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.
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
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
At this point, we are prepared. We are not letting our past overwhelm our future; our preparation allows us to worry less about the future. Now, what do I do? It is time to build the habits we need to force the future. Building habits today is the most important thing we can do to force the future. By building habits, we adopt the skills and characteristics we want to have in the future.
Take time today to map out the future you want, determine the habits you need to succeed, and start implementing the habits immediately.
#Just Be Better
# Stay Strong, Stay Healthy
Force the Future #1
Too often, people tell me they are scared of what the future will offer them. Maybe they will get an awful disease; they will not find the “one” to spend the rest of their lives with; they will not reach their goals; they will not be able to afford the future they want; they will not get into the school of their dreams, etc. These concerns are legitimate, but worrying about the future will not help you thrive and survive. To have a better chance of succeeding in the future, you must start those habits today that will influence your future most. I term this idea as Force the Future.
How do you force the future? The solution is easy: develop those habits and skills today that will force the future. Forcing the future does not mean you will get everything you want, but it does mean you have more say in influencing your future successes.
Case in point, if you are worried about living your future life as a fat person, spend the time now to develop healthy eating habits. If you are worried about financial security, start putting money (if you already do, add more) aside in an interest-bearing investment. If you are concerned about the effects of a bad habit you have, start doing your research on the habit to find the best strategies for stopping it before it influences your future. None of these guarantees success, but it forces your future to work harder to overcome the foundations you have laid for it.
#Just Be Better
# Stay Strong, Stay Healthy
I hate working out without a plan. A good plan keeps me focused and on the path to my goals. Without a plan, my workouts falter. I need to plan when I am relaxed, not when my endurance and strength are challenged. Watch those in the gym and see if you can tell who has a plan and who doesn’t, not just for their workouts but for life.
Workouts should be challenging and invigorating, neither of which will take place if you do not have a plan.
Make a plan, practice the plan, execute the plan, and crush your goals.
Stay Healthy, Stay Strong.
Just Be Better
Everyday is an Interview 