Focus First on Value, & Sucess Will Follow!

How many times have you, or someone you known, insisted they their goal was to become truly successful, while often never really describing what success meant to them? Success is not something to be focused upon, but rather will come as a result of our attitudes, actions, how meaningful our visions and goals might be, our personal values, and especially, whether we prioritize providing value to others on a consistent basis. When we focus solely on our personal benefit, as well as the what's in it for me prioritization, we may observe short term or even intermediate term basis, but will almost never become truly successful. Success, in the longer term, is almost invariably based on the value that we provide to others as a result of our attitudes, efforts, and actions taken.

1. Step number one must always be to do the right thing! Unfortunately, however, far too few individuals permit themselves to objectively view their personal attitudes, and without knowing and understanding oneself, it is nearly impossible to become value - oriented. By providing value, you are able to motivate others to care more, do more, and become far more loyal and involved!

2. The next component of achieving true success is refocusing one's mindset from focusing on how much money or credit you'll receive on a particular deal or action, but rather seeking to provide real value. Doing this will indicate to others how much you care, as well as the fact that you are a quality individual of absolute integrity. The side effect of doing so is invariably that this value will make it far easier to develop referrals, repeat customers, loyal clients, motivated followers, etc. Providing value helps to create a stronger bond which attracts quality individuals to care more about what you say and do!

3. What value do you add, and how? Do you ever actually think about that, and if so, do you so as a primary action, or merely tangentially? What do you mean by this term? What steps do you take on a regular basis? Do you possess an attitude of constructively moving forward, or are you often doubtful? Do you see challenges, or is everything a problem to you? What actually motivates you, and why?

While most people might claim that they hope to either be a success or have success, few ever take the time and effort to consider what that means to them. Unless success becomes a byproduct of your actions and efforts, and unless value and values are your primary motivations, any success realized will be more fleeting than enduring.

6 Reasons Why We Interrupt Others

Although nearly everyone realizes that it is rude, impolite, inconsiderate, and generally counter - productive to interrupt someone else, most of us find it extremely challenging and difficult to avoid this urge or tendency. When we fail to let someone else complete his thought, idea, concept, or perspective, our actions are generally interpreted by that individual as being thoughtless, uncaring and insulting, even if that is not out intent. Think about it - how does it make you feel when you are the one that is being interrupted? The concept of this article has applicability to a number of circumstances, including: 1) Our personal lives/ interactions; 2) How we relate/ interact with co - workers, employers, etc; 3) How we relate to those we seek to lead; 4) How we interact/ relate, to clients, patients, etc. Regardless of your personal priorities, or area, addressing these principles, should be of assistance!  Each of us should strive to attempt to avoid this tendency, and perhaps by considering these six reasons that we behave and proceed in this manner, might assist us in overcoming that temptation or behavior.

1. Narcissistic/ self - absorbed: Have you also observed that we appear to be living in an increasingly narcissistic society? While the mindset of it's all about me, might, at times, serve ones personal interests and focus, it often creates a scenario where we become unwilling to pay attention to the needs and perspectives of others. This factor aligns with the tendency of many to adopt as their favorite sound both their own voice/ opinion, as well as hearing their name.

2. Bored/ disinterested: The reality is often that we just don't really care what is being said or talked about, and we are hoping to end that discussion or change its direction. One can't impactfully fake that he cares when he is bored, so perhaps there is a need to address becoming somewhat more calm and patient.

3. Lack effective listening skills: Learning more about what others think and becoming more open to viewpoints and opinions (other than your own) takes a degree of discipline, training and learning. Each of us need to discover why we possess two ears and only one mouth.

4. Rude: Either we don't realize, or we just don't care, that when we interrupt someone else, we are treating that individual rudely and being inconsiderate. Perhaps the best way to overcome this is to adopt the essential philosophy that I refer to as ZTL (zip the lip).

