Genuine

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

Reaction

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

Force the Future #5 – Have Difficult Conversations

Sometimes, to get the future you want, you have to tell others what they do not want to hear. These discussions can be uncomfortable and unpleasant, but the temporary discomfort is far less than the long-term regret that comes from not getting the future you want. Do not walk away from the difficult conversation. Prepare for them and remain clear on what you wish to communicate, even when the other person reacts emotionally to the information they receive.

# Force the Future

# Just Be Better

# Stay Strong, Stay Healthy

Force the Future #3

The best route to success is forged with your preparation. Preparing has significantly influenced my accomplishments, and not preparing is one of the biggest reasons for my failures. I believe in “Force the Future” because it encourages us to prepare for the future we want by working today to develop the habits we need to be successful. No matter what you desire for your future, the better your preparation, the better your chances for success. If you want it in the de, force it by preparing for it today.

#Just Be Better

# Stay Strong, Stay Healthy

Force the Future #2

People continually tell us to learn from the past. I agree with this but to a point. So often, I see people spend so much time learning from the past that they forget to focus on the future, much less the present. Sometimes, you must put aside learning from the past to force the future. 

In working with an individual who was unhappy with last quarter’s results, we mapped out strategies to help him reach his goals in the next term. At the end of the meeting, he told me how much the previous results had affected him. I informed him this was an excellent opportunity to learn from the past and develop the skills and strategies to succeed moving forward. However, we were not going to dwell on the past and address what had happened in the previous quarter until we saw the results of the following two terms. You could see the relief on his face, knowing he could put the past behind him and focus on forcing the future.

When you have negative results, learn from them, but not at the expense of forcing the future.

#Just Be Better

# Stay Strong, Stay Healthy