Slaying Dragons

How many times have you desired to do something you were so passionate about but you were scared? Scared of taking that first step. Scared of what others might think. Scared of failing. Maybe it is a new job you are seeking but it would require you to relocate. There are so many unknowns that you are hesitant to even apply for the position. The wonder and worry causes you to loose sleep and be on an emotional roller coaster.  Does any of this sound familiar? It does not have to be a job you are seeking but in any situation or decision that needs to be made.  Fear is the dragon that we must slay. Franklin Delano Roosevelt stated in a speech in 1933, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." This is so true. As we sit around and contemplate fear we are wasting valuable time that we could be slaying that dragon with courage. Much of what we tend to fear is actually based on a feeling not fact.  Risk and fear go hand in hand. Taking risk can lead to fantastic rewards but you must realize that in order to achieve anything of great value you must take risk.  If we dwell on fear then we cannot move forward because fear can control and confine us. It is up to you to let go of what you cannot control and focus on what you can control. W. Clement Stone said, "When thinking won't cure fear, action will." By focusing on what you can control and taking action you become more courageous. Don't over think.  Don't miss out on opportunities because fear is standing in your way. Put your courageous sword to work and slay the fear dragon once and for all. What if you miss out on a chance of a life time all because you don't take action? You many only get one chance so take it. 

Be Brave! Sharpen your sword, slay that dragon, reap the rewards of being victorious over fear. Your prize awaits you. You can defeat fear!!

Detours and Directions

Yes, three consecutive days of blogging. There is no need in allowing my thoughts to go stale. Therefore as long as I have a few moments in the evening to jot down a few words I will keep rockin' on with it. I have a decorative chalk board hanging in my kitchen that was more than likely designed to post what's cookin? or a grocery list but I use it to post quotes. Imagine that, right! I enjoy inspirations quotes of all types if you haven't noticed. I wanted to post a quote that anyone from age 10 and up that walked into my kitchen would be able to relate to or understand. After participating in Read Across American I thought hmmmm Dr. Seuss quotes would be perfect for this particular project. This Dr. Seuss saying is posted on the chalk board;

 

     You have brains in your head,

     You have feet in your shoes,

     You can steer yourself,

     Any direction you choose.

Such a powerful message from a book we read as kids and that our kids read today. I love Dr. Seuss books. They are full of meaning and fun to read but often difficult to read aloud without getting tongue tied. There is much we can learn from this quote. Do you know what direction you are going or want to go? For example my oldest son is already weighing options for college in 2015. He is planning the direction he wants to go with college and career choices. This is just an example of the choices we make in order to move forward, seeking to accomplish goals and pursue our dreams. Sometimes we run into road blocks or hurdles that create detours. Don't let detours hold you back from traveling down the road to success or happiness. Detours just slow us down but they do not have to stop us. Use the brains in your head to figure out a different path to get there. Use those feet in your shoes to keep moving forward regardless of the speed bumps in your path.  I can say all of this because I have encountered detours, road blocks and speed bumps. Who hasn't right? We all have at some point in our lives and you know what? It is part of our journey. There is always going to be detours, road blocks and speed bumps in all aspects of our lives personally and professionally. We are going to have blow outs. Our batteries may need recharged every now and then. We may even run out of gas. Those things are to be expected as we travel but it is how we steer ourselves that veers us off course or keeps us on track. When we make a wrong turn it is up to us to find our way back to the right road. Sometimes it takes us a while to get back on the right track but we can get there. I have learned there is more to staying on course than using my brains and feet. I follow directions with the aide of my internal GPS. We all have our own built in GPS that is far more accurate than a Garmin or TomTom. It's called your heart. Rely on your internal GPS. It will help guide you along the way but if you ignore its directions you will be stuck with road rage on a road to nowhere. There is not a road block that you can't go around or speed bump you can't cross so get connected to your GPS and go places! What are you waiting on? Get Going! 

My added line to Dr. Seuss' quote:

     You have brains in your head,

     You have feet in your shoes,

     You can steer your self 

     Any direction you choose. 

     You have a built in GPS to use

     Rely on it then set your cruise.

