By Kristin Baird
How does a leader get everyone to achieve optimal performance? One sure way is to make clear expectations from the beginning. Over the past several years of coaching leaders, I’ve noticed that many coaching conversations center on setting clear expectations. I’ve observed a distinct pattern that leaders aren’t clear about their expectations until a team member fails to meet his/her expectations. “ISN’T THAT JUST COMMON SENSE?” I was recently talking with a leader who was very frustrated with one of her supervisors. When she relayed examples of things that were irritated her, I asked if she had been clear about her expectations from the beginning. “Well, isn’t this just common sense? I shouldn’t have to micro-manage him,” she said. First, there is a big difference between setting expectations and micro-managing. Additionally, the word “common” in common sense means shared or similar. Similarly, expecting common sense to prevail is expecting staff to be mind readers. I’ve never seen that work. After further discussion, I learned the managers clear expectations, but they resided quietly in her mind. These expectations remained unspoken until her supervisor failed to live up to them. From his vantage point, there weren’t clear expectations. His common sense led him in an entirely different direction. Above all, think about the expectations you have for your team. Have you been clear about them? If not, you could be disappointed to discover they aren’t mind readers.
Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success!
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By John O'Leary. This was originally posted on JohnOLearyInspires.com. When John O'Leary was 9 years old, he suffered burns over 100% of his body and was expected to die. He is now an inspirational speaker and bestselling author, teaching more than 50,000 people around the world each year how to live inspired. John's first book, ON FIRE: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life was published March 15, 2016. John is a contributing writer for Huff Post and Parade.com. John is a proud husband and father of four and resides in St. Louis, MO. Order John’s book today anywhere books are sold.
What would you like for your birthday? As one little girl prepared to turn nine, her answer to this simple question would change the lives of hundreds of thousands around the world and eventually bring some peace to an otherwise unbearable tragedy. Let me explain. Preparing for her ninth birthday, Rachel Beckwith sought to celebrate it like never before. After learning that tens of millions of individuals went without clean water every day, she asked her friends and family to forgo giving presents and to instead contribute on her behalf to charity: water. This little girl essentially exchanged gifts for herself for the promise of water for someone else. Although she fell short of her ambitious $300 goal, she told her family that next year she was going to do it again. Despite the minor defeat, she remained committed to making an even bigger difference for others. Rachel could not have known how prophetic her promise would be. Thousands Rally Around Rachel’s Goal On July 20, 2011, just weeks after Rachel’s birthday, a tractor trailer lost control on the interstate and sparked a 14-car accident. Although dozens of people were affected, only one was critically injured. A nine-year-old named Rachel Beckwith. Three days after being airlifted to the hospital, the tough, effervescent little girl died. The vibrancy with which she lived her life, though, not only attracted hundreds to celebrate her at her funeral, but to begin modeling her generosity through their lives. Upon learning that the only gift she wanted for her recent birthday fell slightly short of the $300 goal, an anonymous donor made up the difference. Rachel received the gift. Her ambitious and selfless goal was achieved. And that was just the beginning. News of her life, death and kind spirit spread throughout her community. People gave to honor a little girl who exemplified what generosity looks like in action. Many gave $9 a month to celebrate her age, a few others gave even more. What began as a gentle whisper of generosity spread throughout the region, the state, the country and beyond. In a marketplace where it’s typically bad news that travels quickly, the story of this little girl’s giving heart went global. More than $10,000 was given on the first day. More than $100,000 within a week. By the end of the month, 31,980 people from 50 states and dozens of counties contributed $1,271,713 to charity: water on behalf a Rachel Beckwith. The little girl’s $300 goal had been achieved. And even more so had her desire to make a difference. How Can We Follow the Example of Rachel Beckwith? My friends, Rachel didn’t become significant because of her tragic death. Instead, the manner in which she went about her life served as a wakeup call to the rest of us on what real success, real generosity, and real love look like in action. Through her lively spirit and desire to help others, she challenged thousands of others to do more through their lives. She also reminds all of us that what we do for ourselves dies with us. But what we do for others and for the world remains and is immortal. This is your day. Be Like Rachel. And Live Inspired. Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By Karyn Buxman. This was originally published on Karyn's blog.
