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Archive for November, 2013

Intentional Leadership — D5, W2, M12 — Belief

Posted in Leadership, tagged , , , , , , , on November 29, 2013| 1 Comment »

Good morning and Happy Friday! I hope this day finds you well and happy, after enjoying a delightful Thanksgiving with friends and family.

I have been working on a major transition in my life for a while now, and more intensely over the past few weeks. Finally, I have stepped through a doorway, so to speak, largely because of my belief in myself, my purpose, and my calling. In a lot of ways, what’s happening in my life was inevitable, I believe. I have a vision; I have the support and encouragement I need; I have knowledge, some level of wisdom, and experience to carry me forward; and I have a strategy to bring my dream into reality. Finally, and maybe most important, I believe I will be a success in my endeavor. So, this month’s topic is particularly relevant to me these days.

How about you? How important is what you believe, right now with where you are in your life today? What does it mean for where you are headed tomorrow?

And speaking of tomorrow…what plans do you have? How will you spend your time this weekend?

What thought are you giving to preparation for next week, as it brings with it a new month and the beginning of the end of 2013?

What thoughts, by chance, are you giving to preparation for 2014? It will be here before we know it!

I am actually taking a bit of a different approach to this weekend; it will be all about family, fun, and relaxation. It’s truly time for a short break…to reflect, regroup, adjust my view of the world, get comfortable with my new priorities…and celebrate a couple of birthdays. Delightfully, my Monday will truly be my own for the first time in a long time.

Whatever you choose for your weekend, I hope you are intentional about it. Remember…as each moment passes, it is gone.

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Intentional Leadership — D4, W2, M12 — Belief

Posted in Leadership, tagged , , , , , on November 28, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Get out your journal and spend some time reflecting on what’s happening as you demonstrate new behaviors in support of your new belief. *

What was easy?

What was difficult?

What surprised you?

What resistance did you encounter (either internally or from others)?

What have you discovered about yourself through this process?

How are you thinking differently about how your beliefs affect your vision?

Our belief at the beginning of a doubtful undertaking is the one thing that assures the successful outcome of any venture.     ~William James

By the way, for those of you who observe this holiday, Happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful for you, my faithful readers, who give me a reason to be here daily, sharing my thoughts, beliefs, lessons learned, and hopefully, making a positive difference in your lives.

*From the Intentional Leadership booklet, by Giant Impact.

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Intentional Leadership — D3, W2, M12 — Belief

Posted in Leadership, tagged , , , , on November 27, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Let’s work on the negative beliefs we identified yesterday. Choose one and spend some time thinking about how to change it, and change your life in the process.*

Old belief:

Daily actions that supported that belief?

What could you believe to be true, instead?

New belief:

New daily actions in support:

Now that you’ve given this some thought, and identified how you can change the belief, change your behavior, and change your life…commit to the new actions and put them in your calendar, so you have no excuse for not following through.

If you’re willing to share what you’ve come up with, send a note in the Comments box. I’d love to hear what you’re working on.

 

*From the Intentional Leadership booklet, by Giant Impact.

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Intentional Leadership — D2, W2, M12 — Belief

Posted in Leadership, tagged , , , , , on November 26, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Today, let’s get specific about what you believe. Write down your top three beliefs, followed by specific actions you take daily that demonstrates your belief. Remember, this isn’t restricted to your work life, consider all facets of your life and how you embody your beliefs in your daily words and actions.

Here’s an example, if you believe staying fit and healthy is critical to success, you might demonstrate that through your eating and exercise habits.

This can be tricky though, like values, the question is – do you simply say you believe certain things, then not back it up through actions, or do you actually live your beliefs. Remember, if I asked you to review your checkbook and your calendar for the last couple of weeks, what stories would they tell about how you invest your time and resources?

Belief #1

Daily actions in support:

Belief #2

Daily actions in support:

Belief #3

Daily actions in support:

As I’m sure you will notice, we strengthen our beliefs through daily actions; just as we live our values through daily actions. If you are aware and mindful of them (both beliefs and values), decision-making will come easier, which allows you to really focus your energy on what matters most. In turn, this behavior can help you achieve your vision.

Be mindful, though, because this works in reverse if your beliefs are negative. It’s a good exercise…so as you did (above) with your positive beliefs, write down three negative beliefs you hold, and how those are demonstrated through your daily actions. Here’s an example, if I don’t believe myself to be worthy of someone’s time and attention, I will behave in such a way as to reinforce that belief to myself, while transmitting a negative frequency to that person, which will lead them to believe it, as well.

Belief #1

Daily actions in support:

Belief #2

Daily actions in support:

Belief #3

Daily actions in support:

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Intentional Leadership — D1, W2, M12 — Belief

Posted in Leadership, tagged , , , , , , , on November 25, 2013| Leave a Comment »

How will you reach your vision if you don’t believe?

Belief leads to confidence and you need confidence in order to strive towards achieving any goal.

Think about the people who had such strong beliefs in what they set out to do, ignoring those who said it was a ridiculous idea or could not be done.

Jeff Bezos and Amazon. Many thought him foolish for thinking he could build a successful online bookseller.

Steve Jobs and Apple. Many thought him foolish for thinking he could get any market share against the PC sellers.

Thomas Edison and the light bulb. Many thought him foolish for continuing to try to develop the light bulb after thousands of what others considered failures.

The list could go on and on…in fact, I’m sure you could add stories of your successes and breakthroughs in the face of opposition and adversity. I’m certain you could share countless other stories of people you’ve known who have done the same.

As a leader, it’s critical that you believe in your vision and your ability to achieve it.

Today, give some thought to how that has worked for you. Have your beliefs moved you forward to success or have they held you back?

