What a Great Gift .... Passion!

"A great leader's courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position."  

This is one of my favorite all time quotes and when I am feeling like I am spinning circles or going through unnecessary challenges in life... this is the quote that reminds me that having a passion for something is a great gift.   Passion allows us to excel on both a personal and professional level.   Passion is contagious and others see it and they want it.

Passion is giving more of yourself and letting your love for something shine through whether in work, personal or everyday occurrences.   Passion is being yourself and doing what you do best and allowing your energy to show in your effort and ultimately in the results.  Often, I think that many of us go through our daily lives without ever knowing such a passion.  For me, I am one of the lucky ones and I know how fortunate I am to truly enjoy being in the industry I am in, doing something that I REALLY love to do and...  to add icing on the cake... love the people that I get to work with on a daily basis.   Honestly, most of them have become life-long friends that I enjoy sharing my life with every single day.     

For me... I have a passion for people and relationships.  I love the challenge of creating unique opportunities that allows people to engage and work together to get business done.  I love being able to take a single idea and put forth all my effort, passion and dedication in it to develop, create and implement it into something viable and successful.  I hope that through-out my career if there's one legacy that I am known for is that my passion has shown in every single opportunity that I have been a part.   Passion is what comes from inside and if you have that then you have something very special to share with the world.

I've been to many conferences over the years and sat in on many keynotes speeches and panels.  There have been a few that really made me sit on the edge of my seat and take notice.   These individuals truly had a passion for who they were, what they were doing and why I should even want to listen to their story.  Honestly, they made me want whatever it was that they had... it was magnetic.   At most conferences, they provide you with a networking hour in between sessions, so I took advantage and approached these individuals... and what surprised me the most was that their answer was the same.  They love what they do... they are passionate about it and believe in it with all their heart.  I realized in that particular moment... that I would no longer just "settle" for working everyday.  I wanted to love it to the point that even on the worst of days... I knew why I was there and what I was working toward.

Have you ever been to a sporting event and watched a player with great skill, but he simply had no passion?  He knew he was good... but, it felt like his heart wasn't in it.   At the same time, have you seen a player who may not have been the best on the team... but he had the heart of a champion?    He had fire and passion.  He loved the sport, the game and it shone so bright, it blinded you by his love of it.  His effort and attitude and passion were contagious.  You wanted this player to win and excel. 

In today's economic situation, many people are just grateful to have a job to go to every day.   If you're one of the lucky ones like me and have the gift of being passionate about your job, school, life.....share it with a smile and share it often.   Motivating another person might just change their life.

Passion... is a gift from within and when you find it for something in your life... enjoy it.  It's the best feeling in the world.

YES... it is all about the EFFORT.

Happy Friday.  It seems I've been called out on my views of a particular subject - Efforts vs. Results. I made a statement earlier in the week that went something like this....   It is my opinion that if you put forth the effort, results will follow.  So, let me just place it all in writing so everyone knows my humbled opinion on this particular topic.

 I am a true believer in effort.   I believe that effort catupaults results and that without it, you have no results.   I am a firm believer in setting goals... something to focus your efforts toward.   I also believe that with every ounce of effort you put into something success will find you two fold.  Over the course of my 25 years of experience, I've had the opportunity to manage a lot of individuals.   Some made tremendous effort and reaped the rewards.  Some who made very little and well... they didn't last very long at their job.    I am a big believer of focusing on effort and trying to help individuals understand that with it, you will see results.   I don't ever want to look back over my life and say that I didn't praise someone for their effort.   If they truly gave it their heart and soul, then they have achieved results of some kind.  

Effort is the one defining point of you as an individual.   It shows your ability, it shows your determination, it shows your passion, it shows your motivation, it shows your desire.... and in the end, it will show you results.   You cannot get discouraged just because you don't always see quantifiable results every single time.   What would life be without the challenge of putting forth effort time and time again to get results? 

What exactly is effort? 

1  

exertion of physical or mental power: It will take great effort to achieve victory.

2.

an earnest or strenuous attempt: an effort to keep to the schedule.

3.

something done by exertion or hard work: I thought it would be easy, but it was an effort.

4.

an achievement, as in literature or art: The painting is one of his finest efforts.

5.

the amount of exertion expended for a specified purpose: the war effort.

I truly believe that every activity has a series of steps (effort) that is needed for results to happen.  When going into a project or objective, it is always good to identify the most critical and direct steps.  Get organized and have a plan, but put forth the effort required.   In doing so, the results will happen and once they do, you will begin to see that identifying your steps and learning how to focus your effort will create the desire results needed or wanted. 

I've never been a person to focus on the results as part of training or as part of becoming successful.   I use the results as my goal or my reward, showing that with great effort, this is what can be obtained.  I do believe that results should be used as a motivator for the effort, but that the focus is entirely placed on the effort.   If you focus on results... completely, then, you're missing out on the most important part of success.  What did it take to get those results?

 The worst thing that you can do to someone is to take away when they are truly trying... they have put their steps in place and they are making the effort.   The reality is... sometimes, you don't always reach your goal or reward on the first attempt.   The great thing about effort is that if something is NOT working... you re-group, change your steps until you find the right ones that get you to the result.  

