At first glance, the markers look much like those that can be found in any cemetery. Name, date of birth and the date that there life here on earth came to an end.  Then you look a little harder.  In this cemetery there are many markers that only show a life span of twenty or thirty years.

Many don’t come home.

I realize that most that serve this Country, serve for a period of time and then get discharged to civilian life.  Many, however do not.  Many don’t come home.  Many kiss their loved one’s goodbye and never make it back to say hello again.

You don’t see these stories at the cemetery but you know they exist.  It is quite a moving experience to hear the boys say the names and even for the young ones that might not fully understand what some of these great men and women went through, you can sense a certain reverence that you would not hear otherwise.

“The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled, the books that were never written, the songs that were never sung, the inventions that were never shared, the cures that were never discovered, all because someone was too afraid to take that first step, keep with the problem, or determined to carry our their dream.”  – Les Brown

Les makes a great point.  There are not only the stories of what did happen that we can only speculate upon, but also the stories that never took place.  I am a big fan of stories and I think everyone has a story that can add value to others and that story should be shared.

You have the freedom to tell your story – so tell it!

We all have a story for what has already taken place but I am more concerned about the story that has not happened yet – the story you can still write.  I know in the United States, there are men an women who have committed their lives to make sure that I maintain not only the freedom to tell my story, but the freedom to create it of my own free will.

If you want to truly honor the men and women that serve your Country, be willing to serve others by creating a story worth telling – live it and tell it.  Look back on the quote above.  What part of your story has not been written yet?  Isn’t it worth writing?

What if only 10% of the book you are reading had words in it?

It has been said that man will only reach ten percent of his potential during his lifetime. How would you feel if when digging into the last book you purchased, you found that only ten percent of the pages had words on them?

Picture your life as a book.  The past has already been written and no matter what are in those pages, everyday starts with a blank sheet of paper.  What will you write?

Today’s Challenge:  Start writing and think and dream big while you do it.  There is no greater way to give back to those that have gone before you than to make the most out of the life you have been blessed with.

Today’s Shout Out:  Thanks to all those serving their Countries, past and present.

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Barry Smith  5/27/14   photo by author   © Building What Matters 2014

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This month we are masterminding through The Men Who Built America, a DVD produced by the History Channel along with Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill to compliment the mini-series built around some of the great early leaders and entrepreneurs that help build the United States into a world power at the end of the 19th Century.

If you don’t know the back story on how these two connect together, Napoleon Hill was commissioned by Andrew Carnegie to study the most successful people and find out what resulted in their success.  The men who built America were among many of the 20,000+ that Hill interviewed over the twenty year period it took him to write the book.

This month we are going take a look at Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, JP Morgan and Henry Ford.  In this, the final of four posts, we will take a look at Henry Ford.

Ford set himself apart from the other men who built America buy focusing his efforts on the people.  He paid twice the average wage and wanted the average working man to be able to afford an automobile.  Amazed at how machines worked, Ford used his vision to transform the auto industry.

So how did a man that began his business career under the challenges of poverty, illiteracy, and ignorance become “one of the men who built America?”

I Think I Can, I Think I Can, I Think I Can

AUTOSUGGESTION

“If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right!” – Henry Ford

Ford Motor Company was actually Ford’s third automobile venture.  The first two failed miserably yet Ford refused to give up.  He continued to believe that he could successfully manufacture automobiles at a profit and at the same time, do what no one else had done, make them affordable.  His vision was strong enough to become reality.  He refused to give in to negative talk and literally convinced himself that it could be done through the power of autosuggestion.

1+1=3 … Sometimes More

POWER OF THE MASTERMIND

“If there is any one secret of success, it lies in the ability to get the other person’s point of view and see things from that person’s angle as well as from your own.” – Henry Ford

Ford’s most outstanding achievements began when he formed acquaintances with Harvey Firestone, John Burroughs, and Luther Burbank, well known thought leaders at that time.  Ford realized that not only could he gain knowledge from spending time with big thinkers but the interaction in itself, was increasing his ability to retain information and think better himself.

If Only I Would Have Known Before It Was Too Late!

SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE

“Coming together is the beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” – Henry Ford

Ford had great vision but lacked the knowledge, in multiple areas, to make his vision a reality.  What Ford did know, was that by surrounding himself with the right people – the people that had that knowledge, he could achieve anything he wanted.  He continued to do this throughout his career and when faced with the issue of not knowing, simply found someone who had the specialized knowledge he was looking for and added them to his team.

Napoleon Hill said; “Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.” (Tweet This / Share on Facebook / Post to LinkedIn)

Hill was right, our success will come from continuous effort and struggle.  The difference comes in how we take on the struggle.  Ford found ways to reduce the struggle by bringing those to his team that could provide the “right” kind of effort.

Here is an important question:  Are you trying to do it all on your own or are you enlisting the help of others through collaborative relationships?  The answer might just predict your success or failure in that endeavor.  Who can you add to your team that will take you to the next level?

• Click here to read Part 1 on Andrew Carnegie
• Click here to read Part 2 on Thomas Edison
• Click here to read Part 3 on JP Morgan

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Barry Smith  1/29/14   photo courtesy of Amazon   © Building What Matters 2014

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This month we are masterminding through The Men Who Built America, a DVD produced by the History Channel along with Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill to compliment the mini-series built around some of the great early leaders and entrepreneurs that help build the United States into a world power at the end of the 19th Century.

If you don’t know the back story on how these two connect together, Napoleon Hill was commissioned by Andrew Carnegie to study the most successful people and find out what resulted in their success.  The men who built America were among many of the 20,000+ that Hill interviewed over the twenty year period it took him to write the book.

This month we are going take a look at Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, JP Morgan and Henry Ford.  In this, the second of four posts, we will take a look at JP Morgan.

Morgan, most recognized a revolutionizing the way America deals with finance never settled for “good enough.”  He partnered with Edison and became a major player in the power industry and later became a master of consolidating organizations to create bigger profits and greater impact.

So why did a man who was born into wealth and never knew what it was like to be in need, risk it all and become “one of the men who built America?”

I Don’t Know Why, But It Just Doesn’t Feel Right.

THE SIXTH SENSE

“Go as far as you can see; when you get there, you will be able to see farther.” – JP Morgan

It would be hard to argue that Morgan “had it all” from day one, yet he was never satisfied.  Driven by the success of Carnegie and Rockefeller, Morgan worked off what he believed could be done.

Even through great opposition from his father, he risked the family wealth to pursue the development of electrical power.  Even when successful organizations already existed, Morgan’s sixth sense helped him to realize that by combining forces, an even greater business could be developed as seen in General Electric and US Steel.

You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know.

DECISION

“A man typically has two reasons for doing anything: a good reason and the real reason” – JP Morgan

Time and time again, Morgan was faced with difficult decisions.  His father was against much of what he did and his vision often included the success of others such as Edison.  That being said, he always stood behind his decisions and maintained a forward movement.  Why?  Because he made a decision.  Right or wrong, a decision was made to move forward.  If an adjustment needed to be made, he made it.  The point is, that Morgan never let the details or fear hold him back.  It was not a matter if it was going to be done, simply how.

Plan Your Work And Work Your Plan!

ORGANIZED PLANNING

“No problem can be solved until it is reduced to some simple form.  The changing of a vague difficulty into a specific, concrete form is a very essential element in thinking.” – JP Morgan

No one better exemplified the art of organized planning than Morgan.  Early on, he successfully planned many activities related to the family financial business.  Some actually helped to keep America on it’s feet.  Realizing that he could be more powerful by partnering with other individuals and corporations, Morgan put together the necessary plan to take both successful and struggling businesses to new levels of success.  This was done by creating a plan that worked and then working that plan.

Tony Robbins said; “It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.” (Tweet This / Share on Facebook / Post to LinkedIn)

The men who build America made both good and bad decisions along their way to power and wealth.  The difference – they always made a decision.  They all realized that doing nothing would produce exactly that – nothing.

We are faced with decisions every day.  Fear has a tendency to keep us from making the difficult ones.  My challenge today – choose something you have been struggling with in making a decision and make one.  No progress will be made by standing still. There is no neutral in life – you are either moving forwards or backwards. (Tweet This)

What difficult decision will you make today?

