Every time you repeat the words, 'I can do it!' with conviction, you cancel or override your fear and increase your confidence. By repeating this affirmation over and over, you can eventually build your courage and confidence to the point where you are unafraid."
~Brian Tracy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
Real difficulties can be overcome; it is only
the imaginary ones that are unconquerable.
--Theodore N. Vail
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESSS
People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content
with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents.
--Andrew Carnegie
MOTIVATION & INSPIRATION
Where there is vision, there is life and growth, accomplishment,
fulfillment and joy. Keep your vision alive. It is important to see
clearly, what you wish to accomplish and hold fast to it. Though
it may tarry, it will surely come to past at the appointed time.
--James McKoy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, July 26, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
good thots
Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the goal."
~Hannah More
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you're trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I've had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it."
~Michael Jordan
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
When I hear somebody sigh that Life is hard,
I am always tempted to ask, "Compared to what?"
--Sydney J. Harris
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESSS
If you're going to be thinking, you may as well think big.
--Donald Trump
MOTIVATION & INSPIRATION
Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever
has to be done, it's always your choice.
--Wayne Dyer
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Every man is enthusiastic at times. One man has enthusiasm for thirty minutes, another man has it for thirty days. But it is the man who has it for thirty years who makes a success in life."
~Edward B. Butler
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
If I were asked to give what I consider the single most useful bit of advice for all humanity, it would be this: Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life, and when it comes, hold your head high. Look it squarely in the eye, and say, "I will be bigger than you. You cannot defeat me."
--Ann Landers
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESSS
Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish,
but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything.
--Napoleon Hill
MOTIVATION & INSPIRATION
A dream is your creative vision for your life in the future. You must break
out of your current comfort zone and become comfortable with the unfamiliar and the unknown. --Denis Waitley
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch heaven."
~Johannes A. Gaertner
You teach gratitude to others by living it - every moment, every hour, every day. Others will see the happiness that gratitude brings, and soon, they too will be grateful. And before you know it, you have started an epidemic of gratitude - what could be more wonderful!"
~BJ Gallagher
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
Friends are like stars, you don't always see them,
but you know they're always there.
--Vannii Arcri
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESSS
It is a fine thing to have ability, but the ability to
discover ability in others is the true test.
--Elbert Hubbard
MOTIVATION & INSPIRATION
The Creator has not given you a longing to do
that which you have no ability to do.
--Orison Swett Marden
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If everyone on earth loved each other, the earth would shine brighter than the sun.
-- Source unknown
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
Treasure your relationships, not your possessions.
--Anthony J. D'Angelo
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESSS
Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong.
--Ella Fitzgerald
LEADERSHIP & INSPIRATION
We should be taught not to wait for inspiration to start a thing. Action always generates inspiration. Inspiration seldom generates action.
--Frank Tibolt
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE POWER OF ATTITUDE!
The longer I live, the more I realize the power of my attitude on life.
Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people say or do.
It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home, a family or friendship.
The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable.
The only thing we can do is play, the one string we have control over and that is our attitude. I'm convinced that life is 1% what happens to me and 99% how I react to it.
NOTE: Please remember to choose your attitude carefully because 1) It's contagious, it'll affect people or infect them(especially children). 2) Your emotions can definitely be positively effected by choosing a positive attitude/outlook. 3) You will enjoy life more and those around you. I encourage you to test it out for yourself!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An excerpt from The Strangest Secret
by Earl Nightingale
George Bernard Shaw said, "People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can't find them, they make them."
Well, it's pretty apparent, isn't it? And every person who discovered this believed (for a while) that he was the first one to work it out. We become what we think about.
Conversely, the person who has no goal, who doesn't know where he's going, and whose thoughts must therefore be thoughts of confusion, anxiety and worry - his life becomes one of frustration, fear, anxiety and worry. And if he thinks about nothing... he becomes nothing.
How does it work? Why do we become what we think about? Well, I'll tell you how it works, as far as we know. To do this, I want to tell you about a situation that parallels the human mind.
Suppose a farmer has some land, and it's good, fertile land. The land gives the farmer a choice; he may plant in that land whatever he chooses. The land doesn't care. It's up to the farmer to make the decision.
We're comparing the human mind with the land because the mind, like the land, doesn't care what you plant in it. It will return what you plant, but it doesn't care what you plant.
Now, let's say that the farmer has two seeds in his hand- one is a seed of corn, the other is nightshade, a deadly poison. He digs two little holes in the earth and he plants both seeds-one corn, the other nightshade. He covers up the holes, waters and takes care of the land...and what will happen? Invariably, the land will return what was planted.
As it's written in the Bible, "As ye sow, so shall ye reap."
Remember the land doesn't care. It will return poison in just as wonderful abundance as it will corn. So up come the two plants - one corn, one poison.
The human mind is far more fertile, far more incredible and mysterious than the land, but it works the same way. It doesn't care what we plant...success...or failure. A concrete, worthwhile goal...or confusion, misunderstanding, fear, anxiety and so on. But what we plant must return to us.
You see, the human mind is the last great unexplored continent on earth. It contains riches beyond our wildest dreams. It will return anything we want to plant.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Every choice before you represents the universe inviting you to remember who you are and what you want.
-- Alan Cohen
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just as your car runs more smoothly and requires less energy to go faster and farther when the wheels are in perfect alignment, you perform better when your thoughts, feelings, emotions, goals, and values are in balance."
~Brian Tracy
~Hannah More
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you're trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I've had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it."
~Michael Jordan
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
When I hear somebody sigh that Life is hard,
I am always tempted to ask, "Compared to what?"