We all know the old saying: “Laughter is the best medicine.” And it’s true! When you laugh, you’re:
Allow me to save you some time and summarize this awesome finding: Chronic stress, manifested in the hormone cortisol, takes a toll on your brain over time, eating away at your learning and memory functions. When you laugh, you reduce cortisol levels, increasing your memory and recall functions, as well as your capacity to learn. All this to say, who couldn’t use more memory space in the hard drive that is your brain? If it can make such an impact on older adults, imagine how much it can do for your brain if you begin seeing humor today! So, next time you’re stressed at work and chugging toward that deadline, take a moment to do something that makes you smile or laugh, and stop that pesky cortisol in its tracks. When you come back to the task at hand, the ideas will be flowing! Start seeing the funny in everyday life, both inside and outside of work, and blast through that stress to a more clear and composed state of mind. You’re one good laugh away from your next great idea! Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By Ron Culberson. With a master’s degree in social work, Ron Culberson spent the first part of his career working in a large hospice organization as a clinical social worker, middle manager, and senior leader. As a speaker, humorist, and author of "Do it Well. Make it Fun.The Key to Success in Life, Death, and Almost Everything in Between", he has delivered more than 1,000 presentations to associations, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and corporations. His mission is to change the workplace culture so that organizations are more productive and staff are more content. He was also the 2012-2013 president of the National Speakers Association and is a recognized expert on the benefits of humor and laughter.
Someone once said that we judge ourselves based on what we’re capable of doing but others judge us by what we’ve already done. This comment seems to address our reputation and unfortunately, our internal measure of reputation is not always in sync with the external evidence. I think of myself as a kind, witty, and easy-going individual. But I’m not sure my wife would always agree. Two recent incidences reminded me of the need for congruence. A few weeks ago, I traveled to upstate New York for a speaking engagement. When I arrived at the airport, I called the hotel to request a ride from their shuttle. The woman at the front desk, in a somewhat scolding manner, said, “You were supposed to schedule the shuttle ahead of time. But it just so happens it will be there in twenty minutes for another passenger. So you can ride along.” I was a taken aback by her comment. If the shuttle was already scheduled to be at the airport, why did she have to reprimand me for not pre-arranging it? Further, when I looked at the hotel website to better understand the get-me-to-your-hotel process, it said that the shuttle was available on a first-come basis. No hours of operation nor requirements to make a reservation were listed. That suggested to me that customers simply call and the hotel will send the shuttle. Of course, I didn’t study hospitality math when I was in college, so my logic may have been faulty. Ultimately, the shuttle took forty-five minutes to get to the airport. And when I finally got in, I explained to the driver how confusing their shuttle system was. He said, “Yeah, we are still relatively new at this and need to work out a few of the kinks at the hotel.” Again, I was taken aback. I thought it was a bit odd that the shuttle driver would be that concerned with the hotel’s procedures when his only job was to drive the shuttle. But I figured that’s how things worked in these smaller hotels—everybody knows a little bit about everything. Over the next couple of days, I kept seeing the shuttle driver doing odd jobs in the hotel. In the morning, he was cleaning the breakfast area because he said he “was concerned that it wouldn’t get done.” Later, he was organizing the area behind the front desk and then in the afternoon, he actually went to my room to check on a noisy heating unit. When it came time to return to the airport, the same man drove me. During our conversation in the shuttle, I discovered that he was not only the shuttle driver but the owner of the hotel, the restaurant, and the conference facility. His family had run businesses on that property for several decades. So his concern for the shuttle, the breakfast area, and my heating unit was because he cared about a business that he owned! I was glad we had the conversation about his role and that I learned about both his history in this community and his commitment to the hotel. But I must admit that I also did a quick inventory of everything I had said to him when I thought he was the shuttle driver. I would have regretted making a snide remark about the inattentive management of the hotel. Then, as if that surprise was not enough, I arrived at the airport to find that my flight had been delayed. When I approached the ticket counter to inquire about the status of my flight, the