by Mike Monahan, executive director and CEO of Life Success Seminars, Inc.
If you want to start a business, the first thing you need to do is write a business plan.
When it comes to other important areas of your life, wouldn't it also make sense to have a written plan? If you have a plan, you can track your progress.
Do you have a written plan for the most important areas of your life? Do you have a progress plan to track your successes? If you want to make progress, you have to take action. Write it down!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
There’s Always Someone Watching
By Tony Miltenberger, Director of Leadership and Outreach for Life Success Seminars
Whenever I’m traveling, I people-watch. The airport is the best place to watch people in a unique atmosphere, often when they’re under pressure. I recently spent a week traveling and saw two scenarios that illustrated people at their worst and at their best.
The Worst
I was waiting for an early morning flight--6:15am early--and everyone had arrived at the gate one hour ahead of flight time. People were slowly moving around, coffee in-hand, waiting for the customer-service agent to announce that we could begin boarding.
I noticed that the agent couldn’t make the announcement because a tall, slim businessman stood directly in front of her. He was extremely upset, simultaneously yelling at his travel agent on his cell phone and at the customer-service representative. This man clearly had skills in the area of expressing his feelings!
The customer-service agent calmly told the man that the flight had no room for standby passengers. He continued to yell and demanded to speak to her manager. She told him, “My manager is on the other side of the airport.” The man went into a bigger rage about not being able to see the supervisor, and the agent calmly replied, “She won’t get here before the flight leaves.”
Meanwhile, the only thing on my mind is that this man is upsetting the only person who can get him on the flight! What was he thinking?
The Best
I love it when people have fun at work! During my trip, I was on a flight where the head flight attendant had a clear passion for his work. He was funny and engaging and still managed to do his job. My favorite part was his quick wit. When the plane hit serious turbulence, he remarked over the loudspeaker, “Whoever is shaking the plane, please stop.”
At the end of the flight, he actually received applause from all the passengers who were influenced by his passion and his attitude. What a great way to leave his mark on the world, by helping people have fun! I was inspired by his approach.
At the end of the week, all my travels were done and I reflected on the whole experience. Here’s what I came away with: People who love to laugh have fun and enjoy the everyday experiences of life.
Do yourself a favor: Take one day and commit to sharing the joy. See how you can change your little corner of the world. You might be amazed what a smile can do!
Whenever I’m traveling, I people-watch. The airport is the best place to watch people in a unique atmosphere, often when they’re under pressure. I recently spent a week traveling and saw two scenarios that illustrated people at their worst and at their best.
The Worst
I was waiting for an early morning flight--6:15am early--and everyone had arrived at the gate one hour ahead of flight time. People were slowly moving around, coffee in-hand, waiting for the customer-service agent to announce that we could begin boarding.
I noticed that the agent couldn’t make the announcement because a tall, slim businessman stood directly in front of her. He was extremely upset, simultaneously yelling at his travel agent on his cell phone and at the customer-service representative. This man clearly had skills in the area of expressing his feelings!
The customer-service agent calmly told the man that the flight had no room for standby passengers. He continued to yell and demanded to speak to her manager. She told him, “My manager is on the other side of the airport.” The man went into a bigger rage about not being able to see the supervisor, and the agent calmly replied, “She won’t get here before the flight leaves.”
Meanwhile, the only thing on my mind is that this man is upsetting the only person who can get him on the flight! What was he thinking?
The Best
I love it when people have fun at work! During my trip, I was on a flight where the head flight attendant had a clear passion for his work. He was funny and engaging and still managed to do his job. My favorite part was his quick wit. When the plane hit serious turbulence, he remarked over the loudspeaker, “Whoever is shaking the plane, please stop.”
At the end of the flight, he actually received applause from all the passengers who were influenced by his passion and his attitude. What a great way to leave his mark on the world, by helping people have fun! I was inspired by his approach.
At the end of the week, all my travels were done and I reflected on the whole experience. Here’s what I came away with: People who love to laugh have fun and enjoy the everyday experiences of life.
Do yourself a favor: Take one day and commit to sharing the joy. See how you can change your little corner of the world. You might be amazed what a smile can do!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Progress
By Mike Monahan, executive director and CEO of Life Success Seminars, Inc.
Progress can be a tricky little devil because it can be deceptive. People often give up because they can't see an immediate result and they decide that they aren't making progress. I also see people give up because they think that things aren't moving fast enough.
Your life is the result of the accumulation of a lot of little decisions. If you put all those little decisions together, you either have some great results or some not-so-great results. Either way, you've made progress.
If you consistently take action in the direction of what you want, you will make progress. Just make sure you really know what you want so your progress isn't in vain!
Progress can be a tricky little devil because it can be deceptive. People often give up because they can't see an immediate result and they decide that they aren't making progress. I also see people give up because they think that things aren't moving fast enough.
Your life is the result of the accumulation of a lot of little decisions. If you put all those little decisions together, you either have some great results or some not-so-great results. Either way, you've made progress.
If you consistently take action in the direction of what you want, you will make progress. Just make sure you really know what you want so your progress isn't in vain!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
I'm Sorry
By Mike Monahan, executive director and CEO of Life Success Seminars, Inc.
Have you ever been in a disagreement or argument where the other person’s feelings were hurt? My guess is the answer to that question is, “Yes.”
Have you ever apologized to the other person, even if you felt you were right about what you said? My guess is the answer to that question is usually, “No.” When we think we’re right, we often believe that there isn’t any need for an apology.
But when we feel we’ve been wronged, we often move immediately to thinking we are right. So whether we are right or have been wronged, there is little room to give--either to forgive or to give an apology.
What’s that saying? “I’d rather be right than happy.” How does that work in your life?
Have you ever been in a disagreement or argument where the other person’s feelings were hurt? My guess is the answer to that question is, “Yes.”
Have you ever apologized to the other person, even if you felt you were right about what you said? My guess is the answer to that question is usually, “No.” When we think we’re right, we often believe that there isn’t any need for an apology.
But when we feel we’ve been wronged, we often move immediately to thinking we are right. So whether we are right or have been wronged, there is little room to give--either to forgive or to give an apology.
What’s that saying? “I’d rather be right than happy.” How does that work in your life?
Asking for Input
By Mike Monahan, executive director and CEO of Life Success Seminars, Inc.
Input is important if you're going to make progress in business or relationships. When we invite input, we get a variety of perspectives and many more options to choose from.
Input is about communication. And the better we communicate, the more our results improve.
When is the last time you asked for input in an important area of your life?
Input is important if you're going to make progress in business or relationships. When we invite input, we get a variety of perspectives and many more options to choose from.
Input is about communication. And the better we communicate, the more our results improve.
When is the last time you asked for input in an important area of your life?
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