--Sydney J. Harris
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESSS
If you're going to be thinking, you may as well think big.
--Donald Trump
MOTIVATION & INSPIRATION
Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever
has to be done, it's always your choice.
--Wayne Dyer
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Every man is enthusiastic at times. One man has enthusiasm for thirty minutes, another man has it for thirty days. But it is the man who has it for thirty years who makes a success in life."
~Edward B. Butler
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
If I were asked to give what I consider the single most useful bit of advice for all humanity, it would be this: Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life, and when it comes, hold your head high. Look it squarely in the eye, and say, "I will be bigger than you. You cannot defeat me."
--Ann Landers
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESSS
Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish,
but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything.
--Napoleon Hill
MOTIVATION & INSPIRATION
A dream is your creative vision for your life in the future. You must break
out of your current comfort zone and become comfortable with the unfamiliar and the unknown. --Denis Waitley
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch heaven."
~Johannes A. Gaertner
You teach gratitude to others by living it - every moment, every hour, every day. Others will see the happiness that gratitude brings, and soon, they too will be grateful. And before you know it, you have started an epidemic of gratitude - what could be more wonderful!"
~BJ Gallagher
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
Friends are like stars, you don't always see them,
but you know they're always there.
--Vannii Arcri
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESSS
It is a fine thing to have ability, but the ability to
discover ability in others is the true test.
--Elbert Hubbard
MOTIVATION & INSPIRATION
The Creator has not given you a longing to do
that which you have no ability to do.
--Orison Swett Marden
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If everyone on earth loved each other, the earth would shine brighter than the sun.
-- Source unknown
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
Treasure your relationships, not your possessions.
--Anthony J. D'Angelo
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESSS
Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong.
--Ella Fitzgerald
LEADERSHIP & INSPIRATION
We should be taught not to wait for inspiration to start a thing. Action always generates inspiration. Inspiration seldom generates action.
--Frank Tibolt
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE POWER OF ATTITUDE!
The longer I live, the more I realize the power of my attitude on life.
Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people say or do.
It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home, a family or friendship.
The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable.
The only thing we can do is play, the one string we have control over and that is our attitude. I'm convinced that life is 1% what happens to me and 99% how I react to it.
NOTE: Please remember to choose your attitude carefully because 1) It's contagious, it'll affect people or infect them(especially children). 2) Your emotions can definitely be positively effected by choosing a positive attitude/outlook. 3) You will enjoy life more and those around you. I encourage you to test it out for yourself!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An excerpt from The Strangest Secret
by Earl Nightingale
George Bernard Shaw said, "People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can't find them, they make them."
Well, it's pretty apparent, isn't it? And every person who discovered this believed (for a while) that he was the first one to work it out. We become what we think about.
Conversely, the person who has no goal, who doesn't know where he's going, and whose thoughts must therefore be thoughts of confusion, anxiety and worry - his life becomes one of frustration, fear, anxiety and worry. And if he thinks about nothing... he becomes nothing.
How does it work? Why do we become what we think about? Well, I'll tell you how it works, as far as we know. To do this, I want to tell you about a situation that parallels the human mind.
Suppose a farmer has some land, and it's good, fertile land. The land gives the farmer a choice; he may plant in that land whatever he chooses. The land doesn't care. It's up to the farmer to make the decision.
We're comparing the human mind with the land because the mind, like the land, doesn't care what you plant in it. It will return what you plant, but it doesn't care what you plant.
Now, let's say that the farmer has two seeds in his hand- one is a seed of corn, the other is nightshade, a deadly poison. He digs two little holes in the earth and he plants both seeds-one corn, the other nightshade. He covers up the holes, waters and takes care of the land...and what will happen? Invariably, the land will return what was planted.
As it's written in the Bible, "As ye sow, so shall ye reap."
Remember the land doesn't care. It will return poison in just as wonderful abundance as it will corn. So up come the two plants - one corn, one poison.
The human mind is far more fertile, far more incredible and mysterious than the land, but it works the same way. It doesn't care what we plant...success...or failure. A concrete, worthwhile goal...or confusion, misunderstanding, fear, anxiety and so on. But what we plant must return to us.
You see, the human mind is the last great unexplored continent on earth. It contains riches beyond our wildest dreams. It will return anything we want to plant.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Every choice before you represents the universe inviting you to remember who you are and what you want.
-- Alan Cohen
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just as your car runs more smoothly and requires less energy to go faster and farther when the wheels are in perfect alignment, you perform better when your thoughts, feelings, emotions, goals, and values are in balance."
~Brian Tracy
Saturday, July 17, 2010
good thots
It is your prime responsibility to acquire useful knowledge from others and to apply it appropriately. You don't have to reinvent the wheel, but you do have to learn from those who did."
~Gary Ryan Blair
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is often an unpleasant experience for a parent, but a child must be allowed to experience the consequences for his actions and decisions. Whenever you intervene, you rob him of taking personal responsibility for his life, and you hinder the shaping of his personality."
~Mac Anderson and Lance Wubbels
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
Love is, above all, the gift of oneself.
--Jean Anouilh
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS
People will exercise great effort and creativity to make
our plan work, and sometimes expend just as much effort
and creativity to make your plan fail.
--Bob Klas
INSPIRATION & MOTIVATION
Action is worry's worst enemy.
--American proverb
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Be a winner, not a whiner
The world is full of winners as well as whiners. You can spot the winners easily. They always have a smile on the face, confidence in their walk, and an infectious laughter when they talk. You find yourself automatically gravitating towards the winners of the world.