Seeing isn't Believing, Believing is Seeing

I got a text last night from a dear friend that said I need one of your inspirational blogs. My response was, funny you say that I'm trying to post one now. I have had a heavy heart for a few days now and with that came yesterdays blog. The need of a friend to receive encouragement and the timing of my post was perfectly unplanned. We never know what struggles or battles that others are going through. Some people are grammy award winners when it comes to hiding their struggles. One can look like sunshine and daffodils on the outside when on the inside a hurricane is beating their inner shore. Things often are not what they appear to the eye. I have learned over the years of working with the public that deception is an art for some people. Whatever excuse you can come up with chances are I have heard it. Those of you that have occupations in the public field, know exactly what I am talking about. Some excuses are quite humorous while others are gut wrenching that draw us into that persons issues. How do we know if it's fact or fiction? That is a question we have all contemplated in our minds. Sometimes we have the facts in front of us or the excuse is so off-the-wall crazy that we know it is false. How do we react when we believe the words that have been said but later realize maybe they were only empty words? I've seen this occur in friendships, in the workplace, in families and I bet you have witnesses it or experienced it at some point in your life. I am one that believes in people especially in my children, my very best friends and my work team. 

Would you rather have a leader that believes in you or doubts you? Would you rather have employees that believe in you or doubt you? I am not sure where this quote originated but I have heard many times. "You are only as good as the people that work for you." I find a great deal of truth in that statement. I hope that if anyone were to ask any of my team members to list qualities about their leader that one of them would be, she believes in us. I like this quote from Judy Elf in The Santa Clause movie, "Seeing isn't believing, Believing is seeing" of course this was relating to Santa Clause. Each of us can interpret this quote differently. My thoughts are simple for I believe in valuing people. I believe in second chances. I believe in the words that are said when often they can't be expressed. I believe until that person proves themselves to be different to me which that happens. Then we revert back to yesterdays post about disappointment. Sometimes we want be believe in someone or in something (like a goal) so badly that we over focus on it. I am guilty of that being the a goal driven person I am. I had to back up, come to terms that I believed in an individual and their words more than the person that spoke them did or at least that is my perception. Although I could be wrong and that happens too.   I am such a people believer that I desire to see the good. Although someone let you down with empty words, not following through, excuses or not meeting expectations doesn't mean the next person will.  It is up to us to learn from our mistakes and also learn from the mistakes of others. Be accountable for your words and actions. Continue to believe in others. You might be surprised how believing in someone could impact their life in a positive way and yours too. As the 80's Journey song states, "Don't Stop Believin'". 

Just Believe......

I took this picture while visiting NYC in December. This was on the side of Macy's department store.

Disappointment Happens

I have not blogged for months now due lack of time with a busy schedule. I plan to make a valid effort to get back blogging more often. We all experience disappointment in this journey we call life. It can occur in many ways or forms but when it occurs to those that are near and dear to us it can leave a heart burning impact, in my opinion. I recently witnessed disappointment and experienced it myself which lead me to write on this subject. Those that know me quite well know that I am harder on myself than I am on anyone else. Sometimes when things do not work out how we anticipate they will or led to believe they will we get down on ourselves and on those that let us down. I have put a great deal of thought into disappointment lately. Knowing I let someone down would impact me tremendously. I cannot stand the thought of it actually. Then I see one of my kids being let down by an individual they admire and trust and it creates a fire ball of emotions within me. Yet, I know those feelings because I have experienced similar ones by being let down by individuals that I love, admire and trust.

As a leader I’ve experienced disappointment and seen it in the workplace. I would be safe in saying we have all experienced it but to me it's how we deal with it that is important. We can dwell on it and wallow in our own sadness or we can shake it off and keep going. Personally, I like to pout about it depending on the subject matter then move on but sometimes there is no time for pouting. Yes, it is true I am a pouter at times and I do not deny it. It may not always be easy to find something good in this type of situation but I feel that if we react in a positive way to the disappointment it can build personal strength for the next time it occurs. It will occur again. It is not a matter of if but a matter of when it will happen again because life is full of disappointments. Some can be diverted ahead of time while others are out of our control and hit us head on. I need to be a better example to others in how I handle disappointments. Leaders are looked up to, relied on and as parents we are in the same role but with a different audience. In order to give advice to my son, I pulled out of my own self hidden pouting mode and wore my consoling super-mom cape. One of my all-time favorite quotes from John Wooden is “Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.” Regardless of the let downs we experience in life it is up to us to make the best of the results. Does that mean we like the results? No, it surely does not but we can grow from it, chalk one up as a lesson learned and move forward as a stronger, smarter person.