• Click here to read Part 1 on Andrew Carnegie
• Click here to read Part 2 on Thomas Edison

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Barry Smith  1/22/14   photo courtesy of Amazon   © Building What Matters 2014

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“The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled, the books that were never written, the songs that were never sung, the inventions that were never shared, the cures that were never discovered, all because someone was too afraid to take that first step, keep with the problem, or determined to carry out their dream.”  

So how about it?  If the bell rang for you tomorrow, what would you take with you? Seriously – does this hit home for you at all? Back in February of 2012, I was at a John Maxwell event and John introduced his father Melvin to the stage and said this; “I want to introduce you to the most important man to me here on earth, some time ago my father decided he was going to live until he died.”

I’m Gonna Live Until I Die

Well at 80+ years of age, Melvin Maxwell showed us what it meant to live as he ignited the crowd of over 500 with the energy and enthusiasm rarely displayed by men half his age.  That experience challenged me to take a hard look at what I was doing in my own life.

I can honestly say that at the time, I was not living, I was merely existing.  Can anyone relate to that?  I changed a lot of things in my life after that day.  I was determined that I would live until I died.  I was no longer going to let life happen to me, I was going to start to happen to life.

I made the decision to start chasing after my dreams.  To believe that I could accomplish things that I had never done before – many that I had not even thought about trying.  A new identity built around who I was instead of what I did.  A new job that got me up in the morning instead of keeping me up at night.  I was achieving my dreams!

Defining Moment In A Foreign Country

Last June, I was part of a team that impacted the Country of Guatemala.  I found out what it’s like to feel like you’ve never felt before, doing something you’ve never done before, in a place you’ve never been before, with people you’ve never met before. The three greatest defining moments in my life were the day I said “I do” and the two times I heard “It’s a boy.”  The fourth came in Guatemala City on June 15th, 2013, when I discovered my purpose and clarified my mission to leave nothing behind.

I have an author page on Amazon and later this spring I will publish my first book.  I collaborate everyday with like-minded leaders all over the world.  I am making a difference in the lives of others that want to achieve the same thing.  This is the 250th blog post by someone who barely made it out of English class.

Getting Outside My Comfort Zone

I don’t say any of these things to impress you.  Trust me, I had many people pushing and pulling me along the way.  I do say them to impress upon you that there is no reason you can’t do the same.  I would not been able to achieve any of these things if I was not willing to stretch outside my comfort zone and do what I never thought possible, heck, I didn’t even think about them period!

So that is my challenge for you today.  Start removing the limits you have put on yourself.  Start believing that the impossible is possible and that the only thing holding you back is the fear of taking that first step – just like Les said.

Whoever said “You can’t take it with you” was wrong. (Tweet This / Share on Facebook / Post to LinkedIn)

There are all kinds of things you can take with you – the question is WILL YOU?

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If that’s not enough, check out this thought provoking video ==>

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Barry Smith    1/17/14   photo by author   © Building What Matters 2014

The post The Wealthiest Place on Earth – The Graveyard appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.

This month we are masterminding through The Men Who Built America, a DVD produced by the History Channel along with Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill to compliment the mini-series built around some of the great early leaders and entrepreneurs that help build the United States into a world power at the end of the 19th Century.

If you don’t know the back story on how these two connect together, Napoleon Hill was commissioned by Andrew Carnegie to study the most successful people and find out what resulted in their success.  The men who built America were among many of the 20,000+ that Hill interviewed over the twenty year period it took him to write the book.

This month we are going take a look at Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, JP Morgan and Henry Ford.  In this, the second of four posts, we will take a look at Thomas Edison.

Edison, the holder of 1,093 U.S. patents, is most recognized as the inventor of the light bulb.  Also credited for the phonograph and motion-picture camera, Edison was much more than an inventor.  His inventions set the world on the pathway to modern electricity and global communications.

So how did a man with only three months of formal education and whose hearing was impaired at an early age become “one of the men who built America?”

You Don’t Need Ears To Hear!

THOUGHTS ARE THINGS

“The value of an idea lies in the using of it.” – Thomas Edison

What if Edison never imagined his thoughts and ideas as things.  Ideas are great, but as Hill shows in the story of how Edwin C. Barnes partnered with Edison, you have to treat them as such.  An idea will not become reality until it is brought to life by the hand of the one who conceived it.  How many ideas do you have that never come to life?  Have you considered the power you hold within you to manifest your thoughts into reality?  Here lies the great opportunity to ask; How can I?”