And then there are the whiners. They are also easy to spot. Their face shows a lifetime of worry, as if God has left them in charge of countless universes. There is sadness in their eyes and it would seem that they are allergic to happiness.
If you ask the winner, "How are you," he will say, "Wonderful" even though there may be dozens of challenges in his life. If you ask the whiner the same question, he will tell you his tales of woe although he may not be facing any substantial problem.
The difference between winners and whiners lies primarily in their diametrically opposite attitudes. The winners are not necessarily the wealthy and the popular ones; they are the ones with a sunny outlook on life. The winner is always mindful of all he has in life, whereas the whiner is too busy looking at what 'he could have had' and 'what could have been.'
The whiner attributes every problem and shortcoming to someone else while the winner takes responsibility for his own actions. He is gracious enough to give others due credit, while accepting his own imperfections.
Be a winner, not a whiner.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~Gary Ryan Blair
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is often an unpleasant experience for a parent, but a child must be allowed to experience the consequences for his actions and decisions. Whenever you intervene, you rob him of taking personal responsibility for his life, and you hinder the shaping of his personality."
~Mac Anderson and Lance Wubbels
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
Love is, above all, the gift of oneself.
--Jean Anouilh
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS
People will exercise great effort and creativity to make
our plan work, and sometimes expend just as much effort
and creativity to make your plan fail.
--Bob Klas
INSPIRATION & MOTIVATION
Action is worry's worst enemy.
--American proverb
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Be a winner, not a whiner
The world is full of winners as well as whiners. You can spot the winners easily. They always have a smile on the face, confidence in their walk, and an infectious laughter when they talk. You find yourself automatically gravitating towards the winners of the world.
And then there are the whiners. They are also easy to spot. Their face shows a lifetime of worry, as if God has left them in charge of countless universes. There is sadness in their eyes and it would seem that they are allergic to happiness.
If you ask the winner, "How are you," he will say, "Wonderful" even though there may be dozens of challenges in his life. If you ask the whiner the same question, he will tell you his tales of woe although he may not be facing any substantial problem.
The difference between winners and whiners lies primarily in their diametrically opposite attitudes. The winners are not necessarily the wealthy and the popular ones; they are the ones with a sunny outlook on life. The winner is always mindful of all he has in life, whereas the whiner is too busy looking at what 'he could have had' and 'what could have been.'
The whiner attributes every problem and shortcoming to someone else while the winner takes responsibility for his own actions. He is gracious enough to give others due credit, while accepting his own imperfections.
Be a winner, not a whiner.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
good thots
An excerpt from
Attitude is Everything
by Vicki Hitzges
I used to worry. A lot. The more I fretted, the more proficient I became at it. Anxiety begets anxiety. I even worried that I worried too much! Ulcers might develop. My health could fail. My finances could deplete to pay the hospital bills.
A comedian once said, "I tried to drown my worries with gin, but my worries are equipped with flotation devices." While not a drinker, I certainly could identify! My worries could swim, jump and pole vault!
To get some perspective, I visited a well known, Dallas businessman, Fred Smith. Fred mentored such luminaries as motivational whiz Zig Ziglar, business guru Ken Blanchard and leadership expert John Maxwell. Fred listened as I poured out my concerns and then said, "Vicki, you need to learn to wait to worry."
As the words sank in, I asked Fred if he ever spent time fretting. (I was quite certain he wouldn't admit it if he did. He was pretty full of testosterone-even at age 90.) To my surprise, he confessed that in years gone by he had been a top-notch worrier!
"I decided that I would wait to worry!" he explained. "I decided that I'd wait until I actually had a reason to worry-something that was happening, not just something that might happen-before I worried.
"When I'm tempted to get alarmed," he confided, "I tell myself, 'Fred, you've got to wait to worry! Until you know differently, don't worry.' And I don't. Waiting to worry helps me develop the habit of not worrying and that helps me not be tempted to worry."
Fred possessed a quick mind and a gift for gab. As such, he became a captivating public speaker. "I frequently ask audiences what they were worried about this time last year. I get a lot of laughs," he said, "because most people can't remember. Then I ask if they have a current worry - you see nods from everybody. Then I remind them that the average worrier is 92% inefficient - only 8% of what we worry about ever comes true."
Charles Spurgeon said it best. "Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but only empties today of its strength."
Most of us want to be positive. It's advantageous to possess a sunny outlook. Doors open to optimists. They make friends, earn respect, close sales, produce loyal clients, and others enjoy and want to be like them. The question is how can we do that consistently?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Clear, written goals have a wonderful effect on your thinking. They motivate you and galvanize you into action. They stimulate your creativity, release your energy, and help you to overcome procrastination as much as any other factor."
~Brian Tracy
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Choose being kind over being right, and you'll be right every time.
-- Richard Carlson
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's the little things that make the big things possible. Only close attention to the fine details of any operation makes the operation first class."
~J. Willard Marriott
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Just how important is laughter?
A recent study revealed that laughter is key to our mental wellness. The study, in fact, stated that we need a minimum of 12 laughs a day...just to stay healthy! In fact, Mark Twain said, "The human race has only one effective weapon and that is laughter. The moment it arises, all your irritations go away, and a sunny spirit takes their place."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Attitude is Everything
by Vicki Hitzges
I used to worry. A lot. The more I fretted, the more proficient I became at it. Anxiety begets anxiety. I even worried that I worried too much! Ulcers might develop. My health could fail. My finances could deplete to pay the hospital bills.
A comedian once said, "I tried to drown my worries with gin, but my worries are equipped with flotation devices." While not a drinker, I certainly could identify! My worries could swim, jump and pole vault!
