YoU Focused: Live Your Dream Blog

Be Better than Best

2009-10-20T09:27:00.001-06:00

Be Better than Best!

Don't aim for the minimum! Have your goal to better than your best!

BE BETTER THAN BEST!

Earth Claim

2009-05-21T16:46:00.004-06:00

Check out earthclaim.com. It’s a virtual land website. You can pick up a parcel of land for just $25. It makes a great gift and it’s a great way to cherish those precious memories.

The Tipping Point

2009-05-21T16:40:00.002-06:00

I read the Tipping Point by Malcom Gladwell. An excellent book on what makes certain products or ideas become popular, or tip. The ideas are very interesting and the writing style is very engaging.

Lots of Reading

2009-04-21T09:20:00.004-06:00

I've done lots of reading over the past months. I've read:
22 Immutable Laws of Marketing
22 Immutable Laws of Branding
Project Manager's Toolkit
Managing Projects Large and Small
Made to Stick
Getting to Yes
Getting Things Done

All are excellent books for their respective topics. I really enjoyed reading Made to Stick.

I have started an Amazon astore with my book selections.

http://astore.amazon.ca/youfoc-20

Leadership

2008-07-28T09:36:00.003-06:00

In the 8th Habit Stephen Covey defines Leadership as:

Leadership is communicating to people their worth and potential so clearly that they can come to see it in themselves.

or as John Mariotti puts it:

Leaders are the architects and Managers are the builders.

Teach and Apply

2008-07-14T23:12:00.003-06:00

Stephen Covey says in his book the 8th Habit:

Almost everyone acknowledges you learn best when you teach another and that your learning is internalized when you live it.

In other words teach what you learn and practice what you preach.

This is timeless advice on the best methodology of learning. Plus it gives the added benefit of educating others.

4 Basic Elements of Effective Graphic Design

2008-07-02T12:37:00.002-06:00

These are taken from A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink who got them from The Non-Designer's Design Book: Design and Typographic Principles for the Visual Novice by Robin Williams.

Contrast
If the elements(type, color, size, line thickness, shape, space, etc.) are not the same, then make them very different.

Repetition
Repeating visual element helps develop the organization and strengthens the unity of your brochure, newsletter, or letterhead.

Alignment
Nothing should be placed on the page arbitrarily. Every element should have some visual connection with another element on the page.

Proximity
Items relating to each other should be grouped close together.

Pause

2008-06-10T10:29:00.003-06:00

Stephen Covey mentions the great impact the following quote had on him when he came across it:

Between stimulus and response, there is space.
In that space lies our freedom and power to choose our response.
In our response lies our growth and our happiness.

To put it simply, when something happens, pause and think before you react. In this way you can react in the way that is best.

Vendor Selection

2008-06-02T22:41:00.002-06:00

Remember when selecting a vendor, you shouldn't always go with the vendor with the lowest price. Select a vendor that you can establish a partnership with, or that you can use for more things. These relationships tend to be more beneficial.

Problem Solving

2008-05-26T10:02:00.002-06:00

The best way to solve a problem is to get people involved in the problem.

"When people get involved in the problem, they become significantly and sincerely committed to coming up with solutions to the problem." (Covey, Stephen. Principle-Centered Leadership. P221)

Try to spend more times on relieving restraining forces as oppose to pusing driving forces.

Integrity

2008-05-18T18:49:00.006-06:00

Of the most noblest of traits is that of Integrity.

How can we increase in Integrity?

We can become people of Integrity by making promises and keeping them. By doing this we will gain trust and by gaining trust we develop Integrity.

It is important to note the deeds we do should be based on accepted Praiseworthy principles.

If someone promises to do something bad and does it...he doesn't have integrity...at least not in my book. :0)

To start make promises to yourself and keep them. Start with small promises and then make bigger ones. By doing this you will gain self-confidence in your abilities. When you make promises to others you will make promises you can keep.

Make sure you stay true to your principles and values.

The result....INTEGRITY!

Focus!

2008-05-14T20:06:00.006-06:00

Focus your full attention on who you are currently with. Whether it be a client, friend or spouse. Give them your full attention and see what you learn and observe. Forget about the other things you have going on or you are thinking about. Instead, really listen to what they are saying with their words, the emotion they express and pay attention to their body language. Listen with your heart! Do your best to really understand what they are saying.

