Competence Breeds Confidence

I'm going to let you in on a secret.

Depending on the circumstances of us meeting, if we've met, there will be two dramatically different responses to this revelation.  Very opposing responses.

If we were introduced socially, you're already in on the secret.  If someone were to ask you "did you know this about her" your reply would be "isn't it obvious, everyone knows that about her".

Suppose our meeting happened in a professional setting.  Revealing this truth about myself would receive a much different reaction.  "No way".  "It's not possible".  "Not her".

Here's the secret

Stop Looking For Balance

Often, people ask me "how do you balance it all"? Work, running, parenting, wife, volunteer . . .

Balance?
The truth is, I don't.
The bigger truth is, I would never want to.
I am sure it is the same truth for you.

Balance means everything is equal.
Most of us don't want equal emphasis on career and family as other things.  These are the big two. An example from the book reviewed below, which illustrates it awesomely, is comparing fitness to your career.  You don't need to exercise 40 plus hours a week to maintain your desired level of fitness.  Good news right?  Maybe just an hour 3 or 4 times per week.  Your boss definitely wants more from you in your job.  So are fitness and career balanced?  Of course not.

If not balance, then what?  Great question.
Purpose.
You have to know what you want and how important it is to you.
Will it be worth missing a few soccer games?
Is it worth being passed over for a promotion?
When you know what matters most and why, then you know how to cut up the pie.  You know which activities require more time
and
if you stay focused and true to your purpose,
you won't be searching
for balance.


Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success by Rory Vaden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What I love most about this book is that it reinforces what we all know and that is that hard work, persistence, and sweat equity is and always will be the key to success. There is no magic pill. There is no 4 hour body. There is only self discipline. I love this quote from the book

“Success is never owned; it is only rented – and the rent is due every day.”

The reason I love this is because you can replace the word "success" with whatever goal you are striving for.

"Fitness is never owned; it is only rented - and the rent is due every day".
"Financial freedom is never owned; it is only rented - and the rent is due every day".
"Great relationships are never owned; they are only rented - and the rent is due every day".
"__________ is never owned; it is only rented - and the rent is due every day".

View all my reviews

New Year's Grateful-utions

We've already had our first snow with a little "stick" here in Michigan.  It's one thing to see a few flurries.  There is new meaning when you wake up and see snow caps on rooftops.

Snow means winter is coming.
Winter coming means Christmas is coming.
Christmas coming means New Years is right around the corner and New Years means . . .
resolutions.
The time of year when we all resolve to be better us'es.  (yep, I made that word up).

As  2014 comes close to an end do yourself a favor.  Before you consider making a list of everything
you need to improve upon in 2015 make a list of everything you are awesome at.

Raving Fans for Freeeeeee

"Raving fans are created by companies whose service far exceeds that of the competition and even exceeds customer expectations," describes Ken Blanchard in his book Raving Fans. The best raving fan experiences are executed so casually that they seem to be directed subconsciously.  They are just so natural.  I have an amazing "raving fan" story to share with you about the service I received this week while traveling for business.

A coworker and I were asked to travel and it just so happened to be the week of the "snowstorm of the century".  We waited out through the worst of it then made our break when we had word that most major roads were cleared (funny what was called "clear"). Taking separate vehicles we convoyed through snow, slush, and ice to our destination.  I was in the lead car and she followed carefully, both of us with a deliberate eye on the road and iron grip on the wheel.  Stopping for anything was not a consideration as the off ramps looked more like ski hills.

I can't imagine what we looked like when we collapsed on the

Clear Communication?

Parents, leaders, spouses, friends, coworkers; any relationship is made stronger or weaker by how clearly we communicate.  Our word choice, tone, punctuation, and even the timing of our message can affect how it is perceived.

We all know that there are words that we just simply shouldn't use.  Their meaning is just, well, mean.  "Don't call your sister stupid". "Don't say I hate you".  Suck.  This sucks, that sucks, you suck.  I was just at a classroom Christmas party and suck seems to be the current 4th grade favorite for boys and girls.

