FAST way to feel good

The best way I can recommend for feeling good is to surround youself with goodness. Good people, good food and good choices can do the trick. I also find that when life presents its challenges (as it often does) focusing on the positive is a FAST way to pull out of a downward spiral. Just because something comes up that challenges us, does not mean we need to stay focused upon it. That only gives it more energy and more life. That includes personalities at work, too many meetings and in my case today - a flat tire.

When we take the time to notice and focus upon the positive SIDE of the coin, we simply attract more of the same. The positive here is that my flat tire is IN the driveway. The last blowout I had was right by a landfill. Ah, how the universe upgrades our experience if we let it. Pollyanna I am not - grateful, I am always.

I’M TOO BUSY!

I hear this at many a seminar. People doing more with less seems to be the norm these days. I have the balm. Read on…

1. Simplify everything. Cut the fat and build the muscle when deciding how to invest your time, intelligence and creativity.
2. Have a planning system that keeps EVERYTHING integrated (a Franklin Covey mantra). Its works, it works, it works!
3. Do something creative. Recently inspired by the local New Orleans artists, I began painting many things that now blanket our tile floor (good or not). Its liberating, freeing and fun to break out of the normal routine.
4. Make time for people you care about. I have a wonderful college friend I see everytime I visit Tampa. I love our visits, our talks and our laughs. There is nothing quite like spending time with people that have known you for most of your life and love you anyway!
5. Savor the small things. Taste the coffee, smell the crisp air, enjoy the vanilla soap - wake up to all of the small pleasures that make our lives delicious. Its the little things, the meaningful conversations, the smiles that make life what it really is. The saying should be “Don’t sweat the big stuff, because its all small stuff anyway”…

The Writing Has Been on Your Wall

The world is changing and people are evolving. What worked in the past laid the foundation for what is possible today.  There is much to appreciate as we move into our future.  That said, we ARE still moving into the future and the climb requires an expanded set of skills.
 
This means that many of the things that may have worked for years may have an expiration date. The world is changing, our bodies are changing and our desires are changing.  If you fail to take notice, you may run into some trouble.  Each time I underestimate the importance of recognizing "the climate", I hit an ice storm without my jacket.

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Become a Better Speaker

In many of my workshops and seminars, folks ask me how they can move into speaking.  So I thought I would offer a few tips for anyone with a burning passion to stand in front of a group - even if you are still working on your public speaking skills.

Here goes…

1. Start speaking!  Anywhere, everywhere to gain skill.  You can speak (for free if you are new to the industry) at colleges, student career days, associations and local events.

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Community Impact - 9 out of 10 satisfied

Below is a letter sent from CSC Broward County Training Collaborative in reference to previously conducted training sessions.

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The CSC Training Team has a steadfast commitment to making available quality and effective training programs that support the service delivery and administrative functioning of organizations that serve children and families.  Over the years, participants have been asked to complete an online survey to assess long term satisfaction and impact three months after the completion of a training program.  We are pleased with the results from programs offered September 2006 – October 2007. 

The attached report provides item details for the topics that received participant response.  In summary, this is how participants responded:

Participant satisfaction is extraordinary - Nine out of ten respondents were satisfied (92%), with CSC offerings for FY06-07, compared to 86% last year.

CSC-sponsored training have a positive impact on work and job performance. - 84% of the respondents reported continued use of the knowledge gained and skills learned from the training. 84% also notes a dramatic improvement in job performance.

Because our professional relationship with qualified trainers like you, attendees who have participated in this important exercise make it possible for us to say, your tax dollar is helping to make our vision a reality:  The children of Broward County shall have the opportunity to realize their full potential, their hopes, and their dreams, supported by a nurturing family and community!

Thanks again for helping us make it so!

Stop Feeling Bad!

One of the most productive things you can do, is to FEEL GOOD.

Countless studies report that the real power in health, wealth, relationships and success (which is the joy you feel in living each day) is clearly linked to feeling good.

