Leadership

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 23:50:00 +0000

Recently, I heard a sales manager ask his team, "What are you guys going to do to help me get my number this quarter?"

Hearing his question reminded me of a quote by Robert Ingersoll. "We rise by lifting others." To say that I cringed at the manager's question is an understatement. The fact that there were not a lot of responses confirms that feeling of cringe-worthiness.

What does it take for some managers to realise that they are there to serve their team, not to be served?

Perhaps the better question would have been, 'What can I do to help you get your number this quarter?' I'm quite sure the conversation would have been a productive one.

The Importance of a Primary Goal

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:32:00 +0000

There’s an ancient Chinese proverb that says: “If you chase two rabbits, both will escape.”

You can imagine just how many applications this concept can have. And how much it can mess with your head and your life.

So, here’s your mental antioxidant: Decide what is or will be your primary goal. Develop a clear picture of it in your mind and then ensure that everything you do contributes to the achievement of that goal. If you have another “rabbit”, let it go and chase the right one.

Yours in success.
Tony

The True Entrepreneur is a Doer

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:31:00 +0000

“The critical ingredient is getting off your butt and doing something. It’s as simple as that. A lot of people have ideas, but there are few who decide to do something about them now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. But today. The true entrepreneur is a doer.” – Nolan Bushnell

Nolan Bushnell is arguably the father of computer entertainment.
Nolan Bushnell founded Atari in 1972 and subsequently launched the video-game revolution with Pong. He sold Atari in 1976 for $28 million, and the following year opened the first Chuck E. Cheese’s restaurant, which combines fast food and electronic games and amusements.
He sold that, too, and since has been involved in several projects and start-ups.

( You can read the article from which the above commentary is drawn at http://www.thetech.org/exhibits/online/revolution/bushnell/i_a.html )

So I feel confident in saying that Nolan Bushnell is very qualified to make that comment.
Today, we are often confronted with the philosophy of Be – Do – Have, and this may seem fairly easy to understand at first, but a little more exploration will help us discern the essence of what this is all about.

BE: The philosophy says that we can’t have what we want to have without first being what we want to be. Wow… that’s tricky! But there are two ways that this can play out. One is what you conceive in your mind, the other is how you present to others. Firstly, I will say that I believe the intention is that “BE” is an attitude, not an action. I know many people who subscribe to Be – Do – Have who take this part way to literally and start to act out their belief as if it were already true… and consequently open the doors to being somewhat misleading in the way they come across to others. This usually happens when people believe they have to fake it ’til you make it and so they colour their circumstances to project the view they want others to believe already exists. I’m sorry to say that I think that is just as fraudulent as if one were an embezzler. The essence of “BE” is one of mindset… an internal conscious and subconscious process that enables us to visualise what it is we seek.

DO: This is where the rubber hits the road. These are the specific action steps that you plan and implement to achieve your desired outcome. And strangely enough, this is the step that most Be – Do – Havers of miss or botch up. Once you know what you want to achieve, spend some serious time mapping out your action plan for making it happen… and then go and DO IT. It is as simple as that. That’s not to say that your action steps are perfect, or that some review and change is not necessary, but it is only in the DOING that you uncover those issues and deal with them appropriately.
HAVE: OK, so now you have what you set out to achieve. Be grateful for it… and ALWAYS give credit to those who helped you get there.

And here’s your mental antioxidant:

Clarity of mind is so important to the Be – Do – Have philosophy. Spend at least 10 to 15 minutes each day visualising who you want to BE. Clear your mind of all other thoughts and take yourself to an uncluttered place. Close your eyes, slow down your breathing and relax. Allow the thoughts of what you want to be to pervade your mind. When you are ready… go and DO what needs to be done and you will continue on your journey to HAVE what you seek.

And know that this will only work if you are a doer. If you are not, change your habits and become one. It is the DO in the philosophy that makes it work.

The Mental Antioxidant

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:27:00 +0000

Welcome to The Mental Antioxidant. I hope you will find the time and the inspiration to contribute to this project.