TAPPING INTO YOUR UNTAPPED POTENTIAL FOR SUCCESS

Believe it or not, everyone has untapped potential.  Statistics have shown that we only use a certain percentage of our brain power, therefore, in most instances; individuals are completely unaware of the awesome powers that lie within.  How then, can you tap into your untapped potential?  Here’s how:

FREE YOURSELF FROM THE PAST – Don’t weigh yourself down with what happened yesterday.  Change sometimes happen in a flash!  Be ready!

UNLEASE THE CHILDLIKE NAIVETY – Children are imaginative.  They have no qualms about trying new things, ideas.  They have no fear about going out on a limb, why should you?

BE TRUE TO YOURSELF

DETERMINE WHAT YOUR GREMLINS ARE,  then “Tame your Gremlins” (or get out of your own way) – Gremlins are personal conflicts and distresses that surround you and drain you of your inner peace.  Gremlins can be fear, anger, or other emotions that simple devastate you!

POSITIVE SELF TALK – when was the last time you told yourself that you were “simply magnificent”, smart, and brilliant (and the list goes on)!

FOCUS – turn your attention onto what you “really want” and then F.O.C.U.S.

DEVELOP A PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL VISION AND MISSION – What does success look like for you; how are you going to make it happen.

HAVE AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE – What can you give thanks for at this time?

PRACTICE KAIZEN – Kaizen starts with small gradual changes for the better.  Make a list of areas you want to improve in your life.  Tackle the “low hanging fruit” first—items that are easiest to handle.

SELF-AWARNESS - Observe your thoughts and actions. Ask for constructive feedback about YOU from persons that you trust or from persons that have your best interests. Becoming self-aware is one of the first steps to be becoming personally and interpersonally effective.

FIND OUT WHO YOU ARE, THEN DO IT ON PURPOSE!™

I once saw this quote -- this quote propelled me to unleash my potential from within:

“I cheated on my fears, broke up with my doubts, got engaged to my faith and now I'm marrying my dreams”.

Finally, always remember to F.O.C.U.S, because Success is Your Destiny

Citation:
Carson, R., 2003, Taming Your Gremlins, Harper Collins, New York, NY

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS FOR A HIGH PERFORMING TEAM

After reading several books on success, teambuilding and leadership, I wondered what my recipe for success would be for a HIGH PERFORMING TEAM.  I have been a team leader, facilitator, campus president, director, and have held many other positions in leadership.  Here is what I would want my ingredients for a HIGH PERFORMING TEAM to look like:

INGREDIENTS

1.  First, add one (1) cup of CLARITY.  Make sure your team goals are clearly defined.  A team works best when everyone understands the purpose.

2. Add another HEAP of great communication (sorry, I am from the South).  Good communication includes active listening (listening for understanding), the use of “I” statements instead of “You” statements, and patience. 

3.  Two cups of balanced participation

4.  A dash of Established Ground Rules

Mix well one (1) cup of clarity and the other Heap of good communication skills, let simmer.  Add dash of established ground rules; then stir.  Finally, put your two (2) cups of balanced participation in the mix.  Set temperature, let cook for the entirety of the TEAM.

WHAT ARE YOUR INGREDIENTS???

F.O.C.U.S. and remember Success is your Destiny!

Multi-tasking vs. Managing Multi-Priorities

Here I am trying to multi-task again.  Multi-tasking has now become the “norm”, but how do we really multi-task?  Has multi-tasking gotten the best of you?  Do you feel as if you want to pull every hair on your head out?  Do you want to burn those hundreds of documents on your desk?  This is the “down” side of multi-tasking.

 Multi-tasking is great, if your priorities are in place.  In essence, how are you managing your multi-priorities?  Here are several strategies for success in managing multi-priorities:

 

—  AIM for new heights

—  Believe that you can make a difference

—  Challenge yourself every day –one step at a time

—  Destiny is not a matter of chance, it's a matter of choice

—  Each day we are given the gift of 24 hours – use them wisely

—  Focus on the task and supporting your goals

—  Give more than you think is possible

—  Handle it once

—  Identify your strengths

—  Just do it

—  Keep your scheduling and task list up to date

—  Learning is a treasure that will follow you everywhere

—  Make conscious decisions

—  Never become someone else's 'time waster'

—  Organize your thoughts and then organize your actions

—  Prior planning prevents poor performance

—  Quitters never win and winners never quit

—  Read, study and learn about everything

—  Stop procrastinating

—  Think about it

—  Understand yourself in order to better understand others

—  Visualize it --SUCCESS

—  Work your plan and plan your work

—  Xcellerate your efforts

—  Your destiny is in your hands

—  Zero in on your target and go for it

 

F.O.C.U.S. and remember, Success is your Destiny!