So what if nobody ever did it before!

FAITH

“Be courageous.  I have seen many depressions in business.  Always America has emerged from these stronger and more prosperous.  Be brave as your fathers before you.  Have faith!  Go forward!” – Thomas Edison

Hill provides a very interesting definition of faith.  “A state of mind which may be induced, or created, by affirmation or repeated instructions to the subconscious mind, through the principle of autosuggestion.”  Edison simply refused to believe that something could not be done.  He had the faith that with enough perseverance and effort, anything could be accomplished – even when “common sense” might suggest otherwise.

Mach 3 with your hair on fire!

THE BRAIN

“It is astonishing what an effort it seems to be for many people to put their brains definitely and systematically to work.” – Thomas Edison

The brain continues to be one of the most studied and least understood parts of the human body.  But even in Hill’s time, it was accepted that the brain was a powerful machine that could actually create it’s own energy.  Edison was continually pushing his thinking to new levels.  He constantly tapped his own awareness of what he knew and filled in the blanks with what he pulled from others.  Viewed as a curse by many, part of Edison’s genius is that his mind never quit working.  Turning though into action, over and over, produced more inventions than anyone else in history.

Most equate the success of these men to industry and the technological advances of their time.  I think the simple truth is that these men just thought better than everyone else.  Edison makes a simple but powerful statement when he said; “Everything comes to him who hustles while he waits.”  (Tweet This / Share on Facebook / Post to LinkedIn)  The men who build America were always hustling – at least mentally.

This will be a great mastermind study.  None of these men were angels, but one thing about them – they never let anyone else limit what they could do.

Your brain is constantly producing new thoughts.  So I have a few question for you to ponder today.  What are you doing with your ideas?  How many times do you thing the words “that’s never been done before” described something that had just been done?

• Click here to read the first post on Andrew Carnegie

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Barry Smith  1/15/14   photo courtesy of Amazon   © Building What Matters 2014

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Since his release from prison in 1990, Mandela’s name has stayed prominent among most circles involving leadership.  If there was ever a man who understood the power of influence, it was Mandela.

If you have run in any of John Maxwell’s circles, you no doubt know that meeting Mandela is now one thing John had on his bucket list he will never fulfill.  He got close a time or two but it just never worked out.  I have heard John talk about Mandela numerous times and it always impressed me how well thought of Mandela was in John’s eyes.  No doubt Maxwell is a Leadership Icon himself, but for him to think so highly of another leader clearly indicates how highly respected Mandela was.

I am always impressed listening to leaders speak of other leaders.  There is just something special about the acknowledgement of greatness between peers.  I can’t honestly say that I have studied the life and times of Nelson Mandela, nor could I tell you that much about his political views, but I do know he had incredible influence.

I don’t think I can really add to the mass amount of information currently being posted about Mandela’s life but there is one thing that I have been thinking about.  Mandela was loved by millions.  He was someone that so many respected and adored.  So the question that comes to mind to me is “Am I the type of person that people will look up to and appreciate?”  “Am I on anyone’s bucket list?”

I don’t know if I am or not but it does make me think.  What do you need to do to be on someone’s bucket list.  What is the one thing that could make the difference?  I think it is integrity.

Think about someone you look up to.  Someone you would like to spend time with. Why?  For me, it would be because they are real.  They do the right thing for the right reasons.  Integrity represents something you can believe in.  We all have to make choices and I realize nobody makes the right choice every time.  It’s just that some do it much more than others.

I think this quote by Mandela sums it up for me; “If I had my time over I would do the same again. So would any man who dares call himself a man.”

I think that describes integrity to a certain extent.  People of integrity don’t play the do-over card.  [Tweet Now] They own their mistakes and learn from them.  If I dig a little deeper into this quote with my personal take, I hear this;

“I do what I do because I believe in it.  I know I will make mistakes but that is the nature of man, and I would not do over what I felt was the right decision even if the outcome was not exactly what I desired.  Why?  Because without mistakes there is no learning and with no learning there is no progress.”

I am not making a statement regarding Mandela’s beliefs or actions, but I make a bold statement that he believed in what he was doing and stood by it, even risked his life for those beliefs.  How many people can you say that about?

