So now you’ve figured out what skills you need to add to get the results you want – in your work and in your life. (If you missed last week’s blog you can catch up here.)

But wait! You’ve also figured out that learning these new skills is going to require extra time and effort in your already busy life. Instead of giving up before you even get started, get creative about how you will learn the skills you need to STAND OUT in a positive way. You can choose to:

1. Learn the skill yourself. If you know that learning this skill is absolutely necessary to get the results you want AND you know you have the ability master it, then go for it.
2. Collaborate and share skills. Sometimes skills are easier to learn when you can bounce ideas around, watch others in action and share information. Get a group together and start learning from each other.
3. Trade skills with someone. One person’s learned skill is often another person’s strength. Find the right person and trade on your strengths. You each get to do what you enjoy, help each other, and learn from each other’s expertise.
4.  Invest in skill resources: Technology can help you integrate many skills into your life. Is there a tool or software program that can do the job? Check with those who’ve mastered the skill you’re working on and ask what resources helped them most.
5. Delegate the skill to someone on your team who specializes in this area AND whose job description includes these tasks. Don’t confuse delegating with pushing your work off on someone else. There’s a big difference between unloading your work on others and delegating to the appropriate person.
6. Hire people who already have the skills you need. They would love nothing more than to get paid to do what you don’t want to do. Be selective. Their performance will often reflect on you, and you will ultimately be responsible for the outcome.

These last two may not be options for you at this time. But whatever option you choose, remember that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you don’t give yourself enough credit for the skills you already possess! Even though I consider speaking and writing books some of my greatest strengths, there are other skills I need to make my strengths marketable and add value for my clients. But I’m honest enough to admit that learning every skill might not be the best use of my time. So I trade skills, collaborate with others, and invest in resources to fill the gaps.

Think about the skills you want to add and which of these options would work for you. There’s always more than one way to get anything done! Next week we’ll talk about Part 3 – the final part of the Success Equation. So stay tuned!

Got questions or comments? Email jean@jeangatz.com.  

© 2012 Jean Gatz CSP   www.jeangatz.com

Add the Right SKILLS to Your Strengths

By Motivational Keynote Speaker Jean Gatz

If you identified your strengths after reading last week’s blog, you noticed that you’ve needed more than just your strengths to be successful in work and life. And you’re right! Very few strengths can stand on their own without some great skills to back them up. Strengths are important, but combining them with the right skills will take you to a whole new level. And that brings us to Part Two of the Success Equation: Develop strong skills that support and complement your strengths.

What’s the difference between strengths and skills? Your strengths come easily, but that’s not necessarily true for skills. Every skill you have today was learned and practiced over time. Your skills represent the time and effort you’ve put in to accept new ideas, behaviors and information – and then add them to your skill set.

Some skills were easy to learn because they reinforced your existing strengths. You caught on without much effort. Other skills were fairly difficult to master. They required serious effort. You had to stretch far to learn (or try to learn) those skills. And there are still more skills you’ll need to add if you want to STAND OUT from the crowd in a positive way.

People often ask me: “OK, Jean, what skills should I go after first? There aren’t enough hours in the day to learn everything there is to know about my job, my relationships, my health and my life.”

I couldn’t agree more! You may choose to learn new skills that will make you a better leader, colleague, co-worker, partner, spouse, parent or friend. Even if you choose only ONE of those categories, it will take time. Strong skills are important, but not EVERY skill is important for you to learn right now. So where do you start? You must be very selective. You start by asking yourself this very important question: WHAT RESULTS DO I WANT?

In next week’s blog we’ll look at how to determine what skills you need to add – and when – and how. So stay tuned! And I’d love to know how you’re coming along with identifying your strengths so far. Were there any encouraging surprises when you asked others for their feedback? Email jean@jeangatz.com and let me know!

© 2012 Jean Gatz CSP www.jeangatz.com

Are you good at Math? It’s definitely not one of my strong suits. In fact, I’m convinced that my Algebra teacher gave me a passing grade – out of pity and fear. I didn’t “get” equations, and if I failed (as I should have) I might end up in his class for another semester. But there’s one equation that I DO understand very well – because I created it. I call it the 3-part Success Equation:  Strengths + Skills + Self Improvement = Success!  And part  one is your STAND OUT tip for this month:  Leverage your Strengths.

No matter who you are or what you do, utilizing your strengths to your best advantage is one of the smartest decisions you’ll ever make. In fact, you and your organization should capitalize on your strengths at every opportunity. It’s not only a cost-effective strategy, but it helps create a team of people who truly enjoy their jobs and excel at whatever they do.

