Tag: discover

What Can Be Awesome About Goals? Finishing! That’s What…

What can be awesome about finishing last? Finishing! ~ODB

The race is not for the swift. Too often we watch others. What are they going to say? How will they feel? They will hate. Discourage…say bad things.

Finish

The story was told by Our Daily Bread about a mom who went to the finish line to check on her daughter who finished the race last. Her goal? To encourage her. She was the one encouraged when the young girl exclaimed… I finished! She was running against her personal best.

This adage reminds us to focus on ourselves, our goals, our own prowess. If we continue to let the notion of “what will they say” impact us, then we will always lag behind. Even remain stuck.

Take a Stand

Today go out and do your best. What have you been holding back on? What do you need to go after? No matter how simple, Go out and do it. Rid the fear. Start now. Start today. With one step at a time, you’re sure to surprise yourself when you focus on you.

Need help? Let’s connect.

Cheers!

If You Haven’t Found It Yet Keep Looking…

If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. ~Steve Jobs

Thought provoking Motivational Quote shared on a Social media platform. A curious patron followed up with the Question:

But isn’t it true that you should know when to go with the wave and when to let it go?

While responding briefly, I decided to reply in more depth here.

It’s True

Yep it’s true. In short, if it’s a goal that you really want, there are many avenues to get there. Sometimes a u-turn is necessary. Sometimes it’s a detour. Other times it’s a revamp. Same goal but different route. Get my drift?

But delving a bit deeper, let’s examine each point.

Sometimes it’s a U-turn

Let’s face it, things happen. I remember when I was writing what was supposed to be my first book which coincidentally turned out to be my fifth. My usual adage is to write about leadership, success, career and personal development. However, this one was different. For the life of me I couldn’t figure out the type of book it was supposed to be. Then one day I decided to make a U-turn. To go back to the beginning. I printed the manuscript, scattered it on the floor, then sat and examined what it was all about. That’s when it became clear that it was simply a book of inspirational short stories, exhortations, and encouraging prayers for difficult journeys. Today, the book GreenLight sits on the shelves of Barnes and Noble, Amazon and elsewhere with reviews of encouragement and blessings gleaned.

Sometimes A Detour

In pursuit of our goals, we encounter obstacles that forces us off course. We are forced into a detour. Most often we get angry, sad or depressed. This happens most often when we’re traveling.

For me it was my career. I started working in the financial industry. After 6 years I lost my grandmother… the bedrock of my family. It took me on a world wind spin. I traveled to numb the pain. After a year, I decided to head back to banking. At the time it was seen as a ‘prestigious job’ and the only thing I knew. Suffice it to say I was steered to what I considered a small organization which I thought was quite a bore. With no challenge evident, an opportunity arose within less than a week and I went back to work in the bank. Days later, I was approached about an opportunity that existed. Turned out to be the same job. I rolled my eyes…not interested. A few weeks later one of my close friends shared with me about an opportunity outside of banking. I wasn’t interested but decided to humor her and go. Guess what? It was the same job! Detour after detour routed me back to what I now know was the  ideal job I was looking for… but because it was sealed in a different package, I resisted. Also, what I perceived as a small organization was a subsidiary of the #2 International Pharmaceutical company worldwide. I led their human resource division in that region for over 14 years. Oh what a detour!

Sometimes A Revamp

I love the movie “Under The Tuscan Sun”. In it the main character lost her life of success as she knew it. Her friend gave her a ticket to getaway for a while. She eventually accepted… and on a whim, bought a house in Italy, which a year later, turned out to be a life change…a total revamp from what she was accustomed to. She became an entrepreneur stepping out into the unknown and it worked out for her. Same goal but different space.

So yes, sometimes we have the same goal, but when things happen we may be forced to make a U-turn, detour, or a total revamp. Same goal but a different route. If it hasn’t happened for you yet…keep looking, or if needed let’s connect.

