As many of us enjoy the last few moments of the opening weekend of summer, let us remember why many of us have off from work and school. Take the time to reflect on those who gave their lives as part of our military.
“All gave some, some gave all.” ~ William Osterkamp
Enjoy this Memorial Day. To all veterans and active service members, thank you for your sacrifice.
#Just Be Better
#StayStrong, Stay Healthy
Significant tasks require great effort.
When I have a goal that I want to accomplish, I front-load the work.
Why?
1: Life Happens – Life events will always interfere with the best-laid plans
2: I want to get to the part of the journey where I make the journey to my destination a habit. – The journey is the most important part of the goal. It is what you will learn about your goal, your flexibility, and your resilience. Making the work to achieve the goal a habit will help you get closer to who you want to be, which is why you have goals.
Embrace this positive mentality this week, and let’s see how it transforms your journey towards your goals. I’m hopeful and optimistic about the positive changes it will bring.
Just Be Better
Stay Strong, Stay Healthy
At the end of every work cycle, we have too many meetings. Some are important, but most are not. I hate meetings that have no point. Too many people feel they are powerful when holding a meeting. It is true that when someone calls a meeting that I am compelled to attend, the person has power over my time. However, I will only give them the power to use my time effectively.
Meetings should be on-point and concise. The leaders should encourage discussion and debate but be focused enough to keep the discussions on point. Some teams I am part of have members who cannot stop talking and going off on a tangent because they feel or believe. These time wasters are an issue. If you “feel” or “believe” something is true, take the time to explore it and bring a concise summation of your research to the meeting. Unless it is a brain-storming session, the ramblings do not belong. This is ineffective, gives the unprepared power over my time, and does not belong in an effective team meeting. I’ve seen too many meetings devolve because the leader is either reluctant to address or fails to recognize this issue. It takes a creative participant to redirect the conversation.
Do not waste other people’s time. Come to a meeting prepared and ready to work. Expect your colleagues to do the same.
Just Be Better
Stay Healthy, Stay Strong.
Everyone likes a compliment. However, if you want the compliment to be valued by the recipient, it has to be meaningful. We all know the person who compliments us like there is no tomorrow. Over time, people react similarly to the comment as they eventually did to Little Boy Blue.
Give authentic compliments. The idea is to help others feel good about themselves. The best way to do this is to give a compliment based on effort, based on the reality of their results, and only when deserved. It is great to be a nice person, but it is better to be an authentic person.
#Just Be Better
#Stay Strong, Stay Healthy
Do not waste other’s productivity (or allow them to waste yours!).
It goes without saying that you should always be punctual. If you will be late, you must communicate it as soon as you realize it. Be prepared. Prepare your schedule and stick to it. Prepare by knowing who to contact if you are running late. Do not make it a habit. Do not waste other people’s time or productivity.
In meetings, stay on point. I have been in too many meetings where someone feels extra special and decides to take a tangent because they are feeling “smart” for the moment. They are wasting everyone else’s productivity. They are not smart; they are selfish. Don’t be that person, and don’t accept that person’s distraction. Be prepared for what to say and how to say it so the meeting gets back on track. Otherwise, you allow them to have power over your productivity (and future). Do not allow anyone to have power over either, ever.
#Be Prepared
#Just Be Better
#Stay Healthy, Stay Strong
What do you do, and how do you act during an emergency? Are you prepared to handle it? The more prepared you are, the calmer you will be.
In an emergency,
No matter the scenario, the more you prepare, the better you deal with the situation.
Case in point: Who would you call if there was an emergency at work? I am not just talking about first responders. I am talking about communicating with those in your work community who can help you. Do you have any first responders you work with? Anyone with medical training? Who can direct the first responders to the emergency? Who can take charge? Who can follow? Know who these people are so you do not have to figure it out when push comes to shove.
Your mind must focus on one challenge if you want to maximize success. To better accomplish this, be prepared by thinking through the situations and formulating solutions.
#Just Be Better
#Stay Healthy, Stay Strong
#Be Prepared
Nothing is worse than saying no to an opportunity because you didn’t complete everything else that needs to be done. Procrastination will interfere with opportunities and take away your ability to grow. Front-load everything you can so that when “Life Happens” or “Opportunity Knocks,” you are ready to say yes.
#Just Be Better
# Stay Healthy, Stay Strong
If you want to Force the Future, you must always compete—not just when things are good, not just when you are winning, not just when the weather is good, not just when you had a good night’s sleep.
You must always compete.
Competing is the process. It is the journey. It is what allows you to force the future.
# Force the Future
# Just Be Better
# Stay Strong, Stay Healthy
At the end of a wonderful weekend, the power went out suddenly around 8 p.m. The blackout was only the third time we had one in seven years. Unfortunately, all three occurred within the last calendar year. It was not what we wanted, and it threw a wrench into our plans to prepare for the new work and academic week. We could have easily chosen to play the victims and complained until our power was restored. We didn’t. This challenge was our time to shine. Instead of complaining about the situation we had no control over, we could take control, find backup lanterns, get a good book, and spend the evening reading or talking. It is amazing what can get done without 21st-century technology. However, this could only happen with having already developed good habits to rely on and the mindset that a challenge is an opportunity to get better (and having the right batteries for our lanterns).
What would you do in this situation? Either way, be prepared; implementing your answer will be much easier.
#Just Be Better
#Stay Strong, Stay Healthy
Nothing caps a good meal like a good dessert. I love dessert, especially if it is delicious. My wife and I drive to our favorite patisserie on the last Sunday of each month to have breakfast, and yes, we have dessert. It is worth the calories, and we are so full we usually skip lunch.
When I tell people this, I get strange reactions.
Life should not be about doing things that others want or expect. Life should be about doing what you want regardless of others’ norms.
#Just Be Better
#Be Strong, Be Healthy
Everyday is an Interview 