You Are Only As Good As Your Word

"One's philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes. In the long run, we shape our lives and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility."
Eleanor Roosevelt, first lady

If I asked you for your outlook on life, I am sure like most people you would have many reasons why there is so much suffering, opinions on politics and probably millions of complaints about the state of the world today regarding violence, terror, disruptive youth, child prostitution, the list goes on....

It seems that we are all experts on life when it comes to talking about it but then, what are we actually DOING about following up on those words?

Are you talking about health yet continuing to smoke, overeat and doing little to take care of your own?

Are you talking about poverty and pointing a finger at 'big businesses' for their apparent un involvement to charities yet continuing to walk straight past the homeless man you pass everyday on the street?

Are you talking but doing little more than moving your lips?

Today I want to challenge is to carry out an assessment on yourself.

Take note of how many times today you talk about doing something versus actually taking action and doing it.

I think you will be surprised at the outcome!

Do not beat yourself up over the answer, just know that one of the keys to success is matching your words with your deeds.

The Key To Gain Respect

Everybody wants to be respected in the society they are living. It is easy to loose respect but hard to gain it. Respect comes from years of hard work and integrity. People start respect you when they see something admirable in you, something they can follow. Many people lead an aimless life and loose respect easily. There are many circumstances in life, which provides you an opportunity to gain respect or loose respect. If you are able to use these opportunities effectively you can gain respect to some extent.

If you watch people who really are respected by others, you can see what makes them different. It may not be their wealth, beauty, intelligence or the background they belong to. The respect people gains on the basis of these will never last long or that respect is not real.

The most important factor in gaining respect is you should be a principled man. A man who is lead by a set of principles will gain respect easily. The Bible is a great source of fine principles, which can be applied to your life. These principles are provided as an aid to humans in leading a respectful life.

The main key to gain respect is given by Jesus Christ as laid down in Mathew 7:12. "All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must likewise do to them". Because of its high effectiveness and value, this rule is known as Golden Rule. If you start applying this rule in your life, you will find an amazing result in your life.

Unique Gifts : Gifts From Around The

World

Successful Leaders - 27 Truths Critical To Success

The 27 Truths are a compilation of beliefs, best practices and practical advice we have gained from work with many successful leaders. We offer them as a tool as you go about the business of building your career, and helping others build theirs.

· In a new position, three things you must do right away: 1 - get to know your boss and his expectations; 2 - take action on an issue that you inherited and fix it; 3 - identify the universe of people and processes that impact you and your people's work, and get to know and respect that universe.

·Regardless how hard you try, people will not see things the same way you do. Get over it and look for the common ground and understanding that always exists.

· The ability to separate your emotions while evaluating the actions of others, and not take those actions personally, is absolutely critical to effective decision - making.

·The only security any of us have is the security provided by our accomplishments. Being open to change maximizes the opportunities for accomplishments.

·Seek out mentors and keep seeking them out throughout your career. And then become a mentor yourself.

·Learn to understand how your behavior impacts others and is seen and judged by others. The better you understand yourself the better you can understand and work with others.

· Listening skills are essential to understanding and effective communication. Listen at least 70 % of the time. No one ever learned very much while they were speaking!

·The ability of an organization's people to support and embrace change is the biggest single source of competitive advantage in any organization.

·Behavior change is the most challenging and the highest leverage form of change in any organization.
·The middle 80 to 90% of the people in any organization represent the biggest single opportunity for increased competitive advantage - and the most challenging opportunity as well.

·90 to 95 % of the answers to any organization's issues lie within the people in the organization – getting that "collective genius" to work is both a challenge and a source of huge competitive advantage.

·Replacing assumptions with expectations is critical to success – and it is done through the establishment of goals that align individual and group effort with organizational goals.

· In successful organizations, every selection – be it a hire, a promotion, a transfer or a team assignment, is seen as an opportunity to improve the organization.

·Clear goals, a plan for reaching them complete with a timetable, and action are the essential ingredients to achieving success. While the goals must be your own, they must also align with the goals of your employer.