What about you? In pursuit of your goals have you ever had to make a change that took you on a different path? Do share, we would love to hear.

Cheers!

 

 

To Gig Or Not To Gig….

Fabrik Brands

You spend most of your day doing exactly what you wanna do when you wanna do it.

Alana has a craving that she wants to fill real time but she can’t leave the house. She gets on her Uber Eats App, orders ice-cream. 20 Minutes later a delivery person shows up with a bag that she’s able to indulge and satisfy her craving.

Going to the airport and can’t be bothered with the parking headache? Enter Uber. You call a cab on your App and within minutes a driver shows up. You get to the airport and what’s more you do the reverse on your return.

A full-time employee messes up, they’re fired at will and an immediate skilled replacement is contracted until the employer chooses to fill the position long term. Alas often it seems workers in the Gig economy are ‘hired‘ to work on demand for a revolving period, then exchanged for a replacement for yet another short term. The perceived benefit —no payment of fixed benefits costs.

Gig Economy Defined

In a Gig economy, temporary, flexible jobs are commonplace and companies tend toward hiring independent contractors and freelancers instead of full-time employees. ~Investopedia.

We could go on and on. Convenience is the order of the day. We want it done and right away. In our microwave society everything is almost immediate.   If that need is not met, we scream in complaint, throw a fit, become enraged, cancel orders and more.

Autonomy

A young millennial smiled in response to a news-reporter’s question. She spends most of her day doing what she wants… when she wants. She commutes around town charging scooters. This is a common comment from this generation. Autonomy is the order of the day. Gone are the days when they leave school and get a life-time job. They want autonomy. They want to work when they want to work because they enjoy tremendous flexibility, independence and rid themselves of monotony.

Susan Milligan in a Society for Human Resource(SHRM) article asserts that there are two types of gig workers. Those who have no desire to work full-time and those who are in the midst of a job search for full-time opportunities but will work to get an influx of cash while they search. I dare say there are still those who work full-time but need to increase their income to save for a specific goal, as an Uber cab driver shared with me in New Orleans. Her daughter needed to travel for a school event so she was driving at nights to give her the opportunity to attend.

As this phenomenon becomes more widespread, the downsides of a lack of sustained income, benefits, responsibility for their own taxes sometimes attracts stress. But it seems the supplemental income drives the benefits for temporary or long term gain. The ideal getaway can be had by doing some gigs on the side or on a sustained basis. No need to be turned down due to scheduling issues. They go when they want and where they want.

The Change. The Times.

Signs of the times. Caution to employers or older generations who want to hold on to tradition. A career that lasts a lifetime – work for years with the same company then move on when retired or sadly these days, are replaced by the rapid changes in technology and innovation.

As I have always cautioned, to stand still is to be left behind. Embrace the changes, do what you must and survive the long haul. Thoughts? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Writing Woes. Writers Share 21…

Time. Overthinking. Distractions. Those were some of the thoughts from writers as they reflected on the issues encountered when they want to write. Here I share 21 as writers chimed in response to the forum question:

What do you struggle with the most when writing?

    1.Time
    2.Starting
    3.Grammar
    4.Self-doubt
    5.Ideas
    6.Focus on one topic / idea at a time
    7.Setting
    8,Remaining focused
    9,Getting paid
    10. Revising
    11. Knowing when to stop
    12. Taking what you’ve learned and start another book
    13, Marketing
    14, Losing traction
    15. Sitting down to actually write
    16. Starting but not completing a story
    17. Editing
    18. Writing
    19. Distractions
    20. Being left alone
    21. Overthinking

As a writer, can you identify with any of the above Struggles? Any missing? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

19 Things To Inspire Your Writing…

Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.
— Louis L’Amour

Success Strategies

I sat staring into the distance. Pondering. What to write? What to post? Haven’t we all been there at one time or other? Times when we don’t know what to write-be it social, blog, or book. Jen dePaula shared 40 Things to inspire your writing. I liked 19 and share these below.