ticket agent yelled, “Ron!” I was taken aback once again. I live in Virginia. I was flying out of New York. I didn’t know any ticket agents in New York. She could tell I was confused so she explained that this was her evening job but that she had been in the audience of my presentation earlier that day. I told her I was so glad that she let me know me before I said something rude about the airline, the flight delay, or the world in general. She laughed, and I cringed. On the flight home, I kept thinking about my behavior throughout this trip as it related to the two people I encountered. What if I had said something terse to the ticket agent right after speaking to her colleagues about balance and a positive perspective? And what if I had treated the owner of the hotel differently if I thought he was a shuttle driver, thinking he might have his own gripes about the way the hotel was run? If I had done those things, my behavior would not have been congruent with who I want to be. Once, after speaking at a conference to several hundred people about finding humor in life and work, I was heading back to my car. I guess I was tired or perhaps deep in thought (probably not that deep). As I walked through the parking garage, many of the participants who had attended the conference were also leaving. I must have been frowning because one man lowered his window, stuck out his head, and said, “Hey, Ron, lighten up!” It made me laugh. He was practicing what I had taught—but I was not. The phrase “walking the talk” means doing what we say. If we tell our children to say nice things, then we should also say nice things. If we complain about poor customer service, then we should give good customer service. And if we hate all the negativity in the world, then perhaps we should be more positive. I want to be a kind, witty, and easy-going individual. So, every day, I should work at developing those qualities. If I’m a grumpy old man, as I sometimes can be, I’m clearly not walking the talk. Essentially, our behavior should reflect the congruence between how we want to be viewed and how others truly see us. Then, hopefully, we won’t be taken aback by the way we act. Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By Colette Carlson
Loneliness is detrimental, destructive, and sometimes deadly. Loneliness has the same impact on mortality as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, more than even obesity. Different than depression or feelings of solitude, loneliness is more about the quality of a person’s social relationships. The workplace is not immune, and everyone pays the price when loneliness strikes. When people feel tired and lonely, they disengage, perpetuating the cycle. As leaders we need to wake up to this issue, and continue to identify new ways to build connection amongst our teams. If you need compelling data to kick you into action, read on: 1. According to recently published research in the Academy of Management Journal, lower job performance is related to loneliness. In addition, coworkers perceived lonely employees to be less committed and approachable. 2. Cigna’s online survey of more than 20,000 U.S. adults 18 years and older found that most Americans are considered lonely. Generation Z (adults ages 18-22) and Millennials (adults ages 23-37) are lonelier and claim to be in worse health than older generations. 3. Cigna’s survey also reported approximately six in ten (59%) surveyed always/sometimes feel that their interests and ideas are not shared by those around them. Reasons contributing to these statistics include technology, social media, working remotely, busier schedules, extensive travel, job turnover, fewer individuals participating in community activities, sports teams and clubs, postponing vacations, lunches and even marriages! For some, a cancelled activity brings a sigh of relief to an already full life, but for others, this same situation may only reaffirm feelings of loneliness and cause further withdrawal. “Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty.” ~Mother Teresa We’re neurologically hard wired for connection which demands leaders create spaces and places for relationships to form. Keep in mind, connection gets created when you feel someone is genuinely interested in your story, your history, or your ideas. Connection often results through shared activities, thoughtful questions and being present when listening. Connected leaders patiently draw out those who aren’t quick to join in a conversation and look for ways to partner team members that otherwise would remain distant. For example, one leader I interviewed for an upcoming speaking engagement shared that during his team’s monthly meetings, individuals rotate responsibility for bringing a dish or treat to share. But, there’s a twist. Individuals must bring something that reminds them of their culture, family, or a memory. Offering that piece of information, along with the dish, is what makes this moment memorable. The more we learn about one another, the less judgment and bias we bring to the table. A virtual IT team I spoke to has regularly scheduled “virtual” parties to include