What gets measured gets done
William Thompson, Scottish Physicist
Tag: Leadership
Entrepreneurs Share Positive Learnings From 2020. Here Are 15…
2020 The year of the pandemic which shocked many. There is hardly anyone left untouched. Rich, middle class or poor. The lives of many were turned upside down as lives were lost, jobs cut, business closures as the world simply stopped. As the year draws to a close in this fourth quarter, a social media tribe was asked the question:
What’s the best thing that 2020 has taught you?
Susan Ancillotti
2020 Learnings
Here I share excerpts captured as entrepreneurs chimed in:
- Always have more than one income
- Be willing to pivot rapidly
- To love peace and calm over a frenetic stress filled life
- Building a completely online business around your purpose is pandemic proof
- Just get it done
- Be true to yourself while honoring others to do the same
- The need for true leaders to step up
- That so many people put ‘fear’ in the gas tanks instead of filling up everyday on ‘love’
- Take full self-responsibility for health and spending time with loved ones
- Doing nothing differently
- Containment
- Plan B
- Don’t book a holiday until the last minute
- I can rebound
- Be yourself. Don’t follow the crowd
What is your opinion of the year? Any omitted from this list? Do share. We would love to hear!
Stay positive,
Cheers!
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My Writing Journey…
My writing journey began when I was 10 years old doing an important entrance exam to enter high school. I wrote a fiction story and was so engulfed that I did not realize I was doing an exam. Suffice it to say, I excelled. I went on to writing policies and procedures in the Pharmaceutical and healthcare industries in my International Human Resource Leadership Career.
Finding Meaning
My journey found meaning during my dissertation writing process as I pondered what to do for a 3-year writing project to meet the requirements for my doctoral studies. I wanted to do something that would make a difference to society. After deciding on researching the topics of Leadership and Success, my dissertation received outstanding recognition.
Challenges Along The Way
I was thrilled to have achieved my personal goal and Published my first book from my dissertation title Success Strategies of Leaders. The process was longer than anticipated and challenging as it involved translating the research from academic writing to storybook form in anticipation of public readership.
As many inquired about how to achieve success, I wrote Success Strategies Workbook to show them how. I was then recognized by the University for writing books based on my research as an example to other doctoral students. I was later invited to advise Doctoral students on the process I followed.
Community Leadership Initiatives
Along the way, I got involved with the Institute of Caribbean Studies in Washington DC doing work within our community, and was appointed as Chief Judge for the 30 Under-30 Millennial Change-makers. It was an initiative held at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) annually.
Same Goal–Different Paths
I subsequently published Books on Motivation to encourage New Entrepreneurs and individuals along their Career Success Journey. A few years later, I went on a slightly different path and published GreenLight, a book which contains stories of encouragement, inspiration, and exhortation. In response to reader request, I obliged and converted GreenLight into my first Audiobook. A different path but the process was enlightening and boosted my creativity.
Book Coach
As my writing journey progressed, aspiring new and longtime authors reached out asking for help. It transformed by role as coach for organizational Managers, employees, and Career Changers into my most enthusiastic role as Book Writing Coach as I responded to private and public calls for help. I also became a member of the writers community of South Florida for Authors of Color.
Satisfaction From New Authors
It brings me great joy and satisfaction as new writers experience novel personal growth when their first book has been released. My greatest pride is having worked closely with Reggae Music Matriarch Patricia Chin as she wrote to leave her legacy of a lifetime contribution, initially working close to Music Icons like Bob Marley while nurturing the careers of artists, Maxi Priest, Shaggy, Beenie Man, Sean Paul and more.
With more books on the horizon, my Writing and Book Coaching Journey continues. Thanks for allowing me to share my journey with you. Do share yours.
Cheers!
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To Read Or Not To Read The AudioBook Way? 5 Benefits…
The book club. It was the first. The apologies came in droves. Oh I started but couldn’t finish. It was the kids, the husband, household chores and so much more. Who has time to read anyway?
My secret and I remained silent. I had ordered the required paperback to be read by the time the group met. But delivery time would be a few days before the meeting. For sure I would have barely started much less finished reading.
Audiobook Rescue
Then the idea came to me. Why not order the audiobook version online and start listening immediately? Then by the time the paperback arrived I could finish my reading with the hard copy. And that I did.
So as the group complained they finally asked and I told them what I did. The envy on their faces grew like a fiery furnace.