  1. Share a motivational or inspiring quote
  2. Share a link to your new blog post.
  3. Highlight a fan with an @mention and thank them for their support.
  4. Share what you’re currently reading and tag the author.
  5. Do a #TBT (Throw Back Thursday) by sharing an old picture.
  6. Share one of your favorite writing tools (whether it be digital or a physical tool).
  7. Share an interesting article or blog post that someone else has written – be sure to tag them in the post.
  8. Share a picture that your child (niece, nephew, friend) drew.
  9. Share some of your favorite songs/albums you like…

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Dreams. Here’s How To Make Them A Reality…

A Dream written down with  a date becomes a Goal. A Goal broken down into steps becomes a Plan. A plan backed by Action becomes Reality. ~Robert Herjavec

Leaders Discover Yourself…

Becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming yourself. It is precisely that simple and it is also that difficult.– Warren Bennis

At a family social 9-year-old RJ was asked to be the leader for his little brother and cousins at the park. He looked shocked. He’s never been asked to play that role formally before. Yet unknown to him he has always done it. He was a natural born leader.

Discover Yourself

When we reach for a goal that is beyond our usual capacity we discover great things about ourselves. Things that surprise, encourage, and please us. Things that make us go aghast. Leadership opportunities are all around at work, school or play. You don’t have to have that official title of leader.

Stretch Yourself

But these leadership discoveries can only happen when we step outside our comfort zone. When we are scared but do it anyway.

Step outside your comfort zone today. Stretch yourself. You’ll discover great things. Read more in my book Success Strategies of Leaders.

Cheers!

Cancer. My Sister’s Journey…

My sister’s Journey. We all know someone who has been affected. For me, it has personally been my grandma, my mom but most of all my little sister. Here I share her journey as a fighter. A leader extraordinaire. She never gave up and I hope her journey inspires someone who needs it.

Success Strategies

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She’ll have my head if she knows I’m writing this but some stories must be told.

That was how I started this story four years ago but don’t think it was ever published. It was the spring of 2003, after experiencing discomfort and a series of medical tests, the news was relayed to my sister. Not only did they find a lump in her breast but it was also malignant. Visits to Specialists left her with two options; remove the breast, or embark on a series of chemo treatment. The option of removal was an uncommon feat at the time, so after engaging family, friends and mountains of prayers, she made the decision to save the breast and embrace the chemo treatment.

Past The Worst

Over 10 years later and different rounds of chemo treatment combined with the usual side effects of hair loss, nervous system changes such as numbness…

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For The First Time…

Success Strategies

Mid-life she decided to move to Paris. A dream she always had. With kids grown and little or no responsibilities she decided to take the plunge! She bought a house exclaiming “it’s my first time”.

Adventure

I thought about that. I have had many first times. An explorer and lover of adventure, I have sky-dived for the first time. I have moved to different states and countries for the first time.  Not to mention my first time at writing and publishing my research on Success Strategies. A book that has helped many others for their first time.

I remember the first time I experienced childbirth…exhilarating yet humbling experience. 14 years later I did it again for the first time and the experience was no different. Wonders of the world! A little me was born again for the first time.

Travel

I now look forward to my own…

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Silence…

Be silent, or say something better than silence. Pythagoras

My three-year-old nephew was playing hide and seek with the other boys when one of the boys came over to hide near where I was sitting. He started giggling. I told him not to because it’s a secret. Maybe that was his first time being exposed to the word because he started shouting secret! Secret! It was hilarious!

Think Before You Speak

But what about us? Do we do the same in our daily lives, jobs, business or entrepreneurship endeavors? Do we publicize or quietly share what others tell us in secret? Do we know when to speak and when to be silent? Do we know what to to share and when to share it? Communication is key to relationships and knowing the right time to speak is even more important.

Many are the secrets that have been espoused that have destroyed organizations, relationships and families. Remember speech is silver, silence is golden.

Let’s make it a habit to think before we speak.

Cheers!