·Small changes lead to big changes. Identify the big change demands – then start with incremental change. The important thing is to ACT!

·Creating and maintaining positive relationships with people is the most important behavior in determining your success. The development of Personal Skills so that you have the competency to work effectively with people is absolutely necessary, regardless of your career.

·In answer to the question " If you could go back in your career and do more of something, what would it be?" – every leader says "FOCUS".

·30% of the population thinks in terms of opportunities: 70% thinks in terms of consequences. Opportunity people and consequence people can have a really hard time dealing with each other - yet both are absolutely essential to any enterprise. Creating synergy between their behaviors creates competitive advantage.

· Communicating high expectations and then working to meet them is the single most motivating thing that can be done for people. Low expectations are the cause of low performance. There is nothing more devastating to people than to have their leader communicate by his/her actions that not too much is expected from them.

·Assumptions are the enemies of trust. Whenever possible, replace assumptions with clear expectations and goals. In doing so you will create the path to trust.

·Time is a variable – based on the level of trust you have with your boss and your organization and your "universe " of people. The higher the level of trust you have with your universe the more freedom you have to use your time for the important, high leverage things that will move your career ahead.

· Trust comes from meeting and exceeding your commitments, expectations and goals, and keeping your word – there are no other ways to get and keep trust.

·Hard work is absolutely necessary – nothing can replace it. But remember to measure the effect of your effort in results, not in time spent. Some of the most effective people are those who spend the most time at work, and some of the most ineffective people are the ones that spend the most time at work!

·Associate with successful people. Learn from the people who have succeeded. Define success in your own terms.

·Energy is a developable resource – physical condition, passion, a positive attitude, good personal habits and success will all positively influence your level of energy.

·Make up your mind that doing a few things very well and completely is better than doing a lot of things average – pick out your passions and pursue them, but not too many passions at any one time.

And Truth Number 27 - Three behaviors absolutely fatal to any career are: procrastination, passive-aggressiveness, and confusing intentions with results.

Use these 27 Truths to examine your own behavior – use them to discuss the behavior and performance and expectations of others. They can be a powerful tool for you and for your universe of people.

Weaknesses or Strengths, What Says You?

Feeling unhappy over yourself? Hating yourself for who you are?

Why must you be feeling so? To just be very straight with you, this is the act of a fool

Now, even if the whole world is going to look down on you, you should never look down on yourself. The more they are going to look down on you, the more you should prove yourself to them, isn't it? And I am sure your family and many other loved ones would never ever look down on you. So the more you shouldn't let them down, isn't it?

Understand this. Strength or a weakness of yours, which is going to be which, is still too early to be deciding now. For all you may know, your weaknesses may just become your strength and your strength, your weaknesses to become. In life, there is not definite power, not definite rights or wrongs. What that matters is how you are going to put to use what you have within yourself.

You see. One who excel in his or hers studies doesn't necessarily mean he or she is just going to do well in life. In fact, they are indeed many top students who fail badly in life when they enter the working society.

Yes. They have the strength, that High IQ to absorb all those profound theories taught in school, getting straight As for all their exams. They are very good at putting theories of others into their head. And because they scored As for them, they believe and insisted that they are the correct way to doing things. They failed to understand that what is success for others may not just be success for everyone. Stubborn in a way, you can say.

And because of their excellent academic result, they got straight into high position in big companies. The higher they just climbed. And when they eventually failed, they fall so badly that they couldn't pick themselves up; failing just further to perform to expectations of their job. Some were given another chance but some, sadly to say, got laid off. This is how practical and realistic this world can be.

What may seem a strength to them at first has turned out to one big weakness.

Remember. The correct idea of learning is to understand and put to practical use of the knowledge to life and through experiences, constantly customizing them to suits you. In simple, to be flexible.

Yes, you may have failed for now. But that doesn't mean you are going to fail forever. And let's just be frank, this is definitely not the first time you encounter failure in life? And you are still surviving, isn't it? Meaning to say, you have that subconscious will and determination within you not wanting to just give up. In a way, you have been very strong.
Think about it. Stubbornness can be either a strength or weakness. To stubborn to learn to give in and accept changes in life, that is a weakness. Being persistent in pursuing your goals and never giving up easily, that is strength.