A short question for you today, but I believe a powerful one; “Who’s bucket list are you on?”  RIP Nelson Mandela

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Barry Smith   12/6/13   photo courtesy of free images   © Building What Matters 2013

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The picture in this post is of my three kids – really two but the female in the picture is our youngest son Spencer’s girlfriend Paige and for all intents and purposes, we already count her as ours.

They flew in from Boise on Saturday and I picked up our oldest son, Scott, at the airport about six hours ago.  Michelle and I have been looking forward to this ever since we decided a few weeks ago to fly Scott back home from the University of Hawaii for Thanksgiving.  I guess you kind of get used to being “empty nesters”, but when you get them all back home, it doesn’t take long to remember what it used to be like.

Life is full of change from the day you are born until the day you breathe your last.  It’s sort of funny how the things you appreciate change from year to year.  This has been the longest stretch our family has ever been apart – since last Christmas.  Scott will graduate in about a month and we will be talking over the next few days on his plan for the future.

I guess as time goes by, I find myself thinking a lot more about the good times from the past and how they will compare the the future.  Our kids will soon be starting their own careers and families and new traditions will be started and new memories created.

I have seen so many posts the last few days on being grateful.  Many were about success and accomplishment, but the ones that resonated with me were the ones about memories – the stuff you can’t buy or plan.  The kind of memories that just happen spontaneously.

I was sitting on the couch with Paige watching a Hallmark Christmas movie earlier as Scott and Spencer talked in the back of the room about – well I guess stuff that young twenty somethings talk about.  It really didn’t matter what they were saying, just that they were saying it to each other, face to face.  Paige and I kept trying to guess what would happen next in the movie.  It was really simple, yet priceless in terms of the memory that I will have from it.

Michelle, apparently the only sensible one, was upstairs asleep fueling up for a busy day tomorrow.  It was so rewarding for me to see the look on her face as Scott walked into the kitchen when we got back from the airport.  Expectations fulfilled and anticipation replaced by the excitement that her first born was “in the house.”

Obviously the theme of the week, at least in the states, is gratitude.  So a few things I am grateful for – obviously the full house with all present and accounted for but also a few other thing.  One of them is you – I am very thankful for a loyal group of followers that add value to me every day.  Another thing is that I now have a new appreciation for the “little” things in life that make such a big difference.  I think sometimes we forget those little things.

I challenge all of us to look at every day as a day to give thanks.  No matter what happens, there is always something to be grateful for.  HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

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Barry Smith   11/28/13   photo by author   © Building What Matters 2013

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If you have read any of Miller’s recent work, you know that he has a unique way of building a story around the premise of the book and in effect, brings the lessons and the story itself to life.  The Heart of Leadership is a follow up, at least as the story goes, to “Great Leaders Grow” (read my review of Great Leaders Grow).

Blake, who got off to a great start as a young leader now finds himself stuck.  Stuck in his job and stuck as a leader.  He turns back to his mentor Debbie, who had previously been mentored by Blake’s father before he passed away.

Debbie introduces Blake to 5 professionals that take Blake on a journey to find what he has been missing to take his leadership to the next level.  He has been missing The HEART of Leadership.

So let’s take a look at just what it is that makes up The Heart of Leadership.

HUNGER FOR WISDOM

Leaders recognize that if they want to be effective over the long haul, they need to be life long learners.  They need to commit to not only increasing their knowledge but their relational skills as well.  Be self confident and consistent in your beliefs and values but always be open to input, new ideas and the views and opinions of others.  We can always learn, even in our failures and difficult times.

EXPECT THE BEST

Miller states it very well; “To expect the best is an attitude, a belief, a choice, a lifestyle and a trait that virtually every successful leader possesses.  We believe the best about others and about ourselves.”  What a powerful statement.  Expecting the best is about attitude and as we all know, attitudes are contagious.  Leadership character is about having a positive attitude and creating a culture that expects and produces the best.

ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY

There may be no greater leadership character trait than owning your actions, and not only your actions, but the actions of the entire team.  John Maxwell says that “everything rises and falls on leadership.”  Miller makes it clear that accepting responsibility, for both the good and the bad, needs to fall on the leader.  Along with that, praise needs to be shared whenever possible.  Leaders with heart give the credit to others and find their success in the success of their team.

