How Asking Questions Transforms Your Life

Do you ask for help in managing your life?

Who are you asking, and are they giving you great answers?

In this video, I share the process that works for me, every time!

Check out my new offerings:

Interviewing Skills Online Course titled “I Got The Job!” 

My new book (on Amazon) on Interviewing titled “I Got The Job!”

Leadership Online Course: Performance Enhancing Feedback

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Success Is Seldom Convenient

Is your success imminent or elusive?

Are you fighting the good fight and giving it all you’ve got?

In this video, I share my thoughts on the nature of success.

Check out my new offerings:

Interviewing Skills Online Course titled “I Got The Job!” 

My new book (on Amazon) on Interviewing titled “I Got The Job!”

Leadership Online Course: Performance Enhancing Feedback

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How Good Thoughts Transform Your Life

Are you as Positive a person as you’d like to be?

Do you intentionally create positive thoughts for the situations in your life?

In this video, I share why I end my podcast and videos with the phrase “Have Good Thoughts” and how creating more of them will change your life.

Check out my new offerings:

Interviewing Skills Online Course titled “I Got The Job!” 

My new book (on Amazon) on Interviewing titled “I Got The Job!”

Leadership Online Course: Performance Enhancing Feedback

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Daily We Teach Others How To Treat Us

Are you surrounded by controlling people?

Were they always controlling, or did they gradually become so?

In this video, I explore the process that turns respectful people into controlling ones, and how to reverse it.

Check out my new offerings:

Interviewing Skills Online Course titled “I Got The Job!” 

My new book (on Amazon) on Interviewing titled “I Got The Job!”

Leadership Online Course: Performance Enhancing Feedback

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What Do You Do When, Episode 1

Has your life gotten out of sync?

Is your go-to strategy failing you this time, with this issue?

In this video I explore the options you have and ask about your motivations?

Check out my new offerings:

Interviewing Skills Online Course titled “I Got The Job!” 

My new book (on Amazon) on Interviewing titled “I Got The Job!”

Leadership Online Course: Performance Enhancing Feedback

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Nothing But The Truth, Episode 2

Do you tell little lies to yourself and others from time to time?

Have you convinced yourself that it’s not a big deal?

In this video, I expose that behavior as addictive and what to do about it.

Check out my new offerings:

Interviewing Skills Online Course titled “I Got The Job!” 

My new book (on Amazon) on Interviewing titled “I Got The Job!”

Leadership Online Course: Performance Enhancing Feedback

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How You Are Capable Of The Hard-To-Believe

Do you have dreams that seem unrealistic and hard-to-believe?

Would you like to start believing they are possible?

In this video, I share why and how you can start believing them.

Check out my new offerings:

Interviewing Skills Online Course titled “I Got The Job!” 

My new book (on Amazon) on Interviewing titled “I Got The Job!”

Leadership Online Course: Performance Enhancing Feedback

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How To Improve Any Part Of Your Life

Is there a part of your life you’d like to change?

Uncertain about how to make the change?

In this video, I share a first step that is guaranteed to help you find the solution.

Check out my new offerings:

Interviewing Skills Online Course titled “I Got The Job!” 

My new book (on Amazon) on Interviewing titled “I Got The Job!”

Leadership Online Course: Performance Enhancing Feedback

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How Every Step Is A Healing Step

Do you have a challenge ahead of you that will take a long time to accomplish?

Do the steps you take toward the goal seem small and insignificant?

In this video, I share the grand significance of each step, however small.

Check out my new offerings:

Interviewing Skills Online Course titled “I Got The Job!” 

My new book (on Amazon) on Interviewing titled “I Got The Job!”

Leadership Online Course: Performance Enhancing Feedback

Leave us a comment or a question below this post.

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Nothing But The Truth, Episode 1

Have you ever lied to yourself, and possibly others, about a situation in your life?

Has the lying ever interfered with your strivings for success?

In this video, I share a lie I used to tell, why I did so and why I stopped.

Check out my new Interviewing Skills Online Course titled “I Got The Job!” Use the coupon code NEWJOB25 before 4.30.2021 to receive your 25% discount.

Check out my new book (on Amazon) on Interviewing titled “I Got The Job!”

Also discounted is my new Leadership Online Course: Performance Enhancing Feedback. Use the coupon code FEEDBACK25 before 4.30.2021 to receive your 25% discount.

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Are You A Blimp Worthy Leader?

Do you consider yourself a GREAT leader?

Are you good enough that the Goodyear Blimp would show up to cover your leadership?

In this video, I challenge leaders to work hard to become the best they’re capable of.

Check out my new book (on Amazon) on Interviewing titled “I Got The Job!” http://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FQMVPZS

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Make Common Sense A Common Practice

Have you ever ignored common sense because you felt that you “knew better?”

Did you end up paying a price for that decision?

In Episode #1 of the “What I Learned Was” series I share a time when I thought I was bullet-proof, but wasn’t.

