Brain Sqeeze...

Something to relax you this Sunday as you prepare for the coming week.  Print and enjoy!

Learn from Mistakes...

“Some of the best lessons we ever learn are learned from past mistakes. The error of the past is the wisdom and success of the future.” – Dale E. Turner

"Own the mistakes..."

"We had to admit to ourselves and to the people of this company that we owned the mistakes that were made. Once we did, it was a powerful turning point. It’s like when you have a secret and get it out: The burden is off your shoulders."

Those are the words of one of America's most successful CEO's, Howard Schultz of Starbucks in his interview with the Harvard Business Review.  He's talking about the amazing power that comes from admitting and owning your mistakes.

Too often we spend our time rationalizing why we're not getting to our dreams.  If something we try is unsuccessful or backfires on us, we immediately seek to understand what happened.  But all too often, we forget to look at ourselves.

We're not perfect.  And as mere imperfect beings with imperfect knowledge, we make mistakes.  If you're like me, you make a lot of them.  One way to respond is to refuse to admit them and seek to place the blame on other people or circumstances.  It couldn't be that perhaps I wasn't as well prepared as I could have been, or maybe got too nervous during the interview, or couldn't read my notes in trial.

Another, better, way is to openly and proudly own your mistakes. 

Each one represents you trying to achieve your dream.  I wouldn't be in court if I hadn't put myself in law school and dared to start practicing at 47. 

Each one is a learning experience, though probably an uncomfortable one.  I learned quickly how to make usable readable trial notes.  Before getting to an interview, I make sure I have at least 15 minutes to relax in preparation. 

Viewed correctly, mistakes are something to be proud of. 

After all, as Mario Andretti said, “If everything seems under control, you’re just not going fast enough.”

So lay down that burden and celebrate your mistakes.  Just try not to keep repeating them!

http://www.manifestationcoaching.com/

"Our Deepest Fear..."

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people around you won’t feel insecure.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.

As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

– Marianne Williamson

Brain work...

A little brain teaser to pass the time!  Print and enjoy.

Your Competitive Advantage...

If you're the owner of a small business, you know the margin between success and failure is very thin.  You need every advantage you can get.  Marketing, efficiency, economy...each has to be at it's best.  But there's one area that can give you more competitive advantage than anything else, and it doesn't take loads of investment to get there. 

Value Your Employees

Every person who works in your business is a potential goldmine.  If you treat them correctly and keep them motivated.  Studies show that what employees want from their job can be (superficially) boiled down to three things:

• Equity
• Achievement
• Camaraderie

Equity - people want to be treated fairly with respect.  Communicate, communicate, communicate.  And that means listen more often than speak.  Full communication not only helps get the job done better, but its a sign of respect.  Face up to poor performance.  Find out what's getting in the way of improved performance.  But also, don't shirk from dealing with poor performers, or your best people will soon lose their motivation.

Achievement - Instill an inspiring purpose in the workplace.  Help your people understand how important they are to you and to the mission.  Having a mission statement is a powerful uniting tool.  Provide recognition.  People need to be recognized when they do something well.  It gives pride and strengthens their connection to the mission.  Coach your team for improvement.  Help them reach the next level.  Most people are excited by progress and mastery.  Those who aren't will soon make room for others.

Camaraderie - People love to feel a part of a winning team, just look at professional sports fans.  Promote teamwork.  Teams are more effective getting things done well than individuals, and most people get a morale boost from feeling part of a team.

In short:

** Listen and involve your employees in the business.
** Promote teams and show interest in their ideas.
** Give your teams freedom with defined task boundaries and let their imaginations fly.

A word about money.  Most business owners feel helpless to ask more of their employees when they can't give more money.  Especially when they can't give big raises because they're just barely hanging on now.  I spent twelve years as a corporate compensation expert and I can tell you that the excitement from a money raise fades very quickly, and with it, any increase in motivation.  Money doesn't buy happiness...for very long.

For long-term satisfied employees, your best tool is to value your employees and make them feel it.  Recent surveys have shown that people are feeling less valued at work than ever before.  Think it's because of their pay?  Actually, the largest percentage (42%) said they felt less valued because of the behavior of their manager or supervisor.

Not their pay, workload, benefits...the behavior of their boss.

Yes, money is important, but not the most important.  A successful business with motivated employees generates money and raises.  But a valued workforce generates a successful business.

http://www.manifestationcoaching.com/