Have you ever considered what values you utilize in your day whether it be in your business or personal life? Want a winning edge? List out today what you value. By identifying your values you will be able to determine whether or not you are achieving all you desire. Realizing the importance of values and how they impact your ability to be successful is yet another tool to build the life, team and business you desire.
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3,000 Different Theories
Thomas Edison constructed 3,000 different theories in connection with the electric light. If he had given up at failure 100 what would have happened? Failure can be a gift along with the perspective gained when something needs to be changed or tweaked.
“If at first you don’t succeed try, try, try again.” This quote from William E. Hickson has been around a long time, since 1857 in fact. Many times we let the fear of failure hold us back, and we forget that persistence pays off. As we take a look at some of the most famous individuals such as Thomas Edison or Abraham Lincoln, these gentlemen had several failures before they were ever able to have a win or success.
As I learn about the different setbacks and disappointments that Abraham Lincoln encountered it provides me hope and humility. It doesn’t matter if we fail, it only matters if we pick ourselves back up and keep trying.
Sometimes the fear of failure is our greatest stumbling block. We have to look at the word fear and change its meaning to an acronym: False Evidence Appearing Real (FEAR). Faith and fear cannot reside together at the same time. So having faith and a strong belief that whatever the outcome, the journey and process of trying are where the opportunities lie.
As I look back over my life and think about the “failures” I have had I realize that they were actually gifts. Those times that I fell down and had to pick myself up again were the times I came to understand what I was made of discovered my strengths. In strength building we need opposition in order to grow and expand so to can we apply this to life. Instead of being afraid of failure turn it around and use it to move you forward.
In our economic climate, many individuals and companies are having a rough time. Each individual has a choice. The choice is to let the stumble flatten them or the choice to explore new methods. Even if you have historically been a person that when knocked down struggles to get up, whether physically, emotionally or financially, you can change right now and BREAK the pattern. Don’t let the setback stop you! Here are some suggested ways to keep moving:
1. Write out possible scenarios of how you can conquer your trial.
2. Then go to work on your plan. Work is a gift. You don’t need a job to go to work.
3. Avoid any negativity. Do what you have to do to keep yourself in a positive place.
4. Write out all that is positive in your life. Staying in the mind set of plenty will help give you momentum.
5. Do something consistently everyday to work on your plan.
6. Don’t give up – keep trying. If something is not working then make adjustments.
7. Record your progress. Keeping a journal will help you measure and analyze what you may be missing.
8. Reach out to others – serve. By focusing on others’ needs it gives us a fuller perspective and doing good will comes back to us tenfold.
When you feel overwhelmed, find stories or experiences of individuals who have overcome their obstacles. I love this quote and in fact it is a mantra in my life: “Failure is not an option.” This was the tag line for the movie about APOLLO 13. They went to the moon and so can you with whatever that moon symbolizes to you.
What is success?
What is success?
Some would say success is profitability or being financially well-off. Others would term success as notoriety and fame. What is success? When reviewing this topic I found myself really going deep into my mental framework and discovering how I define success and what makes me successful. In the next few minutes let me open up the vault of what makes up my psyche to you.
My definition of success is a combination of financial wealth, notoriety and connectedness in all of my relationships, to name a few. The goals to “have it all” in every facet of my life are the driving force for me personally. I’m a Libra and while I don’t follow astrology, the sign for Libra is that of the scale which symbolizes balance. I strive for balance in all that I undertake. Sometimes finding balance that is hard to do, other times it is easier and a rhythm or getting in “the zone” occurs.
First, defining what is important to me and what I value helps me create my goals in the different areas of my life. For instance one of my strongest values is my health. When I am jeopardizing my health by not getting the proper nutrition, exercise and sleep that impacts all other facets in my life and I am knocked out of balance and begin to fall. When planning individual goals the scripture “not requisite that man (woman) should run faster than he (she) has strength” (Mosiah 4:27) becomes my guiding mantra.
When I focus on only one area of my life I have found that the other areas suffer. Success to me is the whole and not the sum of the individual parts. For several years I experienced a bit of “fame” in one part of my life. Through that experience I found the other values that I have such as family, friends and connectedness to those who support me became second to that “fame.” When I really stopped and questioned deep inside if I was truly happy I found that I wasn’t and there was a large hole. The secret to success for me is always recalibrating my goals and striving for balance in all areas of my life.
Some of the ingredients of success that I would like to explore with you are the following: discipline, sacrifice, commitment and heart.
I have discovered that discipline is fundamental in all aspects of life. Even being disciplined in what is fun. When I was younger I looked at discipline as harsh and unbending. What I now know is that it is a gift. The more discipline I show in all parts of my life the happier I am and the more I can achieve, thus discipline is my friend. One of the great examples to me of discipline has been my 20 year-old son. He is extremely disciplined in every aspect of his life. I am so grateful for his example!
Sacrifice is something that I continually strive to improve. I find that when I become more selfish and sacrifice less, pure joy escapes me. Many times the sacrificing of my ego is often the way for me to solve challenges that arise. However, knowing what my core values are helps me determine when sacrifice is imperative. Defining those values are the driving force for all aspects of life. Whether or not you realize what your core values are you have them and make thousands of different decisions everyday because of them.
Next on the list is commitment. I have in my office a picture of a runner before sunrise running through the forest getting her workout. Whenever I get tired and feel like giving up I think about this picture and reflect on what it is I am striving to achieve. Honoring commitments bring peace. When other distractions raise their head remembering the commitments that I have made help me to stay focused.
