of his movies, he has fractured his skull, dislocated his pelvis, broken his fingers, toes, nose, both cheekbones, hips, sternum, neck, ankle, and ribs many times.
Second, he holds the world record for the most number of takes for a single shot in a movie. To make one scene perfect, Jackie had to shoot 2900 retakes. Of one scene!
Talk about dedication to his craft.
That’s Jackie Chan.
Why is Jackie a champion in action movies?
Because he knows the secret of big returns: He gives his all.
The Most Admired Person
In The 20th Century
Mother Teresa was called a living saint.
According to Gallop polls, survey after survey shows that even while she was still alive, Mother Teresa was already the single most admired person in the 20th century.
She served the poorest of the poor for 45 years. When she passed away, she left the world with 4000 nuns that ran 610 centers in 123 countries.
Why has she inspired millions of people?
Because she gave her all.
The Bible says, Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. (2 Corinthians 9:6)
It’s really the Law of the Harvest.
What you plant, you harvest.
If you plant small, you harvest small.
If you plant big, you harvest big.
And if you plant all, you harvest all!
Let me now tell you a fascinating story.
Jack, Ken, Poy
There were three brothers named Jack, Ken, and Poy.
One day, they were walking on the road. Each was carrying a bayong (native basket). They had just come from the field and harvested some potatoes.
Soon, they met an old poor man on the road, pulling a rickety cart behind him. He was dressed in rags and was walking barefoot.
“What happened to you?” the brothers asked him.
The old man said, “My whole town has been flooded! Hundreds of people are now homeless, without food or water. They are very hungry. Can you give your sweet potatoes so I could feed my poor townspeople?”
Jack, Ken, and Poy looked at each other and nodded their heads.
I’m telling you this story because Jack, Ken, and Poy represent the three kinds of givers in the world today. I want you to find out what kind of giver you are.
Jack, The Token Giver
Jack reached down his basket, pulled out 3 potatoes, and placed them onto the cart of the old man.
And the beggar said, “Thank you so much, my son.”
Jack represents the first type of giver: The Token Giver.
All Jack does is give tokens of himself whenever he can.
In his family, he gives tokens of his time and energy to his kids and his wife—just enough so his wife won’t leave him.
In his job, he does the barest minimum possible—so he won’t get fired.
And in Church, whenever the love offering basket is passed, he doesn’t tithe—he gives tokens. Just to say that he gave.
Because of his habit of giving tokens, his returns are tiny.
He has a job but his career is stagnant.
His family lives in one house but relationships are shallow.
He goes to Church but hasn’t grown spiritually.
Others however are like Ken…
Ken, The Tentative Giver
Ken did something different.
He brought his bayong near the cart, tilted itand poured half of its contents.
The old beggar said, “Thank you very much, my son.”
Ken represents the second type of giver in the world: The Tentative Giver.
He gives more than just tokens, but he still holds back.
In his family, he gives himself to them tentatively.
He has a 50/50 approach to relationships. Because of this, his relationships are average. Not great.
Let me tell you why.
I’ve been married for 12 years and here’s one very important principle I’ve learned: Marriages don’t work if the husband gives 50% and the wife gives 50%. A marriage works only if the husband and the wife each give 100% to each other.
When it comes to relationships, you don’t measure what you give. You don’t count. You throw away the ruler.
You don’t say, “I rubbed your back, you should rub my back.” That’s not love, that’s business. That’s not love, that’s legal contracts.
When you love a person, and you feel like you’re giving more than he’s giving you—don’t be bitter. Because you know that even if you don’t count, God is counting. And the Law of the universe will be the one who will reward you.
(Note: When I talk this way, I’m not talking about tolerating abusive, or drunkard, or philandering husbands. That’s a totally different issue. I’m talking about healthy marriages here!)
In his job, it’s the same: Ken gives satisfactory work. But not great work. He never goes beyond average. He never exceeds expectations.
How many of you know this: Promotions doesn’t go to performance. Promotions go to superior performance.
Ken hasn’t been promoted. Because he doesn’t take initiative or develops himself. He doesn’t look for ways to become better, or get trained, or look for mentors.
In his spiritual life, it’s the same story.
He tries to follow God but doesn’t trust Him with his entire life. He holds back.
Not like Poy.
Poy, The Total Giver
It was Poy’s turn.