Sure there are things that can trigger not-so-great emotions and feelings… but truth be told - nothing has power over your emotional and mental condition, but YOU.  If you have the power to decide you are angry, offended, hurt, betrayed?  Then you also have the power to decide that you are happy, loved, supported and appreciated.

Take a look around you at all of the little things that communicate to you how full your life really is!  What are you paying attention to?  Are you putting your mind on all the things that are NOT working, or are you celebrating the things that ARE working?

Hmmmmmmm?  Be honest with yourself and trash the excuses for feeling blue - they serve you not.

What you focus on expands - the good and the not-so-good.  Focus on the good things and enjoy your life already.  It seemed assured that everything that made you feel "bad" in the first place will soon leave your reality.  Try it. 

The Most Important Role of Leadership

…is to be an EXAMPLE.

There is nothing I stress more when it comes to creating great teams, is having great leadership.  Leaders influence the direction of the team by their thoughts and behaviors.  The very language a leader chooses to use can make or break the level of talent that surfaces.  Not only do leaders bring out the best (or worst ) in the individual, but they directly impact the way the team sees itself, each other and the mutual goals they work toward.

Five skills that good leaders can master to become GREAT leaders:

1.  Expect the best from themselves as leaders - target and upgrade any area where words or behavior disempower their staff or are inconsistent.

2. State objectively the areas that folks can improve on and why it impacts the overall team without making it personal.  This generates self-motivated accountability - over self-consciousness.  Always offer support and the available tools for success.

3.  Focus on what IS working more then what is NOT working (what we focus on EXPANDS).

4.  Allow for freedom while expecting the very best from not only the individual but the overall chemistry of the team and state these expectations clearly.  Rule of thumb - what is not spelled out, is not understood…which introduces the final skill…

5.  Avoid assuming anything - ask, listen, observe and understand. 

Great teams reflect great leaders.  The more energy, creativity, passion and excellence that comes from a team equals that of the leader supporting them.

Three (and a half) Keys to Dealing with Team Challenges

 
1. Call a team meeting and hit the issue square as in "hey folks, I understand we went through some changes with XXX (anything you can think of that could have impacted the ecology).  ‘I wanted to take an opportunity to iron out any kinks or issues that surfaced or anything that may be on your mind to be proactive and ensure I don’t have any blind spots and we keep running smoothly’…’you are a very talented and professional team, and I want to make sure as a leader, I remove any obstacles to your success’….
 
2.  Conduct a Team Building training session.  It can be a quick two-hour workshop or a full-day event.  It is a proactive approach that invites a third party to assist in addressing any issues or simply to offer communication tools for handling conflict and stress (those two always rear their heads in even the best of teams!).
 
3. For larger groups, surveys work..some groups like the "3rd party approach".  It allows folks to speak freely about anything on their mind and offer suggestion that may feel too exposed to do otherwise. 
 

3.5.  This one earns a half a point -  for very BIG organizations, the ol "suggestion box" can feel a bit corny but it does work when you are dealing with a large organization, many systems, opinions and business units.

Get Real Already

If you ever met a person that has a hard time dealing, facing, confronting and integrating their emotions, issues, resentments (or any other psychic gunk) you will find them on their way to trouble.  Everything is linked.  What we eat, say and do says something about our personal mystery. How we spend our time, speak to others, address our issues communicates to us - if we listen.  The clothes we choose, the schedule we have and people in our daily lives talks, talks, talks to us.

What is it saying about you, your values and how you see yourself.  And interestingly enough - where would you like to go from here.

If there is something off in you life, take a look at the details. The details serve as tiny brushstrokes on your personal canvas.  If the mystery is too deep, you can start with the details. Keep it simple.

For example; let’s say you keep eating bread and you know bread is bad for you. Why do you keep doing something that is bad?  Why have you not been able to make the decision toward health? What may be triggering your need to "nurture yourself" with foods that are not healthy. 

Taking a deeper look at the details can feel like finding the popcorn kernels in a thick forest.  But if you follow those kernels, you will find your way home.

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