 

 

NO?!! REALLY?

As we prepare for our daily dose of success, we get so excited because feel everything that we ask for will be a “YES”!  Believe me that is the right attitude.  But what happens when a “NO” comes flying or racing through the door that we have opened for success.  A “NO” when it was something that you felt was critically important to the next step in your journey.  “NO” doesn’t mean that we should necessarily stop…sometimes “NO” just mean that we have to pause and rethink our strategy.

 When you decided to take that path to success, were your strategies aligned with that step?  When “YES” arrives frequently, we look baffled and confused when “NO” surfaces.  Many individuals can’t handle “NO”.  The self-blame game starts to take up space or rent in our heads.  Then the party starts; the pity party that is!  Rather than walking in self pity and bitterness, “get up, get the tissue or the drink (ummm…well maybe not the drink) you bought to the party and toss it out!  Get up and be grateful. 

 If you had no strategies, write some right now!  If you indeed had some, rethink them for clarity.  But most of all, be thankful for all of the “YES”(s) in the past!

 There is an unlimited supply of resources out there for you to grasp.  The “NO” in your life may be a way of turning your focus on those unlimited supplies you never thought about or noticed before.  Here are some steps to focus on:

 Have an attitude of gratitude

1. Don’t be held hostage by materialism and negative elements
2. Be still
3. Network your way into new opportunities
4. Take your “eye” off the “NO”(s) and remember step one

F.O.C.U.S. and remember, Success Is Your Destiny!

Gased Up?

I just recently got back from putting gas in my car.  Looking back I noted that many people were putting Ultra premium in their cars, and with today’s rising cost of gas, I thought, they must be crazy.  However, it was not only the luxury car owners that were putting Ultra premium in their cars, but also the Toyota, Chevrolet, Ford, as well as other car owners.  My spouse ALWAYS puts Ultra premium in his 99’ Toyota, as well as his old 76 Ford truck (please let’s not talk about his baby).  I stopped to ask him why.  I might add that my husband is somewhat of a philosopher.  He stated that, “I want the best for my cars.  This way, they will always hold up for me. They will not let me down.  I do not have to do as much to fix them up as they get older.  If I take care of my cars they will take care of me—financially and emotionally. I knew what he meant by financially, but was a little confused on the emotional part.  So, I asked what he meant by emotionally.  He stated, I will not be stressed out how I am going to find money to fix them up.  Well, “silly rabbit” you got your answer (ummmmmm)!

 As I think back at this conversation, I say what kind of Gas are you putting into your life; personally and professionally!  Have you “GASED UP” with Ultra premium or just Regular? Who is in your inner circle?  As you get older, do you want Ultra Premium or just Regular folks in your inner circle?  As you look at your career path, do you want Ultra Premium or just Regular folks on your side?  What are you doing to develop that Ultra Premium touch?  Well, think about it and F.O.C.U.S., and remember, Success is Your Destiny!

WHO IS IN YOUR INNER CIRCLE?

YOUR INNER CIRCLE TO SUCCESS

 

In preparing for an upcoming project, I have had to do some research.  The research led me to personalities of birds.  After finishing this research, I thought about each bird that I researched, and through the research there were four main birds that had more outstanding characteristics than the others…people-like characteristics. I thought I would certainly like these types of birds in my inner circle on the road to success.

 

The first bird is the Eagle.  The Eagle stands high above and looks down low at any impending danger or attacks.  The Eagle is highly analytical and decisive.  I thought, sometimes I am slow in making decision, with this person helps, I am sure to get around the curve of indecisiveness, at least. 

 

The next bird is the Peacock.  With all the madness that sometimes goes into becoming successful, surely the Peacock would be one of my partners.  The Peacock is funny, can make anything sparkle and is the life of the party.  Many times, I need humor in my life to make it to the next avenue of success.  I have to stop and see that sometimes life is not all that serious. 

 

My next inner circle partner would be the Owl! Yes, Who, Who, Who! The Owl is a problem solver, logical and a great thinker.  The Owl can help me and the Eagle slow down before we crash on the wrong street and think things through before making that ultimate decision.

 

And, yes, finally, the partner that I will always cherish, the Dove.  The Dove is a team player, always asking, what can I do next for you.  The Dove is supportive, patient, and very peaceful.  One of the greatest traits of the Dove is that they are loyal! So no matter, what street, avenue, curve that I turn down, the Dove will always be there for me. 

