Achieving Greatness

Tuesday August 18, 2015 #750

“I not only use all the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow.”

~Woodrow Wilson

I have known many individuals, particularly senior leaders, working endlessly in isolation, determined to solve a problem or create value.  These same folks rarely achieve anything remarkable for the simple reason is that they have relied solely on their own abilities and resources, forgetting or ignoring the fact that no one achieves greatness alone.  It is only by recognizing the talent and value of every individual, and asking for their ideas and assistance, that great problems are solved and great victories are achieved.  Be confident in, and utilize fully, your own talent and resources.  But always, always, be aware of and seek out the help and resources of those around you.

Critics & Naysayers

Thursday May 28, 2015 #729

“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”

~John Wooden

We all have had big dreams and aspirations.  Hopefully you still do!  However, most people’s inner critic (as well as well-meaning and not so well-meaning external critics) tells them all the reasons why they can’t achieve their dreams.  Other than a pragmatic assessment of our limits, it does you no good to focus on these naysayers, even yourself.  Instead, focus on all the talents and strengths you do possess and surround yourself with people who support you and remind you of what is best about you.  Don’t ever let the reality of your limitations stop you from leveraging your strengths.

Leadership

Thursday April 2, 2015 #713

“Leaders aren’t born, they are made. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal which is worthwhile.”

~Vince Lombardi

Yes, for some, leadership comes more naturally than others due to innate intelligence, charisma, and confidence.  However, sustainable success as a leader requires not only some level of these talents, but also the exceptional drive, motivation and perseverance required to push through inevitable challenges.  Even someone with limited charisma and confidence, and average intelligence, can rise to effective leadership success if they are willing and able to fight through obstacles and failures with determination and grit.  And highly intelligent and charismatic individuals often fail to lead due to laziness and hubris.  Regardless of your level of talent, if given the opportunity to lead, focus on your character and drive and you can be the leader you are capable of and that your people need.

Unique Talents

Tuesday March 31, 2015 #712

“Everyone is a genius.  But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it’s stupid.”

~Albert Einstein

Each of us has innate skills and talents, as well as activities and interests we are most passionate about.  If we are fortunate, we are able to bring those skills and talents to work and activities that bring us joy.  If not, we may find ourselves trudging through a life in which our talents are not utilized, and our passions are not realized.  Too often, we expect people to be something they aren’t.  Or others expect this of us.  It is important for you to understand your unique strengths and utilize them in a way that brings you satisfaction.  If you are in a position of leadership, it is important to recognize the talents of each of the people in your team, understand what they are passionate about, and strive to match these to tasks and roles that maximize their contributions and engagement.  Don’t stay in roles that require you to be something you are not or do not make use of your unique talents, and do not ask this of others.

Happy New Year!

Thursday January 1, 2015 #692

“New Year’s Day. A fresh start. A new chapter in life waiting to be written. New questions to be asked, embraced, and loved. Answers to be discovered and then lived in this transformative year of delight and self-discovery. Today carve out a quiet interlude for yourself in which to dream, pen in hand. Only dreams give birth to change.”

~Sarah Ban Breathnach

On this New Year’s Day, I wish for you a year of significant, if not dramatic growth for yourself and all that you hold dear in your professional and personal life.  That growth will not come without purposeful and persistent action on your part.  Don’t wait for good things to come to your door!  Get out in the world and push yourself forward to the amazing potential that is within you.  Perhaps more importantly, be intentional about helping others accelerate their own growth.  You have amazing talents and gifts that if shared, will give others hope, challenge their thinking, and spread the potential for improved circumstances across your family, community, and workplace.

My best to you and yours as you launch your best year ever!

Attitude

Tuesday January 28, 2014 #597

 “Attitude is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than what people do or say. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill.” 

~Charles Swindoll

 

Our circumstances, wealth, appearance, and even skills do not determine our successes and failures.  It is what we choose to do with our unique set of circumstances and attributes that determines our reality.  I think most of us know this logically, but our human nature typically drives us to long for attributes we think we lack, and/or envy of those who we believe possess them.  It is up to you to push through this very human longing and envy and choose your own attitude of positivity, potential, and hope.  You may not be able to choose all of your attributes and circumstances, but the choices you make and most importantly, the attitude you carry with you, will allow you to achieve what you are capable of – beyond your wildest dreams.

Breaking Free

Thursday October 17, 2013 #568

“The first step toward success is taken when you refuse to be a captive of the environment in which you first find yourself.”

~Mark Caine

You have the power to overcome all but the most daunting circumstances.  Your foundational belief on life’s potential determines the limit to your power.  Do you view your potential and the potential of those around you from a paradigm of scarcity or abundance? I challenge you to see the world as a place of abundant opportunity, talent, and possibility – which it is.  From this perspective, your current circumstances can be viewed for what they are:  A temporary situation.  Each moment has within it the spark of possibility – for you to take small or large actions to change your current circumstances to your liking and betterment.

Determine where you are headed, decide to succeed, and then do what you must to move in the direction of success no matter the current environment.  It is a world of abundance.  Use your power to create your path to success.

Will, Desire, and Commitment

Tuesday October 8, 2013 #565

 

“It’s not about having the skill to do something. It’s about having the will, desire & commitment to be your best.”

 

~Robert Hernandez

 

Chances are you are not satisfied with your progress in achieving your personal and/or your professional goals. There are things you want to achieve.  Perhaps you’ve set reasonable targets for yourself, and maybe even made some effort using the skills you have.  But you’re not where you think you should be and you wonder why.  Assuming you have the requisite skills, the challenge is likely your own level of desire and commitment.  Are your goals really yours, in alignment with your clearly understood core values?  Or are they what you think your goals should be, and really based on others’ expectations of you and their definitions of success?

 

Take time today to reflect on what is truly important to you and rethink your goals.  If they are in alignment with your core values, you will find the will, desire, and commitment to be your best and achieve your goals.

The magic of talent + perseverance

Thursday April 18, 2013 #516

 

“With ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable.”

 

~Thomas Foxwell Buxton

 

We often believe the myth that we must have extraordinary talent in order to achieve extraordinary results.  This could not be further from the truth.  The vast majority of amazing achievements have been accomplished by ordinary men and women, just like you, who determined that nothing would stop them from making a significant difference.

 

Perseverance truly is the secret to success.  More than wealth, more than circumstances, more than talent.  Perseverance, the courage to take one more step.  And then one more, and yet another.  This is the secret.  Take that next step. You have it within you!

Doing work that you love

Tuesday May 29, 2012 #423

 “When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece.”

 ~John Ruskin

 Are you doing work that you love and which truly inspires you?  Are you doing work suited to your unique set of talents and aptitude?  Is so, congratulations!  You are already an amazing success, with all the trappings of success coming your way.  If not, why not?