“Motivation is simple. You eliminate those who are not motivated.”
– Lou Holtz
It’s called…
Self-motivation
Real, honest, practical, necessary
Personal accountability
Tough love
What does it mean to you?
When people miss the mark, screw up, under perform or just seem to not get it, it’s good to keep in mind:
They may be looking at a different target – My idea of “clean” is probably not the same as your idea of “clean.”
It may be the system – There may be things outside of their control that introduces variation in results, i.e. change in wind speed, different equipment, poor communication…
It could be the consequences – Very often the best employees get “stuck” doing what no one else will and their reward for doing their best is actually a punishment.
Solutions?
Start at home first – It’s our job as leaders to do everything we can to help them do the best job they can. Make sure you are doing that and…
tis the season for good deeds and the greatest good starts at home
first within
then six degrees
to change the world
In the solitude on the trail…
“Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.” – John Wooden
Peace on the inside…brings peace on the outside
Discipline, effort, choice…to find balance, self-worth, value
Not a thing measured but a feeling…and a knowing
prog·resspositive change…an attitude…a vision…a change of pace…one more mile…the next level…even the smallest of steps
with heart
Did a presentation yesterday afternoon…65 staff and managers…they had a long morning covering their business agenda, just finished lunch, small room, too warm, a captive audience for the most part…
Topic was emotional intelligence and personal accountability…it was looking to be a tough afternoon…and it was…but we pressed on. Had good interaction, a few laughs, a few light bulbs during the exercises…it was good.
There was one that did not say much…the quiet one…but I could tell he was listening…he did the exercises, wrote while others around him laughed off theirs…he wrote carefully…kept it to himself.
Near the end, volunteers around the room shared their takeaways for self-improvement, for change…they were good…lose weight, stop smoking, be kind, help others…all good things, challenging, admirable.
I risked it…asked him to share…he looked down as he spoke…the room went quiet as he courageously admitted many faults….seeing himself being distant, angry, frustrated, impatient, the yelling and screaming, so hard to be home, so much sadness…but owning his behavior, his part in their pain…his plan to be a better man…to let go his anger, be more attentative, be more patient, respectful, bring his family to a better place…all with a deep sincerity you could feel in your heart…
Silence…I looked up…tears all around the room…they hadn’t known…then the applause…for the one.
“Change your thoughts and you change your world.”
– Norman Vincent Peale
The choices we make now move us to a better place in life or a worse place. What choices are you making?
So I put in my application…western states 100…holding my breath till December 7th! :-)
“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
Enthusiasm:
– is to be inspired
– is a self-fulfilling prophecy
– is a signal for what is right
– is infectious
– is the match that lights the candle!
“Your belief determines your action and your action determines your results, but first you have to believe.” – Mark Victor Hansen
It’s the fundamentals that make the difference in business, in running, and in life…and they are pretty much the same!
1. Don’t Take it Too Seriously: It may be important but if it stresses you out, your performance will suffer…laugh often!
Runners: Leave your Garmin at home on occassion. :-)
2. Ask: Ask for the sale, ask for help…from the heart, for the right reasons! No one really wants to do it alone.
Runners: Run with buddies…to speed you up or slow you down.
3. Stay in the Moment: What you DO right now is all that matters…not yesterday, not tomorrow. Right now.
Runners: Run the mile you are in!
4. Be Generous: If you want something, give something first. Trust that it will come back to you. Givers gain.
Runners: High five fellow runners, congratulate the winner, volunteer.
5. Use Your Time: We all have the same amount of time available to us. You can choose to use it or not. The keyword is “USE.”
Runners: Go run!
6. Reflect: Take some time to slow down, look around, breathe. Find some quiet time. You may see something new in that mirror.
Runners: On occasion, stop and enjoy the view, the quiet, the moment.
7. Feed the Fire Within: …to live with joy and passion but make choices with your head.
Runners: Do what you love whether fast or slow, short or long, but listen to your body.
8. Find Balance: Work, family, faith, health…the tree that leans too far will fall.
Runners: Mix it up, cross train, rest!
9. Find the Positive: In winning and in losing. In Everything.
Runners: It hurts but it’s a good hurt!
10. Face your fear: That which we are most afraid of is exactly the thing we need to go after.
Runners: Sign up for that race already!
11. Choose…to be successful, to be happy, to be you…then ACT on it.
Runners: Run Steady, Run Strong!