dressing up for Halloween, celebrating birthdays and other milestones, along with after-hours drinks. Through visual technology, they do their best to bring everyone together and even play games such as Bingo and Twenty Questions to get the party started. In a couple of weeks, I’m speaking to a company who will spend their evening together building and decorating skateboards for the Boys and Girls Club, rather than a traditional meet and greet. Not only will this activity provide an opportunity for the team to connect, but they will be serving a community. And the fastest way to overcome loneliness is to give service to another. These situations alone will not eradicate loneliness. As a leader you must continue to check in with your team on an individual level to recognize small, behavioral changes signaling a possible concern. Your role is to provide a safe space for them to share and feel heard. A quick, “How’s it going?” as you pop by their office or begin a phone conversation will only ever get a trite response. After all, being connected is very different than feeling connected. What will you do to make an impact on the loneliness epidemic amongst your team? Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By Courtney Clark
Resilience is an attribute that many companies appreciate, yet can’t describe. Like a lot of corporate culture issues, it can be a matter of “I don’t know how to ask for it, but I’ll know it when I see it.” So how does a company become a resilient company, and create a corporate culture that values resilience? There are 4 main qualities you’ll find in resilient companies. And by the way, not all successful companies are resilient companies! Some companies are successful but haven’t yet weathered a big storm. But most resilient companies can turn out to be successful companies, because they have these 4 characteristics in place, to allow them to adapt and grow. A Leader Who Has Struggled John Paul DeJoria is the founder of Paul Mitchell haircare and Patron tequila. But before he shampooed some of the most famous people in Hollywood, he lived in his car and sold hair products door to door. He credits his early life difficulties to helping him develop the work ethic that built his global businesses. But he’s also notorious for retaining the same employees for decades! Some leaders act like they can only get the best out of their team members by pushing them to the breaking point. But leaders who have truly struggled in life tend to understand that true leadership has more in common with compassion than fear. With that perspective, they can help their teams learn the lessons of resilience. Managers Who Aren’t Afraid of Conflict Workplace conflict can be distracting. But it doesn’t have to be destructive. In fact, there are two types of conflict, and one of those types of conflict is GOOD for your organization! Task-related conflict is when two people disagree on *how* something should get done, but they agree on the desired end result. This kind of conflict, if handled correctly, can help companies be more solution-oriented and innovative. Of course, if handled incorrectly or ignored, even the good kind of conflict can turn into people-related conflict, which is the bad kind. To build a resilient company culture, managers need to not be afraid to step in and keep conflict task-related. (If you need more information about telling the difference between task-related conflict and people-related conflict, check out my video here.) Vertical Communication Many companies know that vertical communication and letting employees’ voices be heard is an important part of employee engagement and building an inclusive corporate culture. But it’s also part of building a resilient company, as well. Vertical communication builds resilience within your culture by helping your organization identify and respond to all possible problems and issues quickly. If only the highest levels of leadership are talking back and forth, and then communicating *down* to the staff but not listening back, they may be missing major problems on the horizon. This kind of communication is important all the time, but it’s *especially* critical during change. When a company is going through transition, employees need to feel like communication is happening in all directions, so they can get on board with the change. Great HR and Hiring Practices A company can’t be resilient if it doesn’t have resilient employees. And it can’t have resilient employees if it doesn’t hire for resilience, train for resilience, and let go of people who can’t be part of a resilient culture. In fact, failure to let go of underperformers and employees with poor attitudes is a major resilience-drainer for organizations. A company with a resilience built in to the corporate culture will make it a priority to hire and retain employees who show individual resilience, and those priorities should be reflected in writing in their HR practices. Nothing ruins a great job like bad company culture. If you’re looking for a company that has a strong culture, it’s hard to know what to look for when you’re just interviewing. These 4 qualities are key indicators that the company may have what it takes to both be successful and be a great place to work, at the same time. Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By Laurie Guest
