Let’s start with this: there’s no higher calling than serving others. Period. If you’re looking to “up-level” your life or business, forget about the “secret” and “systems” the shysters are peddling. Whether you believe in religion, karma, self-development, or something entirely different-being of service to others is the only way to experience a life of significance and success. Being of service to others is not about forgetting your own goals in place of others’…it’s not even about charity. It’s about the realization that the world is not all about you-it’s about the other people out there, and the contributions you can make in serving them. Grasping this simple truth will put your entire life into perspective. When was the last time you served others with zero expectations of remuneration? 

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The key to more productive & rewarding conversations will never exist in making the right statements, as much as it does in asking the right questions.

Almost everyone I know admits they wish they were a better, more dynamic communicator. But to become a master conversationalist has little to do with making pithy or brilliant statements every time. Most of us aren’t that smart, or able to respond that quickly. What moves a conversation from boring to brilliant is asking great questions, and listening intently…a learned skill.  Questions create insight, offer intrigue, build intimacy and improve conversations…instantly. It’s also amazing how much more interesting people find you when you ask probing, relevant questions. Never underestimate the “gift” of a good question. Talk less, learn more, and ask great questions today.

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I often write about following your passion, committing to serving others, and seeking significance to achieve super-charged results.  But, what happens when we can’t quite identify or articulate our passions?  Keep in mind that everything new or outside our inherent strengths will seem like hard work…whether we’re passionate or not.  Discovering our passions, however, requires reflection & exploration: so, get out; travel; volunteer; serve others; and push the boundaries a bit…and think about the things you enjoy doing when you aren’t working –what gets you excited; what do you like to read and learn about; who do you surround yourself with; where do you like to be?  Among these exercise & exploits you’ll likely find your ticket to a more meaningful existence.  Is your path to greatness paved with passion?

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What makes you (and your organization) any different from the millions of others out there?  While that sounded a touch more judgmental than I was hoping, it’s an important question to ask. Our competition is on the prowl, and they’re wondering the same thing—“how am I going to achieve success amongst the fog of products and services available?”  The answer: zero in on what we love AND what we’re doing really well; and identify a client base who appreciates, wants (not needs), and will pay for it.  That convergence is your angle.  And when defining your value proposition, don’t overlook the power of personality (yours), and those elements of your business or leadership style that are uniquely you.  Differentiate & innovate or become irrelevant.

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Emailing has certainly sped up decision making in the workplace, but is it really the most effective way to communicate with your team?  I can think of hundreds of scenarios where emailing has made life easier for leaders & achievers—saving time and resources.  There are, however, times when email causes more problems than it solves.  For example, you can’t easily communicate genuine excitement or passions with it.  Emotions and feelings don’t always translate accurately; and this can become a barrier for motivating & inspiring your team.  That barely coherent email you sent your assistant late last night could have been communicated better in person, by phone, or video chat this morning, couldn’t it?  Before you hit send, ask yourself, “Is there a better way to communicate this more effectively?”

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I often write about conducting reconnaissance on our competition in business – maybe that’s because it’s often our competition that drives us to do and achieve more.  In truth, if you want to be recognized as an industry leader, and you want your business to succeed no matter what the competition is up to, you’ve got to go all in.  Have I told you lately that super-achievement is not easy?  There are no ifs, buts, or maybes allowed.  Your full focus, passion, energy, and dedication are required.  This doesn’t mean you can’t have other interests or areas of importance in life (to the contrary), but when you have your business hat on, pull it down tight…and put on a matching outfit.  Are you going full steam ahead? 

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Many entrepreneurs start out as a one-person-show; they’re personally responsible for everything in their new venture.  So, it’s no wonder that years down the track, they feel trapped still working on the intricacies within the business, rather than on improving its general direction.  Handing over some decision making, and outsourcing tasks such as book keeping and payroll, could be the answer to the call of freedom.  Here’s your reality check: being a control freak is stunting the growth of your business!  Forget that you might know how to do these tasks better than anyone else, doing everything yourself is not sustainable!  Make a list of tasks you work on frequently, and then ask yourself, “what do I hate doing, and wish I could spend less time on?”  Next, delegate away!  What would you do with some extra time?

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Through the experience of kindness, we seek and attract further kindness in our lives. It is one of those traits and values that are just present in what we do all the time. We don’t often consider if we want to be kind or not, it either just happens or it doesn’t. It seems so basic to be considering kindness as a trait every entrepreneur and leader should possess – but perhaps it is in considering it that we can remind ourselves of its value. Kindness creates kindness in others; so really, couldn’t we all stand to cause more of it in our workplaces, communities and homes?

Some people make their to-do lists in the morning. Some list everything right before bed, then wake up during the night and add more items. There are entire seminars on how to formulate and use your to-do list to be the most productive individual you can be. But sometimes the to-do lists are too long, too complicated, far too ambitious and overwhelming. So they fall to the bottom of the pile and we do the best we can. How about a different approach? Introducing the other to-do list: the “ta-da!” list. At the end of each day, after dinner but before bedtime, take a few moments to celebrate. You got things done today. Put them on the “ta-da!” list. Give yourself credit, because you deserve it.

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]]> http://blogs.ocmetro.com/flashpoints-the-ta-da-list/feed/ 0 http://blogs.ocmetro.com/flashpoints-celebrate-a-victory/ http://blogs.ocmetro.com/flashpoints-celebrate-a-victory/#comments Tue, 12 Mar 2013 17:18:54 +0000 Larry Broughtons FLASHPOINTS http://ocmetro.churmmediablogs.com/?p=12837 After a hard-fought battle, there is no substitute for the celebration of victory.

Everyone wants to be on a winning team.  Great team morale, attracting interested and passionate new team members, creating roles people love, genuine teamwork, clear milestones that help guide you & your organization towards your goals—all of these things are products of celebration in the workplace—and all improve productivity and margins.  Coming together to celebrate achievements in the workplace has clear benefits to the business,through the people involved.  Too often, because winning is hard work, business picks up too quickly after a win…and before you know it, months have passed without recognition of everyone’s hard work and contribution.  Perhaps celebrating victories should be part of your plan from the beginning.  Do you plan ahead when it comes to success and celebration? 

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