What your character make out of you depends on how you actually put them to use.

The laziest person can become the best salesperson, excelling in an area where tedious hands-on work is at minimum. A person who can never wake up in time for the normal 9 to 5 job can choose to work as a freelancer, performing better in the hours which suits him. A bankruptcy can become the best motivator, sharing his or her precious experience with the youngs. A little child who never fail to explain his way through for his mischievous and wrongdoing may just become a good lawyer when he grow up.

And there is definitely more.

Stop hating yourself. There is certainly that very something special inside of you waiting to be discovered by you, something that could bring about that difference to your life…

Creativity And Guilt - 5 Common Guilt Trips Of The Creative Soul And How To Overcome Them

There are any number of reasons why we feel we can't unleash our creativity and start to realise some of the huge potential we have to be more creative.

Many of them, once we dig a little deeper, stem back to some form of guilt or other.

Guilt is one of the most powerful human emotions.

Feelings of guilt held over time this can be incredibly destructive.

And even if it doesn't stop us in our tracks completely, and we do manage to continue creating whilst carrying this guilt, it makes us feel absolutely terrible.

As a result we never get to enjoy the creative process anywhere near as fully as we could do.

So here are 5 of the most common "guilt trips" of the creative soul, and a way to overcome each of them:

Guilt Trip No. 1: "It's selfish creating just for me. Focusing time and energy just on me is so self-indulgent."

How to overcome it: The fact is, if you're more creative you're more happy, more alive, more fulfilled. This good feeling and positive energy inevitably spills over into the rest of your life.

So you're more relaxed, more easy going, more fun to be around. Surely this can only be a great benefit for everyone?

Guilt Trip No. 2: "I have all this wonderful creative equipment and materials, I should make use of it, I feel guilty it's just sitting there."

How to overcome it: By having the equipment and materials there it's a constant reminder and pressure on you. Make the decision to either sell or give it away, or put it away out of sight and commit to regularly taking out and using just a small amount at a time.

This way the visible pressure is greatly reduced and you won't get overwhelmed by trying to create with every piece of equipment and material in one single "ultimate creative project to end all projects."

Guilt Trip No. 3: "When I'm creating I feel there are other priorities, other chores I should be getting on with."

How to overcome it: Accept that there will always be other chores, something else that needs doing. It's just not possible to finish them all. It IS possible though to have a creative life and still do the other everyday tasks we all need to live.

Set aside a small amount of time each day that's just for you to create. If it helps, use it as a reward for getting other stuff done. But don't wait until after you've done everything else and you're completely exhausted!

Guilt Trip No. 4: "When I do create I often make mistakes and mess up. I feel guilty that I'm ruining materials and equipment someone else could put to better use."

How to overcome it: Making mistakes is one of the best parts of creating. It's often in these "mistakes" that we unlock new and stimulating paths to creating that we never would have found if we'd stuck to a rigid, safe formula.

If you really can't get beyond making a start on an expensive canvas for example, for fear of ruining it, then start on something smaller and less expensive. Build your creative confidence – and your willingness to make "mistakes" - in small steady steps.

Guilt Trip No. 5: "I find it easy to create, and that makes me feel guilty. There are other people more deserving than me that have to work so much harder than I do to get similar results."

How to overcome it: We all have our gifts and talents, the secret is discovering what they are. If you've found you can create beautiful things, that's wonderful. Focus on how you can nurture your talents. The better you become, the more others will appreciate your work.

Another way of giving back to others directly is by starting a creative class, or helping out at an existing class. Those beginners new to creating can benefit from your experience and support.

These are just 5 of the most common guilt trips of the creative soul.

Which do you most relate to and why?

Which are you going to steps to overcome, starting today, so you can begin to truly unleash your creativity?