Anyone who performs their work in front of others where applause is customary after completion will understand this immediately. We thrive on strangers noticing us. Athletes, actors, entertainers, and speakers are all cut from a similar cloth. We spend tremendous time alone perfecting our craft, followed by the adrenalin rush of performing, and ending with affirmation that we “done good.” Get paid, rinse, and repeat. That’s our story. When we, along with other non-essential workers, were all swept up in the stay-at-home order, we scrambled to make adjustments just like everyone else. However, the applause-based workers have one of the longest runways back to “normal,” and we are unlikely to see any large crowd engagements this calendar year. That leaves us with LOTS of time to think and cope. My way of feeling productive during a difficult time is to ponder and write. Here are the seven things I learned in the past three months... Our dog loves this new way of life. Meet Otis Campbell Guest. He is an 11–year–old schnoodle. No matter where I go in the house, I can hear the click-click of his nails following behind me. I have been with him almost 24/7 during lockdown. Don’t let his cuteness fool you! He can be a bit much. However, he is wicked smart and if we had spent more time training him, I am confident he could balance my checkbook. But, one thing we haven’t ever insisted on is staying out from under the table during meals. Now that we actually EAT three meals a day at home, this was something we HAD to fix. They say you “can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” but that’s simply not true. In three days, we taught him that “footstool” means go to the living room—three giant steps away from the kitchen table--and sit on the footstool while we eat. (By the way, I make the whole family verbally “applaud” him every time he does it, “Good boy, Otis, good boy!” That is what makes him repeat the behavior.) Why did it take a pandemic to put that command in order? It makes me wonder if there are other things that have never bothered me quite enough to change, but would vastly improve my life. What new rule can you put in place at home or work that is long overdue? Now is the time. Our 19 year-old doesn’t love this new way of life. Allow me to introduce our daughter Ellie. She was enjoying her first year as a college student at a wonderful art school in Milwaukee. Packing up her stuff to return home early and finish her year online was disappointing, as it was for many students. She went from the freedom to control her daily activities to instantly having to follow our house rules, especially those associated with wake vs. sleep hours and time spent on homework. I quickly realized we needed middle ground for our very different lifestyles. After much consideration, we found a perfect solution. The second floor of our house includes her bedroom and a spare room turned into an “art studio.” When she is in either of those rooms, she is “in Milwaukee,” so I pretend she isn’t even here. Her choices are her own. When she comes downstairs for meals or social time, then she is “home” and I can get all up in her business just like any mom does. This concept saved our family. Once we established these boundaries, we have had very few disagreements and she was left to her own devices to finish her school year strong. It’s required each of us to give a little. But isn’t compromise what makes the world go round? What adjustments do you need to make in your workspace in order to decrease confrontation and help transitions? Hair stylists are essential. Nuff said. Some tasks won’t get done no matter how much free time we have. This lesson surprises me a just a bit. There are so many things we say we would like to do if “only we had time.” I had 12 uninterrupted weeks of time, and there are still a few things I didn’t do. Work out, organize hundreds of photos, and learn to cook better are all things I really thought I wanted to do--if only I had time. I was wrong. What surprised you during these 12 weeks? What are you wondering? I would love to hear about it and make it part of a future article. Surprise and wonderment are such interesting topics. I made the right choice with the big decision. There is no doubt that doing life with someone you love and respect is vital to happiness. It is even more important when you are locked down with that partner. Thanks to Tom, my husband of 29 years, for being a joy to be with, even if it is every minute of every day. I’m including this on my list not for you, the reader’s sake, but for mine. When I reread this post in the future, I want to be reminded that I am very lucky person and that should never be taken for granted. Is there someone in your life who deserves some praise and applause from you? Don’t delay, do it today. We are a resilient and creative human beings. Sitting back and watching the really unique and fun things that others