I asked the group to close their eyes. I suggested they think about a day in the future (You can do this, too). I guided them with some questions. "Go six months out. Create a picture as vivid and real as possible. What goals have you achieved? What big wins are you celebrating? What is happening on this day 6 months out that isn't happening today? What clients are you talking to? What deals have you closed? What have you created? What's your business model? What's happening with … [Read more...]
How to stop finishing last
August 18, 2011 by
Nice is a four letter word. When someone tells me I'm nice, I'm doing something wrong. I'm not saying something that needs to be said. Or I'm being a door mat and getting walked on. I don't want to be a nice guy. I'd rather be a good guy. Nice is not a saving grace. Good is. People seen as highly disagreeable make nearly $10,000 more per year than those seen as highly agreeable. Does that mean you need to become an ass to make more money? No. It means you need to start adding … [Read more...]
What will you find when you get there?
August 15, 2011 by
Get out through the in door or or get in through out door. Either way, no matter where you are, there you are. Are you trying to get out of where you don't want to be? Something will follow you. You. You can't escape yourself. Most of the times we want to get out of something ... it turns out the something we want to get out of is ourselves. That new job won't make you any more valued. That other guy (or girl) won't make you any more lovable. That pint of ice cream won't … [Read more...]
You can have an impact. Will you?
August 11, 2011 by
I met Marshall last week. I was working behind the coffee bar at church. Out of the busyness of barista-ing, I heard Marshall say, "Excuse me, sir. I had an accident." I stopped what I was doing. I came out from the bar. Marshall spilled some coffee. It wasn't a big deal. Not much of a mess. He wanted to clean up his own mess. I saw embarrassment on his face. We cleaned up his mess together. I sat Marshall in a chair in our common area. He sat with me in a half sweated through … [Read more...]
Where do you belong?
August 9, 2011 by
I played bocce ball for the first time last week. It's hosted by the Italian Club of Dallas (Yes, there is one!). It was a blast. I learned a lot about life that night. We played at a country club. Somehow someone convinced a country club in Texas to convert their clay tennis courts to bocce ball courts. That's influence! We were playing with one of the members of the club. At some point, he asked if I was a member. I said no. He said, "We need to change that." So often we ask … [Read more...]
Redefine accountability
August 3, 2011 by
Early in our marriage, Jen told me that she wanted the truth about everything. I'd give her the truth. She'd get angry and react. I'd stop giving the truth. She'd get angry and react. I told her that if she wanted me to be committed to revealing the truth, I needed her to be committed to not giving a negative reaction. I'm human. I will take the path of least resistance. My wife being pissed at me is not that path. Lying is. An account is defined as a report or description of an … [Read more...]
The Secret about Trust
August 1, 2011 by
Want to find out if you can trust someone? Trust them. You'll find out. Start off small. Build trust as they prove you right for trusting them in the first place. Related articles Improve Your Trust Building Odds (pt5.psychologytoday.com) Trust Issues at Work? Don't Be an Ostrich (leaderchat.org) … [Read more...]
How to build more powerful relationships.
July 28, 2011 by
Relationships. I read a lot about relationships. Apparently, they're important. In sales, people prefer to buy from those they trust. In leadership, people prefer to follow those they trust. Trust requires a relationship. The root of the word relationship is relate. The word 'relate' comes from a word that means "to bring". Are you bringing yourself to your relationships? Relationships are built on the cornerstone of revelation. We relate to what's revealed. The more that is … [Read more...]