Leadeship #2 - Putting Action Into Words

It is so easy to talk. After all, it's only words. Yet, these same words can come back and haunt you in the worse way. As a leader, this is a fact you need to be aware of. If you have shared your personal values as a leader, than the logical next step is to ensure that you make good on it.

From this, you will understand clearly that "sharing your personal values" is not just a cliche. It is not something that you "do" for your speeches. Your personal values should be exactly that - yours. Everyone have their beliefs, their likes and dislikes. Whether you choose to share them with others is your perogative. However, it would be most unwise to try to create a false persona by blithely listing some "values" that you think others would appreciate.

Action speaks louder than words, and in the case of a leader, those actions can solidify or destroy all the goodwill and trust that have been built.

Let us go for a safe example. Kindness. That is a character trait. Must be kind to animals, that could be a possible personal value. Now, if this is really not a value that you hold dear to your heart, don't say it. After a few beers, you go happily on your way, and then... you pat the dog, or you kick the cat? At a time when our guard is down, when we least expect it, our true values surfaces. It is bad enough to kick the cat, but there could be a million explanations and justifications. While that is bad, it is so much worse if you presented yourself as an animal lover, and then get caught in that despicable act. Kiss your leadership goodbye. You can still be "boss"; but you ain't git no respect!

It is important to articulate your personal values, it is even more important not to be dishonest in any way about them. Some people are not even sure what their personal values are, and so find it difficult to articulate them. But when you ACT, your values shine through. So, be careful what you say. Your words are a testimony more powerful than you know. Your actions then become the final straw that will either seal that truth or break the illusion you try to create.

On final point, some leaders try to "walk the talk". That is fine as long as the efforts are genuine. If you are building up new habits, if you are trying a new tact, fine. But never mis-represent that these are your already your values; your words, if not seen in action, mean nothing.

In the next installment, we will explore how a leader should "Have A Vision".

This is the second installment on Leadership. The first one, "Leadership - Articulate your Personal Values as a Leader" is also published here at http://www.ezinearticles.com/.

Skin Color or Content of Character?

Skin color or content of character? This is a question we all must decide upon when dealing with people.

As leaders will we be persuaded and polarized by skin color? Character, inner values, and one's life direction are far more important. When evaluating and assessing future employees and co-workers, it is vital that we take an inventory into what really matters and not be sidetracked by race.

Affirmative action says give everyone a fair chance, with which I agree. However by no means should anybody have to be put on hold at the back of the line because their skin color doesn't meet government quotas or isn't desirable.

Equally so, no ethnic minority should be disqualified solely on the basis of their skin color. If they are polite, hard working, industrious, and desirous give them a chance. Africans, Hispanics, Haitians, and Asians are all wonderful people.

Don't be blinded by color. I have traveled to over 50 countries of the world and interacted with all types of people. Most human beings are very kind, courteous, and industrious. Every society has a few lazy folks who have an angst against someone or something. Don't fall into that minority by excluding and withholding rightful opportunities from those who have been subject to racial prejudices in the past.

It's a new day! Let's live and let live. Kindly accept everyone and afford them some self-respect. What you sow, you shall also handsomely reap in return. Be a progressive, fair-minded, and level-headed leader. Let your example reconcile the racial divide, revolutionize stereotypical prejudices, and lead the way into an unprecedented future.

Leadership Success Principle – How To Get The Best Results In Everything That You Do

As a leader you will always be striving to get the best results in everything you do, but it's not always easy to accomplish. There can be many reasons why you don't always get the best results. But I want to share with you a success principle that will help you achieve your goals with the most success possible.

As a leader, you know that it can be very easy to get stuck into a routine of doing things they way they have always been done. As some people say, if it's not broke why fix it? However, we would never have the huge number of innovations that we have today if people like Henry Ford, Bill Gates, and Albert Einstein had thought like that. Even if you don't agree with everything that they have done, they all had one thing in common that has changed the way we live today. They all considered things in their next largest context.