created, either out of necessity or boredom, was amazing. In order to keep my own energy and enthusiasm alive during a challenging time, I would look for one creative thing to watch every morning to jump–start my day. Like the Mark Rober, the guy who created a squirrel obstacle course that over 23 million people have viewed. I realize the video is more than 20 minutes long, but you must watch the whole thing. I laughed and I learned. It is excellent. I even tried my own hand at a DIY project. It failed, but I turned lemons into lemonade when my friend Kay Frances interviewed me on her new series “How Hard Can It Be?” She cracks me up. Last I checked, it had 61 views so we are catching up to Mark fast. What new thing did you try? Whose creative spark made you laugh, learn, or feel something? Did you reach out to tell them how much they inspired or entertained you? Real friends appear when you need them. Staying in touch with friends through regular Zoom chats, text messages filled with funny memes, or LSD (Let’s Social Distance) parties boosted my spirits up on challenging days. In April, I made one phone call a day to a colleague in my industry to support each other. In May, I did the opposite. I tried a personal sabbatical and only connected to those who reached out to me. Here is the part that makes me very happy. The number of conversations each month were equal, meaning I “got as much as I gave.” Thank you to those who took the time to think of me and care enough to reach out. How are you giving to others? It is so true that our cup refills faster when we keep pouring out what we can to those who are thirsty. During this rough season of our lives, there are many kinds of thirst. I believe that EVERYONE needs applause in one way or another and it is our responsibility to put our hands together for each other every chance we get. Let’s go do some clapping people! Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By John O'Leary. This was originally posted on JohnOLearyInspires.com. When John O'Leary was 9 years old, he suffered burns over 100% of his body and was expected to die. He is now an inspirational speaker and bestselling author, teaching more than 50,000 people around the world each year how to live inspired. John's first book, ON FIRE: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life was published March 15, 2016. John is a contributing writer for Huff Post and Parade.com. John is a proud husband and father of four and resides in St. Louis, MO. Order John’s book today anywhere books are sold.
In fall 2018, the Powerball jackpot soared to an astronomical $1.5 billion. That’s $1,500,000,000.00!!! It was so high, received so much media attention, and garnered so much word-of-mouth buzz that many individuals who never play the lottery actually purchased tickets. The lure of being a billionaire and all the travel, homes, cars, meals, pleasure, impact, joy that came with it was simply too much to resist. And yet, study after study reports that the long-term buzz and gratification from instant wealth seldom endures. Perhaps even more surprising, it often brings more agony and unhappiness into the lives of the winners than before they had won. My favorite research around this comes from a 1978 study. Let me tell you about it. Undoubtedly, upon winning the lottery the lives of individuals change in profound ways. Wondering to what degree, a group of researchers from University of Massachusetts and Northwestern University interviewed three different groups about the level of happiness in their lives: recent lottery jackpot winners; a control group of less fortunate, non-winners (in other words, you and me!); and finally, recent victims of catastrophic accidents who were now either paraplegic or quadriplegic. The basis of the comparison doesn’t seem reasonably fair. And yet the findings were stunning. Is Happiness Relative? While the lottery winners reported the most happiness in the present, it was not overwhelmingly greater than the control group, and was just slightly higher than those who had endured a past catastrophic event. And after that, the lottery winners’ luck begins to run out. Asked how they viewed their upbringing, their past circumstances, and their memories, the clear winners on the happiness scale were actually those who had endured a tragedy. In fact, these individuals largely viewed their accidents as pouring the foundation toward something bigger, better tomorrow. Finally, and perhaps most important, when asked about the happiness discovered in the mundane - in other words, the small, but enjoyable things like eating, laughing at a joke, being in nature or visiting with friends - the least happy group were...check your numbers... the lottery winners. Overall, the study found that winning the lottery didn’t increase happiness as much as researchers thought it would, and a catastrophic event didn’t make people as unhappy either. It turns out that humans have a tendency of getting used to the things that once made them happy. This bend of taking things for granted is called the hedonic treadmill. In short, the baseline of what brought happiness