To get some perspective, I visited a well known, Dallas businessman, Fred Smith. Fred mentored such luminaries as motivational whiz Zig Ziglar, business guru Ken Blanchard and leadership expert John Maxwell. Fred listened as I poured out my concerns and then said, "Vicki, you need to learn to wait to worry."
As the words sank in, I asked Fred if he ever spent time fretting. (I was quite certain he wouldn't admit it if he did. He was pretty full of testosterone-even at age 90.) To my surprise, he confessed that in years gone by he had been a top-notch worrier!
"I decided that I would wait to worry!" he explained. "I decided that I'd wait until I actually had a reason to worry-something that was happening, not just something that might happen-before I worried.
"When I'm tempted to get alarmed," he confided, "I tell myself, 'Fred, you've got to wait to worry! Until you know differently, don't worry.' And I don't. Waiting to worry helps me develop the habit of not worrying and that helps me not be tempted to worry."
Fred possessed a quick mind and a gift for gab. As such, he became a captivating public speaker. "I frequently ask audiences what they were worried about this time last year. I get a lot of laughs," he said, "because most people can't remember. Then I ask if they have a current worry - you see nods from everybody. Then I remind them that the average worrier is 92% inefficient - only 8% of what we worry about ever comes true."
Charles Spurgeon said it best. "Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but only empties today of its strength."
Most of us want to be positive. It's advantageous to possess a sunny outlook. Doors open to optimists. They make friends, earn respect, close sales, produce loyal clients, and others enjoy and want to be like them. The question is how can we do that consistently?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Clear, written goals have a wonderful effect on your thinking. They motivate you and galvanize you into action. They stimulate your creativity, release your energy, and help you to overcome procrastination as much as any other factor."
~Brian Tracy
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Choose being kind over being right, and you'll be right every time.
-- Richard Carlson
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's the little things that make the big things possible. Only close attention to the fine details of any operation makes the operation first class."
~J. Willard Marriott
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Just how important is laughter?
A recent study revealed that laughter is key to our mental wellness. The study, in fact, stated that we need a minimum of 12 laughs a day...just to stay healthy! In fact, Mark Twain said, "The human race has only one effective weapon and that is laughter. The moment it arises, all your irritations go away, and a sunny spirit takes their place."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, July 09, 2010
good thots
"Procrastination is attitude's natural assassin. There is nothing so fatiguing as an uncompleted task."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If employees feel you don't trust them to do their jobs correctly and well, they'll be reluctant to do much without your approval. On the other hand, when they feel trusted, that you believe they'll do the right things well, they'll naturally want to do things well and be deserving of your trust."
~Mac Anderson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.
-- Marcus Aurelius
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If employees feel you don't trust them to do their jobs correctly and well, they'll be reluctant to do much without your approval. On the other hand, when they feel trusted, that you believe they'll do the right things well, they'll naturally want to do things well and be deserving of your trust."
~Mac Anderson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.
-- Marcus Aurelius
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 Ways to Think Like a Champion Jon Gordon
5 Ways to Think Like a Champion
Jon Gordon helps you change your mindset.
By Jon Gordon
Text Size: A | A | A
Jon Gordon
Print
Email
Log in to Save this Article
I meet and learn from champions every day. Not just in locker rooms but in classrooms, hospitals, homeless shelters, homes and office buildings.
I've learned that to be a champion you must think like a champion. Champions think differently than everyone else. They approach their life and work with a different mindset and belief system that separates them from the pack.
1. Champions expect to win.
When they walk on the court, on the field, into a meeting or in a classroom they expect to win. In fact they are surprised when they don't win. They expect success and their positive beliefs often lead to positive actions and outcomes. They win in their mind first and then they win in the hearts and minds of their customers, students or fans.
2. Champions celebrate the small wins.
By celebrating the small wins champions gain the confidence to go after the big wins. Big wins and big success happen through the accumulation of many small victories. This doesn't mean champions become complacent. Rather, with the right kind of celebration and reinforcement, champions work harder, practice more and believe they can do greater things.
3. Champions don't make excuses when they don't win.
They don't focus on the faults of others. They focus on what they can do better. They see their mistakes and defeats as opportunities for growth. As a result they become stronger, wiser and better.
4. Champions focus on what they get to do, not what they have to do.
They see their life and work as a gift not an obligation. They know that if they want to achieve a certain outcome they must commit to and appreciate the process. They may not love every minute of their journey but their attitude and will helps them develop their skill.
5. Champions believe they will experience more wins in the future.
Their faith is greater than their fear. Their positive energy is greater than the chorus of negativity. Their certainty is greater than all the doubt. Their passion and purpose are greater than their challenges. In spite of their situation champions believe their best days are ahead of them, not behind them.
If you don’t think you have what it takes to be a champion, think again. Champions aren’t born. They are shaped and molded. And as iron sharpens iron you can develop your mindset and the mindset of your team with the right thinking, beliefs and expectations that lead to powerful actions.
Jon Gordon helps you change your mindset.
By Jon Gordon
Text Size: A | A | A
Jon Gordon
Log in to Save this Article
I meet and learn from champions every day. Not just in locker rooms but in classrooms, hospitals, homeless shelters, homes and office buildings.
I've learned that to be a champion you must think like a champion. Champions think differently than everyone else. They approach their life and work with a different mindset and belief system that separates them from the pack.
1. Champions expect to win.
When they walk on the court, on the field, into a meeting or in a classroom they expect to win. In fact they are surprised when they don't win. They expect success and their positive beliefs often lead to positive actions and outcomes. They win in their mind first and then they win in the hearts and minds of their customers, students or fans.