Poy brought his bayong to the cart, inverted it and unloaded everything. He now carried an empty bayong.
The old man said, “Thank you very much, my son.”
Poy represents the third kind of giver: The Total Giver.
Manny Pacquaio is a Poy in boxing.
Larry Bird is a Poy in basketball.
Gary V is a Poy in entertainment.
Jacky Chan is a Poy in making action movies.
Haven’t you noticed? If you want to be successful, you’ve got to be a little bit crazy. Insane. Illogical. Unreasonable. Fanatical.
Can you imagine doing 3000 sit-ups every day?
Or shooting 3-point shots while closing your eyes?
Or doing 2900 retakes for one scene?
They’re nuts.
But that’s Poy.
Poy knows the magic of giving his all.
Note: You also realize that there are two types of successful people in the world. First are those who are successful in one field only—but are dismal failures in other areas. The second are those who are successful in the most important areas of their lives. And you find these people living among us. And that’s what God wants for you!
Let me go back to Poy.
Poy gives his entire heart to his family. He doesn’t want an okay marriage. He’s committed to a great marriage. He doesn’t want to have an average relationship with his kids. Each day, he works to build deep bonds with them that will last forever.
In his job or business, Poy also works with passion. He loves what he does. And he loves his customers. For him, work is play. Because of this, he’s pro-active, takes initiative, gets training, hones his craft, and has a lifelong commitment to grow .
And in his relationship with God, Poy completely surrenders himself to Him. He trusts God. He follows God all the way. He gives his time, his talent, and his treasure to God.
I repeat my question: Who are you?
The Law Of The Universe
My story isn’t over.
As Poy stepped back with his empty bayong, lo and behold, the old beggar transformed and became a Wizard!
Instead of tattered rags, he now wore a golden robe.
He had a long beard and his face seemed shining.
The three brothers were so shocked, they could hardly speak or move.
The Wizard said, “The Law of the Universe says that whatever you give, you shall receive. It’s the Law of Reciprocity. So be ready to receive. How much will you receive? The measure that you used in giving will be the same measure used for rewarding you.”
And in a flash, POOF, the Wizard was gone.
The three brothers rubbed their eyes, wondering if it was all a dream. They walked home in a daze.
Because they were still in shock, none of them noticed that their bayongs were getting heavier with every step they took.
It was only when they reached home did they realize that something miraculous happened.
All their bayongs were filled to the brim!
Jack opened his bayong and shouted, “Ken, Poy, look! The 3 potatoesthat I gave the old man were now replaced by 3 bars of gold.”
Ken opened his bayong and said, “Half of my bayong filled with gold bars!”
And Poy opened his bayong, and saw all of it filled with gold bars!
Once again, tell me, who are you: Jack, Ken, or Poy?
Create A Bigger Vacuum
Once upon a time, I asked this question: Why is God so demanding?
Just look at the greatest commandment. Why does God want you to love Him with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your strength. (Matthew 22:37)
Shouldn’t He be satisfied if you loved Him with half your heart, ¾ of your mind, and 58% of your strength?
Why does God want you to give your all?
Helloooooow.
God doesn’t need your time.
He’s the owner of eternity. He invented time.
God doesn’t need your talents, definitely.
He can just snap his finger and ten thousand battalions of angels kneel before him to serve.
And obviously, God doesn’t need your money.
He’s owns the universe.
So why does He want you to give your all?
Here’s why:
When you give, you create a vacuum.
An empty space.
When I was a kid, my Grade 6 science teacher said, “Nature abhors a vacuum.” Nature wants to automatically fill vacuums.
That’s why vacuums are powerful magnets.
That vacuum—that empty space—attracts blessings. What blessings? The stuff that you gave away will be returned to you, only of far better quality and greater quantity.
Listen carefully. The more you give, the bigger the vacuum you create. The bigger the vacuum, the stronger the magnet—and the more blessings you’ll attract into your life.
That’s why giving your all is the secret of big returns.
There’s magic when you give your All.
Because you also attract All that God wants to give to you.
This reminds me of a poor widow in the Bible.
The Secret of Big Returns
In Luke 21:1, it says…
Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ”I tell you the truth,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
How much are two small copper coins?
Scholars argue a lot here. These coins are called Lenta in Greek. Many scholars believe that those two small copper coins are equal to around P25 in our money today.
