Unexpected Connections

Are you open to receiving unexpected connections?I know over the last several months, I have connected with people who have had a panalopy of interests, diverse viewpoints and insights that were both exhilarating and stimulating. In business, some of the greatest innovation has come not from within the field, but adjacent or even outside of it. When you are working in one business, look to see how other industries or disciplines can help. What about non-profit strategies when in a for-profit world?

Each of these people has been stimulating not only in work, but often in my personal life. So thanks Michael, Joe, Chris, Caleb, Marv and Ruth. Each of you has added value not only to my business, but to my world!

Choices

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." - Robert Frost

When considering options in your business and your life, realize that it is not the "big" decisions that make the difference, but all the accumulated smaller decisions. Make sure you evaluate not only the choice of the moment, but the impact of the choice down the road. What will clients, employees and competitors think of your choice? How will it impact the way you deliver your products or services? So take a moment and reflect.

Perception and illusion

Images and perception play a huge role in our lives. These two visual or optical illusions demonstrate this. The Impossible Chess Set is by Sandro Del Prete @ 1975 and next to it is a old crone, or is it a young ingenue? An optical illusion is a visually perceived image that, at least in common sense terms, is deceptive or misleading. The information gathered by the eye is processed by the brain to give, on the face of it, a "percept" that does not tally with a physical measurement of the stimulus source. It is the two dimensional affect of the magician's or artist's sleight of hand. Cognitive illusions are assumed to arise by interaction with assumptions about the world, leading to "unconscious inferences", an idea first suggested in the 19th century by Hermann Helmholtz. Cognitive illusions are commonly divided into ambiguous illusions, distorting illusions, paradox illusions, or fiction illusions (hallucinations).

It is always worthwhile when considering outcomes or possibilities to understand that we may not fully perceive the entire image or situation. In other words, illusion does not happen in just our visual field! We need to look at situations in our lives from as many perspectives as possible. This in turn will allow us to be more capable of seeing what is, rather than what we might wish something to be. Our own vanity often works against us, by locking us into a single set of perceptions rather than a willingness to consider all viewpoints. Take a step back, really take a moment (or several) to give your perception and ultimately your mind a chance to see the "big picture."

Valentine's Day Musings

Today is a day of great attention to the importance of couples. I know that for my company, I would not be where I am today if not for my partner, Anthony. Where would you be without the support of those who love you? Even if you are not presently with the person - close partnerships and historic relationships have helped make you the person you are today.

When I look at the person I am today, I am thankful not only for Anthony, but all those who have come before, from Robin to Amy, from Chris to Jimmy & Ryan. I think in their own way, parents (if we are fortunate) also travel with us through our journey. So thanks to all of my parents!

Great love yields confidence. Ultimately, confidence and security let each of us take the careful risks that help us to grow and become sucessful.

Focusing on the Positive

Do you ever reflect on how to be more positive?  You ever wish you could be?  When I was in 8th grade, I competed in the Optimist Oratorical competition in Florida.  Wow, what an important experience in my life.  Want to know more?  www.optimist.org 

I still remember my opening line: "Optimism - a way of life."  I came in second in the competition for the state.  It was my first really experience with public speaking and I loved it!  What fun!  The idea of communicating to large groups was so much more than just talking to a single person.  It taught me a powerful lesson about people - they are drawn to the positive.  Not a "put on" kind of positive, but a really robust, honest positive energy.  During this downturn, stop focusing on what isn't happening or the troubles that are going on.  There is still a great amount of money to be made and businesses to be launched.  Life is too short to be brought down by all of the negative press in the world.  Stay focused on the positive, be honest about where you are and realize that successful people stay optimistic both about themselves and their message.  You can too.

Frustration

Do you ever reach a point where you have maxed out your resources? I certainly have. I have struggled with cash flow for my business for some time. If I didn't love it, I am not sure why I would continue doing it. Many entrepreneurs I know also struggle with cash and their own lives. Remember to take a step back. Look to the larger picture of your life and the positioning you are doing for yourself and those closest to you.

Building a business is an investment not only of time and money, but your emotions and passion. Some days may seem more challenging than others, but like the Field of Dreams - "If you build it, they will come."

Some Work Affirmations Thanks to SZC

• The Universe freely hand me work I love to do.
• I do all my work with a free spirit.
• I always have a great source of energy for my work
• I am doing work I love to do.
• I have everything I need to perform the tasks in front of me.
• I have the right amount of time to easily and comfortably do all my jobs.
• I see all my work as opportunity to express myself.
• I see all my work as opportunity to develop myself.
• I see all my work as opportunity to reach greater levels of achievement.
• I am sincere and honest at any job I do.
• My efforts always bring accomplishment.
• My efforts always bring monetary reward.
• Work is my opportunity everyday to become a more accomplished, more aware, wiser person.
• I am efficient, thoughtful, creative, wise, and skilled in the work I do.
• I always feel respect from people working with me.
• My love of what I do brings me success.
• I am very fortunate to be able to work at what I love to do.
• The Universe is always giving me opportunities to advance in my career.
• Everything I do turns into success.
• People love working with me and around me.
• I am the kind of person other people love to work around and have as a work partner.
• I attract to me, other positive minded people with also have steady and sure success in all they do.
• Any work before me is a golden opportunity to learn, explore, develop, understand, contribute, achieve, build, promote, help anything I desire.
• A deep storehouse of extremely positive resourceful thinking manifests within me.

Role playing

Ever wonder what a customer feels?  Do you wish you had greater insight into a client?  Don't wonder - set up a role play!  Have people transact business, play with customer personalities and work through challenges by setting up a mock experience.  Surveys will get lots of data, but having your employees play both sides of a transaction or experience percolates new ideas and new perspectives.  

It is also important to inspire people to go beyond their limits and preconceptions.  Role playing in a safe environment (be it work or pleasure!) can often create a better skill set for the individual and ultimately the team.  The key here is both safety and seriousness.  Role playing should be taken seriously while in the role.  Otherwise it can seem silly and trite.  Give it a try, who knows, you might learn something.