5. Don't realize we're doing it/ habit: Perhaps because we have behaved in a certain manner (interrupting) for so long, it becomes simply a bad habit!

6. Lack of training/ learning/ understanding: Nearly anything worthwhile that we do requires learning and discipline. Since the tendency to interrupt others might often be the easy way, then unless we focus upon the reasons why we should approach things in a different manner, we end of falling into worse habits.

While these six are merely some of the reasons, they indicate why we should try to avoid the tendency to interrupt. Are you ready, able and willing to do so?

Why True Success Only Stems From Doing RIGHT?

One of the most cliched, misunderstood and unaccomplished things in most individuals lives is understanding and pursuing what they deem to be success. Far too often, people appear to equate success to financial gains, sales volumes, revenues, income and/ or other material things, rather than delving somewhat more deeply and realizing that more must be involved, since so many financially successful individuals are still some of the unhappiest and least satisfied. Truly successful people are generally those who have developed and created a genuine and meaningful balance in their lives, and whose main motivations and motivators are directly related to a desire to focus primarily on doing the RIGHT thing. Whether you are in the not - for - profit, or corporate worlds, whether you are a manager, leader, independent contractor, or employee, the basic concepts regarding true success, apply!
 
1. True success doesn't merely appear or come to someone without taking some sort of action or following certain behaviors. It requires a proactive mindset, where one first reaches out, in an attempt to be realistic, rational, relevant, and best relate to the reality of the situation and the specific culture.

2. Nothing becomes meaningful unless we pursue every action and every component by commencing with a commitment to absolute integrity. When this is the actual focus and mindset, one becomes better capable of developing and continuing with an emphasis on an impactful ideology which begins with a focus on important ideas.

3. How can anyone consider himself successful if he doesn't either get others involved and to care more, or addresses factors bigger than oneself? Therefore, one needs to garner and gain support, and to generate greater support and supporters. Those who become great are those who refuse to settle for less than what can be done best and better, and thus seek personal and relevant greatness.

4. Never put an artificial cap on your capabilities! Strive for, and reach higher heights. Never underestimate the importance of proceeding with a synergy of head and heart, and the desire to seek to heal and help!

5. One can ever believe he has done all he can, or proceed with the philosophy that it is important to consistently try harder. Never believe it is okay to play fast and easy with the facts, but commit to always tell the truth. One can only become better informed if he begins with focusing on effective listening before he opens his mouth and begins to talk. Follow the adage that we were given two ears but only one mouth for an important reason.

Most of us claim that we strive for success, without ever introspectively analyzing what that means to us personally! Regardless of your personal definition, understand that it always stems from doing what is RIGHT!

Are You Overwhelmed, or, In Contol?

Nearly every individual faces challenges and obstacles on a regular basis. We generally must determine whether we decide to opt to reduce our stress, and thus control our own destiny, or to let circumstances control and dictate to us, and thus become a reactor rather than an actor, letting circumstances overwhelm us by succumbing to these stresses. The reality is that there is no such thing as a stress - free existence, because without stress we cannot truly exist. Rather, it is important to understand what the late Nobel Prize Winner Dr. Hans Selye emphasized regarding there being two manners of stress: 1. Positive stress, or eustress, which we learn from and gain important knowledge, experiences and expertise; and 2. Negative or destructive stress, which we occurs because we handle circumstances ineffectively and permit to control us, rather than vice versa.

This relates to your personal existence, as well as you public and/ or business life! Whether you work for someone else, are in some sort of management or leadership position, or are self - employed (in an Independent Contractor status, such as a Real Estate professional, Investment adviser or reprentative, physician, dentist or attorney, e.g.), maintaining control, rather than being controlled by circumstances, conditions, or other people, invariably, is the healthiest, most productive existence!