Your strengths come naturally, give you immense satisfaction and create confidence in your abilities. No wonder it feels great to focus on them! It’s almost impossible NOT to feel successful, happy and “inspired” when you’re putting them to good use. So the first question to ask is: WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS?

When I ask audiences in my keynotes and workshops to make a list of their strengths, many of them struggle with this task. It’s much easier for them to list all the things they can’t do, wish they could do, don’t do, are afraid to do, or have done wrong.

While no one likes a show-off, acknowledging your strengths has nothing to do with bragging and boasting. It involves taking a realistic look at your gifts and talents to make sure you’re using them to accomplish your personal and professional goals.  So…what are YOUR strengths? In what areas do you excel? Make a list. Write them down. Then ask others for their feedback. You’ll be surprised at the strengths others may see in you that you may not see in yourself.

Or maybe you take your strengths for granted because they come easily, so you assume that everyone can do what you do. But that’s not always the case. Although I can speak in front of thousands and write books with ease, I could never excel at some of the jobs my friends have because we don’t share the same strengths. In fact, I would be a total failure!

Everyone has different strengths that contribute to who they are. If you can’t identify them and integrate them into your personal and professional life, you’ll never get to where you want to be. And no one else will take notice of them either.

As a leader it’s important to know that people’s strengths come to the surface in safe, healthy and trusting environments. So if you want to develop and sustain a successful team in which people perform to the best of their abilities, then you must help create an environment in which they have the incentive to bring their very best to the table.  That’s how you and your organization will STAND OUT from the Crowd.

I’ll continue writing about the 3-Part Success Equation in my weekly blog this month. If you want to learn how to develop the skills you’re lacking, or how to turn your liabilities into abilities, sign up for my blog here so you don’t miss anything!

And if you’re planning an event, let’s work together to make sure it STANDS OUT like nothing you’ve ever done before! Email me today at jean@jeangatz.com or simply pick up the phone and give me a call now at 225.907.4138.

©2012   Jean Gatz, CSP   All Rights Reserved

Over the past few weeks we’ve talked about Re-Thinking your choices when dealing with change if you want to STAND OUT from the crowd in a positive way. But let’s face it. Most changes, even the positive ones, usually involve inconvenience and hard work. And sometimes you don’t feel confident that you’ve made the right choices.

To succeed in today’s highly competitive environment, you must have confidence in yourself and the choices you make. The good news is that making good choices actually creates confidence! In fact, we begin teaching our children the importance of making good choices when they’re very young. “Don’t touch the stove. Don’t run out into the street. Study hard. Drive carefully.” And sometimes they even listen to us!

When our seven year old grandson saw a boy his age riding a bike without a helmet he commented, “That’s not a safe choice.” He wasn’t asking my opinion. He was stating a fact that he knew to be true. When I asked if he always wears a helmet when he rides his bike he explained, “My mom and dad’s rule is that I have to wear a helmet any time I ride something with wheels, like my bike, my scooter or my skates.” Makes sense to me.

Each time children (no matter their age) make a good decision, their confidence increases. The same thing happens to us as adults. So why don’t we make good choices 100% of the time? Unfortunately, some people make choices based on what’s easy rather than what’s smart. And as we all know, the easy choices don’t always produce the best results.

It’s easier to:
• Over-eat instead of losing weight to stay healthy;
• Sit in front of the TV for hours instead of getting some exercise;
• Blame other people instead of taking responsibility for our actions;
• Come to work and “meet standards” instead of going the extra mile to exceed expectations.

Let’s face it. EASY choices don’t always get the job done! It’s hard work to do almost anything that will add meaning and value to your life. There are lots of good choices that must be made, one after the other, to make change happen in a positive way. Your ability to re-group, learn from your mistakes, pick yourself up and continue on the right path is a big part of the process. So don’t make choices based on the work involved or what’s easy and comfortable, but rather on the impact those choices will have on your confidence level and your ability to STAND OUT in a positive way… not just today but well into the future.

Make it a STAND OUT week!

Jean

What’s the “one thing” you’ve done since reading this blog last week to re-think your choices and make this a STAND OUT year? Have you looked at a major change in your job or your life and made the choice to feel powerful instead of powerless? Not as easy as it sounds, is it? Here’s another way to tell if your perspective is moving you forward or holding you back.

