(J)ustifying Our Measuring Stick
Where you ever in a conversation where you didn’t totally agree with someone. Your kinda looking at them sideways trying to understand their point of view but are not quite getting it. This happen to me recently. Jim was telling me how he “coached” a co-worker into looking at their own personal measuring stick to measure results.
Jim was approached by a co-worker, Kevin, and given a great compliment. Basically, that the job he was doing was “great” and that Kevin could never measure up to the work ethic or results of Jim on this particular project. Jim commented that we have our own personal measuring sticks on how we measure results. Kevin should use his own measuring stick to find his own “job well done”.
I agreed with Jim on using his own personal measuring stick. The first person we need to please is ourselves. That’s what produces our self confidence for the future. In contrast, our measuring stick is made up of many inches.
- Inch one -past personal and professional experiences
- Inch two -family upbringing
- Inch three -work ethic
- Inch four - failures in life and business
- Inch five - successes
- and … so on
But ….. what if …. our personal measuring stick is too low and we use this as a way to quit, avoid and not strive for success.
Joining my own thoughts to Jim’s would look like this.
We have our own personal measuring sticks on how we measure results. We should visualize a measuring stick that is much longer. Those inches should reflect a variety of expectations
- what is required to complete the job
- how my management team will measure me on a “job well done”
- how does this fit into my personal and professional development plan
- the areas of growth I need to be successful
- s-t-r-e-a-t-c-h-i-n-g and g-r-o-w-i-n-g even though it’s uncomfortable
When we stop striving we settle. Right now in history, we have tremendous opportunities. Regardless of the economy or our financial status, we can continue to stretch ourselves to prepare for a greater future. Our measuring stick should be growing by yards as our experiences and development increase. We are forging the inches on this stick to be even better for future opportunities.
Keep adding inches to your personal measuring stick. To stop striving is settling. Status quo may not always be the way to go.
Be healthy and fabulous!
Sandra
September 16th, 2008 - Posted in ABC's, Uncategorized, attitude, change, intellectual, occupational, performance, productivity | | 1 Comments
(I)ntentional Social Connections
Earlier this year, I reconnected with a high school classmate. I’m embarrass to say that I did not reach out to Dan first. He initiated the connection from a posting on a high school alumni website. Some of us start to sweat at the thought of “going back there” whether it’s through email, telephone or in person. There is something to be said about staying connected and reaching out to others from high school, college, former organizations and associations. It has it’s value when the time is right.
I’ve watched as Dan has reconnected me to not only him but others. After learning more about Dan, I discovered he is truly an “intentional connector”. An intentional connector is a person that makes it a point to keep in touch with people from their past, initiate new friendships in the present and connect people from both worlds for the future.
Just recently, I received an anonymous email from from my website contact page. It detailed how “Dan” told them about my website and to check it out. It turns out that Dan had given my information to a former classmate and connected the two of us if even for a brief moment.
Why is intentionally connecting people important?
- It allows others to see that you are interested in them for them.
- People find this type of reaching out as compassionate compared to the dog eat dog world we sometimes live in.
- Networking, whether in a social or business setting, just makes sense.
- Each person knows approximately 250-500 people. What if you can help another or someone can help you?
What’s in it for you?
- friendships
- business relationships
- good times
- no regrets
- clear conscious
- future job opportunities
- interesting projects
Prior to Dan and I reconnecting, I reached out a number of years ago to my best friend from high school. Was this scary? Yes. Would she reject me? Possibly. I am happy to say that we established our relationship for the following three years. Suddenly, on a May Sunday, she died. I’m blessed to have reconnected with her. I live knowing I have no regrets about about the “what ifs”.
Let’s look at being an intentional connector from a business aspect. Being the connector in business can enchance your career. Here’s how …
- You become the “go to” person.
- You’re seen as friendly, likeable and easy to work with.
- It creates positive energy that people want and need to be around in business.
- You the one who knows “a heck of alot of people”.
- You establish a huge network for yourself and your organization.
Go on! Try it! It’s not as scary as you think. Quite frankly, what’s the worst that can happen. I like to say if it’s not detrimental to your career, finances or family …. go for it!
Be healthy and fabulous!
Sandra
September 10th, 2008 - Posted in ABC's, social | | 0 Comments
(H)abits - The Good, the Bad and the Better
Did you ever say or hear someone say “Hey, that’s just a habit I have.” Normally this is an excuse for our behavior that someone noticed and pitched a hissy fit. Otherwise, we probably would have gotten away with it because it goes un-noticed by us. Each of us determines our own habits. Yet other people use their own measuring stick to “call us out”.
If we look at it from the flip side, habits can also be positive and can dramatically impact our health and well being. They also affect how other people see us which leads them into a our healthy behaviors.
For example,
- brushing and flossing our teeth before we go to bed
- eating 5 fruits and vegetables a day
- taking vitamins
- deliberately taking time to relax and/or meditate
- going to church
- cleaning up our desk at the end of the day
- planning a to-do list
- scheduling preventive screening appointments
- reading one book per month
- returning phone calls and answering emails
- exercising at least 3 times per week
- being on time
- going to the dentist twice a year
- drinking 6-8 glasses of water per day
- being positive and friendly
- balancing our checkbook
- paying our bills on time
- journaling
- taking a nap on the weekend
- getting to bed around the same time each night
If we incorporate one good habit each month, we would have changed 12 behaviors towards health and wellness in one year.
Action Plan
- Make a list of less than desirable habits and another list of habits you would like to adopt over the next 12 months. Use the list above to jog your memory.
- Rank the healthy habits in order.
- From your top 5 new habits, which ones can you move on quickly and which require other people, resources or sometimes money.
- Begin and chart your progress on a blank calendar.
- At the end of the first month, look at your progress and see how far you reached.
- Begin another healthy habit at month two.
The word “habit” gets a bad rap. When we combine the habit with something that is good FOR us then we are on the road to being
- healthy physically, emotionally, intellectually, socially, and occupationally
- a mentor and role model for others to start and succeed at change
- positive and energetic
- someone that everyone WANTS to be around
Be healthy and fabulous!
Sandra
September 4th, 2008 - Posted in ABC's, change, habits, health, intellectual, occupational, physical | | 0 Comments