yesterday requires more to bring the same level of happiness today. In fact, the authors of this 1978 study explain the hedonic treadmill in this way: Eventually, the thrill of winning the lottery will itself wear off. If all things are judged by the extent to which they depart from a baseline of past experience, gradually even the most positive events will cease to have impact as they themselves are absorbed into the new baseline against which further events are judged. Thus, as lottery winners become accustomed to the additional pleasures made possible by their new wealth, these pleasures should be experienced as less intense and should no longer contribute very much to their general level of happiness. And you don’t need to be a lottery winner to be at risk of being on this treadmill. What This 1978 Study on Happiness Means in Our Lives So, what does some study about lottery winners and accident survivors mean for you? My friends, the very thing we believe will finally bring peace, satisfaction and happiness into our lives seldom does. Money is great but fleeting, and it doesn’t ultimately satisfy. Rather than bringing happiness into your life, it actually just makes you more of who you already were. On the flip side, tragic life events are unwanted, unexpected and can be unbearably difficult to endure. But even tragedy doesn’t have to derail us. While it may make present days more difficult, it also reawakens within us what actually matters most. The luckiest, most blessed, most joy-filled among us aren’t the ones smiling because they won the state lottery. No, the real winners are those of us who are aware of the miracle within the mundane, rejoice in the gift within their life, and know that the little details of life are vital and lead to the big things happening. We ultimately “win the lottery” not by picking a series of random numbers, but by taking inventory of all we have, celebrating all we’ve been given, and believing the best is truly yet to come. Today is your day. Live Inspired. Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By Roger Crawford. This was originally published on Roger's blog.
All of us have times when we feel like giving up. You’re discouraged, you’ve lost motivation, and quitting seems easier than hanging in there. When I experience those feelings, I remind myself of a couple of things that help me regain my inspiration. Regret Can Be More Painful Than Discipline World Champion Boxer George Foreman said, “Everyone wants to go to heaven; nobody wants to die.” That’s a great reminder that we all desire success but don’t always want the sacrifice. In coaching young tennis players, I found that all wanted to be a Grand Slam Champion, but few wanted to train like a champion. During times when you feel like giving up, remember that staying disciplined is hard, but looking back and regretting that you didn’t keep trying is harder. Whenever you have paid a price to achieve something awesome, did you ever look back and say, “That wasn’t worth it?” Probably not. Have you looked back at a time when you could have accomplished something worthwhile, but you didn’t even try? The remorse you feel for lack of effort is often more painful than attempting something and failing. Look at it this way, taking risks and facing discomfort are growth experiences, regardless of the outcome. Perseverance Defines You At times everyone feels like giving up because we are afraid to fail and risk disappointment. When you have those thoughts, remember that failure is simply an event; it does not determine who you are or what you are capable of. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that failing at something means you are a failure. Failure is something that happens to a person. Failure is not a person. Reflect on the failures you’ve experienced in the past even though you refused to quit. Now ask yourself this question: Would I be the same person today if I had not faced those circumstances? The courage it took you to try, to do the hard work, and endure the struggle are victories, no matter the result. Let those experiences define who you are and be a reminder of your perseverance. Discomfort Means Discovery Have you ever made an excuse to give up because you wanted to avoid discomfort? When you sidestep challenges, you may miss the opportunity to discover how awesome you are. Leaving the known can be uncomfortable, but by trying something new you can discover your hidden gifts. If you never push yourself, how will you ever know what you are truly capable of? To make a little progress you sometimes need to experience a little pain. If you want to increase your level of performance, you will have to increase your level of discomfort. When you do only what is comfortable, you limit both your life and your potential. As we begin a new year, remember that you have a unique purpose to fulfill and the opportunity to realize your dreams. Don’t give up on yourself and allow excuses, discouragement, and doubt to hold you back from becoming your very best! Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! |
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