I am reading a book called Mindset...The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dwek and it's been very fascinating. Check it out here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0081W0DQA
The basic concept is there are two mindsets in humans, and the mindset you have, helps to determine your success. The fixed mindset is held by those that believe you are "as smart as you will be" and you cannot get smarter. You are a "good student." You are a "great dancer." You have these abilities (or lack thereof) and that is that.
The growth mindset, on the other hand, believes that you are a work in progress. You can get better (at nearly anything) with effort.
Dwek does a great job explaining why having either mindset changes ALL decisions you make without you even knowing it! Check it out if you want to become a better student, parent, teacher, leader, person, etc. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0081W0DQA. And who doesn't?
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Fighting the Business Blahs
If you have a sales team, then at some point or another, you are sure to have a lull in activity. It sometimes comes in the summertime for me, but your organization might be different. But my guess is, regardless of the time of year, this shows up as the a few things coincide:
1) Lack of preparation (maybe you have been busy with business and have not done the prep work for new business).
2) Lack of desire (everyone gets tired of putting their foot to the floor ALL the time)
3) Lack of effort
This isn't me throwing stones. It happens. So far this July it has been the case with me. I was busy in the 2nd quarter so I was not doing the work to get ready for a busy summer (yes that would be number 1). I want to enjoy the summer and relax (number 2). And if I am honest, I have not been putting in the hours (number 3). I told someone yesterday, I blame summer being slow on the fact that everyone is on vacation. But the fact is I have been on a mental vacation. So the problem is...me.
The great news is, I have control over that. So this week I choose to show up differently. It's time to get rid of Business Blahs. It should be as easy as 1, 2, 3.
1) Lack of preparation (maybe you have been busy with business and have not done the prep work for new business).
2) Lack of desire (everyone gets tired of putting their foot to the floor ALL the time)
3) Lack of effort
This isn't me throwing stones. It happens. So far this July it has been the case with me. I was busy in the 2nd quarter so I was not doing the work to get ready for a busy summer (yes that would be number 1). I want to enjoy the summer and relax (number 2). And if I am honest, I have not been putting in the hours (number 3). I told someone yesterday, I blame summer being slow on the fact that everyone is on vacation. But the fact is I have been on a mental vacation. So the problem is...me.
The great news is, I have control over that. So this week I choose to show up differently. It's time to get rid of Business Blahs. It should be as easy as 1, 2, 3.
Friday, July 13, 2012
A Great Lesson on the Chapters of Our Life
I was listening to a CD in the car today of Wayne Dyer. As you may know, Dr. Dyer is a best selling author, speaker, teacher on the Power of Manifesting what you want in your life. I highly recommend his teachings for those that want to take control of their thoughts...and therefore, their life.
Today he told the story of a seminar where participants were given 5 3 x 5 index cards. They were told to write the 5 chapters of the "story of their life" on them. With a small index card you can only be so detailed. Here is what one person wrote:
Chapter 1: I am walking down a street. There is a big hole. I don't see it. I fall in the hole. It's not my fault. It takes a LONG time to get out.
Chapter 2: I am walking down the same street. There is a big hole. I see it. I fall in it anyway! It's not my fault. It still takes a long time to get out.
Chapter 3: I am walking down the same street. There is a big hole. I see it again! I fall in it again anway! It's my fault. I get out right away.
Chapter 4: I am walking down the same street. There is a big hole. I see it. I walk around it.
Chapter 5: I walk down a different street.
This message really struck me today. We all make mistakes in our lives. The key (as this illustrates) is to recognize them, take responsibility for them, and then "take a different street."
Have a great day!
Today he told the story of a seminar where participants were given 5 3 x 5 index cards. They were told to write the 5 chapters of the "story of their life" on them. With a small index card you can only be so detailed. Here is what one person wrote:
Chapter 1: I am walking down a street. There is a big hole. I don't see it. I fall in the hole. It's not my fault. It takes a LONG time to get out.
Chapter 2: I am walking down the same street. There is a big hole. I see it. I fall in it anyway! It's not my fault. It still takes a long time to get out.
Chapter 3: I am walking down the same street. There is a big hole. I see it again! I fall in it again anway! It's my fault. I get out right away.
Chapter 4: I am walking down the same street. There is a big hole. I see it. I walk around it.
Chapter 5: I walk down a different street.
This message really struck me today. We all make mistakes in our lives. The key (as this illustrates) is to recognize them, take responsibility for them, and then "take a different street."
Have a great day!
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