RESPOND WITH COURAGE

Miller pulls a quote from Dr. Henry Cloud; “Leaders get what they create and what they allow.”  [Tweet This] It takes courage to create.  Often times, leaders are faced with making difficult decisions.  Responding with courage, and doing it consistently, will shape your leadership character and help to build trust.  Courage is a product of confidence and confidence comes from believing in yourself.

THINK OTHERS FIRST

Leaders need followers and a leader’s responsibility is to turn those followers into other leaders.  This only happens when the leader focuses on the success of those he is leading. Miller puts it like this; “It’s about who is responsible for what, and how can I, as the leader, help people to be successful?”  Miller makes a valuable point that if we are to become servant leaders, we need to spend time with other servant leaders and learn how they think and understand the real reasons why they do what they do.

I think the biggest takeaway for me from this fine work was the example of an iceberg that Miller uses to describe leadership.  The 10 percent above water represents your leadership skills – What you know.  The 90 percent underwater represents your character – Who you are.  We often judge people for what they know but the true heart of leadership comes from your character – this is the heart of leadership.

I love this quote from the author; “It is ultimately leadership character that determines our opportunity for influence and impact.“  So today I have a challenging question for you:  What is included in the 90 percent of your iceberg?

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Click here for a 3-Video Series from John Maxwell and Les Brown being “Authentic and Transparent”

Click here to listen in on October 30th as John Maxwell shares how to “Influence through Connecting”

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Barry Smith    10/24/13   photo courtesy of Amazon   © Building What Matters 2013

The post It Is Character That Defines “The Heart Of Leadership” appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.

A great effort by Maruska and Perry. They have really provided a usable framework to discover, develop  and fulfill your potential.  It has only been the last few years that I have really started to understand my own potential and I owe most of that credit to the coaching process.

Most understand the idea of potential – it’s always there, it simply needs to be understood and acted upon.  I think this is where most fail to “reach their” potential.  They simply don’t know what they don’t know and it often takes an outside perspective with open ended questions to dig that potential out.

I will break their three “Keys” down using the chapters as a guideline.  There is not near enough room in this post to cover the abundance of insight provided here to take charge of your talent and start thriving in your career, organization and life.

KEY #1  POWER UP YOUR TALENT STORY

Be Your Own Hero

The authors build around the idea that we can all be an everyday hero.  All it takes is the belief that we can, and the confidence to do something about it.  Fears and limiting beliefs are what hold many of us back.  Embrace your talent and build on it.

Explore a Talent Catalyst Conversation

The authors suggest that it takes a Catalyst Conversation to incite change in the discovery of your potential.  I mentioned the coaching process earlier.  Having those conversations in which new questions can be presented.  Questions that help you change the way you think are what can take you to a level you didn’t even know existed.

Connect with a Catalyst

I agree with the authors that discovery is not enough.  There has to be accountability if you want to achieve success.  Your Catalyst Connection may be a coach, mentor or simply an accountability partner – but if you want to succeed, you better have someone!

KEY #2  ACCELERATE THROUGH OBSTACLES

Keep Your Hopes Humming

Fill in the blank; “I hope that ______.”  How many times have you said that?  I really appreciated this chapter.  Maruska and Perry make some great observations that when we are creatively thinking and maintaining a positive attitude, it keeps our hopes alive.  Every small win helps build our confidence which builds positive momentum.  There is a great figure in the book which portrays the cycle of Hopes==>Opportunities==>Actions==>Hopes and so on.

Grab Opportunities to Grow

Clearly our success begins with opportunity – some provided and some created.  Either way, you need to be operating at a level of awareness that will allow you to identify those opportunities and seize them.  If you are going to grow, you need to get better every day. Opportunities allow for this growth but only when we see them.

Challenge Yourself to Stretch

How many opportunites do you have inside your comfort zone?  Whatever your answer is, do you really expect it to change if you stay right where you are?  Simple to understand but difficult to achieve, stretching beyond where you are will result in opportunities that you don’t even know exist.  In order to be more, you need to be willing to do more.

KEY #3  MULTIPLY THE PAYOFFS FOR YOURSELF AND OTHERS

Create Enduring Career Assets

How do you create more wealth?  You make yourself more valuable.  Survival in life really depends on what you can provide to others.  So here is the big question; what skills or talents to you have and what is their value to others?  Consider how you can take what you know and use it to allow others to succeed.

