Organizations are continuously challenged with building and maintaining a culture of excellence. Want a quick method for determining if staff is happy? Try walking through the office and reading the cartoons or captions posted on cubicles or offices. If there are cartoons like, "The only difference between this place and the Titanic is that the Titanic had a band" or "Our company's dental plan is chew on the other side of your mouth" you know there is a problem. Conversely, if you observe motivational sayings or letters of praise, the culture is probably healthier.
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One of the biggest myths in America is that we are entitled to a fantastic life. That is to say, the government or our employers carry the responsibility to ensure our happiness, fulfillment and prosperity. The truth is, each of us is responsible for every aspect of our lives including our level of fitness, career future, financial obligations, relationship quality and spiritual peace. It is disturbing to notice an increasing number of people that take comfort in assigning blame to others for their shortcomings or challenges or failures: parents, spouses, bosses, terrorists, economy, etc. News Flash! Stop looking outside yourself for the things you don't have and start looking internally. It is you and you alone who produces, or doesn't produce, your quality of life. Stop making excuses or rationalizing why you haven't achieved your goals and realize that it doesn't matter where you have been, but only where you are going. Not sure how to stop the blame and take a more active role in your own self-growth? Follow these 5 valuable tips:
1. Take 100% accountability for everything that happens to you.
2. If you keep doing what you're doing, and you keep getting what you are getting, and you don’t like it — make a change!
3. Blaming others is a complete waste of your time and no matter how often you do it, it won’t change you, or the outcome, at all.
4. If you seek a different result, simply change your response to, or how you approach, the situation.
5. It is your attitude, not your aptitude, which determines your altitude in life.
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I would like to outline for you our 5 critical factors in life and suggest that you address each recommendation, if you have not done so already. Here we go!
1. Career: We suggest you look in the mirror and ask yourself if you truly love your vocation. Our 5 step formula ("The 5 P's") for career success is as follows:
Passion: Are you passionate about the duties and tasks which comprise your work life?
Purpose: Do you find purpose and meaning in your work life?
Power: Are you gaining the respect of your peers and associates because you are an "expert" in your chosen line of work?
Profit: Are you compensated at a fair level for your contributions which either increase revenue or decrease costs to your current organization?
Peace of Mind: Are you feeling relaxed and confident in your life's work, the feeling that comes from knowing you are in the right career?
2. Financial: We suggest you find a great accountant and lawyer to handle your will, estate plans and taxes, the extra investment here is worth it!
Expenditures: track your monthly expenses, prioritize projects and their costs and live within your means!
Savings: There are three types of savings, cash, investments (equities, mutual funds, real estate, etc.) and retirement savings. Make sure you have a sound plan for each!
3. Health & Fitness: The old adage that if you don't have your health nothing else matters is accurate. Your body is a temple, make sure its not the temple of doom!
Medical: Find a trusted doctor, dentist, related specialists and obtain your vital statistics (indicators of health challenges asap). Keep a file of your personal health objectives (blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood counts, etc.). Remember, for illness, early detection is the key!
Nutrition: Create a livable meal plan (we suggest 6 small meals per day, no carbs after 6PM, lots of water, limit salt and sugar)
Exercise: 30 minutes per day, MINIMUM! Try walking, tennis, weights, join a gym, aerobics, there has to be something you enjoy... make sure you stretch for 10 minutes per day, every day (I suggest after morning shower when you muscles are loose!)
4. Relationships/Personal: Be sure to include time for fun and hobbies!
Spouse: If applicable, try to "outserve" your significant other and focus on intimacy and communication, the two areas which create the biggest challenges. One idea... Each keep a journal and record in written form, 3 "just because things" (i.e. flowers, breakfast in bed, house repair, watch a movie together, bathe the kids, etc.) you each do for each other, once you start, you will get in the habit and the relationship will sizzle!
Parenting: Create objectives for core values (integrity, trust, etc.) education (homework schedule), programs and/or sports and schedule, schedule schedule! Kids need (and want) routine in their lives. Make sure you also allow them time to daydream and just be a kid, they will have responsibilities like you and me soon enough!
Hobbies/Bonding Items: Many couples drift apart when all they needed to do was find a few common interests (movies, tennis, travel, cooking, shopping, real estate, golf, etc.). Certainly there is something you both enjoy...
5. Spiritual: Not preaching here or suggesting any specific method of worship, simply stating that we all need to take the time to appreciate the wonders of the world, consider our time on earth, and make a commitment to contributing, that is, leaving the world a better place as a result of your presence. Make it a point to contribute a self-less act to assist another in need, something outside your work life. Help a child, volunteer your time to literacy, build a church, etc. We only feel complete when we are assisting others...
That's it, a refresher course on the 5 key areas to focus your energies! Please write them down and strive to live in balance. Do not let one area dominate your thoughts or time or you will feel massive stress. If you master the skill of applying time to each of the categories listed, you will begin to live a life of passion, profit and peace of mind!