1. Why does it appear that so many individuals seem so overwhelmed by everyday circumstances, events, and conditions? What does it say about the individual that becomes controlled by these conditions or scenarios, and spend his efforts and time reacting and going into crisis management (or control), rather than adapting to whatever life brings forth? Since nearly everyone has heard the adage about it being wise to convert life's lemons to lemonade, yet so many continuously avoid becoming proactive, how can these individuals even think they will maintain the ability to control their own destinies?

2. How often do you say, or have you heard others proclaim that they were overwhelmed by what happened? The most productive way to handle one's life more effectively is to reduce stress (or even the consideration of stress) by using individual challenges or obstacles to make oneself stronger, better and more productively. In order to do this, it is important to work on our personal attitudes, perspectives, self - talk, conscious and subconscious chatter (no more negative words, for example), and to demand that we are proactive and control, rather than resorting to the generally non - productive alternative of procrastination, self pity, self doubt, playing the blame game, or attempting to avoid personal responsibility.

It is important to realize that those who let circumstances overwhelm them, will generally roll down that slippery slope of ever - decrrasing self confidence and self pity. The "poor me" perspective, or blaming circumstances that we let ourselves perceive as being beyond our control, increase our negative stresses, and deteriorate both our skills and potential.

7 Key METRICS For Evaluating SUCCESS

Although there seems to be a somewhat inordinate amount of time, concentration and effort spent reviewing the many aspects impacting success, this concept is invariably one of the most difficult and challenging to fully understand because of the many challenges and interpretations of what goes into becoming a success. Since I have spent 4 decades identifying, training, qualifying and consulting to over a thousand individuals in positions of leadership, as well as conducting many seminars and individual training programs in the areas of personal development, I have thus created a mnemonic way to use 7 METRICS for Success.

It is important to note, regardless of your occupation, avocation, interests, etc, you can better understand what success might mean and represent to you, by paying attention too these metrics. It's up to you!

1. The process begins with identifying and considering those measurable markers that directly relate to purposeful goals and priorities. How can anyone consider anything to be in any way truly successful unless they are really meaningful because their implementation significantly matters in a way that determines whether you get it done. 

2. Those who want to become real and respected leaders must consistently proceed with a large degree of genuine empathy. Ask yourself whether your actions and plans pursue enhancing the situation, by consistently enriching the experience of those that your actions impact.

3. Everything you observe or do must be viewed and used as a teachable moment! When you predict and address trends in a timely manner, and focus directly on the proverbial taking care of business, you enhance your probability of becoming successful in your pursuits.

4. Taking care of business means very little unless it is relevant in terms of
needs and priorities. Only when one simultaneously is rational in his approach, while also being reasonable (both in actuality as well as the way he is perceived by others), he risks appearing as if he is behaving in a less than responsible manner. How can you be a success if what you do is not either actually or perceived as being responsive to what others, as well as a group you serve, truly need?

5. Make sure that your ideas always align with meaningful and significant ideologies, and that you pursue them with absolute integrity.

6. In order to achieve what you aim for, you must be able to connect with stakeholders,in a genuine manner. That requires you to be able, willing and ready to make needed choices, and to create something better than presently exists.

7. This process only comes to fruition when one creates and develops a sustainable system that strengthens the group, thus propelling it forward in a positive manner.

Many claim they seek success, yet few actually achieve what they aim for. Using these 7 METRICS for Success potentiates ones possibilities.

6 Considerations for Making Yourself Stand Out

I am sure that you have heard how important to differentiate yourself from the crowd, which generally means showing how you or what you do/ represent is in some way interesting and unique. However, unless you are prepared, ready, willing and able to take an objectively introspective look within, this process may become both challenging, as well as burdensome. Beware that it is only beneficial to stand out if it is in a positive, inspiring way, and that others, as well as you, perceive it to indeed be that way. It generally takes a combination of a positive attitude and self - image to pursue this important challenge in a productive manner, and to be willing to understand and evaluate both your personal strengths as well as weaknesses or flaws. It might be helpful to you if you did this by following and understanding these six considerations. Whether you are seeking new employment, seeking some leadership position, or in a highly competitive industry/ field, such as Real Estate, dentistry, medicine, law, etc, it will help you, to better differentiate yourself, hopefully, in a positive way!