Make the time you spend quality time. This way everyone gains the most benefit.

Think Globally, Act Locally

2008-05-10T17:20:00.003-06:00

Think Globally, Act Locally was reportedly coined by David Brower for the Friends of Earth. You can see the wisdom of these words as they encourage you to have a broad perspective but to work within your sphere of influence to help accomplish your goals. This way you have achievable goals and are not overwhelmed by having overly lofty goals which are beyond your current situation.

Charity

2008-05-09T10:21:00.004-06:00

Give charity! Giving charity helps remove the bonds of stinginess from your heart! It will make you fear more pure and happy! Giving to those who are in need is a praiseworthy trait!

"The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of corn] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing." (Quran 2:261)

The Secret of Success

2008-05-06T18:45:00.006-06:00

Another tips from the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

Tasks fit into the following scale

Urgent & High Importance = Emergency

Not Urgent & High Importance

Urgent & Low Importance

Urgent & Low Importance

The secret is to not give time to the Low Importance Tasks.

Emergency Tasks obviously have to be looked after right away.

The key is to focus your time on Not Urgent & High Importance tasks. This way you can do the tasks before they become Urgent. This allows you to do them better and on your terms.

6 Career Secrets No One Ever Told You!

2008-05-05T08:28:00.005-06:00

Adventures of Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide You'll Ever Need
By Daniel H. Pink

Here are the 6 career lessons from the book.

www.johnnybunko.com

1. There is no plan.

Don't be rigid about planning out each step well in advance . . . it's not possible to do.
Don’t assume that by do x it will lead to y and then y will lead to z, which is your goal.
Do things for Fundamental reasons, things you believe are inherently valuable.

2. Think strengths, not weaknesses.

Build on what you're good at and avoid relying on what you aren't good at.
These are the things that you get fully immersed in and you get a sense of energized focus.

3. It's not about you.

Focus on what you can do for others (start with the boss) rather than what's in it for you (you can read more about this in How to Be a Star at Work).

4. Persistence trumps talent.

Keep at it. Practice makes perfect.

5. Make excellent mistakes.

Take on big challenges and learn from them.
Don’t be afraid of failure to the extent you are unwilling to try anything
Then benefits of what you learn from the mistake should exceed the mistake you made

6. Leave an imprint.

Make a difference.
LEGACY

Timeless Advice by Stephen R. Covey

2008-04-28T23:07:00.001-06:00

I have the power of choice. I can take initiative. I can set and achieve a goal. I am not a product of my past or my genetic make-up or the social agenda.

We are not our feelings. we are not our moods. We are not even our thoughts. We are a product of our choices.

Dr. Stephen R. Covey

Focus on what you do best and Outsource the Rest!

2008-04-28T22:59:00.004-06:00

You will notice that the things we are good at and love to do are the things we normally get done happily and right away. Conversely the things we do not like doing and are not good at we tend to procrastinate. Think about it.

So why not outsource these jobs to someone else. eg. Hire an accountant to do your taxes. Get the kid down the street to cut your grass.

Your time is best spent doing the things you excel at and love doing. Or the things that are more important to you like spending time with your family.

This will make you more Productive and Happy!

SMART Goals

2008-04-22T09:50:00.004-06:00

Your goals should be S.M.A.R.T.

S-Specific
M-Measurable
A-Attainable
R-Realistic
T-Timely

Here is another strategy to use for the R. Rather than set a realistic goal set 3 goals.

A Minimum Goal-Something you know you can achieve based on your prior history.
A Target Goal-Something you know you have the ability to achieve.
and an Outrageous Objective-Something that is out there and would be a great accomplishment to achieve.

This is MTO Goal Setting technique is taken from Raymond Aaron's Double Your Income Doing What You Love. (John Wiley & Sons. 2007)

7 Habits of the Truly Successful People

2008-04-22T09:36:00.003-06:00

By Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips

1. Correct your Outlook and Belief
2. Commit yourself emotionally. Have a soft heart
3. Put your complete trust in Almighty God
4. Have Patience and Perseverance
5. Have Modesty and Shyness
6. Seek Contentment and Satisfaction
7. Sacrifice

Remember the True Goal is to attain Paradise. So don't sacrifice Paradise to obtain something in this life.