Focusing on effort also allows you an opportunity to really see whats important,    In your employees, your projects, your business, school, etc.   If you are going to launch a new social media campaign... its going to take effort.  You need to come up with steps and a focus for your effort to get to your end result.  What is it you hope to accomplish?   What effort will it take to get there?   Along the way... you may see that some of your steps need "tweaking"... does this mean that everything you've put in to this point... is wasted?  NO.  It means, that while putting forth the effort to accomplish a particular task, you learn what works or doesn't but every effort made will yield some kind of result.  

The other problem is whether you believe it or not, when working hard and putting forth the effort, you actually are getting results.   You are learning how to maximize those efforts with every set back you may have and every time you put forth effort you do yield some kind of result.   You have to always have a great attitude in life... and you have to focus on the process (the effort put forth), not the results.  (Sorta like saying... don't put the cart before the horse.)  I've seen people who are greedy and they focused entirely on the results.   They feel if they don't get the outcome, then they weren't successful.   They feel the need to quanitify success by results.  Part of becoming successful is going through the steps and not all successes have quanitfiable results.  Every effort we put forth in making a business grow, is part of yielding a result.  Every effort we put forth in a relationship is building it.  Helping it develop and become all that it can be.

As managers or leaders, it is our responsiblity to re-group when efforts don't provide the results wanted.   Sometimes, a particular task may need a different set of steps.  It is not our roles to take away the pride of someones effort and tell them it was for nothing.

Results can only happen when effort is put forth.   If you go to work or school every single day and put forth your best effort, you WILL get results.   If you are playing any type of sport, and go out every single time and put forth effort, you WILL get results.   If you go through your every day life putting forth effort, your life will see results. 

What exactly is results?

–noun

3.

something that happens as a consequence; outcome.

4.

Mathematics . a quantity, expression, etc., obtained by calculation.

5.

Often, results. a desirable or beneficial consequence, outcome, or effect: We had definite results within weeks.

—Idiom

6.

get results, to obtain a notable or successful result or response; be effective

Negative results are always hard to take in business and even in our personal lives.  We want what we want... when we want it.   Many times from my own experience, I have found that the reason for negative results is that we tend to complicate a simple task, or we don't follow our steps, or simply put, we don't understand the task so its really hard to put forth the effort needed to accomplish results.  I have also found that I have learned more from my own negative results although the positive ones certainly pay much better.  I've always tried to believe that everything happens for a reason and that the glass is half full... and with that attitude, I've taken the negative results as an opportunity to re-evaluate processes or steps, not only for myself and others, but for the company.  

I really believe that if you focus on EFFORT and not results, you will find success.  i never said that you wouldn't experience set-backs or have to re-define your efforts from time to time, because you will and probably more than once.  You may not always see the results you want or need, but, these set-backs often help you in understanding how to achieve success in a different way.   Don't put results before effort or try and make the result the most important factor.   A business is built upon effort, of not just one person but many and those combined efforts are what achieves results and ultimately success.   

So, to defend an earlier statement I made this week... YES, it is all about the EFFORT and I will stand by it over and over again.  Again, its my humbled opinion and in life, that's one thing we are all entitled to have without parameters. 

The Little Engine that Could... and DID!

Most children grow up and hear the story of the little engine that could... at least once in their childhood.  There have been many versions and adaptations of it, but the message through all of them has been the same.    I've often referred to this story in my professional life and personal as well.   We are all faced with obstacles along life's journey and I believe that we could all learn a lesson from the little engine.   Believing in oneself to accomplish a task is half the battle.   The chant... I think I can... I think I can... I think I can... propels an inner confidence that allows us to focus and firmly believe that our goal is within reach.  

Through-out our journey in life, there is no replacement for optimism and hard work.   Those two qualities alone are enough to help each of us find success, whether big or small.   I have often written about attitude, passion, relationships... all the things that I believe make up success, but one of the biggest is believing in oneself. 

During training sessions, I've told individuals that the rule of thumb... is sell yourself first and foremost.  What does that mean?   It means... believe in your ability to be who you are and allow others to see it.   Let others  see you from the inside out... believe in yourself.   Show your optimisim for your job or school, your product, your company..... and most of all believe in it.   Find your passion and apply it with hard work and dedication.  You can never judge a book by its cover... that can be said of a person.   Confidence goes a long way - believe from within and let it shine brightly! 

The little engine faced a very difficult challenge, one that was turned down by many larger ones.  They were either too busy or too big and bad to take on the job or perhaps, too scared to try.   The little engine did not back up from the task of pulling the long train over the mountain, instead... he kept a positive mind set and believed with all his heart that he could accomplish it.   He kept saying his mantra... I think I can...  I think I can... He put forth the effort and work along with his belief  that he could accomplish the task.  When the little engine reached the steepest part of the mountain, he focused, went slow and kept believing until he reached the top.  Going down the other side of the mountain, you can visualize the little engine smiling and saying I thought I could... I thought I could.   What a great motivation in life! 

