Values Are The Ultimate Test

Sometimes there is conflict between something you are good at and your value system, what you value and think is important. You may be working at a job you don't feel add value or contribute to society in a meaningful way. Management guru Peter Drucker suggests to quit that job even if you are good at it and find a new job you can devote yourself to wholeheartedly. He says; "Values, in other words, are and should be the ultimate test."

Celebrate Team Success

Emphasizing the positive is a far more powerful motivator than emphasizing the negative. Things are successful for a combination of reasons rather than there being one single factor. Once you know the reasons for a success you can plan future successes even though the circumstances will never be identical. Reward success with recognition and you reinforce the behaviors you want to see more of. Celebrating someone else’s success give vicarious pleasure from which everyone benefits.

Change The Picture In The Mirror

How we see ourselves and who we think we are, will be reflected in our attitudes, behaviors and our results. The truths you hold about yourself; what you see in the mirror will produce in your life. For example, if you think you are not a sales person, your sales results will show it. A change of attitude and behaviors is all you need to produce a different result forcing you to reevaluate and change that picture in the mirror.

Desk Stress Causes Distress

Here are some ideas on what you can do to combat desk stress in your working life:
De-clutter: Organize your desk to reduce stress levels and increase productivity.
Setting Up: Pay more attention to how you set up your desk to reduce stress and health risks.
Keep Cool: Prevent dehydration and overheating at work to promote higher energy levels.
Take Five: Take a few minutes to stretch at your desk to reduce injury from routine activity.
Change of Scene: Take regular breaks away from your desk to improve your concentration.

Take A Look At You First

It is so easy to blame our own lack of results on something or someone else. The market conditions, the boss, the economy, the weather or whatever. These things may be factors but fundamentally your performance is dependant on you. Before you blame your lack of performance on "it" take a close, hard look at "you". Examine yourself and have the courage to take corrective action.

Be A Little More Like Baloo

Don't over analyze the situation or think to much when it is time to act. Just let your reflexes take over. To perform at peak performance you need to relax. I heard a great advice on the radio this morning; Be a little more like Baloo, the mellow bear of the Jungle book;

"Look for the bare necessities, the simple bare necessities, forget about your worries and your strife. I mean the bare necessities, that's why a bear can rest at ease, with just the bare necessities of life."

Prepare To Win

Be prepared! has been the Boy Scout motto for over one hundred years. Don't waste your valuable time watching TV. The workday starts the night before. Prepare to win, or lose to someone who is. I often work and prepare during prime time, while others are watching TV. It's okay to watch TV occasionally but I assure you, you can cut out the news almost completely. If it is important you will learn what is going on anyway.