I shared that experience to acknowledge that audiobooks work. As an author of several books on Success, leadership, and career development, my last book was different. It was more inspirational. The book GreenLight is filled with anecdotes, uplifting short stories, prayers and exhortations. Readers share it’s encouraging benefits. Many inquired of its audio format. So I complied.
Audiobook Benefits
Not an audiobook reader? Here I share 5 advantages:
1. Better Time Management
2. Enjoy the convenience of multitasking. You can listen while working, commuting or running.
3. More than one one person can read simultaneously. Road trip anyone?
4. Greater reach for authors as consumers are given wider choices of eBook, paperback or audio. Whatever their reading style, there’s an option.
5. Ability to read more books in a shorter time.
So while some are skeptical, audiobooks is the fastest growing channel these days and offer great benefits to those still on the fence.
What kind of reader are you? Audio, paperback, eBook? Do share, we would love to hear!
Happy Reading!
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The 6 Signs It’s Time To Change Your Direction…
Ever felt that nudge when you know something is off. That nudge that just won’t go away. We ignore it. Distract it. Do everything we can to procrastinate or avoid that funny feeling that we get. The feeling that only you can identify.
Yes we have all been there. It might be that change in our career, relationship, finances and more. Knowing when it’s time to make that move–to do something different. It’s important to do it and not wait until your circumstances get drastic and the change is forced upon you as can happen when we are forced out of a job.
The Daily Positive shared the 6 Signs For You To Change Direction. Check out the YouTube video or take a look at the list as it is captured and shared here.
- You keep pushing and nothings happening. It’s like your Head is against a brick wall
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Our Deepest Fear…
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness
That most frightens us.
We ask ourselves
Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small
Does not serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking
So that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine,
As children do.
We were born to make manifest
The glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us;
It’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we’re liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.
~Marianne Williamson
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How Can You Know What Your True Dreams Are?
When Dreams tug, let it flow.
A dream is a cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal.
How can you know what your true dreams are? That was the question a 22-year-old asked. An interesting question that has troubled hearts for centuries.
How Can You Know It’s a Dream?
It never goes away. It stays with you. You go to the left…it’s there. You go to the right…. it’s there. It never leaves until you confront it. Until you come face to face with it. Sometimes our dreams are so big they scare us. But that’s when we need to take a step back.
Let’s think of Steve Jobs. Everything we do now can be done through a little device – the cellphone. Be it text, talk, scroll, have sleepless nights because we’re too connected; talk with a doctor; device-in-hand, head down… we walk around as if in a trance. It all became a reality because of…
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Where Did The 8-Hour, 5-Day Work Week Come From? Rissman Tells All…
Turning point for the Standard Work Week shared by Stearns Weaver Miller on what’s happening concerning COVID_19
Where did the 8 hour, 5 day work week come from? Ford Motor Company in 1914, but it was a long time coming. Before that, factories were open around-the-clock with employees working long days and 100 hour weeks. In the late 1880s, a labor movement started using a slogan like “eight hours for work, eight hours for play and eight hours for rest”. After that, it took almost 20 years until Ford reduced employees’ regular work week to 5 days consisting of eight hour days. The company also doubled employee pay, causing shockwaves throughout the industry. By doing this, Ford saw employee productivity increase and profit margins double. The thinking was that if the company was going to make any money, employees needed time off to buy things. Seeing the success of Ford, other companies naturally implemented the eight hour day, which soon became the working standard. So there it is, the reason the 8 hour, 5 day work week exists in our country for over a century is nothing more than an old effective factory work schedule.
Glenn Rissman
Read the full commentary on the turning point of the standard work week here
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A Nod And A Smile Among The 4 New Ways That Replaced The Handshake…
Is the traditional handshake a thing of the past? Has it been replaced by fear? Caution reigns with its mighty power. Yep, the worldwide Pandemic has infiltrated business and traditional code of ethics for greeting colleagues, business partners, interviewees and networking. But as things change we need to adapt. The Society of HR Managers (SHRM) shared its 7 Alternatives. When next we connect in person, it might be a nod and a smile ingrained in a touch of social distancing in the midst. Here I share my top 4 pulled from the SHRM list.
Handshake Alternatives
- Offer a Nod and a Smile
- Make a Good First impression … a pleasant wave will do
- Focus on eye contact
- Develop a workplace code (corporate cultural adjustment)
It’s the new normal. From the list above which do you intend to use? Do share. We would love to hear.
