Thursday, December 31, 2009

Maximizing The Holidays...

Happy New Year!

Several hours from now, we would be flipping the page of a
wonderfully
challenging year that brought us great positive
transformation on all
levels.

Time flies.

As we confidently look forward to bigger times ahead, ask yourself:
“Am I really ready?”, “What else do I need to do to get ahead?”

Well, the holidays will be over sooner than you know it. And as
Louis Pasteur put it, “Chance favours the prepared mind.”

Yes, it’s still the holidays, so enjoy but make time. Try to use the
next three days to reflect… regroup… and reinforce.

REFLECT. Do a personal assessment on yourself. Ask questions
like… “Have I accomplished what I set out for the year?”, “Where
do I stand now?”, “What did I do wrong that delayed or blew up
projects?”, “What did I do right that made me not only attain goals
brilliantly but opened up opportunities for myself and the
company?”,
“How would I like the coming year to be?”, “Am I
equipped to take on
more?”.

“If the axe is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is
needed but skill will bring success.” - Eccl. 10:10

Write down objectives and carefully analyze what you have.

REGROUP. Once you have determined your objectives and
checked on your resources, lay out your strategies for the coming
year. Break it up on a quarterly basis, better yet, on a monthly
basis. Plan. Plan. Plan.

“If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I would use 6 hours
sharpening my axe.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

Planning is key to success.

REINFORCE. Strengthening your plans and resolve would be
more effective if you ask for honest opinions.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
~ Proverbs 27:17

Do not leave any stone unturned. Check and recheck. Understand
that no matter how good you are, still, nobody is perfect. Humility
then would serve you well. And bear in mind to keep your plans
flexible with contingency measures at hand. Realize that we may
be able to foresee the future but not the exact future, so listen.
Keep your eyes and ears open. Watch out for signals. And be
ready to decide and act.

Lastly, do not forget to pray.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will
succeed.”
~ Proverbs 16:3

On to the Future!

Remember…
“Maximizing the holidays can bring real benefits, it’s just a matter of desire."

Friday, December 25, 2009

Leading During The Holidays...

The holidays are here... the spirit of goodwill is felt and the celebration
echoes all over the world. It’s simply such a wonderful time of the year.

But as a Leader, how do you spend the holidays? Still work? Spend
time with family and friends?

Well, the latter certainly would be the better choice of course, after
all why do we work? What’s advancement if you don’t have loved
ones to share your triumphs? What is money and power if nobody
likes you?

Family and friends forms our major support group. They are specially
there when we need them most, thus, making us more resilient in life.
With that on the plate, wouldn’t it only be fair for us to spend quality
time with them and treat our family as our number one client?

Let’s look at an excerpt in Jeffrey J. Fox’s How to become CEO…

It is very easy to let your business career monopolize all your time
and energy. The more action-oriented you become, the more there
is to do. But to force your spouse and children into second place is
a mistake.

You need the support of your family. It will help you in your career.
You need an enthusiastic spouse who understands that some
sacrifices is necessary. Your family must be an ally in your future
plans.

Put your family on your calendar. Schedule as many soccer games
as possible. Schedule vacations. Leave work early if you are taking
your children trick-or-treating. Put family activities on your “To Do”
list. Give them high priority. Quality time with your family will reward
you a thousandfold.

When your spouse or children speak to you, put down the newspaper
or book or mute the TV, and turn and look at them while they are
speaking. You will strengthen that relationship and practice your
listening skills at the same time. It is also a very polite thing to do.

Respond to your family as you do to your job, or to that big, important
client.

Try to have fun with those who really matters the most in your life.
It will do you a lot of good- personally and professionally. Your health
will improve. You’ll rediscover your sense of humor. You’ll strengthen
those bonds and make life more meaningful.

“No one can foretell the possibilities of achievement available to man
whose wife stands at his back and urges him on to bigger and better
endeavor, for it is a well known fact that a woman can arouse a man
so that he will perform almost superhuman feats. It is your right and
your duty to encourage your husband and urge him on in worthy
undertakings until he shall have found his place in the world.”
- The Law Of Success

Merry Christmas and More Success.

Remember…
“Christmas has always been about sharing; when you share, you build more stock.”

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Growing Through Sports...

Many treat sports as recreation, others as a form of exercise, yet
others as a relief from stress. But how many has ever considered
sports as an effective means to perfect Leadership skills?

Yes, you heard me right.


Leadership skills could be enriched by engaging in sports and

specially through Coaching
. Whatever your level in the corporate

world, from staff positions to top management or whether you are

underemployed or job seeking, getting involved in sports would

help you grow your Leadership abilities.


How?

Take golf for example. What would you need to play the game well?
Clubs? More than equipment, what? You need focus, discipline,
self-control, perseverance, adaptability, and capacity for abstract
thought among others.

Sports is more than just sinking that shot. It’s about character

building and strengthening necessary to being That Leader. And
as we know, your attitude determines your altitude.

What about Coaching?

Well, while participating in sports develop character, coaching
improves a Leader’s functional skills: planning, organizing and

controlling; and specially boosts vital aspects in leading such

as people skills and teamwork.


Yet, in all these, how many of you truly realizes the great benefits
of sports in Leadership?


Many still frowns or downgrades what sports can bring forth. Many
still doubts the transferability of Leadership skills in a coach. You

can see it when a coach tries to go on a “career transition” to the

corporate world.


“Who told you it couldn’t be done? And what great achievement
has he to his credit that entitles him to use the word IMPOSSIBLE
so freely?” - The Law Of Success

Look now, how sure are you of a coach’s ability anyway? If you are

indeed a Leader then you would not judge a book by its cover.
You
will not just browse his resume but analyze it and talk to him
to see
what he is good at. You will review your company’s status
and needs
then try to fit him in.


See, why not give an "outsider" that chance?

“Thousands of people walked over the great calumet copper mine

without discovering it. Just one lone man got busy with a pick and

found it. You may be standing on your ‘calumet mine’ right now

without knowing it…” - The Law Of Success


Being open-minded is a crucial part of being That Leader; but if
you are stuck in this status quo, then what are the chances for a
breakthrough?

Think. Even in schools, not all the "brilliant" are found at Harvard.

Remember… “To grow as a Leader, you got to get out of that shell.”