 

What about you?  Who is in your Inner Circle?  You had better think about this on your journey to success so that you can F.O.C.U.S. And, remember Success is your Destiny!

SUCCESS IS YOUR DESTINY: I Can Do It Because I Believe I can Do It!

SUCCESS IS YOUR DESTINY: I Can Do It Because I Believe I can Do It!: Most of us do not know what we cannot do until someone tells us we cannot do it.  We are willing to try almost anything, go anywhere, stretc...

I Can Do It Because I Believe I can Do It!

Most of us do not know what we cannot do until someone tells us we cannot do it.  We are willing to try almost anything, go anywhere, stretch ourselves to the limits in pursuit of our dreams.  And, then we talk to other people.  We are reminded of how dangerous it may be, how ridiculous it sounds, what a chance we are taking.  People have no problem informing us of all the downsides and pitfalls; they cannot see how we will ever reach our goal.  They put us in touch with our faults, limitations and habits.  They remind us of all the others who didn't make it, and in vivid detail--they tell us why.  They give us warnings, cautions, and helpful hints about alternative things we can do.  When they are finished, we have been effectively talked right out of our dreams. 

Bumblebees do not talk and neither should we!

If we have a dream, we want to come true, the only way to it is through it.  We must take a chance, a risk and then LEAP!  If we believe in ourselves and our ability, we will be taught how to fly.  Always F.O.C.U.S, and remember that Success is your Destiny!

Giants Fall

Happy Sunday Morning,
It is a cold morning, but beautiful. Sitting here viewing church services online--Giants have to fall. Wow, Giants, I think.  What are my Giants?  What are your Giants?  Remembering some of my past Giants:  lack of self-confidence in speaking in public (now I am a public speaker).  Fear of writing (now I am a blogger).  So many Giants, so little time (ummmm!)  I also remember my mother saying, Face your Tigers, are you will be eaten.  I guess this statement "tag teams" with Giants have to fall--you can only make YOUR GIANTS fall, however.  Stay in your lane this year, and only get out of your lane if you are expressly asked to get into someone else's lane to assist with "giants falling",(and do not be their main Giant slayer) otherwise you will muddle their path. F.O.C.U.S. in 2014.  Remember, Success is your Destiny!

SUCCESS IS YOUR DESTINY: Hey Everyone:Today is Friday, January 6, 2014. ...

SUCCESS IS YOUR DESTINY: Hey Everyone:

Today is Friday, January 6, 2014.  ...: Hey Everyone: Today is Friday, January 6, 2014.  That's right 2014!  I just finished listening to two of my favorite singers:  Mary J....

Hey Everyone:

Today is Friday, January 6, 2014.  That's right 2014!  I just finished listening to two of my favorite singers:  Mary J. Blige and Barbara Streisand.  The music is actually on Mary J's Christmas Album--When you wish upon a Star.  Yes, I can still listen to Christmas Music--this song can be for ANYTIME of the year. 

Mary J. sounds fantastic with her raspy and deliciously gospel effect sounding voice, along with Barbara with her silky, feathery style...just fits in fine.  However, after listening to the song, I downloaded the lyrics.  "When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are, anything your heart desires will come to you".  Today, I am wishing upon a star, and that Star just happens to be me, there are so many desires that I have in my heart, and yes this year they will come true because this is this year that I will F.O.C.U.S.!  The lyrics further go on with, "If your heart is in your dream, no request is to extreme", Wow, plenty of food for thought this year.  "Like a bolt out of the blue, Fates steps in and sees you through, when you wish upon a star, your dreams will come true".  I see the BOLT already.  Remember, Success is Your Destiny!

Oh! BTW, if anyone is viewing this blog and know Mary J. and Barbara personally, tell them both that I have written some new music (just for them).  I would love to see them TEAM UP again!

Today is the Beginning of the Rest of Your Life

Today is the second day of the 2014 New Year!  However, today is the beginning of the rest of your life.  Leave behind the sorrows and regrets of yesterday, and seize the opportunity to make a grand entrance into tommorrow.  Hold you head of high and F.O.C.U.S.!  Follow On Course Until Successful.

As we begin to embark on a New Year, I suddenly remember all of the weight that I allowed to rest on me...in my soul and in my life.  Yet, I am ready for the task of uplifting and encouraging myself first, so that I can encourage others.  If I am not prepared to travel the road, I cannot and will not assist anyone else.  This is  given!  Many people might say this is a negative statement, but if I am to give my best to someone else, I have to give my best to myself first...I need the energy along the way.  Remember always that, "Success is Your Destiny".