Then, there's the way we say things.  Tone, inflection, and body language all express

Don't Hate Me Because I am Type A

"Hey Type A girl, it's just the driveway.  You don't need to get all of the snow off." 

What?  But, I am shoveling the driveway and my work is a reflection of me and did you see the neighbors driveway?  How about wanting to set a good example for our son who is making money shoveling snow?  Do we want to set the bar so low that we can't look our neighbors in the eye this spring because our son saw mommy do a crappy job on the driveway and he felt that was how it should look when he was out working for real money?  Hey, he owes us a ton of dough for hacking our xbox live account and buying all of those games.  He needs to be the best snow shoveler in town or

To Do or Not To Do That is the Question

How is it that some people get so much farther ahead than others?  Some executives complete endless projects while some make projects endless. Some moms and dads get breakfast made, kids clothed, school bags packed, 2 loads of laundry done, kitchen cleaned up, grocery shopping complete and all of the errands run, all before 1:00 when others are just getting started at 1:00.

It would be easy to say, they have more help, they have better genes, magic worker fairies secretly appear
and get stuff done for them.  Here's their real secret.  Are you ready?  They make To-Do lists.  Successful people set goals and put them in writing and the majority of them make daily To-Do lists.

Why create daily To-Do lists?

Stumped on a Gift? Give the Gift of Your Time.

The hubby and I enjoyed a feel good movie on date night this week, Delivery Man with Vince Vaughn.  Man, he is tall!  If you were wondering, just like me, is he really that big or is everyone else puny?  Vince Vaughn is 6'5".  As you can tell, it was lady's choice.  Even though it averaged about 2 stars in the ratings, to all the men out there who might not want to go to this movie, you will leave the theater feeling good.  Take your wife, girlfriend, significant other...the night will end good for you ;).

There is a part of the movie that really got me thinking this holiday season. 

Do Not Brand Me

successful
trustworthy
well dressed
reputable
expert
having integrity
funny
reliable
smart
relatable
....and many more

Look the Part

A couple of months ago I had car trouble and was choosing between the expensive repair costs and replacing the vehicle.  I drive a tremendous number of miles each day and reliability is extremely important to me.  Talking through my options with a coworker, he recommended a salesperson who he and another colleague highly endorsed.  Since the salesman worked at the dealership that I wanted to make my purchase from anyway it was a no brainer. This dealership has a cafe.  It has a shopping boutique with clothing, jewelry and baubles.  And, get this, it has a full service spa.  Heck, yeah!  That's where I want to shop for a car.

A Life Lesson From Running

Nutrition is just as an important part of your planning as anything else.  You don't have to count calories or carbs, just be mindful that what you put into your body you will get back out of your body in performance. 

Remember that old physics lesson?

3 Little Words

3 little words can be such a difference maker. . .

PREPARATION PREPARATION PREPARATION

 

Schedules, lists, planning, calendars; these are not about being Type A (although those who don't do them find amusement through that accusation).  They are about reducing stress and being happier.  Really, schedules make you happier?  Lists reduce stress?  Yes,  absolutely!!!

 

Here's the morning self talk without planning

Stop Watching Start Living

I hear a lot of crazy remarks about my lifestyle.  People love to MSU – Make Stuff Up. These same people who make up stuff about how I get things done also make up stuff about why they can’t get more done.  What kind of stuff am I talking about?  Reading, writing, working out, volunteering, you know the kind of stuff that has the potential to make you more successful and more fulfilled.

I have been subject to lots of imaginary made up stuff about how I can possibly do everything I do in a day: work, kids, life, running…  I was talking to someone this week who told me that they shared with other people (really?) that my mom lived with me and took care of the kids, errands, etc.  Crazy!!! 

There is one very easy secret to how I get it done.  Once revealed you will see how very easy it is for you to get more done. 