Here’s something that you need to know: To be a poor old widow in biblical times was Hell on earth.
I’m serious. By law, she couldn’t inherit the property of her husband. For this particular widow, her kids probably were very poor or didn’t care for her—that’s why she was poor.
Let me be honest with you.
If I were Jesus, and saw what she was about to do, I would have stopped her. I would have ran to the widow and said, “Lady, please. Be practical. You don’t have to give those two copper coins. How will you go home? Do you have something to eat tonight? Tomorrow? Hey, if you really want to give something, just give one. Because that’s all you’ve got.”
But Jesus didn’t do that.
He did something very disturbing: He praised her.
He honored her to the high heavens. He put her on a pedestal for the entire world to imitate. He really thought she did a great thing.
To Jesus, there’s magic in “Giving your all”.
And that’s what I want to share with you today.
Giving Your All has incredible magic.
It’s really the secret of big returns.
My Life
I’ve given my all to God.
Very imperfectly.
One of the things I gave to God was my youth. I started serving God when I was 12 years old.
People ask me all the time, “Bo, don’t you regret giving your life to God so early in life? You never tasted the world.”
I laugh.
And I tell them, “I’ve preached in 16 countries, visited 14 more nations, and preached in 38 cities in North America alone. I’ve written 18 bestselling books, performed in concerts, lived in slum areas, built non-profit organizations, started 12 businesses, and talked to presidents, judges, and cardinals. The world has become my playground.”
When I gave my all to God, He has given it back to me a hundredfold.
Friend, I urge you: Give your all to God.
Nothing Is Too Small For God
And don’t look down on how small your all is.
Nothing is too small for God.
Take a look at the Bible and see for yourself:
Moses used a simple walking stick to part the Red Sea and save an entire nation.
Gideon used a little trumpet to defeat the Midianite army.
Samson used a donkey’s jawbone to slay a thousand Philistines.
David used a stone picked up from a river to knock down the giant Goliath—and win back the honor of Israel.
Elisha used a piece of cloth to divide the Jordan River.
Peter used his shadow to heal the sick in Jerusalem.
And Jesus used five pieces of bread to feed the multitudes.
All Is Never Small
Perhaps you feel that you’re insignificant.
That you don’t amount to anything.
You feel like you’re that walking stick.
Or that little trumpet.
Or that jawbone.
Or that small stone.
Or that piece of cloth.
But I’ve got news for you: No matter how small you think you are, God has big plans for your life.
Really big!
I want you to believe that God has a big plan for your life.
Today, I urge you to give your all to God, so that you can receive all the blessings He wants for your life.
May your dreams come true,
Bo Sanchez
MY THOUGHTS
talk of going the extra mile. these champions seemed to have done more than that. "All is never small". I like that. lik that very much. sometimes we do our all. and nothing happens. worse, your "all" just brought you 5 paces back. my faith tells me, that;s how God planned it. it's like those pull back cars. you have to really pull back. hard. for the car to go speeding forward.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
are you a manager or a leader?
From Manager to Leader
From Leslie L. Kossoff
Ask anyone and they'll tell you. There's a difference between managers and leaders.
Ask them what that difference is and they may have a bit more difficulty. Suddenly the words become amorphous and undefined. Somehow leadership is an intangible - a charismatic component that some people have and others simply don't. That's why, according to the ubiquitous "they", it is such a rarity.
Wrong.
The difference between being a manager and being a leader is simple. Management is a career. Leadership is a calling.
You don't have to be tall, well-spoken and good looking to be a successful leader. You don't have to have that "special something" to fulfill the leadership role.
What you have to have is clearly defined convictions - and, more importantly, the courage of your convictions to see them manifest into reality. Only when you understand your role as guide and steward based on your own most deeply held truths can you move from manager to leader.
Whether the group you oversee is called employees, associates, co-workers, teammates or anything else, what they are looking for is someone in whom they can place their trust. Someone they know is working for the greater good - for them and for the organization. They're looking for someone not only that they can - but that they want to - follow.
Because it is only when you have followers -people who have placed their trust in you - that you know you have moved into that leadership role. And the way you see it is that your organization is transcending all previous quality, productivity, innovation and revenue achievements. You're operating at such a high level of efficiency that you're giving budget back to the corporation - and you're still beating your goals.
