If I were left alone in your office, what might you catch me doing when you returned? In the spirit of full disclosure, I have wandering eyes. I like to see how people organize their lives, what tools they use, what they’re reading. I’m always searching for better solutions. However, upon your return, you’d likely find me perusing your bookshelf. That’s assuming you still read printed, hardcopy books.
Confidence is essential for becoming and remaining a high performer. You have to believe in yourself and your abilities, as well as in your team. Often our approach to maintaining confidence is to focus on all the things we do right, recalling our successes and building ourselves up. With such a focus, is there a danger that confidence will turn to overconfidence? How do we keep from crossing the line?
I love this adage I’ve heard Michael Hyatt use several times, “Thoughts untangle themselves through lips and pencil tips.” Untangling our thoughts is a crucial skill for all leaders. Essentially, it is our thoughts that shape our words and actions – our leadership. They are the roots from which we provide vision, encouragement, direction and influence. One of the best ways for leaders to untangle their thoughts is through journaling.
As an entrepreneur, leader, husband, volunteer, etc., I make decisions. Some work. Some don’t. When I heard the latest book from Chip and Dan Heath was about decision making, I knew I could grow from applying its contents. Decisive did not disappoint. Having read it, I will be a better decision maker at home, work and everywhere in between.
Regardless if your decisions involve million dollar acquisitions, making a job offer or naming your child, it’s safe to say better decision making is worth working at.
I’ve spent some quality time with TSA, flight attendants and fellow travelers of the skies in the past month. On a recent flight to San Francisco, I sat in my seat with my tray table stowed and seat back in its upright position. As I listened ever so intently to the safety brief, I heard something counterintuitive. If you’ve flown on a commercial flight, you’ve likely heard this surprising safety tip too.
When someone messes up at work, we don’t say, “Wow, you’re incompetent!” Most of us ascribe to the idea that criticizing the behavior and not the person lends better results. That’s true. Therefore, it shouldn’t be surprising that applying the same feedback approach to success also lends the best results. Why do we say things like, “great job;” “you’re the next Lebron James;” “you have a gift for selling;” and so on?
Why is that some people strive to reach their potentials and others don’t? Why do some of us seek out challenges and others shy away? Why do some of us accept feedback more readily than others? Why are some people primarily motivated by recognition and others by learning? All of this, and much more, can be tied to our mindsets.
Why aren’t more people optimistic? Optimism may be the ticket to being happier, healthier and more successful. Who doesn’t want that?
Honestly, optimism often gets a bad rap. Many people see optimism as looking at the glass half full or seeing the world through rose-colored glasses. That’s not necessarily the case.