2. Champions celebrate the small wins.
By celebrating the small wins champions gain the confidence to go after the big wins. Big wins and big success happen through the accumulation of many small victories. This doesn't mean champions become complacent. Rather, with the right kind of celebration and reinforcement, champions work harder, practice more and believe they can do greater things.
3. Champions don't make excuses when they don't win.
They don't focus on the faults of others. They focus on what they can do better. They see their mistakes and defeats as opportunities for growth. As a result they become stronger, wiser and better.
4. Champions focus on what they get to do, not what they have to do.
They see their life and work as a gift not an obligation. They know that if they want to achieve a certain outcome they must commit to and appreciate the process. They may not love every minute of their journey but their attitude and will helps them develop their skill.
5. Champions believe they will experience more wins in the future.
Their faith is greater than their fear. Their positive energy is greater than the chorus of negativity. Their certainty is greater than all the doubt. Their passion and purpose are greater than their challenges. In spite of their situation champions believe their best days are ahead of them, not behind them.
If you don’t think you have what it takes to be a champion, think again. Champions aren’t born. They are shaped and molded. And as iron sharpens iron you can develop your mindset and the mindset of your team with the right thinking, beliefs and expectations that lead to powerful actions.
Thursday, July 08, 2010
good thots
"No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite."
~Nelson Mandela
Written by a former child
Author Unknown
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator and I immediately wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's alright to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, 'Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.'
Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher or friend) influences the life of a child. How will you touch the life of someone today?
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
To rejoice in another's prosperity, is to give content
to your own lot: to mitigate another's grief,
is to alleviate or dispel your own.
--Thomas Edwards
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS
You're happiest while you're making the greatest contribution.
--Robert F. Kennedy
INSPIRATION & MOTIVATION
Energy and persistence conquer all things.
--Benjamin Franklin
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
Never lose a chance of saying a kind word.
--William Thackeray
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS
Heed the still small voice that so seldom leads
us wrong, and never into folly.
--Marquise du Deffand
INSPIRATION & MOTIVATION
Happiness is not achieved by the conscious pursuit of happiness;
it is generally the by-product of other activities.
--Aldous Huxley
The introduction of this beautiful book starts like this:
When I was a younger man, I lived my life with a philosophy of, "What's in it for me?" That all changed with one sentence... "You need to get your affairs in order. You have three months, six at the most, to live."
I sat across the desk from my oncologist as he spoke those words that shook my world. I thought he must be talking about somebody else.
I was diagnosed with a very rapid, fatal form of cancer. The doctor told me that there really wasn't anything they could do for it. He asked if I would be willing to try different types of experimental treatments. I figured I had no other options. The treatments made me unbelievably ill. There were many times when I thought that death would be kinder.
This was the bad news for Barry Gottlieb. The goods news, however was "off the charts!" A few weeks later he received a phone call from his doctor screaming on the phone..."You don't have cancer! It was a misdiagnosis...a mistake by the lab."
Can you imagine this happening to you? The roller coaster of emotions!
However, for Barry, it changed the way he thought about life. From that day forward, he said, "I made the decision to treat every day as a gift." Thus, the inspiration for this wonderful "manual for life."
Today, I'll share one of Barry's 33 chapters with you, titled True Abundance. Enjoy!
An Excerpt from Every Day is a Gift
by Barry Gottlieb
"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion."
-The Dalai Lama
What does "True Abundance" mean to you?
According to Wikipedia, the definition of abundance is "the opposite of scarcity." I believe true abundance is not measured by what you have; rather, it is measured by what you give.
In our culture, it seems that most people are caught up in their "need for greed." Perhaps this is why so many people struggle to find their happiness, and why over 25% of the people in our country suffer from anxiety. We live in a culture where we are taught to judge a person based on what they have, rather than on who they are and what they contribute to society.
I was very fortunate to have met a professor that changed my whole way of thinking. I was one of those people with a, "What's in it for me" attitude when I started his class. By the end of the semester though, my philosophy and my attitude had changed. Forever! This is what I learned:
"You can have anything you want in life, if you will just help enough other people get what they want."
-Zig Ziglar
I challenge you to focus on this philosophy for an entire month! Here are some action steps that will help you stay focused on this incredible gift:
ACTION STEPS
Gratitude. Every night before you go to sleep, recite aloud at least ten things for which you are grateful.
Forgive. Let go of the past. Forgive those who have hurt or angered you. Stop carrying this poison around with you every day.
Love. Be sure to tell those people in your life who mean so much to you that you love them and appreciate them.
Donate. Go through your closets. Anything you haven't worn or used in the past year, box it or bag it and take it to a place where those who are less fortunate will benefit from your donation. Get your children involved!
Praise. Make time to praise. Look for and recognize the good in others.
Sometimes the best helping hand you can get is a good, firm push."
-Joann Thomas
Success is not to be pursued; it is to be attracted by the person you become."
-Jim Rohn
"Don't be afraid to go out on a limb...that's where the fruit is."
-Harry S. Truman
The Introduction from
Motivational Quotes
by Mac Anderson
My friend, Zig Ziglar, has a way with words. He said, "When I speak, people will occasionally say...'Zig, I loved your talk, but for me, motivation doesn't last!' I always tell them...bathing doesn't either. That's why I recommend it daily."
What a great quote! I'm often amazed that some people think that because I am who I am, I must have a great attitude at all times. "You started Successories. You couldn't possibly have a negative thought!" Well, here's a confession. One of the main reasons I started Successories is that I saw the need for continuous reinforcement in my life and in others when it comes to attitude, goals and values.