Often, over the course of my career, i have faced many obstacles and difficult challenges.   There were times, when I thought they were impossible.   Times, when others, walked away from the challenge.  It was then, that I found my greatest motivation and my own inner passion.   I realized that by not even trying, I was already defeated.   By not believing in my ownself, I would never climb, much less, reach the top of the mountain.   The little engine taught me ... that in order for others to believe, I have to believe.    Not one day in 25 years has gone by on a professional level, where I didn't believe.    Trust me... I've had set-backs, relapses, moments where I questioned everything from A-Z... but, when it was all said and done... I reached deep inside and realized that if I wanted something badly enough and wanted to succeed, then, I had to believe and I had to give it all I had.    Yes, there have been many steep grades to the top of the mountain along my own journey, but, what in life is worth having if its not worth hard work to get it or reach it. 

As my journey continues, I know that I have a passion for what I do.  I believe that I am good at it and with that confidence,  paired with hard work, I know success will follow.   Set-backs and failures along the way... may try and detain me, but like the little engine, I will keep pulling and pulling and pulling until I reach the top and propel to the other side.  

Next time you're faced with a challenge or task... take a deep breath and repeat after me... I THINK I CAN... I THINK I CAN... I THINK I CAN.... and before you know it... YOU DID IT. 

If you haven't read the story, The Little Engine That Could... please go buy a copy.   It will offer a life lesson that we forget all too quickly.  

Building Your Brand... block by block

For the last couple of years, I have been consulting and really enjoying the opportunity to create, develop, implement and execute a wide range of projects.  No two are the same and it has allowed me the freedom to express myself in so many different ways.  As I have developed my consulting company... it has been a really great time but also one that has required me to re-invent myself.   Basically, start over and build a new brand.  I've often had people ask me that very question in consulting projects. 

 How do you build a brand?

 Now... before I begin this blog on this particular topic... let me put the disclaimer out there at the beginning... I am no expert nor do I claim to be.   Anything that is written will be based on my personal experience or lessons that I have learned along the way. 

So... where do you start.  Through my own experiences, I believe that the first step is to make a commitment and get focused.   You need to know exactly what you want your brand to accomplish, so that you can map out a route to achieve success.   You need to know that its not going to be an easy task and you have to be committed to being diligent.   I also believe that once you have your route... there should be check-points along the way... stops where you can gauge your success and if it's not quite working the way you want... you can back up and go down a different path.   I can't tell you how many times I've had stop and go through-out all of my careers.   

Building a brand is like taking a set of blocks and placing them one by one to create something unique.  At the beginning, you aren't quite sure how you're going to build it, but once you've set your blocks in motion...you reach certain plateaus where you've achieved success, then you add more blocks and continue on with your route.   I don't believe a brand is ever "finished".  I believe that you reach certain levels where you can pause and enjoy where you are... but as the market changes or evolves, the brand has to as well. 

In building your brand, you want your messaging and personality to remain consistent through-out. Remember that your brand image creates expectations. Quality is a must for your brand.   It will define who you are in the marketplace.  You want something familiar to your audience everytime they see your name or logo, yet... .. you want to provide them with reasons to believe in the brand.   If they don't believe in it... they won't buy it. 

In the process of building your brand, your targeted customers will come in contact with it.   This is where your check-points or stops can really help you.   You can adjust and continue with re-inforcement of the brand.   Positioning your brand in the marketplace is key... but remember you want to be remembered for being unique.   Communications will be key to help you with your positioning because it provides the information to your targeted audience that you want them to receive .... and it must remain consistent.  Your messaging must be consistent from start to finish.  Every brand should develop a personality and that personality should shine within every endeavour, whether its print, digital, social, verbal or face to face.   Your goal is to build brand awareness every step of the way, reinforcing your messaging as you go along and maintaining it with your targeted customers.  

Brand building should also have both short and long term goals.   Where do you want your brand to be in 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years?   These goals should drive your motivation every day and they should also be re-evaluated so that they remain fresh, but the overall purpose is to invest in your brand.   By investing in it and keeping your commitment firm, you are on the path for creating customer loyalty... which is not gained overnight. 

Another important factor that I also believe is crucial is that every person in your organization must believe in the messaging and the brand.  Often, where a brand's disconnect comes in to play is because not all of the organziation is delivering the same message and it creates confusion out in the market-place.   I definitely believe that all salespeople should be trained together and that each person must understand the personality of the brand in order to sell it.  

One thing that  you should keep in mind along the way... and that is competition is healthy.   Its good for business in many different ways and if you come up with a great idea for your brand, someone is sure to come along and try and copy it.   Your goal... is to stay the leader and continue your route and building your blocks of success.  

Brands come and go.   Brands get re-invented.  Successful brands create, develop and implement a personality that the marketplace can identify with, embrace and believe in.   Successful brands create consistent messaging in all their efforts.   Successful brands know their audience and invest in areas where they can become the leader.  Successful brands know their competition.  Successful brands are flexible that if something isn't working... they stop and re-evaluate.  Successful brands are a commitment. 

Brand building takes time and passion.    Remember, your brand's personality can be the single most important reason, your customer picks it so its important that it shines at every level.