Cheers!
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Your Fears are Real. 3 Things To Do About It…
Your fears are real! Let no one tell you otherwise.
If ever there was a time that most people are afraid it is now. The worldwide Pandemic has put most countries under lock-down. Stay-at-Home. Keep safe is the cry from most. Yes indeed, the world is afraid. Job loss is rampant. The loss of loved ones, be it family or friends. The future. Our goals, plans, ideals. All seems to be going up in the air.
Yet still I dear say that all is not lost. While there is life there is hope. Yes…Fear is real. But here are 3 things that you can do about it.
3 Things To Do About Your Fear
1. Don’t Avoid it. Do it in-spite of your fear. Whatever your goal, go after it.
2. Prepare. Research. Gather information. Find out what you can do to alleviate your fear. For example once I was inspired to do a skydive (crazy adventurous me). Naturally I was afraid. Jumping 14,000 ft high from a small craft in the air is no easy task, but I worked on my fear. I researched. Found the best skydiving school with zero failures (eyes rolled …ha ha). Then I did other things but the fear rose to greater heights when they had you sign a gazillion release documents before they moved on to the exciting part…the actual jump! It was exhilarating! I did my research and it put my mind at ease. Try it and watch your fears dissipate.
3. Take Small Steps. As you embrace your fear, take it a step at a time. For sure you will overcome as you release it.
When were you afraid? What did you do about it? Do share, we would love to hear.
Cheers
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I Ain’t Gonna Lie. Leadership Ain’t Easy. 11 Hard Things You Have To Do To Be A Great Leader…
You have to try and fail and try again
I Ain’t Gonna lie. Leadership Ain’t easy.
The Hard Things – INC Lolly Daskal. Here I share Eleven.
- You have to make the call you’re afraid to make
- You have to give more than you get in return right away
- You have to care more about others than they care about you
- You have to feel unsure and insecure when playing it safe seems smarter
- You have to lead when no one is following you …yet
- You have to invest in yourself even when no one else is
- You have to deliver results when making excuses is an option
- You have to make mistakes and look like an idiot
- You have to try and fail and try again
- You have to run faster even when you’re out of breath
- You have to meet deadlines that are unreasonable and deliver results that are unparalleled
Does any of the above resonate? Any you want to add? Do share. We would love to hear.
Cheers!
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Professionals Share 21 Pro-Tips on How To Work Remotely…
Either you run the day or the day runs you.
In a public forum, renowned author Seth Godin asked professionals to share their approach to working remotely. Here are a excerpts of their responses I gleaned as they thunderously chimed in.
- Create a designated working space with everything in reach.
- Deep work in the morning. Lighter work in afternoon.
- Go outside at least once a day
- Divide time into 30 minute segments, making sure a task is attached to each. Regular short breaks, food.
- Stick to a schedule and treat self to a half hour sitcom during lunch. A good lunch keeps mindset light.
- I work from home but my husband doesn’t. Feel like my space is being invaded a little. I always stick to a routine and make sure I dress as though I’m leaving the house. That helps my mindset a lot.
- Shower and dress well. Focus on one (only one) major item to accomplish that day.
- Act as if you are in an office. Dress, voice and stature. Be even more engaged by email and on calls ideally video. Make presence felt virtually. Do brief turn-the-chair around update chats by messenger and quick zoom call.
- How can some (e.g. a dentist) work from home? In response to this question personally I say, plan, strategize future business and/or personal goals.
- Do breathing exercises and make sure environment working in isn’t distracting.
- Take one hour shift with partner to manage young kids home from school.
- Eat lunch with friends over video calls.
- Set up own schedule and share with friends to chat when not working
- Building a machine learning model.
- No prototype…no work meeting. Have a tangible artifact to collaborate on or review
- The one thing I appreciate is that I can work from home (and thinking of those who cannot).
- More focused… meaning work gets done earlier than disruptions in office (i.e. called to meetings, discussions etc). Then Netflix to end the day.
- This is a time to reflect, learn and innovate.
- Bought flowers this week. Brightens the view on a rainy day
- Made office space private and more organized. When door closed, no one bothers.
- Set a goal that you can meet each day that will help you feel accomplished at the end of the day. Oh… and talk to someone each day about something other than work. Social distancing does not mean social isolation.
Any missing that you would like to add? Do share. We would love to hear!
Cheers!