Share the Wealth and Everyone Wins

This chapter, at least in my opinion, is really about legacy and more importantly, the legacy we leave behind.  When you truly embrace and maximize your talents, you can create a legacy that will continue to add value after you are gone.  Winning doesn’t have to end when you do!

Champion a Take-Charge Talent Culture

The final chapter is really a call to action.  I would suggest the question “What do you want?” When you realize what you want and do something about it, you can achieve it.  But there is a catch – Hope without a plan is nothing more than a dream.  Taking the steps to maximize the gifts and talents that you have will allow you to become more than you thought possible.

This was a great book and well worth investing the time to read it!  A lot of fresh ideas and examples that make you think.  There is so much to be gained, and given, when we apply what we know and use what we have to become all we can.  Maruska and Perry have provided the framework now it’s up to you.

Today’s question and challenge: “Have you taken charge of the talent you have and what are you dong to be your own catalyst to thriving in your career, organization and life?”

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Barry Smith    10/2/13   photo courtesy of the Launch Team   © Building What Matters 2013

The post Take Charge Of Your Talent – Unlocking Your Potential appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.

The official release of Scott’s first book, Discover Your Sweet Spot – The 7 Steps to Create a Life of Success and Significance, is scheduled for January 8th, 2014. If you want to be part of the launch party click here.

Yes, this is another book that focuses a lot on leadership, but Scott provides 7 steps that will guide you along a path to success and significance in whatever lane you are travelling.

Scott is the Vice President of the John Maxwell Team and one of the team mentors.  A very successful businessman in the Landscaping business, Scott parallels the ideas of DESIGN, BUILD and MAINTAIN into whatever environment we find ourselves.

This will be the final of three posts taking us through the 7 steps that will teach us how to Design, Build and Maintain a life of success and significance.

PHASE 3: MAINTAIN YOUR LEADERSHIP ENVIRONMENT

STEP 5 – PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT: Poor Maintenance Costs You More In The Long Run

To maintain the success, or significance, that we have achieved will not sustain itself unless we commit to continual growth.  Scott suggests asking questions to keep us on top of our game.  Here are his Elite 8:

1. What do I do best?
2. How can I do it better?
3. Who can I best serve doing it?
4. Of the things I currently do, what should I do more?
5. Of the things I currently do, what should I do less?
6. Of the things I currently do, what should I stop?
7. What should I start doing?
8. What am I missing?

STEP 6 – MAINTAIN THE MAIN THING: Keep Your Vision within Sight at All Times

Scott describes the importance of vision and how, unless we keep it on the forefront, it will soon be lost.  Here are his “Five Lenses of Maintaining Vision”:

1. Define The Vision – If you can’t define the vision, you can’t achieve it.
2. Develop the Vision – Create a clear vision that represents the values behind it.
3. Drill the Vision – Include the entire team in casting the vision and create an environment of unity.
4. Distinguish the Vision – Your vision should set you apart from the rest.
5. Demonstrate the Vision – Very simple here – walk the talk!

STEP 7 – GIVE WHAT YOU CAN’T KEEP: Legacies are Maintained by Investing in Others

Those of you that have followed me for a while know how important legacy is to me.  Scott gives us a great quote from educator Elton Trueblood; “We have made at least a start in discovering the meaning in human life when we plant shade trees under which we know full well we will never sit.”

Investing in others and believing in them is the way we can leave our fingerprint on generations to come.  We can’t take anything with us, but we can clearly leave something behind.

I have reviewed numerous books and many have had a specific topic or targeted audience.  Discover Your Sweet Spot is for everyone.  We all have a Sweet Spot, but very few are living in it.  If you want to get there, do yourself a favor and pre-order this book.

Scott leaves us with this thought; “If you are enjoying any success in your life, it’s because someone has gone before you, sacrificed, and paid the price.”  

Today’s question: “What price are you paying today to create a legacy that will serve others after you are gone?”

• Click here to read Part 1 – The Design Phase
• Click here to read Part 2 – The Building Phase

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Barry Smith    9/18/13   photo courtesy of Scott M Fay   © Building What Matters 2013

The post Discover Your Sweet Spot – Part 3: The Maintenance Phase appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.