Humility vs. Ego?

A couple of months ago, I was pouring out my heart to someone in the Company who I thought would listen.

In the conversation, He leaned over and said I needed to have MORE Humility.

Immediately I became defensive. The first thought that ran through my head was, “I am Mindaella around here…I do whatever needs to be done…I want this Company to SUCCEED!”

I went home and started to research what Humility is….Am I Humble? Do I come across as having an over flatted ego? I asked my closest friends….I cried to my Husband…After 30 days of searching my heart this is what I have come to believe.

What are the telltale signs of an over-inflated ego?

Answer: First, let’s be clear that most people—99% of us—don’t have over inflated egos all the time; just some of the time.

When ego over inflates, there are four early warning signs:

Being defensive:
Defending ideas turns into being defensive.

Being comparative:
Being too competitive actually makes you less competitive.

Seeking acceptance:
Desiring respect and recognition interferes with success.

Showcasing brilliance:
Ideas can be overshadowed by your own intelligence and talent.

Let’s take just one that gets a lot of people in business, and usually triggers the other three warning signs, being comparative or too competitive.

Here are some things you can watch for:

• Seeing someone you work with as a rival and think about how to “beat” them
  
• Taking disagreement with your ideas personally.
• Compulsively following a competitors “lead” so they’re not doing anything you’re not.
  
• Criticizing competitor’s strategies and prematurely discard them as irrelevant.

• Believing you don’t ever deserve to lose; a game, a conversation, a debate, a promotion, a raise, etc. and you’re not gracious in defeat.

• Disagreeing with someone’s point just because they’re the one who said it.Feeling worse about where you are when you see what others achieve.

I have been accused of having a big ego at times, but when I looked at the tell tale signs…. they were indicative of those who accused me and who seem like mild mannered people. I think my big mouth gets mistaken for ego, and I think that is often the case.

The quiet seemingly mousy ones?

They are some of the worst offenders in some points of this list.

Again This made me think….
How often do we get our messages mixed about personality indicators on the basis of demeanor? In other words how many hide their true thoughts underneath covered images?

Lots more than we are aware I bet.

That is not to excuse the big mouth syndrome. Both a big mouth and a big ego miss the mark of humility.

Humility is something Christians especially, but everyone, should cultivate, for reasons of just making business and life run smoother if nothing else.

My thoughts expand to Companies across America:

A company that has a big ego doesn't like to admit failure.

Leadership in such a company will frequently go to great lengths to save face.

The result:

Continuing programs and initiatives that aren't effective.

The investment of energy and ideas that go into these programs create an atmosphere that becomes self-protective.

Accordingly, the program or initiative takes on a life of its own.

Companies with effective Leadership guide the culture of their organizations toward decreasing the ego levels of the individuals who are part of the company.

Then, a healthy look at the effectiveness of any program will result in identifying inefficient initiatives and making changes as appropriate.

If you have questions; please email Mindy8221@gail.com or leave a comment

"Let's Wear Red"

Written by: Julia Treppens

If the Red shirt thing is new to you, read below... Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together. After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home. ; No, he responded.

Heading out I asked?

No. I'm escorting a soldier home.

Going to pick him up?

No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq , I'm taking him home to his family.
The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's fami ly and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days.

I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.

Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign."

Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American.
So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.

Red Fridays.

Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the "silent majority." We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing.

Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -- and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that .. every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar, will wear something red.

By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a hom e coming football game in the bleachers.
If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once "silent" majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on.

The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make things better for you?" is.
"We need your support and your prayers." Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something red every Friday.

A Boys Vision Of A Touchdown

Hooray! Today is my birthday. I am 39- and I've decided this will be my age for the rest of my life!

A day earlier, I picked up my middle son, Ryan, from school. He informed me that his football teams final game would be the next day and he would get much playing time. He then asked if I would be there. I said of course. Ryan remembered that this day was special for another reason. It was going to be my birthday.

He then said "I am going to score a touchdown for you mom". Personally I did not think much of his statement other then he was sweet to say this. Since Ryan had not scored a touchdown all year and he played mostly defense in his previous games.

I leaned over and said, "Do your best, that is all that matters". Ryan then said, "I am going to make it happen."

Well game night came along with the cold night air. Can you say freezing? I sat with my body bundled from head to toe and still could not get warm.

After three quarters of play the score was Mason 21 and Kingston 0. On the final Kingston drive Ryan caught two passing playing as a tight end.

Now don't be impressed with my commentary, my husband had to tell me these things so I could follow along. It was fourth down and 17 yards away from the end zone. Our quarterback took the snap and dropped back and quickly found an open player who happened to be my son.

Ryan caught the ball in front of a defender at the twelve yard line and preceded to run the rest of the way for a touchdown.

I was FREEZING, so I am not sure on all the plays, but He did great. I was proud of him but still FREEZING!

Everyone in the stands started to scream, RYAN BYERS GOT THE TOUCH DOWN! To my amazement "He Did It!!!" He Did what He put His Mind To- A Touchdown for me!

I have always believed in the Power of Having A Vision. Both personal and in business. This is the map of your success.

Ryan is a great example.

He had a vision for what he wanted to achieve on the field. Some might say it just worked out that way. I disagree, I believe He set His sights high enough and worked hard throughout the game and this produced the chance for which he took took and made the most of. (OK, a Touchdown, worth 6pts!) The end result is HE had a Vision, Set out to accomplish it, and achieved it.

This is just one story, but a daily reminder to me of the power we have when setting our sights on achieving goals. "A Vision is merely a road map to your success."

"But...I Could Never Sell!!!"

Several weeks ago, as I took my seat in the crowded airplane, the woman in the next seat over smiled. "Headed home?" she asked.
I nodded. "Seattle, Washington."