Check out my new book (on Amazon) on Interviewing titled “I Got The Job!” 

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The Most Powerful Message I Ever Heard

Several months ago, in the 2018 Goal setting newsletter, I suggested being focused and selective with your time. Lately, I was wondering what you focus on and pay the most attention to these days.

What do you listen to the most?

  • Talk radio
  • TV
  • Movies / Videos
  • Music
  • Friends talking
  • Other

Second question: is the message primarily

  • Positive, negative or neutral
  • Optimistic or pessimistic
  • Encouraging or discouraging
  • Educational or nonsensical

Your answers are important because how you feel daily is being shaped by what you listen to. What you focus on will increase in your life and be reflected in your attitude and actions.

The research on the importance of focus is deep and compelling.

Both Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, when asked what single factor most contributed to their success, said Focus.

Timothy Ferriss said, “Being selective—doing less—is the path of the productive. Focus on the important few and ignore the rest.”

An Unknown author said, “The successful man is the average man, focused.”

On an everyday level, the easiest way to mistakenly cut your finger while working in the kitchen is to focus on (look at) your finger more than the food you are cutting. Smashing a finger when hammering a nail happens most when you focus your eyes on your finger rather than the nail.

Returning to my first question, the correct answer to what you listen to the most is – for everyone – your thoughts. It’s what you say to yourself in your head – your self-talk. Yes, you talk to yourself, all day, every day, probably way more than you know.

Don’t be concerned that you talk to yourself, or even that you answer yourself, we all do. Be very concerned about what you say to yourself! It is slowly, silently and powerfully shaping your attitudes and actions.

Now that you know you listen most to your thoughts, how will you answer the second question – what is the primary tone of that message?

I’ve often thought it would be cool to connect my brain to a printer, and print every thought I say to myself for one day. Crazy, I know, but the results would be very telling.

If you recorded all your self-talk for one day, printed it out and then highlighted all the positive thoughts in green, the negative thoughts in red, and the neutral thoughts in gray, what color would dominate your document? Are you sure?

In his book The Power Of Story, world-renowned performance psychologist, Dr. Jim Loehr states, “I believe that stories – again, not the ones people tell us but the ones we tell ourselves – determine nothing less than our personal and professional destinies. And the most important story you will ever tell about yourself is the story you tell TO yourself.

The truth is you are your biggest advocate or your worst enemy. You see, everything starts with a thought.

The good news is that no matter what thoughts you currently communicate to yourself, you can change them. They are only thoughts, and changing your thoughts is under your control.

Loving yourself is one of the most positive changes you can make, and impacts many other areas of your life. Louise Hay suggested the following: “The first step to loving yourself more is to stop criticizing yourself.”

Make a conscious effort to pay more attention to your self-talk. When you find yourself saying something negative, pessimistic or critical

  • stop dead in your tracks and hear what you just said to yourself
  • record or remember it so you can examine why you said it
  • change the message to align with how you want your life to be
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    The Secret To Keeping Conversations On Track

    What the heck happened? I don’t understand! You gotta be kidding me! I didn’t expect that to happen! That’s not the way that was supposed to turn out!

    Have you ever felt that way after a conversation?

    If you’ve ever gotten into a conversation expecting it to go well only to have it spin out of control and end badly, you will be interested in learning about the feedback loop.

    Understanding and utilizing the feedback loop will help keep your conversations on track.

    In the accompanying video, I explain this visual communication tool, and how doing the right things keeps a conversation on track, and doing the wrong things derails it. Keys points shown are

    • identify your purpose before beginning
    • action needs to match intention
    • understand how others affect you
    • act rather than react

    We also need to address those conversations you expect to be difficult. Do you hesitate to have them or avoid them, even when it’s your responsibility to do so? Hotly contested conversations can pleasantly surprise you. Learn how

    • warm, comfortable conversations can result in not accomplishing your goal
    • challenging conversations can be very productive

    One aspect of becoming an effective communicator is controlling your part of the conversation. It requires you follow key communication principles and avoid those tempting, reactive, self-defeating responses.

    Learn these principles and watch your conversations improve to the point where you welcome all conversations, knowing you can hold your own, stay fixed on your purpose, and communicate effectively.

    That’s my perspective; what’s yours? Leave us a comment or a question below this post, and don’t miss the video on this topic on YouTube!

    P.S. In Three Weeks: The Most Powerful Message I Ever Heard read more

    How Playing The Blame Game Hinders Success

    I delivered a speech a while ago titled Ain’t My Fault. I felt compelled to do it after reading countless articles on the disturbing trend of people blaming others for their mistakes.

    What’s worse is that this victimhood trend extends to people blaming everyone and everything for the state of their life. It’s easy to take credit for success; mistakes not so much.

    Conventional explanations for this trend are

    • The middle class is struggling to make ends meet and wants a quick payout.
    • Being civil to each other is on the decrease. We are becoming more self-absorbed and find it easier to take advantage of each other.
    • It’s easy to get away with things – things we know are wrong.

