Christmas Day

Thursday December 25, 2014 #690

Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!

~Charles Dickens

To all my Jammin’ community of readers, I hope your Christmas brings you the happy elements that Dickens articulates in this timeless quote.  Each of you experiences the festive season in your own unique way, all of which come back to similar human needs of comfort, warmth, family, and peace.  May all of these be yours today!

Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone

Tuesday December 23, 2014 #689

“Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.”

~Brian Tracy

You are likely thinking about the year you’ve experienced in 2014 as well as your plans and hopes for next year and the years ahead.  If 2014 has been a year you are proud of, chances are you have leapt outside your normal activities and taken risks, tested your capabilities, or challenged yourself in some way.  If not, then you probably played it safe and lived a year of unnecessary mediocrity.  Your challenge:  determine what you must do to challenge your status quo and jump out beyond your comfort zone and do those things you really want to do but have been either afraid to try, or set your own limitations.  Yes it will be uncomfortable, and yes you may fail – but without pushing yourself you’ll never know what you can really do and become.

Creating Confidence

Thursday December 18, 2014 #688

“Giving people self-confidence is by far the most important thing that I can do. Because then they will act.”

~Jack Welch

If you are in a position of leadership, the most impactful effort you can make is to intentionally and authentically provide those you lead with confidence.  Confidence in themselves and their ability; confidence in their team and what they are trying to accomplish; confidence in you.  With confidence, a person can accomplish almost anything.  To do this, you must have a compelling vision for them, be able to articulate it, and do so frequently.  What have you done today to inspire confidence?

Intentional Activity

Tuesday December 16, 2014 #687

“Determine never to be idle…It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing.”

~Thomas Jefferson

We are coming in to the last days of 2014 and I would like you to take this moment to reflect on one question:  As you look back on the year, how much of your idle time was intentional?  Being idle is not being lazy or wasting time, if the decision is intentional and tied to your goals.  We must give ourselves space and time to reflect, recharge, and assess our personal and professional activities.  Going full-out, 100% of the time only proves you are always moving, but not necessarily for the right reasons.  So, if you look back and determine that the time you were idle was usually intentional and spent in quiet contemplation, congratulations!  You have probably been far more productive than those who never paused to recharge their batteries and ensure they were on the right track.  If your idle time has been more a case of laziness, or if you never paused at all, I suggest you determine how you will schedule appropriate down time in 2015 – purposefully and designed to keep your times of activity the best they can be.

Wasted Effort

Thursday December 11, 2014 #686

“There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.”

~Peter Drucker

So often we work with high energy and efficiency on a project only to find out when we’re done that the outcome is not what was expected or needed.  This can happen if we fail to determine first whether the outcome of a project we have started or assigned will truly deliver what we need.  Too often we continue to do things because “we always have” or because “we were told to do it”.  Take a moment before you start or assign the next project and ask if it is really necessary.  No matter how well you do something, if the outcome isn’t additive to your most important objectives, try to say no!  And if you are the one assigning such projects, stop!

The Little Things

Tuesday December 9, 2014 #685

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”

~Robert Brault

It is true for me that when I look back at my life my favorite memories are the small things, and almost always having to do with my family – calls with my kids, my grandson’s voice in the morning, watching my wife work on a project, or walking with her to breakfast.  It’s not that I don’t remember and appreciate the more dramatic events of my life; it is just that the little things truly inspired me and continue to do so to this day.  Is it the same for you?

Bits of Pleasure & Beauty

Thursday December 4, 2014 #684

“You’ll never find a rainbow if you’re looking down!”

~Charlie Chaplin

It is important to focus and put in the hard work necessary to achieve and contribute to our potential.  However, it is also important to give ourselves a few breaks to allow reflection, and to give us time to enjoy and learn from our co-workers, friends and family.  In our intense busyness, we miss not only rainbows but thousands of other bits of pleasure and beauty all around us.  By all means, work hard.  But not so hard that you miss out on life.

Time to Soar!

Tuesday December 2, 2014 #683

“One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar.” 

~Helen Keller

You know the feeling.  You’re ready for something bigger, better, challenging, exciting, new…  And yet you feel stuck, unable to move beyond your current situation and find room for what you really desire.  In almost all circumstances, you CAN choose to get unstuck and make the change needed.  The choice may be difficult but you can and must take action to change your situation.  Don’t keep trudging along.  Soar!