Don’t let disappointment hold you back from living, breathing and being the person you were made to be but don’t be a dream killer for others. Be a person of your word. 

A Thankful Leader

                                 

                                

I have so much to be thankful for and certainly more than I deserve. I read on Facebook friends’ post of thankfulness since it is a season of Thanksgiving but we should be thankful and give thanks daily. Since, I utilize this blog for a leadership blog, I will keep this post directed for that intent. I have posted a photo that I took while visiting part of my team. I have this photo framed on my desk so I can look at it daily. It has a great deal of meaning for me. I look at this picture and am reminded of how important safety is in this field of work. Safety is everything to those doing this work and their families. I see the significance of team work and the value of working together. I see communication and the importance of having good communications with your teammates. As I look at the shape in the sky, it reminds me of all the reasons I love my job. If I ever get to the point that I don’t love my job, then it would be time to change. I have a sense of great pride in my team. I am extremely proud of them. One can perceive this photo in many different ways but to these individuals it is their way of life. They make a difference. They are providing a service that we often take for granted until we are without it. It is an honor and privilege to be the leader of such an awesome team. This picture will always remain on my desk to remind me of the points of interest I mentioned as well as other things of great value and importance to me. I am thankful for this team and their safety in which I pray for daily. I am thankful for the opportunity to have a job that I love going to each day. It may be hectic at times but each day that we are able to go home at the end of our shift is a great day. Be thankful!! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Are you riding the fence?

Are you riding the fence about a decision that needs to be made? As a leader, being a decision maker is of vital importance. I’ve always said, right or wrong, I can make a decision. Sometimes it is not simple and requires analyzing the situation, weighing the options and hopefully arriving to a conclusion. Then there are times when an immediate decision must be made. I look for this decision making factor when selecting a leader. I had a difficult work related situation where I had to make the ultimate decision. My heart was leading one way while my mind was leading the opposite direction. I ended up making the decision to the best of my ability and thankfully the situation was resolved successfully. It is difficult being torn in two different directions. We must realize that our choices may affect many people. Sometimes we make a decision and then after the fact, realize it was the wrong choice. It takes a person of integrity to admit they were wrong and reverse their decision. Our lives revolve around the choices we make. Do you need to jump off the fence and make a choice? Is your heart and head playing tug-o-war? I like this quote from Tim Redmond, “There are many things that will catch my eye, but there are only a few things that will catch my heart.” In my opinion, successful leaders know which side of the fence is the best choice and they know when to listen to their heart. Decisions that are made based on polices and procedures are factual, in black and white but the ones we must make that rely on our on intuition are often the hardest yet can be the most rewarding. Get off the fence before it breaks! You can't allow one decision to hold up progress. Make a choice and move on to the next one.

What path are you traveling?

What path are you following? Are you on a path to nowhere or are you going places? Allow me to explain my thoughts on this blog. As a leader it is important to make the best choices for those you lead, manage and for yourself. How often have you seen a leader that is traveling down a path that you disapprove of or know it is wrong but yet you are expected to look to this individual for leadership? It happens. I've seen it. I think that is one of the reasons I'm so passionate about leadership. I desire to make the right choices to the best of my ability. Sometimes the right choice is the hardest.  They can be painful but we have to make them. I read this piece from my favorite leader, "Your friends will either stretch your vision or choke your dreams. Some will inspire you to higher heights. Others will want you to join them on the couch of life where they do their least. Because not everyone wants to see you succeed, you have to make a choice”.  Excerpt From: John C. Maxwell. “Sometimes You Win--Sometimes You Learn.” Center Street, 2013-10-08. iBooks

As leaders we fall into this example as well. A leader will either stretch your vision or choke your dreams. I do not want to be the dream crusher but dream builder. I enjoy watching people seek their dreams and succeed at them. It is even more rewarding to be a part of the their journey to success. We can apply this to our personal lives as well. Are you around folks that hold you back because they are dream crushers and reek of negativity? If so then you must make a choice to join them on the path to nowhere or take the positive path towards success. It is a difficult and sometimes painful decision to make.  Each minute you spend with the wrong people takes away time you could be spending with the right ones. The path is clearly visible but our choices are what impacts the outcome of our success or lack of success. Be the right person, the positive role model, the dream builder and the mentor that makes a positive impact on those that are future leaders.