And, how does that affect your team/organization?

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Intentional Leadership — D5, W1, M12 — Belief

Posted in Leadership, tagged , , , , on November 22, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Good morning and Happy Friday! Another full week has flown past; for me it was productive. I started working with two new mentoring clients, received a commitment for another mentoring clients, attended the annual MOV Chamber of Commerce Dinner, andI finished a project today that I’ve been working on for a while. Check it out — and be sure to let me know what you think!

So, how was this week for you? What thoughts are you having about how beliefs influence your potential?

As we move into the weekend, it’s time, again, to give some thought to how to spend the time. We all get the same 24 hours per day, no more, no less. When you think about it that way, there really is no such thing as “time management.” We cannot manage time; we can manage how we spend it, but we cannot manage it!

Will you fly through it, willy-nilly, flowing with the tide…possibly getting to Sunday night wondering where your weekend went?

Or, will you spend it thoughtfully and intentionally? Will you get to Sunday night satisfied with how your weekend went, and knowing you will have a good Monday morning because you set yourself up to be in a good position on Monday…able to enjoy the day and begin your week focused, alert, and ready for what comes?

Who needs your time and attention this weekend?

What time and attention do you need to give yourself?

What do you have coming up in the next few weeks that you need to prepare for?

However you choose to spend it, I hope you are intentional about it…and I encourage you to notice how your beliefs are at play within the various situations you find yourself in

“See” you Monday!

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Intentional Leadership — D4, W1, M12 — Belief

Posted in Leadership, tagged , , , , , on November 21, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Spend some time with your journal today, focusing on your beliefs and how they influence your ability to reach your potential. Consider both your beliefs in yourself and your beliefs about others.* Here are a few questions to get you started…then go where your thoughts take you!

What influence do you think beliefs have on your potential?

What do you think you need to believe about yourself in order to step fully into your potential?

What resources do you believe you need to unlock your potential?

How does what you believe about others influence their ability to reach their potential?

What changes could you make in your beliefs that would allow you to soar higher?

What changes could you make in your beliefs that might enable others to soar higher?

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Intentional Leadership — D3, W1, M12 — Belief

Posted in Leadership, tagged , , , , on November 20, 2013| Leave a Comment »

There is value in learning from others. Today, let’s get to know someone else a bit better!

Choose two people you know well enough to have a semi-intimate conversation with and ask if you can interview them about their self-beliefs. Here are a few questions to get you started…be sure to write the answers down and go through them, again, later. You just might gain some new insights that will help you move forward.

Name — First Person

Q1: What is the area of your greatest strength, talents, or gifts?

Q2: If you could accomplish anything in one of those areas, what would it be?

Q3: What is keeping you from accomplishing it?

Q4: What could you do to move past whatever is blocking you?

Q5: Will you do it?

Name — Second Person

Q1: What is the area of your greatest strength, talents, or gifts?

Q2: If you could accomplish anything in one of those areas, what would it be?

Q3: What is keeping you from accomplishing it?

Q4: What could you do to move past whatever is blocking you?

Q5: Will you do it?

Review — what can you learn from their experiences and self-beliefs?

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Intentional Leadership — D2, W1, M12 — Belief

Posted in Leadership, tagged , , , , , on November 19, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Time to spend more time in self-awareness. Get out your journal and spend some time with yourself…

Here are some thought starters:

Who am I? Can you describe yourself with just three key words?

What are my strengths and talents?

What experiences (just a couple) have shaped me in a positive way?

What experiences (just a couple) have set me back?

What key things would I like to accomplish (just two or three)?

What characteristics will enable me to succeed?

Who can I count on to support and encourage me on my journey?

Now that you’ve given this some thought, write a couple of paragraphs describing yourself and what you believe to be true about you.

I’ve gone through a similar exercise, and if you’re interested in seeing the outcome, leave a comment or send an email and I’ll share with you!

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Intentional Leadership — D1, W1, M12 — Belief

Posted in Leadership, tagged , , , , , on November 18, 2013| Leave a Comment »

For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don’t believe, no proof is possible. ~Stuart Chase

Over the past couple of years, I have significantly accelerated my personal growth, first by joining the John Maxwell Team, then by investing in the Mentorship program, then by enrolling in the Deeper Path Coaching Cohort, then a number of other investments, workshops, gaining access to mentors and coaches, studying books, and other lessons that have all seemed to roll out of and into each other…and one key point keeps rolling through my mind, day in and day out, with each new challenge and opportunity, and it is this:

Belief determines your potential

It’s another one of those things that is so simple, yet so profound, and so true.

You see, when I have believed in myself, I have been successful. When I have allowed doubt and fear to take charge, I have fallen behind. I see it in others, as well. You see it daily, also; although as you read the stories in the news, magazines, and in books, or hear them on the radio, you don’t always have the benefit of hearing the words explicitly stated.

I don’t watch American Idol, but I understand that it is Simon Cowell’s habit to ask each contestant why they think they can be the next winner; what he’s looking for is the person who unhesitatingly states something along the lines of: “This is what I was born for.” “I know this is my destiny.” “Because I believe I am the best at what I do, and I’m going to win!” The people who cannot state something close to these statements of confidence usually do not do as well. I suggest that in some of these cases, there is a lack of confidence, a lack of belief, or perhaps some self-limiting beliefs in action, holding these folks back from living into their full potential.

The point is to get you thinking about how your beliefs have impacted your potential.

Get out your journal and spend some time reflecting on these questions today:

Write a brief description of a time when you believed in yourself and your potential, and stepped forward into success.

What beliefs did you hold that made it possible?

What choices did you make to achieve your potential?

What can you carry forward, from this experience, that would serve you well in other situations?

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