Do You Have A Couple Of Minutes

There is a lot of talk about burnout these days.  Perhaps there may be a time or times when we must make the sacrifice to give it our all.  However, maybe being intentional about giving our best is the goal that allows us to keep making progress and to best serve others while taking care for ourselves.  Why not take a stance of giving your best?  Sure, circumstances can vary what your best may be in a situation - and that's OK - because our best is the best we have to give.  And as he song goes, perhaps our best may sometimes not be good enough sometimes.  however, when we give it our best we ensure we are meeting an internal standard of performance or quality and we refuse to render less. We pay attention to our minds and bodies and allow then the refreshment and rest they need to perform at the highest levels we have to give.  Giving our best is foundational to continued progress, growth. Nothing more than our best can be required of us.

This episode dedicated to my dad, a guy who gave his best, and at last gave his all.

One is Powerful - we must not discount the power that one can have to influence and impact. One small word, one interaction, one dream.  One begins a ripple effect. One choice, one action can have huge impact.

Empathy is a valuable skill for business and personal life.  Empathy is benefited by the skills of being present and active listening which aid in understanding and relating in an effective and beneficial manner. Practice empathy by exercising intentional and compassionate presence alongside engaged active listening. 

Today we talk about a poem by Mother Theresa entitled Do It Anyway.  In brief, we must have intrinsic motivation to do the right thing in all circumstances.  Doing the right thing is not about getting recognition or accolade, it si about doing the right thing because it is the best thing form everyone.

Feedback focuses on the past, but what helps us reach the ideal state is focuses on what it looks like and where we are going.  Providing feedforward can help people practice in reference to the future desired state instead of living in the context of avoidance.  Try feedforward.

This topic was originally presented in written form only, as follows:

Do you have a Couple of Minutes?  Today I am posting in written form only and want to speak about ATTITUDE.  When I was about 12 I heard the phrase "an attitude is always a choice."  I had to think about the truth of that for a bit.  Was it possible that saying someone made you mad was a false statement?  Did I have a choice not to have a particular attitude even when circumstances affecting me were out of my control? The reality was that I did!  This has really been something I return to over an over.  While we can't control every circumstance, we can choose our attitude in any situation and this has made a world of difference.  Choose you attitude intentionally.  And that's my thought for the day in two minutes or less that I hope inspires, makes you think, brings growth, and leads to greater fulfillment in life.  Thanks!

When we notice the voices of others are not being extended the courtesy of being heard or acknowledged, it is up to each of us to help those voices to be heard.  There is nothing wrong with being a commanding presence, however, we must look for contribution from everyone that has something valuable to contribute.  Some people speak quickly saying whatever comes to mind, and that has it's merits. Others may take time to process what they have heard with the context of their expereince and the mission at hand, and weave ideas together in a way that helps to elevate and evolve the application of information.  We must be mindful to encourage others to use their voice because together we are better.  There is room for all to share.

Why Not Us?  Sports teams were saying this in past years speaking to their possibility of winning even though they were considered and underdog.  I also heard of someone saying this when diagnosed with a terminal illness - accepting that life happens to each one of us in some way and none of us can expect to avoid varied life circumstances.  With some much going on in the world - we may be tempted to ask why me - but perhaps the better question is "Why not me?"  Perhaps we can uniquely respond to circumstances and situations if we take inventory of what we to have to contribute.  Perhaps our circumstances of today will give us the experience we need to employ in the future. Why Not Me, Why Not you?!