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Memorial days may have passed but it is still time to reflect on those who have dedicated their lives to the protection and support of our freedom, our way of life. Make no mistake, America, with her unique diversity, freedom and opportunity, is the greatest country in the world, bar none! We have those brave souls who dedicated their lives to thank for this incredible privilege.
In my opinion, we are living in the greatest, most progressive time in history as we see new advances in medicine, technology, manufacturing, media, education, etc. which are creating new careers and jobs every day. To illustrate this point, I recently had the privilege of hearing Emily Derocco, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Labor; speak her thoughts for the future economy. She made a comment that resonated with me: the average career seeker in America will change jobs 14 times in his/her lifetime; and 7 of those jobs have not even been invented yet. Talk about an attention getter!
What you should take from this narrative is that flexibility and innovation will be key components to career success and that learning the concept of self-marketing will be paramount to compete in the future global economy. America is the land of opportunity, but be prepared and fore warned as we are also the most competitive nation on the planet. Whether you are competing for an education, a new position with an established employer or starting your own business, the important thing is to determine your unique and compelling advantage. Don’t be afraid to ask yourself, "what separates me you from others who seek my prize?"
Freedom has its advantages and we should be eternally grateful for this right. But never lose sight that with that freedom, is the realization that we each need to be responsible for managing our time and resources. My experience shows that only those individuals who commit to constant and never-ending improvement in their career, fitness, finances, relationships and spirituality will be safe from the onslaught of global competition and obsolescence caused by innovation.
Consider the words of world renowned consultant Peter Drucker, "In a few hundred years, when the history of our time is written from a long-term perspective, it is likely that the most important event those historians will see is not technology, not the Internet, not e-commerce. It is an unprecedented change in the human condition. For the first time…literally…substantial and rapidly growing numbers of people have choices. For the first time they will have to manage themselves. And society is totally unprepared for it…"
Remember, not just on Memorial day but always, to salute those who make our freedom of choice possible!
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I'd like to focuses on the theme of "returning", which is to work, school, values, etc. For me, recent world events have me think of days gone by; a return to a time when people got jobs with stable employers and retired from those same companies with the gold watches and groups of loyal friends wishing them well in their golden years. It was a time when fear, worry and doubt were secondary to work ethic. Corporate malfeasance, bottom line reductions and the elimination of retirement plans with a swipe of a pen were rarely, if ever, a consideration.
Just because the world has become more results focused and each and every member of the organization is now seemingly forced to cost justify their own existence each and every year, doesn’t mean we should lose touch with the basic traits of decency, courtesy and respect for others. Instead of working harder, many people have simply become numb to the paradigm shift where to compete, one must exert incredible energies just to keep up.
To illustrate the point of a job seeking community gone bad, I found this sample cover letter amusing - I hope you agree!
"Dear Employer:
Please consider me for your any open position you have, today or at any time in the future. It is my career objective to find any good job with benefits and security. As for my approach, I pride myself on reading the want ads and sending out mass mailed resumes to numerous job boards. I cannot understand why these small-minded employers cannot spot my superior abilities from my basic, boring resume, which I always spel chek and personalize with, "To Whom It May Concern." Perhaps, you will be different.
As far as my credentials, I have spent an entire life in jobs that I didn’t like and that I was generally overqualified for. This was primarily because I lacked discipline, wasn’t really motivated and didn’t push myself. You will be pleased to know that I have absolutely no plans to expand my expertise or focus in any one industry, as I am not sure what field I will find myself in next. As for continuing my education, not to worry: I have no plans to interfere with my nightly reality TV schedule.
As for experience, I have held several jobs, mostly because I took what was available, as I never spent the time to analyze what my true interests were or what kind of career was best for me. Because I still have no clue as to what my purpose or passion is, I am seeking a way to pay my bills and be able to say to my family and friends that I am working. While waiting to be laid off from your organization, maybe someone will miraculously discover my true hidden talents and put me on course to my ultimate destiny, whatever that may be. My friends, who all hate their jobs, told me that in this economy, its probably better to just stay in a job I despise and wait for someday to become one of the days of the week.
As for my prior performance, I was generally irresponsible and looked to cut corners whenever possible. I was respectful to my supervisors, who for the most part, were unappreciative of my hidden talents and often stole my brilliant ideas. I particularly enjoyed badmouthing the company and blaming the system or economy for my lack of success. For example, at my last job, I had a sign on my cubicle that read, "the only difference between this place and the Titanic was that they had a band." TGIF, Same *^#*@, Different Day, Another Day Another Dollar and Life Sucks & Then You Die are my personal mottos.
With regard to my hobbies and extra-curricular activities, I enjoy my leisure time and escape my boring, mundane life by reading fiction or watching television. I would do more, but as a result of my lousy diet and lack of a regular exercise program, I barely have enough energy to make it through the day!
I am confident you can use a person with my ability - I am available to start immediately (or at least following my vacation). I promise you my most mediocre self!
Sincerely,
"Joe or Jane Job seeker"
Amusing yes, but for some, the above is their daily reality...
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