    Regardless the actual origin(s), the effects are varied, profound and disheartening. I long for a time when every person looks in the mirror and says to themselves

  • This is who I am, what I stand for and believe in
  • I stand for integrity, honesty, and truthfulness
  • My actions reflect those values, and I’m proud of who I’ve become
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    When Good Enough Is NOT Good Enough!

    Most of you know I’m a health conscious person who values physical and mental fitness. I was discussing training schedules with a physical trainer friend of mine, and she asked how I had modified my training regimen after suffering a heart attack and devastating shoulder injury nine years ago.

    As I shared the details of my surgeries and subsequent lifestyle changes our discussion turned to when “good enough is not good enough” – situations for which perfection is the objective.

    The greatest payoff of striving for perfection is that even if you don’t achieve it, you accomplish more than when you set the goal lower.

    Accomplishing more rewards you with an enhanced sense of satisfaction and personal mastery.

    Unfortunately, from time to time you may be tempted to settle for ‘good enough.’

    Settling for ‘good enough’ is a dangerous, self-defeating habit to establish because it blocks you from reaching your potential.

    In this video, you’ll be challenged to:

    • Identify the areas of your life that deserve perfection-based efforts
    • Evaluate your current efforts toward reaching your goals
    • Visualize how you can enrich life with perfection as the target

    What areas of your life deserve an increased effort beyond ‘good enough?’

    Remember, you accomplish more and feel better about yourself when you set your goals higher AND remain flexible enough to accept the ensuing results.

    If you know of others who would benefit by setting higher goals for themselves, please pass this letter and video along to them.

    That’s my perspective; what’s yours? Leave us a comment below this post and don’t miss the video on this topic on YouTube!

    P.S. Next Week: Interviewing For Your First Leadership Position read more

    Say Hello To Reaching Your 2018 Goals!

    Happy New Year! It’s time for resolutions, new goals, and a fresh start. Let’s make 2018 the best year ever! Have you set your goals yet?

    Successful people who regularly reach their goals understand goal achievement. To achieve your goals

  • believe in yourself – Expect Success!
  • choose meaningful goals that excite you
  • set specific goals – SMART goals
  • surround yourself with encouraging people who regularly reach their goals
  • have a plan with a deadline
  • be focused and selective with your time
  • take action – avoid inactivity and procrastination
  • prepare to manage setbacks
  • leave no room for excuses
  • be committed – Success Is Not Convenient!
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    Are You Prepared For Success?

    With 20 of my closest friends, I recently celebrated the ‘well-lived life’ of a high school classmate who passed away.

    We discussed everything from daily routines, life accomplishments, and family highlights, to broken relationships, failed careers, and life-changing accidents.

    The theme that repeatedly surfaced was the importance of being prepared to take what life gives you and make the best of it. Life will undoubtedly throw you curve balls; how you adjust is what counts.

    When I say ‘curve balls,’ most people envision dealing with failures and setbacks. In this instance, however, I’m talking about the curve balls that come with success.

    When all your hard work pays off, and you finally reach the summit of that mountain you’ve been climbing, will you be prepared? Are your morals, ethics, and values solidly in place to withstand the challenges that are bound to come? Why do I ask?

    We routinely hear about the

    • lottery winner who ends up broke
    • superstar who gets distracted by shiny objects, and loses everything
    • ‘success story’ who fires the one person keeping him grounded, and squanders the career he worked hard to build
    • celebrity who lets success go to her head and turns into a jerk

    To stories like that the average Joe says, “If that had been me, I would have handled it better than they did. Give me a chance; I’ll show you how to handle success!” Are you sure?

    Though relatively common, we rarely hear about the

  • aspiring manager who gets a long-awaited promotion only to cave under the pressure
  • new parents blessed with a newborn, only to have their relationship end in separation
  • partnership that collapses when the title of breadwinner changes hands
  • marriage unable to withstand the travel schedule of the new Executive
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    Take Some Time To Waste Some Time

    Do you spend more time doing things you have to do and less time doing what you want to do? It’s time to reprioritize your life, to take some time to waste some time. What do I mean?

    Schedule four hours to sit under a tree or in some quiet, peaceful place, and do nothing. If you just said, “I don’t have four hours to sit under a tree” you really need to do this exercise!

    Don’t take your phone, tablet, computer or book. Quiet the noise, focus on nothing, do nothing, just listen. And if you just said, “I can’t sit still that long,” keep reading because I address that in a minute! When you listen to your life, it will tell you the changes to make to be happier.

    There are two approaches you could use to reprioritize your life:

    • systematically analyze every facet of your life (sounds like work)
    • shutdown, quiet the noise and let the answers come to you (peaceful choice)

    When you quiet that competing noise, the answers you’re searching for will be heard loud and clear. If you’re not convinced your life talks to you, where do you think the messages ‘don’t eat that’ and ‘

    why am I standing here looking at the food in my refrigerator’

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