In a perfect world, we hear something once, record it in our brain, and never need to hear it again. Well, I don't know where you're living, but my world is far from perfect. I occasionally have doubts, fears, and disappointments in my life. During those times I need "shots of inspiration" to reinforce, to encourage, and to motivate.
Here's a secret. My #1 resource for that "quick boost" when I'm feeling down is a little book titled Motivational Quotes. I don't know about you, but for me, the right quote at the right time can turn the switch from "off" to "on." And, that's exactly what Motivational Quotes provides for me...an "a-ha" moment when I need it most. As most of you know, I love quotes and in this little book I share my all-time favorites.
In fact, this is the book that inspired me to start Successories. In 1985, my love of quotes encouraged me to publish a small, 80-page quotation book that I called Motivational Quotes. At first, it was offered as a corporate gift, but then we decided to sell it on a plastic easel next to the register, in hotel and airport gift shops. Little did I know what was about to happen. Sales exploded! We couldn't print them fast enough and over the next 18 months, we sold 800,000 copies.
The light bulb went off when I discovered that many people love quotes as much as I do. I began to wonder...would they want to put quotes on their walls? With this thought, the "big idea" for Successories was born. Our theme, in the beginning was...Decorate your walls with great ideas. And I'm pleased to say that millions of customers did just that!
Twenty five years have passed. The book you see on this page is the new, improved, updated version of Motivational Quotes. It still has my 80 favorite quotes that I introduced in 1985, but I've added 80 more that, since then, have helped to motivate me in good times and bad.
Here's how you can make it work for you. Just keep it visible on your desk at work, and whenever you're feeling a little down (for whatever reason), just pick it up and read 10 quotes. It'll only take a minute, and I'll guarantee that you'll feel better!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The difference between involvement and commitment is like ham and eggs. The chicken is involved; the pig is committed."
~Martina Navratilova
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Love ultimately proves its reality.
-- Alan Cohen
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A man has to live with himself, and he should see to it that he always has good company.
-- Charles Evans Hughes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The richest freedom is the power to choose inner peace.
-- Alan Cohen
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stop thinking of all the reasons why you cannot be successful, and instead, think of all the reasons why you can."
~Dr. David Harold Fink
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Now, success is not the result of making money; making money is the result of success - and success is in direct proportion to our service. Most people have this law backwards. They believe that you're successful if you earn a lot of money. The truth is that you can only earn money after you're successful."
~Earl Nightingale
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Be clear on where you want to go and you will get there far more rapidly than if you harbor mixed intentions.
-- Alan Cohen
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
Great thoughts come from the heart.
--Luc de Clapiers
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS
Ideas won't keep; something must be done about them.
--Alfred Whitefield
INSPIRATION & MOTIVATION
It's not the years in your life but the life in your years that counts.
--Adlai Stevenson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The leaders who work most effectively, it seems to me, never say "I." And that's not because they have trained themselves not to say "I." They don't think "I." They think "we;" they think "team." They understand their job to be to make the team function. They accept responsibility and don't sidestep it, but "we" gets the credit...This is what creates trust, what enables you to get the task done."
The bottom line is that it's easy for any organization to say..."we value teamwork." However, saying it versus committing to the principles to grow it can be two different things. And that's what Pulling Together is all about! Author John Murphy presents the ten rules for high performance teams in a way that every person in your organization can understand. John is a highly recognized author (7 books), speaker and management consultant who has helped some of the world's leading organizations create environments that value and reward teamwork.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Excerpt from
Pulling Together...10 Rules for High Performance Teams,
by John Murphy
Consistent application of the 10 rules of high performance teamwork ultimately generates trust, respect, unity and power within any team. Conversely, consistent violation of any one rule destroys this bond. While the author of the following is unknown, "Lessons From the Geese" is a powerful illustration from nature of the rules of high performance teamwork. As you read about the natural unity that exists among this species remember - this same unity can exist in your organization!
As geese flap their wings, they create an uplift for the bird following. By flying in a V formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if any bird were to fly alone.
If we share a common direction and a sense of community, we can get where we are going more quickly and easily because we are traveling on the thrust of one another!
Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone, and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front.
If we have as much sense as geese, we will stay in formation with those who are headed where we want to go, and we will be willing to accept their help as well as give ours to others.
When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into formation and another goose flies at the point position.
If we take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership as with the geese, we become interdependent with one another.
The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. If we "honk," we need to make sure it is positive and encouraging.
When a goose gets sick or wounded or is shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it is able to fly again or dies. They then launch out on their own, with another formation or catch up with the flock.
If we have as much sense as geese, we too will stand by each other in difficult times, as well as when we are strong. Let us all try to fly in formation and remember to drop back to help those who might need it!
BEHOLD THE POWER OF TEAMWORK
The greatest accomplishments in life are not achieved by individuals alone, but by proactive people pulling together for a common good. Look behind every winner and you will find a great coach. Look out in front of every superstar and you will see a positive role model. Look alongside every great achiever and you will find caring people offering encouragement, support and able assistance.
Rising to this level of interdependent thinking can be challenging and difficult. Looking beyond oneself, asking for help or accepting help can feel risky. But people are not given life to simply take from one another. We are here to give. Our mission in life is to offer our gifts to benefit one another, to create mutual gain in the world. This is called teamwork, a win/win mindset stemming from a genuine commitment to the rules that allow it to happen.
