Monday, July 19, 2010

Three cups of tea

There are books worth recommending and being given to your beloved. Three cups of tea is at the top of my list

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

The donut theory

The one characteristic of great leaders and talented managers is to achieve great results, above average in their organizations. The impact of these results is given frequently in the form of donuts. And let me explain. We all know what a 'donut' is: a bun with a hole in the center and an outer round and mushy. The 'donut' is a way to express and find the balance and integration between what we do and what we could do or be: between duty and devotion.

In its internal part is our area of responsibilities and obligations. The set of duties to be fulfilled and which are set by the organization. This is what we are commanded and what is expected of us. Not complying this means failure. But to observe them does not necessarily mean success. Success is not the opposite nor reverse to failure.

The mushy area of donuts, the donut around the hole, contains our area of possibilities, freedom and opportunity. There are thousands of things in this area that are not commanded or forbidden. But here they are, paradoxically, the main keys to success and the contribution and impact on the organization and in our career. It's about taking initiative, take risks, identify opportunities and take advantage: no waiting for the angels to fly in front of us to hold them by the ankles, but get them. Nobody will punish or criticize us for not doing it, but we will not succeed unless we try.

In addition to dedication, commitment and tireless fighter morale, the talented director has many features that differentiate the merely excellent professional right: total surrender, action and risk improvement, perseverance and courage, ability to seize opportunities, leadership, and sense of enjoyment. All of them are not written or in your contract or job description. Not part of their duties and obligations, but what he could do, not because others demand it, but because it is demanded by himself.
The best and most exquisite essences and qualities that a professional can bring to an organization belong to what people will only give if they want. This can not be bought or sold but given away generously and comes from the bottom of the heart.

The times that we have delivered more excitement to a project and devoted to it without haggling of time and effort, and which have been significant milestones in our career and our life, didn’t have anything to do with the duties of our position and, much less to the wage. There were choices from the free exercise of our will, where we have applied our best talent, giving much more than what was asked, with total commitment, dedication and generosity, expecting nothing in return and satisfying the hunger of the spirit and our needs to exquisite development.

What matters is the journey not the arrival. The goal is the journey. This is what is in the mushy part of our rich and donuts.

By Jose Medina

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Stop making up stories, and get out to succeed!

Genius feeds on rebelliousness, uniqueness, creativity, self-confidence, healthy self-esteem and on opening the wings. Not all dare to be great, some prefer to go for a mediocre life. The world seems to be mediocre. Maybe this phenomenon happens because many have enjoyed achieving success without effort. Why try your best to get a goal because it is bright, intelligent, committed ... if then the place is given to the 'silly' or 'ball' in office? I understand that many people have pointed to mediocrity without stopping to think about the price they pay. Fear, lack of bravery and courage make many people give up, and not persist in achieving their dreams or to live their lives in freedom and greatness.

Whether you work hard towards success or you take the elevator rapid rise to the top. You choose: genius or mediocrity. Winners always have a plan. The losers always have an excuse. I like the story about two shoe salesmen who were sent to Africa. When they arrived and saw that nobody was wearing shoes, one of them sent a fax saying: "Back home. Nothing to do. All barefoot. In contrast, the other said: "All barefoot. Great opportunity. Send thousands of shoes ...." The first chose not to lose out, and the second to go out and win. Different attitudes, different results.

Going out for victory is not the same as go for not lose. Who goes through life not going to lose, never wins. If you do not collect the expected results, analyze if you have a strategy. If you feel trapped in fear, neglection or victimization, if you lead your life, and you complain but do nothing, it is easy to see why mediocrity is installed in your home. The complaint should only take five minutes, and just to confirm what we have to face. Ergo, do something productive with the complaint. If you feel lacking of energy, if you think all take advantage of you, if you feel unable to assert your opinions, desires, values or work ... it is time to review the extent and style of engagement you have with you.

Are you willing to go out and win? If you don’t like what you are getting, check what and how you sow in your life. If showing your genius seems dangerous, do not complain. Do and say whatever the CoO (Club of the Ordinary) says, will be very easy to be member of the year. We chose. Nobody does anything that does not consent. It depends on you to have the cap of the mediocrity or the genius.

Lead your life. Do what fits your gifts and abilities. Saying that we have to work to earn our life and that is enough to have a job, leave it for the CoO. You put all your intention, purpose and work in what is your vocation or the mission of your soul without worrying if it is more or less rewarded and applauded in the CoO. Enjoy your life. Work at what you love. And if not, at least love whatever you are into. And build yourself a bridge to your destination. Stop telling stories, to succeed, you have to make your gifts shine.

By Rosetta Forner