Let me explain. Eliel Saarinen once said, 'Always design a thing by considering it in its next larger context -- a chair in a room, a room in a house, a house in an environment, an environment in a city plan.' You see, all of these people thought much larger than what they could see at the present moment. They saw how things applied in the next largest context.

As a leader, you have to use this success principle to be able to reach your highest levels of leadership success. How does the work that you do as a leader affect those that are closest to you? How does it affect the families of those working with you? How does it impact your town or community? How does it affect your country? How does it affect the world?

If you can answer these questions you will be able to do things in a way that will produce the best results for your short term and long term goals. Understand fully what you are doing as a leader, and how it affects people on all levels, and you will start getting better results with all of your efforts.

The Assumptions Trap In Predicting Outcomes

Here is a story illustrating how beliefs we have create assumptions that can create their own set of issues and problems.

Having the freedom to choose, to me, is a very liberating idea. I first became really aware of the role choice plays in my responses and living while reading the perennial best-seller by Stephen Covey – The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People. When I read the section dealing with choice, it struck me as a tremendously liberating concept, and one that, at that time in my life, I really needed to hold on to and make part of my own beliefs. The belief in choices went a long way to helping me get rid of a victim complex, and begin to understand my own freedom to choose.

Later, when I was conducting a seminar on leadership, the opportunity to introduce and discuss the concept of choice presented itself. The participants in the seminar were first and second level supervisors and managers for a large industrial company located in Atlanta. The response to the personal choice presentation and discussion was, at best, mixed. Some people looked at me like I was from another planet, some looked like they wanted to be somewhere else, and some seemed positively in agreement and accepting of the concept. Overall, the discussion of choice - that I had been so eager to introduce and that I was so sure would have enthusiastic support – didn't have the positive effect I assumed it would.

After the seminar was over, I reviewed what had happened with a well known and respected seminar leader, and I mentioned the mixed response to what I felt was one of the most powerful messages in the seminar. Her answer was to tell me that in her opinion many people are not liberated by the idea of choice; that many people are threatened by choice; that many people are willing and even comfortable in letting others make choices for them; and that many people view the idea of choices more as a burden than as an opportunity.

That blew me away! But experience has led me to better understand what she meant. No wonder the idea of choice in investment decisions with Social Security funds meets with such a mixed review by the voters – given the views of choice by many people in our society, that was a negative, not a positive.

Well, there went another of my assumptions – that choice would be seen as a good thing by most if not all people. That is an example of the kind of assumptions we make on a daily basis that lead us to predict outcomes and results - only to be disappointed.

I continue to believe in the power of personal choice, but I no longer assume others do. And I try to always examine my thinking to see if I have set up any minefields where I have used personal assumptions to arrive at conclusions. Good advice if you are a politician, or a leader, or someone looking to influence others to your way of thinking.

Life Purpose Coaching - Feel the Magic

Life purpose coaching is a magical partnership that provide people a safe place to discuss their present challenges, be heard, and helped. Purpose coaching entails identifying key and critical areas of your life upon which you want to focus and be held accountable.

A purpose coach pinpoints your problematic areas that you need to attend to and co-creates a compelling future with you. By being a support, nurturing coach, and cheerleader that praises your accomplishments the life purpose coach uplifts you to a new horizon.

The power of praise and positive affirmation is empowering. Success is contagious. When you welcome a life purpose coach into your life to engineer breakthroughs for and with you, by doing so you open up a new arena of possibility. The power of possibility strengthens your faith and breathes new life into your power of intention.

Faith is a force that can conquer and overcome life's challenges. None of us are as strong as all of us. If having a cheerleader didn't help, multimillion dollar professional football teams wouldn't have them on the field. Undoubtedly positive praise and affirmation ignites the intangible internal juice of passion which is intoxicating and invigorating. Passion is a ferocious fuel that builds unstoppable momentum in people.

What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail? What would you do if you knew if you failed you had someone who still loves you unconditionally who would encourage you onward wholeheartedly? There is absolutely nothing wrong with failing, as long as you fail forward. Go forward by every means possible!

A life purpose coach helps you feel and experience the magic by building passionate momentum for you.