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.

Your Inner Child

Thursday January 29, 2015 #698

“The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of the child into old age, which means never losing your enthusiasm.”

~Aldous Huxley

Today, think about how you can bring a little bit of child-like wonder, playfulness, and naiveté to your life.  All of us face the significant challenges of adult life:  driving our professional careers, dealing with financial pressures, handling family issues, keeping up our health in our ever-aging bodies, etc.  It isn’t what we face, it is the attitude we bring to our normal daily trials.  The secret ingredient to seeing life as relatively joyful on balance is a sense of enthusiasm.  That enthusiasm can come if we can pause and find the child within us – seeing the possibilities ahead of us, and our capacity to hope, to dream, and to believe we can do anything!

Exceeding our Limitations

Thursday September 18, 2014 #663

“The major work of the world is not done by geniuses. It is done by ordinary people, with balance in their lives, who have learned to work in an extraordinary manner.”

~Gordon B. Hinckley

I am energized by the possibility in all people to achieve great things.  The joy of leadership is to provide the environment in which anyone can exceed their perceived limitations and deliver exceptional results for themselves and for their teams.  This environment must be one of optimism, a clear purpose, mutual trust and respect, hard work and perseverance.  In this environment, all members contribute at a high level, rather than relying on a few stars.  Each of us, whether as a titled leader, or a leader among our peers, can create and preserve such an environment.  And in today’s complex and highly competitive environment, we must.

The Power of Imagination

Tuesday September 2, 2014 #658

“An idea is salvation by imagination.”

~Frank Lloyd Wright

In every day we are challenged on our progress toward our personal, professional, and spiritual goals.  What gets us through these challenges are ideas – our own, and those inspired or offered by others.  Our real task is to keep our minds and hearts open to our own ability to ideate and to the ideas of others, so at the moment of challenge we have vast resources to call upon for just the idea we need in that moment.  Are you open to your own genius and the genius of others?  Open up!

Genius & Wisdom

Tuesday September 22, 2009 #157

“An unmistakable trait of every true genius is their persistent awareness of how much more there is to know. And an unmistakable trait of every true sage is their persistent awareness of how much more there is to love.”

~Mike Dooley

Genius and wisdom.  Two attributes of those we admire and hopefully what we each aspire to.  Genius comes not from IQ but from an insatiable thirst of knowledge.  Never stop learning – read voraciously, meet new people (it has never been easier than today with LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.), take a class, attend a seminar.  AND…  All that genius is worthless unless accompanied by the wisdom of knowing the power of love in all areas of life.  When we truly love we seek always to give our genius away.  Who will you show your love to today?