If you choose to negatively REACT to change, you’ve made the choice to resist, play it safe and close yourself off. You try to convince yourself that all this change is just a phase and that life as you know it will soon get back to the way it used to be. You spend your time blaming and complaining instead of finding solutions.

There’s no doubt about it…complaining once in a while feels good! The problem is that when you waste emotional energy blaming, complaining and hanging onto old beliefs and behaviors, there’s no energy left to tackle the challenges you’re facing.  Your negative emotions lead to negative attitudes and behaviors that have a negative impact on your customers and co-workers. Being in “react mode” also impacts your decision making ability and your future success.

There’s a much better alternative. Instead of reacting, choose to ACT in positive ways to handle change. Decide that you are going to meet this challenge head-on. Stay open to new ideas. Learn from every person you meet and every experience you have. Use your time wisely to broaden your knowledge base, develop new competencies and sharpen your skills. Find new ways to service your customers. Instead of giving up, make the choice to take charge.

TAKING CHARGE means:

• No more excuses
• Being accountable for the consequences of your actions
• Taking responsibility for your happiness and well-being
• Letting go of what’s not working and choosing to move forward
• Solving problems instead of worrying
• Finding your power in the midst of chaos.

Wow! That’s a lot of responsibility! But what’s the alternative? Letting someone else or something else decide what your future should look like? Letting others make decisions that could impact your financial security and the security of your family? That doesn’t make sense, does it?

Remember, there is seldom a circumstance in which you are completely powerless … unless you choose not to take action. When you choose to ACT – to TAKE CHARGE – you are making the choice to control your own destiny. And that’s the smartest choice you will ever make.

Make it a STAND OUT week!

Jean

Learn more STANDOUT Strategies in 10 Ways to Stand Out From the Crowd!

Curly’s advice is a smart approach to take as we start a new year. If you set an ambitious list of goals on January 1st, you’ll probably toss it by February 1st. That’s about how long most resolutions last because we get discouraged by our lack of progress. So instead of setting yourself up for frustration and failure, why not take Curly’s (and my) advice this year and focus each month on Just One Thing?

You get to decide. Each month I’ll give you a quick tip to help you STAND OUT in a positive way.

This month’s tip: Re-think your choices when life throws changes your way. When it comes to your future success in your job, your relationships and your life, you have two choices in how you respond to change. You can choose to feel powerless or powerful.

You may be thinking: “Hey, wait a minute! I didn’t choose to let the economy tank, have my computer crash, or have to work longer hours just to keep my job. I didn’t choose for life to be so unfair.” I agree! Life isn’t always fair. While you can’t choose the changes life sends your way, you CAN choose how to respond. You may not be in charge of change, but you ARE in charge of your attitudes, beliefs and behaviors when it comes to dealing with change.

So … what’s holding you back and keeping you from getting where you want to be? What’s ONE choice you can make towards positive change in the next few weeks? When you re-think your choices you can move from feeling “powerless” to “powerful.”

Of course you do have another option. You can always choose NOT to change – to fall behind the competition inside or outside your company. If you choose to fall behind, you’re choosing to be left behind. And catching up will be very hard to do. Remember that the choices you make, and the actions you take as a result of those choices, can make this year STAND OUT for you – in your job, your relationships, and your life!

Wondering what I’m working on this month? Here’s my one thing: delivering a better Return on Investment for my clients when I keynote their events. Check out my ROI Guarantee here. And remember – making 2012 YOUR best year EVER starts with changing just one thing. What will that be for you?

The goal of the video training was to help corporate leaders do a better job. That got me thinking about the many ways to define the term job. Your job may revolve around your occupation, trade or profession. Or it might involve a duty or responsibility for which you don’t receive a paycheck. But the rewards are there in other ways – like being a stay-at-home mom or dad, or serving as a volunteer in your community.

However you define your job, wouldn’t it be exciting to create your own Green Screen of how you want that job to look… feel… BE? Well, actually, you can. In fact, you’re continually modifying your Green Screen every time you make a choice about your life, your relationships and your career – and act upon it. You may not be in charge of everything that happens to you, but you are 100% in charge of how you choose to respond.

If you’re not satisfied with your life’s current Green Screen, it will take more than the click of a mouse to change things. The choice is always yours. Let’s take a look at some areas you might want to consider.

Your professional life: Do you still enjoy your job or have you lost your enthusiasm? Are you proud of what you do and who you work for/with – or embarrassed to give people your business card? Are you stuck in a rut because you haven’t invested the time and effort to learn new skills to advance your career?