Watch the Video Lecture

Golden Advice for You

2008-04-21T21:39:00.004-06:00

Know what you want from life. What are you true goal and aspirations. By knowing this you can aim to achieve it.

To achieve you life goals write down the following (you must physically write them down):

Write down your Goals in Life (3 or 4)
Lay out a plan for this year that will help you achieve this goal
Lay out a plan for this month that will help you achieve your goal for the Year
Plan out your week so you can obtain your Month goal

When you are actually doing these acts, you can now do them knowing the reason you are doing it, is to achieve one of your Life Goals. By doing this you will live your life with enthusiasm and hope that you are on your way to achieving a Life Goal.

7 Habits of Highly Effective People

2008-04-21T21:35:00.008-06:00

To start we begin with a summary of the 7 habits of the Highly Effective People. This is an excellent book and can really start a change in your life.

Remember you must have the courage to change yourself!

The 7 Habits Revisted

Stephen R. Covey February 1, 2008 Categories: Business /Leadership, Business

When I was actively teaching as a professor, I taught a course entitled the “History of Self-Help Literature.” My research showed me that long-term performance in your personal life or in your business depends on your adherence to universal principles. Fortunately, these principles pertain, not to secret techniques for manipulating other people, but to habits that develop your own character.

Habit 1: Be proactive.
You create, rather than react: you are not filling a job that someone in an existing company created, and now seeks to fill. Further, the productivity, ethics, and success of the people in your organization are shaped by the example you set every day. So, you live from your values, not your feelings or desires.

Habit 2: Begin with the end in mind.
You know that you either choose the vision of your future life, or someone else will do it for you. You are a visionary, a goal-setter and goal-getter. You program your own mind according to proven principles. You enter every opportunity with a clear, specific, and measurable intended result, and commit yourself to achieving it. You develop a personal mission statement, a clear sense of purpose, a sense of your values. You reflect on every aspect of your life to ensure that it is integrated, consistent with a set of principles. If you don’t reflect, you may get so caught up in the excitement of your business that it eclipses everything else in your life. The key is to decide, “What are my values and beliefs?” and “How will I keep my health, my integrity, my family and business?”

Habit 3: Put first things first.
You are an efficient manager of time, which is to say, of yourself. You know that your duty to faith and family involves a commitment of time, and you are as reliable in keeping promises in these areas of life as you are in keeping appointments in business. In business, you do whatever is most important ahead of whatever is easy or pleasant.

Habit 4: Think win/win.
You create and play the game so that everyone wins. You do not let personal jealousies work against you. The more you help others succeed, the better you are compensated. This ethic requires a mature character rich in integrity, and relationships built on trust that develop into partnerships.

Habit 5: Seek first to understand, then to be understood.
People do not care how much you know, until they know how much you care. So be a masterful listener. You know that success comes not from having all the answers, but from having all the questions. You know that your very effectiveness in telling your own story depends on how well you have understood the story of the person listening to you. By practicing this habit, you seek to understand the needs of others first, rather than to give quick formula answers that work for you.

Habit 6: Synergize.
You choose cooperation over competition. You are not too proud to ask for help, not too busy to offer it. You look for opportunities to give credit generously to others, because you know that by showing appreciation, you build confidence and effectiveness in those around you, and create a team greater than the sum of its parts.

Habit 7: Sharpen the saw.
You take care of your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. You think of these dimensions as both temple and tool. You balance business and play, movement and rest, expansion and contraction. You know that renewal and recreation in all dimensions of your life and work are required for your continuing success.

Excellence in Action: Sharpen your saw by rewarding yourself with a day away from the office.

Article courtesy of Leadership Excellence.

Our Focus Is You!

2008-04-21T21:31:00.002-06:00

Welcome to my Blog!

The Goal is to help you! I will compile some useful information to help you in your life.
By doing this you can achieve your goals in life! I hope that this will help you live a life that you aspire to live.

OUR FOCUS IS YOU!