Lessons From the Rise of the Guardians

I know, I know . . . who goes to an animated film and looks for the business lesson?  Me, me, me, me.  As a parent and as a business leader I could kiss the producers of these fabulous children's movies.  They are captivating, entertaining, enjoyable for all ages, and,

2012 Learnings

As the year comes to an end it's important to take time and reflect on the past.  What went well last year?  What could have gone better?  What did I learn?  Take a look back and write it down.  "The palest ink is better than the best memory." - Chinese proverb  Which habits got you great results and which ones got in your way? 
Replace those bad ones with a new habit.  Instead of watching the evening news (bad in so many ways) go for a walk. Instead of fast food for lunch brown bag it.

What Does Your Behavior Say About You?

As we get closer and closer to Christmas it seems almost an impossibilty to be able to turn on the TV or radio and not hear a story about a mall Santa being rude to someone.  This morning a listener called in to the radio station as she was driving to City Hall with a video of Santa

Eight for Excellence

My week

8 mile run
rest
4 mile run
3 mile run
rest
rest
rest
RACE DAY

All of the training: getting up at 5:00 am, running in the dark, rainy days, dodging lightning, and beating off the bugs feasting on sweaty arms, shoulders, and legs is coming to an end.  I've got my eye on the prize.  I know I have done the ground work for a great race.

Preparing for a marathon is a great formula that can be applied to any goal you want to achieve.  These eight steps will work fantastically for career goals, exercise and diet goals, finance goals, and anything you can dream up.

     Eight for Excellence

1. Decide on the goal - run a marathon
2. Commit to the goal - sign up for the event
3. Plan the steps to achieve your goal - get a training schedule
4. Outline the steps specifically - map your runs
5. Do the hard work - don't skip any runs
6. Focus on the goal  - celebrate small wins, but don't get complacent or coast.  Keep at it!
7. Avoid distractions and deterrents - make a list of temptations that you need to avoid and STAY AWAY from them
8. Succeed- run your race

What is your next big goal? 

Choices

What kind of day are you going to have today?  If you get an early enough start on it you can have any kind of day you want.  It's a choice.  Choose early what you expect your day to be and then apply focus to it and you will get that day.  Without choice and focus you will get what you get.

It is simple, but it's not easy.

My Tuesday:
-productive at work, complete presentation for conference
-run
-make healthy eating choices
-quality family time after work

I've chosen; now all I have to do is focus on my choices and be disciplined enough to stay the course.  Now that I have chosen to run today I just have to do it.  Now that I have chosen to eat well I just have to focus on this goal when treats appear.  Had I not chosen to eat well today it would be too easy to succumb to temptation.  This makes sense right?

People spend more time planning out their grocery list than they spend planning their life. 

What day do you choose to have?

Success Leaves Clues

During a recent personal development event I connected with several successful individuals. That evening I logged on to my social media sites and took the connections 1 step further to try and make them last.  After I searched for the names of my new contacts I went back and took a look at their profiles. I found we had more than career success in common. In the short blurbs describing their profile every single one included fitness. They read:  runner, fitness pro, athlete, yoga instructor. Not just some; all of them. 

On the flip side I am a member of a few groups for runners. When a comment peaks my interest I usually check out the author.  Guess what I find . . .  CEO, VP, Director, owner.

It's gotta be more than coincidence. Success leaves clues. 

 

Law of 5

I joined a fantastic webinar last night hosted by John Maxwell.  You may have seen some of the excerpts I tweeted #15lawsofgrowth.  I can't wait to go pick up this book, but I don't have to wait until I read it to get started.  John shared several of the laws and the one that struck a cord with me was the Law of 5's. Here's a link to his book.  http://www.amazon.com/dp/1599953668 

LAW OF 5'S
What 5 things do you need to do every day to reach your goals? To achieve your dreams?  To grow?
 

It makes sense, right?  To commit to 5 things done daily, as long as they aren't Words With Friends and Bejeweled Blitz, should lead to consistency and consistency leads to achievement and achievement leads to growth. whew!

I am working on my 5.  Here is what I have so far:

1. Run (no surprises there)
2. Read
3. Write
4. Connect
5.  

I am stuck on number 5.  Any suggestions?
What are your 5?