Lastly, we must remember the heart. You may be wondering why I list this trait. I love people. I love meeting and connecting with them. I guess you may also call this passion. But the secret to my success has been the heart and passion I have put into my work, family, relationships and life. When my heart is broken I go through a grieving process but as I am going through that process I ask myself what can I learn from this situation and how can I be better and apply my heart next time.
Success becomes a private definition for each one of us. Everyone, and I mean everyone, is successful in ways uniquely to them. The secret is to discovering what it is for you and what makes you successful. As I opened the vault of my psyche to you are you ready to explore your own vault? Here’s to a happy opening.
Linda’s Tip of the Week: Fueling your Energy Level
Tip of the week – You are what you eat! Want more energy? Change the fuel you are putting into your body. If we consistently remember throughout the day and especially at night when we are tired and craving salt and sugar fueling our energy level is key to creating a winning edge.
Universal Gravity
Universal gravity is a physical law. How do you expect to grow, profit or succeed if you don’t ask for what you want? Many years ago I was pregnant with my second child and towards the end of my pregnancy I had to be confined to bed rest. That was hard! I love to go, go, go like the energizer bunny and all of the sudden I had to stop, put on the brakes, and take care of my baby. I learned an important lesson through that experience. The only way I was going to be able to continue working and running a home was to ask for help.
The same holds true in business. How do we expect our businesses to take-off if we don’t put it out in the universe that our business even exists; and ask for what we need for it to be successful? Sometimes all it comes down to is asking for what we want and the principles of universal gravity take effect. The universe is neutral.
There is a strategy to determining who and when is the right combination. By taking time to clearly define what we want, then identifying those individuals that can help us we will be well on our way to achieving success.
I have found that when I start the momentum, the energy of that momentum builds and it takes a life of its own. It will often take time, but the secret is too START.
By following these steps, the treasure will be yours to enjoy and build upon for the future. Remember: you reap what you sow.
1. Clearly lay out your vision and define what it is your are seeking
2. Identify those groups of individuals that can use the service or business you are providing
3. Contact them often. Use the power of the internet, the phone and face to face interaction to remain top of mind.
4. Vary your messages but remain in contact
5. Always ask what they need.
Remember that often you have to give before you can get. Looking for ways to help others achieve their goals and objectives will come back to you in the most amazing and inspiring ways. The universe is neutral – all you have to do is ask.
True Joy
Where do you find the most joy? What is joy to you? I am not referring to happiness. Happiness is a piece of joy. True joy typically involves another person besides us. Because of our inherent need to feel accepted, we need to have positive relationships with others.
You have probably heard it said that you have to give in order to get. But what about the principle of just giving, (what I will refer to in this article as charity)? What is charity? Do you know others that possess charity? What makes you drawn to that person? Let’s explore these questions, and through that exploration be able to find the secret to charity.
In Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary charity is described as the following: benevolent goodwill toward or love of humanity. The alternate description is: lenient judgment of others. Supreme charity is not an act but a condition or state of being.
Now that we have defined charity there are probably individuals that come to your mind. This state of being helps you endures all things. It is not easily provoked and it is patient. By exemplifying this trait we will attract goodness and prosperity into our lives. Let me share an example of one of the individuals in my life that continues to be someone that carries this enduring trait.
Her name is Anita. She was raised in a small town out west and grew up in a small family. She probably became a charitable person due, in large part, to the example of her mother. Anita has always given individuals the benefit of the doubt in her dealings with them. She has been patient when those closest to her have disappointed her. She has opened her home to strangers from different lands when it wasn’t convenient for her to do so.
She thrived professionally because she understood that her co-workers were human and that love and patience will make us all successful in the end. Because of her charitable nature, she attracted others to her. We all like to do business with people we like and who we feel truly likes us. Lastly, she has shared her mental, physical, emotional and financial resources to help others through their time of need or to help them achieve their goals.
I have seen Anita forgive others that have used or abused her, and in return she has loved and cared for them in very personal ways. I am grateful to have her as someone I can look to as an example. We all need these individuals in our lives. They give us hope, and teach us that goodness is within all of us.
By being charitable we purge ourselves of selfishness. I believe by ridding ourselves of selfishness, we are able to be more open to what life has to offer us and the opportunities that are there to capitalize and experience joy. If we are closed and don’t give, we limit our potential to achieve our goals and reach the success we dream of. With this trait we are able to expand our network.
It has been stated that successful individuals are “go givers.” They look for opportunities to give of themselves and their resources. They understand that true joy comes in giving. Why do the holidays bring out the best in everyone? Some would argue that they have become so commercialized, but I would argue that in the end people feel good because they are losing themselves in the thoughts and actions of serving others.
Charity is not the trait of someone who lets themselves be walked on or taken advantage of. Some people probably would associate charity as being weak. I disagree. It takes a strong individual who can find the good in every experience in life and the lesson to be learned.
In business, the opportunity to show charity can have long lasting effects and implications. How could you show more charity in your work? First, outline what is acceptable and not acceptable behavior for dealing with all groups such as clients, partners and employees. By developing a code and enforcing it, those who experience your entity will discover that you say what you mean and mean what you say.
By being involved in the community and providing goodwill you will attract more business and true joy in your professional life. Those organizations and individuals that understand the timeless principle that giving is better than receiving are open to change and have the ability to maneuver through trials or upsets.
Giving is one of the ways that we can breathe confidence into our organizational lives. Even as an individual we reap the benefits of giving. I have personally found that when I give, the joys, and often time’s tangible rewards, are tenfold. Being known as a “go giver” will open doors and improve your results in all you attempt to do. True joy is when we lose ourselves in the service of others.