Tag Archives: Today’s
Long Live the “Soft Stuff”: Skipping “Business as Usual” to Ignite Purpose and Optimize Mindset in Today’s Economy
We are in the midst of an exciting, nerve racking and pivotal time right now. I see this in the economy, in business, in leadership, in politics, in families, and in peoples’ senses of purpose and personal values. There’s a lot happening. On one hand I notice a lot of complaining, blaming, making excuses, and fear. And on the other hand, I see a lot of positive and productive percolation, reflection, and action. I notice a lot of dismissing “hype” and inauthenticity, and instead, see people really looking at what matters, what’s real and what’s the bigger purpose – in business and in life. And I feel the buzz. Can you feel it?
I see it as a real opportunity right now. 2010 has been referred to as the year of “making it or breaking it” – meaning it’s the year to DECIDE what will happen for each of us. Do we “give in” and succumb to “more challenging times,” do we get sucked in to “story”, do we blend in, go “beige”? OR do we get into action, ask different questions, work our mindsets and create a new way of “being” in business, a new way of engaging with people, and a new level of energy and success? It’s a decision point year. How and what are you deciding?
Using 3 very different and specific examples of people choosing how to move through their lives and businesses right now, I’ve written an article sharing 3 things to help you explore these questions and your own situation in order to help move your mindset and your organization in the right direction.
A while back, on a flight between New York and Chicago, I sat next to a gentleman who had worked for a major financial firm on Wall Street, and was now unemployed and exploring options. While talking to this gentleman, I was moved by his attitude. He saw this “horrible” situation, which was stressful and would likely have a significant impact on his family (including a possible relocation), as an opportunity to stop, breathe, reassess, and reinvigorate. He said, “I was so caught up in all of this for so many years, in many ways I lost view of what was most important and what I really wanted. I got sucked into the machine. Although I’m scared, I’m secretly excited by what lies ahead. I feel I have a new beginning.” That’s quite a mindset.
Another one of my clients, a senior leader in her organization, recently shared that this is one of the most stressful periods her company has ever known; business is slower, revenues are lower, stress is high. But in many ways, it has also been one of the most rewarding and bonding times, despite layoffs and cuts in spending. How is this possible?
First, she is keenly aware of her mindset and her impact on her team, and does her best to use it all in supportive and productive ways. She and her team proactively seek ways to learn and connect as well as to be more efficient, competitive, and just better. Finally, they’ve made use of their extra time by nurturing customer relationships and taking more personal time for themselves (that they can’t get as easily when they’re really busy.) The result? A more focused and bonded team, a higher and more “awake” level of creativity, recharged employees, advanced solutions for customers, and a higher level of hunger, satisfaction, joy, and appreciation for closing deals and connecting with customers. Once again, a matter of mindset.
Oddly, as I write this article, and prepare to share more examples from clients’ stories, sitting in the car dealership waiting for my brakes to be fixed, I meet Adam, a gentleman back from his second tour in Iraq. Talking to him for over an hour, I discover that what has gotten him through one of the most challenging, horrible, and, unimaginable to many, things a person could ever endure, seems to be, mindset and purpose. Our conversation goes without agenda and by the time his car is ready, I’ve learned new things about his mindset, the mindset of people who meet him (myself included) and what they make up about his experience, as well as what makes him and his fellow troopers feel good and appreciated. Learning a lot about his experience, and more than I’d ever want to know about Camel Spiders (although I couldn’t stop myself from asking or pulling up a picture – which I’ve opted NOT to include here), I get in touch with an even deeper level of awareness for myself that puts me back in touch with the importance of purpose, gratitude, and mindset. (And, of course quickly have to restrain myself from tripling the size of this article.)
These first two scenarios, and the unexpected third, are real examples of people dealing with the stress of business, life, war, the economy, and all things human. How are they doing it? Shared themes are: mindset, gratitude, forward thinking, connection, purpose, and “hunger.” And it’s inspiring, moving, and provocative all at the same time. What a gift.
What I notice with all of these is that it’s the “softer” stuff, the less tangible stuff, that is making better results possible and getting people through their challenges. Gratitude, connection, purpose, mindset, attitude, positive energy, and a “hunger” to be a part of, and make an impact, on something that is even bigger than us…It works, and it offers us an even more powerful and new way of thinking about business and leadership. (I’m waving my “soft stuff” flag over here – can you feel it?) Yes, of course you need the action and the strategic plans and the numbers to work, AND, you need the soft stuff too…now…I’d argue…more than ever.
