Friday, June 27, 2008

Life Leadership Philosophy #1 - Lead by Making Somes Life Easier

I attended an interesting meeting at work on Tuesday. We were "interviewing" a possible new employee, who was actually interviewing us as a potential place of employment. During the interview, he asked a question of the group of 20 or so people and when nobody answered, he directed the question to me. I had only had about 12 hours of sleep in the last 72 hours and I wasn't sure I could think well enough to answer, but I went for it and found a new revelation in my leadership skills and philosophy.

The leadership philosophy is simple: Lead by Making Someones Life Easier.

It's been around for a long time. And it usually goes by something like "To lead others be a servant". But I think I had forgotten how big a part of my leadership philosophy it has been and still is. The question asked in interview was "How can the departments within this company work/communicate together better?" or at least something like that. Like I said, I was half asleep at the time.

I stated that for me, it is important that I make someones life easier each day. A great day for me is one where I can go home to my family and tell them what I did to improve someones day.

So here is my challenge to my readers today. Find someone and improve their life today! If you do, let me know by adding a comment to this blog. And I hope that you will let me know if this post improves your life today. That would make my day, too!!!

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Inspiring Dream - Hilary Lister's Round Britain Sail

I was on my way to Costco for some "cheap" gas, $3.85 per gallon, when I found myself crying at a red light. NPR sometimes has the ability to do that to me, and today was no exception.

You can find the story at Quadriplegic Attempts Solo Sail Around British Isles. At this link you can both listen to and read the inspiring story. I would highly recommend listening because there is such a level of joy and passion in Hilary's voice that you must experience it for yourself. The section that got to me was when they talked about her depression. I'm going to quote a section here.

In 2003, Lister says, she had not left her house for three months, and she "couldn't cope with just sitting at home doing nothing, waiting to die." She admits she considered euthanasia by overdosing on morphine.

Then a friend of hers suggested she go sailing. Within days, Lister was out on a boat on a lake.

"And within about 30 seconds, I knew that I found what I was going to do with the rest of my life," she says.


Can you imagine? Here I am, sitting in my car with a fully functioning body and sometimes feeling sorry for what I "need" to do. Humans, myself included, can do sooooooooo much more than we(I) think we(I) can!!!!!

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Future Expectations - Thoughts from reading Been There Done That by Dr. Joe Rubino

I'm reading Been There Done That by Dr. Joe Rubino right now. It's full title is "Secrets of Building a Million-Dollar Network Marketing Organization from a Guy Who's Been There Done That And Shows You How You Can Do It, Too". WOW! That may be one of the longest titles ever, especially for such a small book. It is only 144 pages long, but I've already gotten some powerful stuff! Like this quote from page 34.

"IF YOUR FUTURE EXPECTATION is higher than your current reality, it creates motivation.

IF YOUR FUTURE EXPECTATION is the same as your current reality, it creates apathy.

IF YOUR FUTURE EXPECTATION is lower than your current reality, it creates failure.

WHAT YOU EXPECT IS WHAT YOU GET!"

I don't think I need to say too much more. I'm just letting those words sink in.

If these words impact you like they did me, check out his site at The Center for Personal Reinvention. I especially like the Cat looking at the Lion in the Mirror, it reminds me of a class that I took once.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Motivation - External or Internal?

As you can see I'm currently ready "Harmonic Wealth" by James Arthur Ray and I read soemthing I'd never thought about before. It is on page 178 at the bottom of the page. It says, "If you find yourself having to get motivated to do something, it's not something you truly love. Motivation is something that comes from externals or at best must be generated. Inspiration, on the other hand, is something that comes from inside and requires no effort whatsoever."

I was having a conversation with my wife a couple weeks ago about what motivates each of us. At the time, I hadn't started this book. We were talking about how she is motivated by observing others. When she sees someone who is working hard, it makes her want to work hard. She can also be motivated by anger. Kind of an "I'll show you!". But in the context of the quote above, I guess she doesn't really love doing any of these things, because they come from external forces.

It's the same way with leaders. They can motivate their followers, but is it ever going to be something they truly love? I don't think so. But inspiring other, that will create a team that will follow you to the end of the earth and back.

By the way, my external motivation comes from love and appreciation. Show me you love me and appreciate what I do and I'll be right there!