In Humble Gratitude

I never understood the touchdown dance...to achieve through determined action and then perform a ballet seems contradictory. I have had my moments of arrogance and I regret them. Worse than failing, is winning and tarnishing your trophy. If you read this blog you know I am anything but traditional. There is, however, a time for respect. A nod to the effort of those you beat down is probably a good Karma measure. Not everybody wins, Capitalism is the American Dream, and respect is not deserved to those who mail it in.

We cannot evolve without those around us who accelerate our effort. The spirit of competition is to push one's self beyond the thershold as a benefit from those with whom you compete. I have spent my greatest moments of achievement alone (and I assure you they have been monumental in scope). I am grateful for that!

Here are 3 ways to Win Gracefully:
Understand the Benefit of Your Work
Replicate the Process
Reward Not the Uncaring

What Got You Here
You won! You gave your full effort to a task, achieved and have progressed from it. Reflect on it......!

Don't throw your hands up or dance...take a breath and to yourself celebrate that achievement!

Learn and Earn
It is difficult to hold off the celebration and retrace your steps when you win...but it is important. To understand the process of your effort, to find the pillars and to make them part of your strategy. You would be surprised how impressive a rehearsed routine can be if presented properly. Point by point procedure is a gateway to production.

Retrace the path to success and replicate it!

No Orange Peels
...let's not confuse the situation. If you put no admirable effort forward, you deserve not a pat on the back. If you busted your hump and fell short, you need not be over critical of yourself!

You need not pick up your rivals when they fall. You don't have to shake hands if you're pissed. There is nothing wrong with being distraught for not measuring up. I will take the guy who does not accept failure (regardless of qualification) over he who smiles in defeat, every day!

Pin your opponent, score the game winning touchdown, win the million dollar deal...and give yourself a few moments to take it all in!

Congratulations! You Deserve It!

Don't Forget to Remember!

Dave

Re: Action

Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.

– Winston Churchill

This quote from Sir Winston presents simple terms that address the most difficult conundrum anyone can face:
Dealing with Failure

There are 2 categories for those who have been challenged and have fallen short:
Those mired in self pity who never challenge themselves again
Those who put on a facade to present themselves as bullet proof

It's Not My Fault
Do you know someone who is consistently angry? Every day sucks because they wake up with the foresight of dread. From the minute they walk out the door they project their discontent on others so they never have to be accountable to themselves again. They use negativity to provoke others prepared to respond because they cannot stand to see another smile.

Don't allow these folks to suck you in...they are the cowards who have tried, failed and cannot bear to face disappointment again.

The Smile Guy
Do you see that person in the office that always smiles, that laughs at all your jokes, that folds his hands properly in his lap when the boss speaks (nodding in approval). I get it, sometimes you need unflappable positivity to navigate the overwhelming negativity that others will heap upon you.

It can be said, however, that those who find the positive in everything may be just as cowardly as the person who blames everyone else. If you never hold anyone accountable, odds are you will be trampled at every turn.

Don't be the Fault Deflector or the Smile Guy....find the strategic medium:
Work Hard
Develop Candid Relationships
Find the Solution

Touch All The Bases
You have to carry the weight...every day. Accept that you will quarterback every task, every day. Know that those helping you will try and fail. Be willing to be the focal point. Out work everyone: your partners, your managers, your support staff.

Be Humble in Victory and Accountable in Defeat. Never deflect blame or brag over accomplishments. Every game has a critical turn....the person who drove the victory or is responsible for the defeat knows who they are (as does everyone else).

Wake Up Call
You cannot advise someone without their respect. If someone is failing and they are continually badgered they will continually ignore advice. We all face our pivotal moments, usually a reflection of some hard words from someone who loves us dearly.

It is difficult to tell a friend they have hit their bottom. You have to have relationships within which you can tell those who are falling how to get back up in light of their ignorance to reality.

Solutions Not Excuses
Don't be the smiley guy, don't ignore misconduct with a smile, don't pretend you can wish away the inefficiency. But, stay upbeat!

You don't have to smile and laugh loud to be positive. You DO have to find a solution in everything. Save time arguing your point to prove your personal relevance and find a gateway to progress. No one cares who forgot the copies if you win the deal. Put aside the insignificant, think big picture, be adaptable, don't show your cards and accept nothing other than victory.

Let it be known that a person's character shines greatest in their moments of discontent....it is easy to smile when you are winning!

You cannot grow without failure. If you win all the time you might be selective in the challenges you accept. Break the mold, continue to develop and never compromise.

We Can Do This!

Don't Forget to Remember!

Dave

The 3 Habits of Highly Engaged People

The term Employee Engagement is often missused. But, those passionate about their work create a ripple effect that is contagious. Energy, positivity and connectivity; these are traits that are undeniably admirable.

How do you get there?

How do you get to the point where work becomes a joy, where you enjoy meeting people, where your negativity gives way to some positive energy?

You don't have to quit your job, do palates at 4am or drink a hundred lattes. All you need is a personal strategy driven by genuine intent. Discovering your life's purpose through work might be more than an overnight chore. I can, however, suggest 3 things that will make every day exciting.

Do Something Remarkable Every Day
Step Out of Your Comfort Zone Every Day
Commit with Greater Measure

To See The Sun Set
There are those who grind for 51 weeks to get that moment in the sunset once a year. Sometimes that seems like enough but you need more. You don't need to vacation half the year but you can see that sunset every day.

Take a Walk After Work
Find the Beach on your Lunch Break
Go for a Hike
Drive to a Hilltop
Rock out in your car

...we become creatures of habit and that makes our lives predictable, boring, & uneventful. You cannot invigorate your soul just once a year in cape cod. You have to find in each day an element of personal beauty. To take life in. To be thankful. To Reflect. To move forward with greater insight.

Step Out
If you sit next to me on a plane and ask me where my travels are taking me, the Ipod goes on....I am an asshole in this respect. I do not favor the guys in the gym locker room who stand around naked talking business or the lady in the coffee who talks loudly about her blessed life at 5am. In my book I urge the technique of easing your way in. There can, however, be a happy medium.

So in 2011, I will challenge myself to engage in that conversation on the plane. To ask someone how they are doing. To jump into a pick up hoop game. To swim in the cold ocean. To connect with a group of strangers over coffee.

Part of keeping yourself sharp is doing the uncomfortable...every day!

5 more
So you worked your butt off in the hardest of economic times to achieve your goals in 2010. In 2011, you have to do more. Even if you work far beyond what the standard might be....the extra effort is what differentiates the extraordinary from the regular.

Make 5 more calls, talk to 5 more associates, do 5 more sit ups, write 5 more lines of code.....

You define your true potential not by achieving your goals, but exceeding them, and redefining your self-imposed limits. This process never ends and you consistently evolve.

There are just 3 things you need to do every day to be that Engaged Person you admire:
smell a rose, say hello to someone new, do 5 more of the little things

Don't Forget to Remember!

- Dave