You're achieving what you always dreamed could be achieved. And not only that, but it's actually easier than you thought.
Because you're a leader. Because the classic command and control management model - which, contrary to popular belief still applies even in our most progressive 21st century companies - is no longer in play. Sure, controls are in place. Sure, you're solving problems that arise.
But it's not just you alone. You have the people in whom you've put your trust - and who have happily and safely reciprocated - to help you create organizational success.
MY THOUGHTS
the toughest questions surely have the simplest answers. "management is a career. leadership is a calling". being a manager is something that you can give up easily. it's just a career. but leadership is something you are destined to do. how can you run away from what you were called to do? especially if you're certain as to who called you? bringing this to a different level is answering a different question. are you driven or are you called? are you there for the perks or are you there to make a difference? are you there for the "now"? or are you making sure the "now" will leave a "legacy"? did you make an impact while you were there? is the impact still there long after you were gone? tough questions! and only tough leaders can give you the answers.
From Leslie L. Kossoff
Ask anyone and they'll tell you. There's a difference between managers and leaders.
Ask them what that difference is and they may have a bit more difficulty. Suddenly the words become amorphous and undefined. Somehow leadership is an intangible - a charismatic component that some people have and others simply don't. That's why, according to the ubiquitous "they", it is such a rarity.
Wrong.
The difference between being a manager and being a leader is simple. Management is a career. Leadership is a calling.
You don't have to be tall, well-spoken and good looking to be a successful leader. You don't have to have that "special something" to fulfill the leadership role.
What you have to have is clearly defined convictions - and, more importantly, the courage of your convictions to see them manifest into reality. Only when you understand your role as guide and steward based on your own most deeply held truths can you move from manager to leader.
Whether the group you oversee is called employees, associates, co-workers, teammates or anything else, what they are looking for is someone in whom they can place their trust. Someone they know is working for the greater good - for them and for the organization. They're looking for someone not only that they can - but that they want to - follow.
Because it is only when you have followers -people who have placed their trust in you - that you know you have moved into that leadership role. And the way you see it is that your organization is transcending all previous quality, productivity, innovation and revenue achievements. You're operating at such a high level of efficiency that you're giving budget back to the corporation - and you're still beating your goals.
You're achieving what you always dreamed could be achieved. And not only that, but it's actually easier than you thought.
Because you're a leader. Because the classic command and control management model - which, contrary to popular belief still applies even in our most progressive 21st century companies - is no longer in play. Sure, controls are in place. Sure, you're solving problems that arise.
But it's not just you alone. You have the people in whom you've put your trust - and who have happily and safely reciprocated - to help you create organizational success.
MY THOUGHTS
the toughest questions surely have the simplest answers. "management is a career. leadership is a calling". being a manager is something that you can give up easily. it's just a career. but leadership is something you are destined to do. how can you run away from what you were called to do? especially if you're certain as to who called you? bringing this to a different level is answering a different question. are you driven or are you called? are you there for the perks or are you there to make a difference? are you there for the "now"? or are you making sure the "now" will leave a "legacy"? did you make an impact while you were there? is the impact still there long after you were gone? tough questions! and only tough leaders can give you the answers.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
managing with your inner voice
Scruples Are A Good Thing
Listening to Your Inner Voice
By F. John Reh, About.com Guide
I believe most people are good and honest. I believe that most managers act in ways that are beneficial for their employers and their employees. I do not believe that most of us are driven to take from others regardless of the cost. Certainly we have seen enough proof recently that there are unscrupulous people running businesses, but most managers are honest, scrupulous people.
Having scruples, or being scrupulous, means sometimes having doubts about doing something because it might not be right, because it might go against your principles. We all have an inner voice telling us when something we are considering isn't right. We might not always listen to it, but it is always there. As a manager, one of the best things you can do is to listen to your inner voice. If something isn't right, if your scruples kick in, if your inner voice tells you not to do it - listen. There is a reason for it.
Do you want your fifteen minutes of fame because of something you did well or are you willing to settle for fifteen minutes of infamy for having lied, cheated, or stolen?
The Voice Inside You
Sure, it can be tempting to take the easy way out, to tell a small lie because no one will be able to prove you lied, to claim credit for someone else's work because they work for you. Yet you will always know that is the wrong choice. Your inner voice will tell you.