Pulling Together captures the essence of teamwork better than any book I've read. It takes what can be a complex topic and presents the ten rules in a way that anyone can understand. If you have each member of your team read it, and then discuss how each rule applies to your organization, your chances of "pulling together" will be greatly improved!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
What someone allegedly said or did to someone else 10 years ago shouldn't impact your happiness today. It's your choice whether you let it or not. When you hold on to ill feelings you're victimizing yourself. Let it go and take responsibility for making a positive future. You're in charge of you and your actions."
~Al Ritter
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
Nine-tenths of wisdom is appreciation. Go find somebody's
hand and squeeze it, while there's time.
--Dale Dauten
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS
Sometimes you gotta create what you want to be a part of.
--Geri Weitzman
INSPIRATION & MOTIVATION
Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.
Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.
--Helen Keller
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~Nelson Mandela
Written by a former child
Author Unknown
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator and I immediately wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's alright to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, 'Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.'
Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher or friend) influences the life of a child. How will you touch the life of someone today?
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
To rejoice in another's prosperity, is to give content
to your own lot: to mitigate another's grief,
is to alleviate or dispel your own.
--Thomas Edwards
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS
You're happiest while you're making the greatest contribution.
--Robert F. Kennedy
INSPIRATION & MOTIVATION
Energy and persistence conquer all things.
--Benjamin Franklin
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
Never lose a chance of saying a kind word.
--William Thackeray
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS
Heed the still small voice that so seldom leads
us wrong, and never into folly.
--Marquise du Deffand
INSPIRATION & MOTIVATION
Happiness is not achieved by the conscious pursuit of happiness;
it is generally the by-product of other activities.
--Aldous Huxley
The introduction of this beautiful book starts like this:
When I was a younger man, I lived my life with a philosophy of, "What's in it for me?" That all changed with one sentence... "You need to get your affairs in order. You have three months, six at the most, to live."
I sat across the desk from my oncologist as he spoke those words that shook my world. I thought he must be talking about somebody else.
I was diagnosed with a very rapid, fatal form of cancer. The doctor told me that there really wasn't anything they could do for it. He asked if I would be willing to try different types of experimental treatments. I figured I had no other options. The treatments made me unbelievably ill. There were many times when I thought that death would be kinder.
This was the bad news for Barry Gottlieb. The goods news, however was "off the charts!" A few weeks later he received a phone call from his doctor screaming on the phone..."You don't have cancer! It was a misdiagnosis...a mistake by the lab."
Can you imagine this happening to you? The roller coaster of emotions!
However, for Barry, it changed the way he thought about life. From that day forward, he said, "I made the decision to treat every day as a gift." Thus, the inspiration for this wonderful "manual for life."
Today, I'll share one of Barry's 33 chapters with you, titled True Abundance. Enjoy!
An Excerpt from Every Day is a Gift
by Barry Gottlieb
"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion."
-The Dalai Lama
What does "True Abundance" mean to you?
According to Wikipedia, the definition of abundance is "the opposite of scarcity." I believe true abundance is not measured by what you have; rather, it is measured by what you give.
In our culture, it seems that most people are caught up in their "need for greed." Perhaps this is why so many people struggle to find their happiness, and why over 25% of the people in our country suffer from anxiety. We live in a culture where we are taught to judge a person based on what they have, rather than on who they are and what they contribute to society.
I was very fortunate to have met a professor that changed my whole way of thinking. I was one of those people with a, "What's in it for me" attitude when I started his class. By the end of the semester though, my philosophy and my attitude had changed. Forever! This is what I learned:
"You can have anything you want in life, if you will just help enough other people get what they want."
-Zig Ziglar
I challenge you to focus on this philosophy for an entire month! Here are some action steps that will help you stay focused on this incredible gift:
ACTION STEPS
Gratitude. Every night before you go to sleep, recite aloud at least ten things for which you are grateful.
Forgive. Let go of the past. Forgive those who have hurt or angered you. Stop carrying this poison around with you every day.
Love. Be sure to tell those people in your life who mean so much to you that you love them and appreciate them.
Donate. Go through your closets. Anything you haven't worn or used in the past year, box it or bag it and take it to a place where those who are less fortunate will benefit from your donation. Get your children involved!
Praise. Make time to praise. Look for and recognize the good in others.
Sometimes the best helping hand you can get is a good, firm push."
-Joann Thomas
Success is not to be pursued; it is to be attracted by the person you become."
-Jim Rohn
"Don't be afraid to go out on a limb...that's where the fruit is."
-Harry S. Truman
The Introduction from
Motivational Quotes
by Mac Anderson
My friend, Zig Ziglar, has a way with words. He said, "When I speak, people will occasionally say...'Zig, I loved your talk, but for me, motivation doesn't last!' I always tell them...bathing doesn't either. That's why I recommend it daily."
What a great quote! I'm often amazed that some people think that because I am who I am, I must have a great attitude at all times. "You started Successories. You couldn't possibly have a negative thought!" Well, here's a confession. One of the main reasons I started Successories is that I saw the need for continuous reinforcement in my life and in others when it comes to attitude, goals and values.
In a perfect world, we hear something once, record it in our brain, and never need to hear it again. Well, I don't know where you're living, but my world is far from perfect. I occasionally have doubts, fears, and disappointments in my life. During those times I need "shots of inspiration" to reinforce, to encourage, and to motivate.
Here's a secret. My #1 resource for that "quick boost" when I'm feeling down is a little book titled Motivational Quotes. I don't know about you, but for me, the right quote at the right time can turn the switch from "off" to "on." And, that's exactly what Motivational Quotes provides for me...an "a-ha" moment when I need it most. As most of you know, I love quotes and in this little book I share my all-time favorites.
