Monday, July 6, 2009

Week 27 - XLR8 The Passionate Leader

I hope everyone enjoyed their 4th of July. Over the holiday, we enjoy our town’s festival that is part of our family tradition. We had considered skipping some of it since the kids had other plans for some of it, but I’m glad we didn’t. We just found a different reason to enjoy ourselves. I suppose it’s all part of becoming true “empty nesters”, which we will be next summer, since Andrew graduates from college next May.

  • Zig Ziglar’s Inspiration: 365 Days A Year
    • My favorite quote for the week of July 6th – 12th: “The highest point in achievement yesterday is the starting point of today.” – Motto of Paulist Fathers
      • Is that what Andy Roddick is thinking today? He played the tennis match of his life on Sunday at Wimbledon only to lose a grand slam championship for the fourth time to Roger Federer. This was by far his best match. I believe that he will use it to motivate himself. Is this what you would do after the biggest disappointment in your professional career? Please share your story if you have one.
      • I can’t say that I have had to deal with such a devastating professional “loss” myself. I came close, however, just before I got sober. I was the founding Executive Director of a chemical dependency treatment organization for five years before I realized that I wasn’t just the child of an alcoholic, but I was one!!! By asking for help, I dodged a huge bullet that would have been humiliating for sure as well as possibly having serious career consequences. Is it time for you to take personal accountability for your life?

  • The Best Year of Your Life: Get Debbie Ford's Kit
    • Week Twenty-Six Assignment – Take the Week Off
      • Time to get back to making this the best year of your life. You tell me . . . how is it going so far?
    • Week Twenty-Seven Assignment – Lighten Your Load
      • It’s difficult to clearly see what needs to be done when you are burdened with half-completed projects, unfinished to-do lists, house clutter, or other things that don’t serve any purpose.
      • One person who recently became clear about his top five passions found it easier to get focused on how to “lighten his load”. He either didn’t do or tossed out those things that no longer served to help him live a passionate life. I have always loved the saying that “if you don’t know where you are going, you are sure to get there!”

  • Creating a Culture of Leadership Development – A Drop for Your Bucket!!! Send an electronic drop or comment by going to the blog (click on this blog’s heading – Wake Up the Passionate Leader above) and click on the “comment” icon at the end of this week’s posting.

o I have now seen all six of the folks from the June 2009 Leadership Week that I am coaching. As a group, they are off to a terrific start. One of the things I am most excited about is helping them put together their “happiness list.” This list is generated from their “In Search for Adventure” plan: defining success worksheet; top five passions; inner guidance system (unique ability/personal mission & values); and/or your leadership learning action plan. At a minimum, they will look at them every morning and the last thing before going to sleep. Even better is going over it with someone every day. The statements can be in the form of a question - to be answered by you daily - or in the form of an action that describes what you want. I use mine as my daily affirmation.

o Number one on my list is: “I weigh myself, eat a healthy breakfast and exercise at home today and it motivates me.” I began this in October and have lost 25 lbs. I have another five to go, which is the easier part. Not gaining it back for the umpteenth time is the harder part. I believe it will be much harder to gain back if I keep this #1 on my “happiness list!!!”

To date, we have 198 subscribers. My goal is 1,000 by year end. We need your help!!! Invite a friend, colleague or sign up your team this week.

1 comment:

  1. Roddick will be better off in the long-run by losing this match, than had he won. We all know it is "the journey." When we see those in life who have gotten to where they are by hand-outs or patronage, it is inevitable that they won't have the right perspective, appreciation, and/or fortitude to persevere future challenges.

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