1) How are you different or unique? Do these merely make you somewhat odd, or do they rather make you stronger, more effective and relative? Are you willing and able to take personal ownership of these qualities and/ or assets?

2) What do you or can you offer that others (also known as the competition) either do not, cannot, or won't? How do you use, communicate and articulate these differences in the best, most beneficial and impactful manner?

3) What does your personal appearance, manner and mannerisms, and body language say about you? Are you willing to rehearse in a mirror in order to witness how you come off to others? Are you going to ask someone you trust, and believe in, for his unbiased feedback and evaluation? Do you look others directly in the eye, stand erect without crossing your arms, and take the time and a make a true effort to listen, without interrupting? Have you ever been objective enough to ask yourself if you would want to do business with you.

4) How do you address/ respond to concerns, questions or objections? Are you calm and patient, welcoming questions as a positive indication of interest, or do you become defensive, somewhat belligerent, and go on the offensive in a rather strong - armed manner?

5) Do you listen first, intently and effectively, before you respond, and to a far greater extent than you speak or interrupt? For most of us, this is indeed challenging!

6) Do you close the deal? Remember you must usually sell yourself before you can be convincing to others! Even if you wonderfully and perfectly perform the first five steps, you achieve little of a relevant or sustainable manner, without closing.

It is far better to be an original you, than any carbon copy of another, because it is how you are unique in a positive way, that attracts others to pay attention. Use these 6 Considerations for Making Yourself Stand Out.

Are You Overwhelmed, or In Control?

Nearly every individual faces challenges and obstacles on a regular basis. We generally must determine whether we decide to opt to reduce our stress, and thus control our own destiny, or to let circumstances control and dictate to us, and thus become a reactor rather than an actor, letting circumstances overwhelm us by succumbing to these stresses. The reality is that there is no such thing as a stress - free existence, because without stress we cannot truly exist. Rather, it is important to understand what the late Nobel Prize Winner Dr. Hans Selye emphasized regarding there being two manners of stress: 1. Positive stress, or eustress, which we learn from and gain important knowledge, experiences and expertise; and 2. Negative or destructive stress, which we occurs because we handle circumstances ineffectively and permit to control us, rather than vice versa.

Regardless of whether you are a manager, leader, employee, or self - employed (such as physician, dentist, attorney, Realtor, etc), how you handle adversity, will generally have a major impact, on your effectiveness, etc.
 
1. Why does it appear that so many individuals seem so overwhelmed by everyday circumstances, events, and conditions? What does it say about the individual that becomes controlled by these conditions or scenarios, and spend his efforts and time reacting and going into crisis management (or control), rather than adapting to whatever life brings forth? Since nearly everyone has heard the adage about it being wise to convert life's lemons to lemonade, yet so many continuously avoid becoming proactive, how can these individuals even think they will maintain the ability to control their own destinies?

2. How often do you say, or have you heard others proclaim that they were overwhelmed by what happened? The most productive way to handle one's life more effectively is to reduce stress (or even the consideration of stress) by using individual challenges or obstacles to make oneself stronger, better and more productively. In order to do this, it is important to work on our personal attitudes, perspectives, self - talk, conscious and subconscious chatter (no more negative words, for example), and to demand that we are proactive and control, rather than resorting to the generally non - productive alternative of procrastination, self pity, self doubt, playing the blame game, or attempting to avoid personal responsibility.

It is important to realize that those who let circumstances overwhelm them will generally roll down that slippery slope of ever - decreasing self confidence and self pity. The "poor me" perspective, or blaming circumstances that we let ourselves perceive as being beyond our control, increase our negative stresses, and deteriorate both our skills and potential.