Winning Strategies

My Blessings

I have three children that have been blessing my life for many years. I write of them often since they form the fabric that is my life with kids. Some of you are in the midst of raising children as well, some have no kids, and others are in the stages of life known as 'empty nesters'. Whatever phase of life you find yourself in- I challenge you to relish the phase and enjoy the moments.  If you have children, try to enjoy your children at whatever age they are.

Two of mine are teenagers, and I have, admitedly, been struggling through this age and time.  It sometimes is a challenge that wins out over my conscious attempt to enjoy these moments despite how frustrated I can get at times.  They are, REMEMBER, only teenagers once (THANK GOODNESS)!  I'll never figure out why some of these phases seem to last longer than others.

I still remember my baby girl cuddled up on my lap in the rocking chair crying for her daddy.  I still get a lump in my throat thinking of how proud I was when she graduated college.  I think of the big hugs that my 6'4'' son Brandon gives me and I laugh when I think of Caleb flipping his hair to the side.

They are my world.  They are the reason that I've been determined to give them an amazing life.   They are my motivation.

As I near the empty nest stage of life, I wonder what is in store for me after I have no more kids at home.  I think about the next phase of life.  What does life hold for you in 5 years, 10 years, 15 years?  Are you thinking ahead or just drudging through one day at a time.

Stop for a moment and dream of a future that you would enjoy.  Think about lifes stages and the passing of time.  Imagine a different tomorrow.

Today, I celebrate today- thankful for my three amazing children, and looking forward to an amazing tomorrow.  I love you Heather, Brandon & Caleb.  You are each amazing, talented, and gifted children.  Each of you bring special gifts to this world and I can't wait to see what you do to make the world a better place.  Your mother loves you dearly.

Changing the Game

 

 I watched MoneyBall last night.  It was an amazing story about changing the game of baseball, but has- I believe, a direct correlation to business.

It is hard to change the game.  Against a room or company full of 'this is how we've always done it' people- changing the game is a risk.  It is untried, untested, unknown , and simply put- IT IS SCARY to many.  It threatens jobs, threatens security, and risks the results they believe they can achieve with the status quo.

If you truly want to be a game changer, you will be up against a tidalwave of pressure pushing against you.  The crowds will push you towards familiarity and status quo.  The pressure will be to recind and just acknowledge defeat.  You will have an easier time if you give in and let the status quo survive.  But is it the best for your company?  Is it the best direction?  If you feel strongly about changing the game, then it is worth fighting for. 

Stand up for what you believe.  If you believe it is time to change the game.  Risk it- run after it, and achieve amazing results.  I'll 'GO FOR IT' with you.  Smile

 

Thinking Outside the Box

It is easier to think inside the box.  Our minds like to revisit the paths that we have taken before.  Familiarity is comfortable.  We know this path, we've been down it before.  We seem to continue down our path with only slight revisions here and there.  STOP.  This cannot continue.  Think Apple.  Think Twitter.  Think Facebook. Think outside your industry.  Look at examples across other companies.  Stop and brainstorm.  Focus your attention on solely NEW ideas that you haven't thought of before.  Think POP.  Think WOW. What would it take to REALLY hit it out of the park?  Have you considered the HIT IT OUT OF THE PARK PLAN?

 

YOU MUST THINK- HIT IT OUT OF THE PARK PLAN!  If you do not set that as your expectation, you will not achieve that goal.  STRETCH your thinking.  YOU CAN DO IT.  It takes a little bandwidth in your schedule to be SUPER DUPER CREATIVE.  You cannot INVENT when you are over scheduled.  MAKE some time on your calendar.  Spend some time in creativity mode.  Write some random thoughts on a piece of paper.  I did this today.  It will center your thinking around a new thought process.  Left unchecked you will continue to do what you have done only slightly better.

Inspire yourself!

 

When I Get Around To It!

 

Ever just think that you will do something 'When You Get Around To it?'  Yes, I've heard that SO MANY times in my travels around the globe and my interactions with people in varying locations, in an assortment of job positions, and even in different economic classes.  We all seem to have one commonality- we never FIND ENOUGH TIME to get to the things done THAT YOU WANT TO DO.

 We try, don't get me wrong- and we have the best intentions.  But, somehow, we just don't make time to schedule that family trip, call our loved ones, or take a moment out to chat with our children or someone at work that needs to be listened to.  We are rushed.  We are in a hurry.

I had so many plans of things that I was 'going to do' with Heather's dad (now deceased).  We had said many times that we would do something 'when we got around to it'.  How do you really know that the future you are delaying your today for will ever arrive?