In fact, this is the book that inspired me to start Successories. In 1985, my love of quotes encouraged me to publish a small, 80-page quotation book that I called Motivational Quotes. At first, it was offered as a corporate gift, but then we decided to sell it on a plastic easel next to the register, in hotel and airport gift shops. Little did I know what was about to happen. Sales exploded! We couldn't print them fast enough and over the next 18 months, we sold 800,000 copies.
The light bulb went off when I discovered that many people love quotes as much as I do. I began to wonder...would they want to put quotes on their walls? With this thought, the "big idea" for Successories was born. Our theme, in the beginning was...Decorate your walls with great ideas. And I'm pleased to say that millions of customers did just that!
Twenty five years have passed. The book you see on this page is the new, improved, updated version of Motivational Quotes. It still has my 80 favorite quotes that I introduced in 1985, but I've added 80 more that, since then, have helped to motivate me in good times and bad.
Here's how you can make it work for you. Just keep it visible on your desk at work, and whenever you're feeling a little down (for whatever reason), just pick it up and read 10 quotes. It'll only take a minute, and I'll guarantee that you'll feel better!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The difference between involvement and commitment is like ham and eggs. The chicken is involved; the pig is committed."
~Martina Navratilova
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Love ultimately proves its reality.
-- Alan Cohen
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A man has to live with himself, and he should see to it that he always has good company.
-- Charles Evans Hughes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The richest freedom is the power to choose inner peace.
-- Alan Cohen
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stop thinking of all the reasons why you cannot be successful, and instead, think of all the reasons why you can."
~Dr. David Harold Fink
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Now, success is not the result of making money; making money is the result of success - and success is in direct proportion to our service. Most people have this law backwards. They believe that you're successful if you earn a lot of money. The truth is that you can only earn money after you're successful."
~Earl Nightingale
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Be clear on where you want to go and you will get there far more rapidly than if you harbor mixed intentions.
-- Alan Cohen
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
Great thoughts come from the heart.
--Luc de Clapiers
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS
Ideas won't keep; something must be done about them.
--Alfred Whitefield
INSPIRATION & MOTIVATION
It's not the years in your life but the life in your years that counts.
--Adlai Stevenson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The leaders who work most effectively, it seems to me, never say "I." And that's not because they have trained themselves not to say "I." They don't think "I." They think "we;" they think "team." They understand their job to be to make the team function. They accept responsibility and don't sidestep it, but "we" gets the credit...This is what creates trust, what enables you to get the task done."
The bottom line is that it's easy for any organization to say..."we value teamwork." However, saying it versus committing to the principles to grow it can be two different things. And that's what Pulling Together is all about! Author John Murphy presents the ten rules for high performance teams in a way that every person in your organization can understand. John is a highly recognized author (7 books), speaker and management consultant who has helped some of the world's leading organizations create environments that value and reward teamwork.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Excerpt from
Pulling Together...10 Rules for High Performance Teams,
by John Murphy
Consistent application of the 10 rules of high performance teamwork ultimately generates trust, respect, unity and power within any team. Conversely, consistent violation of any one rule destroys this bond. While the author of the following is unknown, "Lessons From the Geese" is a powerful illustration from nature of the rules of high performance teamwork. As you read about the natural unity that exists among this species remember - this same unity can exist in your organization!
As geese flap their wings, they create an uplift for the bird following. By flying in a V formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if any bird were to fly alone.
If we share a common direction and a sense of community, we can get where we are going more quickly and easily because we are traveling on the thrust of one another!
Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone, and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front.
If we have as much sense as geese, we will stay in formation with those who are headed where we want to go, and we will be willing to accept their help as well as give ours to others.
When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into formation and another goose flies at the point position.
If we take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership as with the geese, we become interdependent with one another.
The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. If we "honk," we need to make sure it is positive and encouraging.
When a goose gets sick or wounded or is shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it is able to fly again or dies. They then launch out on their own, with another formation or catch up with the flock.
If we have as much sense as geese, we too will stand by each other in difficult times, as well as when we are strong. Let us all try to fly in formation and remember to drop back to help those who might need it!
BEHOLD THE POWER OF TEAMWORK
The greatest accomplishments in life are not achieved by individuals alone, but by proactive people pulling together for a common good. Look behind every winner and you will find a great coach. Look out in front of every superstar and you will see a positive role model. Look alongside every great achiever and you will find caring people offering encouragement, support and able assistance.
Rising to this level of interdependent thinking can be challenging and difficult. Looking beyond oneself, asking for help or accepting help can feel risky. But people are not given life to simply take from one another. We are here to give. Our mission in life is to offer our gifts to benefit one another, to create mutual gain in the world. This is called teamwork, a win/win mindset stemming from a genuine commitment to the rules that allow it to happen.
Pulling Together captures the essence of teamwork better than any book I've read. It takes what can be a complex topic and presents the ten rules in a way that anyone can understand. If you have each member of your team read it, and then discuss how each rule applies to your organization, your chances of "pulling together" will be greatly improved!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
What someone allegedly said or did to someone else 10 years ago shouldn't impact your happiness today. It's your choice whether you let it or not. When you hold on to ill feelings you're victimizing yourself. Let it go and take responsibility for making a positive future. You're in charge of you and your actions."
~Al Ritter
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
Nine-tenths of wisdom is appreciation. Go find somebody's
hand and squeeze it, while there's time.
--Dale Dauten
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS
Sometimes you gotta create what you want to be a part of.
--Geri Weitzman
INSPIRATION & MOTIVATION
Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.
Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.
--Helen Keller
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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