Some people are better at ignoring their inner voice than others. They think they can talk loud enough, live fast enough, that they can drown out their inner voice. They can't. It's always there. So is yours.
The Upside
When you have scruples, when you listen to your inner voice, life is easier.
•You never have to remember your story
If you always tell the truth, you don't have to worry about what you told who.
•You are more effective
When you know you are doing the right thing, it is easier for you to get behind it and push to make it a success.
•You sleep better
When your inner voice isn't nagging you, you sleep more soundly. You aren't fighting with yourself.
The Downside
If you decide to ignore your inner voice, there will be consequences. They may not be obvious or immediate, but they will come.
•You will be found out
Regardless of how clever you are, or how practiced a liar you become, you will slip up. Someone will catch you in your lie.
•You will be less effective
You will spend so much time and energy covering your tracks that you will get less done.
•You won't like yourself very much
Even if no one else knows, you will know.
Manage this issue
The easiest course of action for any manager, the best course, the most effective, is to follow your inner voice. If something seems wrong, don't do it. If you use that moral compass as your guide, you will be a better manager and you will like yourself more. Others will sense it too, and you will be a better manager.
MY THOUGHTS
being scrupulous! listening to that voice that only you can hear. the voice inside that makes you uncomfortable. only if you know what's right and what's wrong. coz if you don't, there won't be an inner voice. and you won;t know until it's too late.
Listening to Your Inner Voice
By F. John Reh, About.com Guide
I believe most people are good and honest. I believe that most managers act in ways that are beneficial for their employers and their employees. I do not believe that most of us are driven to take from others regardless of the cost. Certainly we have seen enough proof recently that there are unscrupulous people running businesses, but most managers are honest, scrupulous people.
Having scruples, or being scrupulous, means sometimes having doubts about doing something because it might not be right, because it might go against your principles. We all have an inner voice telling us when something we are considering isn't right. We might not always listen to it, but it is always there. As a manager, one of the best things you can do is to listen to your inner voice. If something isn't right, if your scruples kick in, if your inner voice tells you not to do it - listen. There is a reason for it.
Do you want your fifteen minutes of fame because of something you did well or are you willing to settle for fifteen minutes of infamy for having lied, cheated, or stolen?
The Voice Inside You
Sure, it can be tempting to take the easy way out, to tell a small lie because no one will be able to prove you lied, to claim credit for someone else's work because they work for you. Yet you will always know that is the wrong choice. Your inner voice will tell you.
Some people are better at ignoring their inner voice than others. They think they can talk loud enough, live fast enough, that they can drown out their inner voice. They can't. It's always there. So is yours.
The Upside
When you have scruples, when you listen to your inner voice, life is easier.
•You never have to remember your story
If you always tell the truth, you don't have to worry about what you told who.
•You are more effective
When you know you are doing the right thing, it is easier for you to get behind it and push to make it a success.
•You sleep better
When your inner voice isn't nagging you, you sleep more soundly. You aren't fighting with yourself.
The Downside
If you decide to ignore your inner voice, there will be consequences. They may not be obvious or immediate, but they will come.
•You will be found out
Regardless of how clever you are, or how practiced a liar you become, you will slip up. Someone will catch you in your lie.
•You will be less effective
You will spend so much time and energy covering your tracks that you will get less done.
•You won't like yourself very much
Even if no one else knows, you will know.
Manage this issue
The easiest course of action for any manager, the best course, the most effective, is to follow your inner voice. If something seems wrong, don't do it. If you use that moral compass as your guide, you will be a better manager and you will like yourself more. Others will sense it too, and you will be a better manager.
MY THOUGHTS
being scrupulous! listening to that voice that only you can hear. the voice inside that makes you uncomfortable. only if you know what's right and what's wrong. coz if you don't, there won't be an inner voice. and you won;t know until it's too late.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
no matter how good a person you are
Strengthen a Trait
Daily Inspiration
By John H. Sklare, Ed.D, Lifescript Personal Coach
Published March 29, 2010
No matter how good of a person you are, you can always improve in certain areas. Maybe you could become a better listener, or perhaps you could use more patience. The list is endless and we all have our shortcomings in different areas. With that as our foundation today, I have a challenge for those of you who want to be better than you are. Here’s what I suggest you do.