Live for Today
You really don't know what tomorrow holds.  You really have only one chance to live today.  You have but one opportunity to LIVE IN THE MOMENT and seize it- grasping it to the fullest.  So, if you are reading this- there is a reason.  There is something on your 'WHEN I GET AROUND TO IT' list that you need to tackle RIGHT NOW.  Stop reading and DO IT NOW.

Ideas of DO IT NOW THINGS
1) Schedule that family vacation- if you have miles- search for a location you want to attend and CLICK the Submit button.  Book it!

2) If you don't have miles- look up package deals on expedia or kayak.  Find a package that fits you.

3) Book out a lunch time on your calendar for Spring Break- plan to have lunch with your kids or spouse.  Why not?

4) Plan a dinner/date night with your spouse.  Surprise them!

5) Book out a vacation week on your work calendar.  It will be more likely that you spend some time with the family if it is booked on your calendar.

SUMMARY
Life speeds by.  It quickens past us and before we know it, many of the plans we had have dissipated into the wind.  They no longer apply.

Make something happen today.  GET AROUND to SOMETHING that you haven't DONE- but SHOULD.   I encourage you to plan something special.

Live the Life You are Dreaming Of

I've spent loads of time coaching people and speaking on 'Living the Life You are Dreaming Of'.

Today, an amazing friend Mandi Gilstrap will be speaking to a group of kids in Oak Cliff for me. Due to an upcoming trade show in Vegas- and the way it landed between a Kentucky trip- it worked out schedule wise to fly straight from Kentucky and use this time to spend with my kids and husband. Part of living the life of your dreams is making and keeping priorities. So- I must apologize for not being there in person to motivate and encourage you to find your passions and seek out a great life.

I have sent with her some of my books, and I hope that they inspire and motivate you into action. She has my contact information. I value each and every one of you. I will personally speak to you if you have questions. I want to see you succeed- and YOU- are the key to that success. Believe it!

So go DREAM--PERSEVERE- ACHIEVE- and SUCCEED. Trust in yourself and go create the life you've always dreamed of- or better yet- dream a better dream and go create that life.

Again- I apologize that I am not there in person. I care about you.

Let Mandi motivate and inspire you to action. May God richly bless you.

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Talent- The Wise Company's Way to Success

Tom Peters had a book called 'Talent' that he put out in 2005.  It centered around the concept of

not paying lip-service to people.  He challenged organizations to become truly talent-attractive,  an awesome place to work—a place where Talent rules. He tried to convince leaders that the office slave is dead and that it was the age of the Free Agent. Talent doesn't just support the brand—but IS the brand. He advised organizations to use quirky, energetic, and disobedient talent to create their primary competitive advantage.

 

 

 

Then, in the Circle of Innovation, he again brought up 'Talent'.  It is the focus of the companies that have 'rocked it' and excelled beyond belief.  The Ciscos, Googles, GEs, IBMs, really- the makers of incredible brands and products - like Apple- have found talented individuals to relentlessly pursue their passion.

 

 

So, what we can we all be reminded of?  Talent is the key to success in any organization.  Hire talented individuals with gifts and passions that can be applied to your business.  They will do the work of dozens, perform beyond belief, and catapult your company forward.

 

Talent pays off for organizations.  They spurr on others, create a catalyst of change, creativity, and acceleration.  Really- you can't afford NOT to hire talented individuals to set your organization on the right course.

When I was at GE, I wanted to hire a stellar engineer.  She was gifted.  I was in product leadership, and with her, I knew we could do amazing things.  Her pay was above the 'pay grade'.  I bargained hard for her, explaining that she would get the work done of 2 engineers.  Guess what?  They hired her, and she did just that- amazing work year after year.

Rethink your talent strategy.  Hire incredibly talented individuals to set your company on fire.  I dare you.

Hanging off a Cliff

Alex Honnold spends his days free climbing.  Yes, you read that right.  He literally 'hangs' off a flat rock wall with no harness, and no safety, depending only on his fingers as they fit into small crevassees to hold him on the vertical rock.

It is completely mind boggling to imagine that one could hang off the side of a flat rock with no harness and support and not be terrified of the potential consequences of failure.

Sixty minutes did an incredible story on him.  Watch it here:  http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7383158n  He 'free solo' climbs walls that are taller than the Empire State building.

I held my breath as I watched him climb.  I wonder, could I be more daring with some of the smallest of decisions in my life if he can hang his life in the balance, trusting the elements and depending on his capabilities with no support.

Watch Alex and be inspired:

Alex Honnold in Yosemite: http://youtu.be/ICBrXUuwvgg

Alex Honnold Free Soloing featured by National Geographic: http://youtu.be/leCAy1v1fnI