A friend of mine constantly complains that he’s continually passed over for promotions because he doesn’t have a particular certification needed to move to the next level. When I ask why he hasn’t started the process, he always has an excuse. He’s too tired… overworked… underpaid… bored… old… busy… to learn anything new. Sound familiar? If so, what do you need to do next?

Maybe you love what you do but you’re feeling worn out and burned out. While it’s great to enjoy your work and take pride in your accomplishments, it’s not healthy to link your entire identity to your job. It should not define 100% of who you are.

If you’re ready for change, you have choices. And this means you’re ready to be more than someone’s boss, employee, colleague, coworker, spouse, partner, parent, child, family member or friend. While these can certainly be rewarding roles, you can be of greater value to yourself and others if your life is in balance. How do these other areas of your life look right now?

Your personal life: Are you in healthy relationships at work and at home – where you feel respected, appreciated and recognized as a person of worth?

Your physical health: Are you eating right, exercising and getting appropriate checkups? Do you “know your (cholesterol and blood pressure) numbers”?

Your social life: Do I hear laughter? “SOCIAL life? What’s that?” Although you’re tired at the end of a long day, it’s important to your health and well-being to re-charge your batteries and make time in the week for fun, relaxation, connecting with people you care about and activities you enjoy.

Your finances: It’s impossible to feel content in other areas of your life if you’re plagued by financial stress and worry. What choices can you make to lighten the load and get yourself on more solid financial ground?

Your JOY quotient: What are you doing for your spirit, your soul, the core of your being, and the very essence of what makes you who you are?

If you’re not satisfied with where you are at the moment, modifying your life’s Green Screen will take some work. You’ll need courage to explore the possibilities, make good choices and take action. Once you decide what you want to change, you can begin to create the life you want. In the words of that studio technician … “The sky’s the limit!”

What changes are you contemplating? Write and let me know how it’s working out for you!

If you want your organization to STAND OUT from the competition, take a look around. Observe how management and staff interact with customers and with each other. How are they handling change and dealing with increased pressure to produce? How are their attitudes and behaviors impacting morale and productivity? What choices are they consciously making to contribute to team success?

Remember, we all get to choose how to respond to our daily challenges. While you may not be in charge of everything that happens in your workplace (including the decisions others make without your input) you are in charge of the attitudes and behaviors you bring to your job every day. You can choose to gossip, whine and complain. Or you can choose to come to work with a positive attitude, support each other, work together, stick together and take pride in a job well done.

The ability to STAND OUT from the competition depends both on what you do and how you do it. To improve leadership performance, increase personal accountability and encourage your people to accept and embrace change, you must be aware of negative attitudes and behaviors – whether they’re coming from one department or one person. You must focus on long term goals while you focus on short term projects.

It’s so easy to get caught up in daily workplace ritual and routine that you fail to see problems or make time to celebrate progress. How are your leaders, colleagues and co-workers doing? Where are you concentrating your attention, time and effort? Are you so focused on gathering seashells that you’re missing the dolphins?

Advocates and allies will stop you when you’re headed in the wrong direction, let you know when you’ve gone too far, offer helpful criticism when needed and influence you in a positive way. In today’s uncertain world, having people around you who can help you achieve your goals is a definite advantage.

How good are you at building and maintaining these strong and supportive relationships – inside and outside your organization? If your list of advocates and allies has only one name on it (and it’s your mom) you need to work on your relationship building skills! Advocates and allies can be found everywhere, in all departments, divisions, branches and teams. They can be your customers, co-workers, colleagues, leaders or followers.

Your boss may be an ally, but he/she may not be there forever (or may already be gone). You never know who will be in a position to fight for you, so never miss an opportunity to make an ally, even if you don’t perceive that person to currently be in a position of power. The person you work alongside today could be the person you report to tomorrow.

In our highly competitive world where people often have to fight to be noticed and recognized, remember this: You don’t choose your advocates. They choose you. Are you the kind of person others believe in enough to offer guidance, help, strength and encouragement when you need it the most? Do people stand by you in difficult times? Do you get help when you ask for it?

If you’re not satisfied with your answers, you can still do something about it. Supportive relationships don’t magically appear when you need them. They must be cultivated and continually nurtured. People are watching to see how you live your life, do your job, communicate, treat people, handle change, deal with stress, negotiate, cope with difficult people and work with a team. Based on their observations over time, they can choose to support you – or not. When you make the right choices you will STAND OUT as the person they are proud to know and support.