Pick one area where you believe you could use some upgrading. Next, think of someone you admire who possesses and displays this particular characteristic. Finally, do your best to imitate that person in the area you’ve identified. Allow this person to motivate you to a higher level with regards to this trait. In other words, pick a trait and emulate!
MY THOUGHTS
Patience! Diplomacy! Kindness! Long suffering. I think i'd like to challenge myself on diplomacy. to be diplomatic i will need to be long suffering and kind and a lot of things. a real challenge!!!
Daily Inspiration
By John H. Sklare, Ed.D, Lifescript Personal Coach
Published March 29, 2010
No matter how good of a person you are, you can always improve in certain areas. Maybe you could become a better listener, or perhaps you could use more patience. The list is endless and we all have our shortcomings in different areas. With that as our foundation today, I have a challenge for those of you who want to be better than you are. Here’s what I suggest you do.
Pick one area where you believe you could use some upgrading. Next, think of someone you admire who possesses and displays this particular characteristic. Finally, do your best to imitate that person in the area you’ve identified. Allow this person to motivate you to a higher level with regards to this trait. In other words, pick a trait and emulate!
MY THOUGHTS
Patience! Diplomacy! Kindness! Long suffering. I think i'd like to challenge myself on diplomacy. to be diplomatic i will need to be long suffering and kind and a lot of things. a real challenge!!!
where's your anger?
Where's Your Anger?
Daily Inspiration
By John H. Sklare, Ed.D, Lifescript Personal Coach
Published March 31, 2010
Anger can be a destructive emotion. The physical and emotional price is costly enough, but the disruption and danger that it brings to others can be devastating. So today I’d like you to do a little personal self-assessment regarding the place that anger plays in your life. Some people can undergo all sorts of physical and/or emotional attacks and never unleash the anger inside them. Whereas others will blow up if you accidentally look at them the wrong way at the wrong moment.
The reality is that we all maintain conscious or unconscious distances from our anger. The rule of thumb is that the further away you are from anger, the safer and better off you and those around you are. If your anger is balancing on some kind of a weak hair-trigger, then you tend to snap very quickly. But those who can learn to maintain a safe emotional distance from their anger both physically and mentally benefit in a variety of ways. In a relationship, I suggest that you keep this in mind and take a measure of this emotion in any potential future partner as well. The news is full of horror stories about senseless violence over the most inconsequential of things. So where do you fall on this issue? Do you maintain a safe distance from your anger?
MY THOUGHTS
"The further away you are from anger" - this phrase alone should make us stop and think. What can get us close to or far from this destructive emotion? don't you notice that the happeier you are, the less angry you get? and how so easy it is for you to blow your top when you're stressed? What I've learned is that it pays to walk away - at least until after you've cooled down. then you're perspective would change and the anger somehow dissipates. i used to think that every isssue should be discussed. but there are issues that are much to big for us. that's when I let God take over. and the miracle starts to happen.
Daily Inspiration
By John H. Sklare, Ed.D, Lifescript Personal Coach
Published March 31, 2010
Anger can be a destructive emotion. The physical and emotional price is costly enough, but the disruption and danger that it brings to others can be devastating. So today I’d like you to do a little personal self-assessment regarding the place that anger plays in your life. Some people can undergo all sorts of physical and/or emotional attacks and never unleash the anger inside them. Whereas others will blow up if you accidentally look at them the wrong way at the wrong moment.
The reality is that we all maintain conscious or unconscious distances from our anger. The rule of thumb is that the further away you are from anger, the safer and better off you and those around you are. If your anger is balancing on some kind of a weak hair-trigger, then you tend to snap very quickly. But those who can learn to maintain a safe emotional distance from their anger both physically and mentally benefit in a variety of ways. In a relationship, I suggest that you keep this in mind and take a measure of this emotion in any potential future partner as well. The news is full of horror stories about senseless violence over the most inconsequential of things. So where do you fall on this issue? Do you maintain a safe distance from your anger?
MY THOUGHTS
"The further away you are from anger" - this phrase alone should make us stop and think. What can get us close to or far from this destructive emotion? don't you notice that the happeier you are, the less angry you get? and how so easy it is for you to blow your top when you're stressed? What I've learned is that it pays to walk away - at least until after you've cooled down. then you're perspective would change and the anger somehow dissipates. i used to think that every isssue should be discussed. but there are issues that are much to big for us. that's when I let God take over. and the miracle starts to happen.
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