What are you (and your team, family, children, partners, etc.) doing right now to “work your mindset” and create opportunity in our current economic, political, and business environment? How are you contributing to “helping things go better?” Is your mindset supporting progress, or slowing it down? The opportunities truly are limitless here and do not just come in the form of increasing revenues or productivity, but rather in other meaningful ways such as bonding with and strengthening teams and relationships, igniting higher purpose, connecting with customers, spending more time with family, taking a physical and mental pause to truly check in with yourself, and acknowledging the gifts in all of it.
What’s the first step to doing all this? Decide. Decide to make it work for you. Decide that you want it to be different (of course, only if you do). Get your mindset in order. Tap into your sense of purpose. Connect with your gratitude. Get hungry and go.
Anese Cavanaugh, President of Dare To Engage, Inc., Founder of Bootist Leadership®, and mother of two, gets people “in their boots.” Using energy, mindset, mission, and action, cornerstones of her “Bootist” philosophy, she helps forward-thinking individuals and organizations create positive energy, successful relationships, congruent leadership, and joyful results – wherever they go.
For more about Anese, Bootist Leadership, or Dare To Engage, Inc., or to receive a complimentary copy of Anese’s latest publication, go to www.DareToEngage.com.
How to Stay Positive In Today’s Economy!
First of all, take a real hard look at your life, what have you really lost? A house, a car, those are just material things. Do you still have your arms and legs? If you can still walk and talk, you may have to just survive for a while until the economy turns around, but the point is you can survive!
The economy has taken a toll on a big percentage of Americans. People have not only lost their jobs, their dream homes, their cars, their worldly positions, but their dreams have also been shattered. So how do you stay positive when you have lost everything?
Stay Away From Negativity
One way to do this, is embed positive affirmations is your mind. Stay out of all the negativity, like the news and people around you that are whining, saying ole poor me! Of course it is not easy, but who said life would always be easy? Life is what you make it, it is your choice to make it good or bad, and YES you do have a choice!
Start thinking about how you want your life to look. What do you see yourself doing, what type of people are in your life, where do you live? Then think about what it would take you to get there. Do not think of it as being an impossible challenge, think of it as a journey. Use your mind like when you were a small child, everything was possible and you had no fear.
Once you decide exactly what you want, write it down and put it like you already have it. You have to put it in your subconscious like you now have it, not that you want it. If you always think you want something, that thing will never come about, as your subconscious thinks you just want it, not that you have it.
Do not have your affirmations put in a negative way. Instead of saying, I do not want stress in my life, Say, I want peace in my life, otherwise all your subconscious will hear is stress, and you will get more of it.
Be Real
Always make sure your affirmations are real to you. Do not say, I am going to be rich tomorrow, as that will never happen, unless you win the lottery. Make them attainable and believable for you, like I will have a car to drive in the next thirty days.
Write your affirmations on notes around the house where you can see them every day. Read them every morning and every night before going to bed. Reading them out loud will even work better, as when you hear something you retain it more than just reading it.
Staying positive is the only way most people are going to survive the economy that has hit us all so hard. And always remember to be grateful for what you already have. If you think your life sucks, then visit a hospital. Seeing someone that has to carry an oxygen bottle around, should make you think twice about how great it is to breath fresh air. Or a little child dying of cancer, how sad to know they may not even experience life.
Zig Ziglar quoted: “It is not what you have got, it is what you use that makes the difference.”
Think of what you still have, use it to your fullest, be grateful, say your affirmations, stay positive and watch your life change before your eyes even in todays economy!
Julianne Rowat, the author, is an internet marketing entrepreneur.
She has wrote other articles, press releases and has videos on motivation, self improvement, and FAQ about having an internet marketing business. Her husband is a retired fire fighter/ paramedic. They have 4 children and 8 grandchildren.
They travel all around the United States in their motor home while working their online home business. Their mission is to help others all over the world succeed in their own online home business.
You can read more about them in their blog at: http://www.juliannerowatsblog.com
Check out their business at http://www.ultimatewealthfromhome.com
