Much of the external circumstances affecting your life are out of your control. That is, as they say, “reality!” You cannot control many—if not most—of these circumstances. So instead of needless, unhealthy, and wasteful worry and consternation, simply focus on what you can control.
...Sometimes we’ve got something great that is worth hanging onto and fighting for. And sometimes what we have is good or ‘okay,’ but we should be willing to let it go in favor of something better. It takes flexibility, humility, and wisdom to know the difference.
...Years ago I discovered an excellent blog post by bestselling author and speaker Jon Acuff. Jon made a rather surprising list of all the good things that happen to you when you compare your success to someone else’s. That’s right—good things. Just wait until you see the list!
...Every leader receives critique. Some leaders appreciate it, some dread it, and some resent it – but every good leader needs it. In order to truly achieve leadership excellence, you need to learn, grow, mature, develop, and improve as a leader, and one of the best tools for accomplishing this is critique.
...There really is no failure unless you quit. While you can’t control what life throws at you, you can determine your response. In life’s many battles, your attitude is the most powerful weapon you wield.
...While life presents some large moments that can have a major impact on your life, life is more often defined by small, seemingly inconsequential moments. Be mindful of these small moments and don’t hesitate to act on your intuition!
...Looking back on my life, I am filled with gratitude that the path I have chosen is one of cherishing relationships. I can sincerely and truthfully say that I’ve done my best to show love, compassion, and generosity to the many, many people in my life. I also am deeply thankful that I have many, many people in my life who I know care for me in return.
...When done well and offered consistently, honest feedback is one of the most effective tools for facilitating growth and further empowering those you lead. So how do you deliver feedback, especially corrective feedback, in a positive and constructive way? Here are 9 best practices.
...To be able to respond well to the needs of others, you must first make sure you are functioning well yourself.
...To be a person and a leader who truly inspires others, you must be disciplined and intentional in giving people priority. Respect their time and contributions by disconnecting from distractions and committing to be fully present whenever with them.
...A few weeks ago I discussed the importance of being authentic and avoiding the trap of accidental inauthenticity caused by mimicking others instead of developing and leveraging your own unique strengths. Of course, in order to act and speak authentically, you must first develop a clear picture of who you are and what your strengths …
Whether it’s a gravesite visit, an in-person visit, a phone call or letter, or simply some time alone to think and reflect over cherished memories and express your gratitude in writing, make the time and do it!
...It takes courage, self-discipline, and practice to resist the urge to give an excuse and not just an explanation. But an essential strategy for achieving greater success is to be fully accountable, and to do that you must refrain from giving excuses.
...I believe it is far more effective to focus on your strengths than your weaknesses. Don’t aim for well rounded, aim for sharp! Then surround yourself with an excellent team of people (or group of friends) who shore up your weak spots and are sharp where you are blunt.
...Regularly asking yourself WHY you desire to lead and influence others is an important habit for every leader to adopt.
...Inspirational leadership is less about world renown and more about individual impact. Many leaders are considered ‘inspirational’ because of the remarkable things they appear to have accomplished and the success they’ve achieved. But offstage, behind-the-scenes and down in the trenches, their attitude and character may be anything but inspirational.
...There is no one-size-fits-all system for establishing lasting, valuable habits and achieving your goals. However, there are definitely some general principles that can be helpful for creating and applying your own success system. Here are 6 tips.
...We can learn from Benjamin Franklin’s personal method to improve in specific areas through very intentional focus and repetition.
...This time of year many of us are thinking about the habits in our lives that we want to change—or new habits we want to establish. What habits do you want to work on this year?
...I have long admired the leadership and wisdom of the late General Colin Powell. I had the privilege a number of years ago to spend about thirty minutes alone with the General, and my positive perception and respect for him did not diminish one bit – in fact, it increased exponentially! He was a man …