"My, you're a long way from home!" she exclaimed. We were on the tarmac in Orlando, Florida. "What brought you to Orlando?

"I told her I had been at the MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) Convention as a vendor for Dream Dinners education Moms the value of sitting around the dinner table. She wrinkled her nose. "Oh," she pronounced, "I could never talk about something all weekend let alone sell it"

This wasn't the first time I'd heard this. In fact, most people not actually in sales seem to feel this way. I asked her, if she didn't mind, how would she define "selling"? I was curious as to what it was she felt she could never do.

She frowned in thought. "I don't know," she said after a moment. "I guess, maybe, 'pushing things on other people.'

"Ah. Well in that case, I wouldn't be very good at it either," I replied. "I don't really like it when people do that to me. Do you?"

"Not at all," she answered promptly.

"Do you buy from those people?"

"No way!" she said.

"Me neither." We both smiled. After a moment, I went on. "But what if," I paused and thought for a moment, "what if we defined selling as 'Helping someone get something they want or need?' What if we defined it as adding value to someone's life? Did you know that the original Old English word selling means to give?"

She shook her head.

"I didn't either, but I looked it up. Amazing, isn't it?

"She nodded.

"What if we saw selling that way, as giving - as sharing the benefits of a product that we ourselves love, and helping others get those same benefits? If we saw it that way, do you think you'd feel it was something you might be able to do?"

"If I really believed in it myself?" she said. "Well ... definitely!"

"So, maybe it isn't that you could never sell," I suggested, "just that you'd really need to feel you were helping someone, adding value to their life, giving value and sharing the benefits of something that you yourself truly believed in."

"Yes" she replied excitedly. "That, I could definitely do."

"Me too!" I replied. "I think just about everyone could.

At the end of the flight I introduced her to one of the women from the Mops Convention that happened to be on the flight. As I rushed to my next gate, I left the two of them in animated conversation about the possibilities in store for this young woman future....

It's a shame. There are still people who see selling as a negitive. Personally, I think selling is the most positive aspect of business.

We all have products and services that enrich our lives, that we need, want and even love. The fact is, we love to buy and we love to own - and it often takes a sales person to educate us and help us connect our needs and desires with the benefits that those products and services provide our lives. This not only benefits us personally, it also provides the basis for a vibrant and growing free market economy.

Selling is giving - giving time, education, advice, counsel, value - and the more you give, the more you receive. Knowing that, how could anyone not sell ... and not be proud to do so?

Create a Vision with a Layer of Marketing

When people say they don’t have a marketing plan, they usually haven’t thought about what their business means to them. Start by looking at your business in the future. Where do you want it to be one year from now? How about five? Really think about it, and write down exactly what you see. What type of guests do you have? What are they spending? What is your profit? What are you doing with those profits?

The more you can “see” your business, the easier it will be to get excited about it!

Set your goals.

Once you see your future, it’s easier to put it into place.

Start out by writing your general goals on a piece of paper. For example, if one year from now you see yourself with 500 guests a month, each spending $300.00, write that goal down.

These are your large goals. But large goals are hard to achieve because they are so large. 500 guests at $300.00 each sounds great, but if you are having trouble getting 200 guests through our doors a month, then this 500 guest can be a monumental goal.

Become a better marketer.

Marketing is a game that must be played throughout your business career. As long as you are in business, you must market!

Many creative professionals make the claim, “I hate marketing” or “I just don’t have time to market”. Yet that is their lifeblood.

Add into it all of the different methods - especially with online marketing techniques, and it’s easy to see why it can become overwhelming.

The important thing is to understand it. Then make a commitment to do something about it. Understand it enough to hire the people to help you. Or purchase services that will make you marketing efforts easier. But you must understand it to make sure what you are buying has value for your company.

Test everything you do. Choose your marketing tools wisely. And test them. Find out how people are coming into your business. Keep the tools that work - stop the tools that don’t.

Do it again. Once you’ve tried a marketing tool, and analyzed how well it’s working for you - do it again!

Some things work; some don’t. The important thing is to keep trying. Even if something fails, the worst that has happened is you’ve spent money and learned. If it doesn’t work, don’t assume nothing will. It’s a matter of finding the right message in the right place in the right time.

Think Strategically To Define Your Vision

Most business owners have a vision for their enterprise but often lack the strategies that will enable them to realize that vision. What they need to do is to commence the process of strategic thinking.

It helps you adapt to changes in your life and make transitions from one stage to another; it also enables you to more clearly see the opportunities that lie ahead. Basically it helps you to achieve your goals.

Essentially what strategic thinking asks you to do is to define your vision with as much clarity as possible, then work inwards to create the steps that will allow you to get where and what you want. You do this with the power of your imagination.

There are five focus areas that will guide you to the definition of your vision, and create an awareness of how to realize your vision.
Each focus area should be taken separately. Don’t rush and be sure to go through these steps in as much detail as possible. Record your thoughts as you go; a voice recorder is often helpful in this procedure.

The Big Picture
The first task is to step back. Once you see the big picture and your ideal outcomes first, drill down to the details. Close your eyes and imagine that you’re looking down on your business as you want it to be in three years’ time with everything working perfectly and generating good profits. Now apply this technique to the people in your business, then to the systems that make it work. Always start on a broad scale and work inwards from there.

Viewpoints
These are tools that you apply as you work down from the big picture. Viewpoints are different ways of looking at the same thing as you develop your vision.
Four are listed here, but you can create as many as you need to ensure that every angle is covered:
*The project viewpoint – what individual projects are needed to build the vision and bring it to completion?
*The process viewpoint – what processes must be in place to make your vision function? How do they work?
*The resources viewpoint – what resources (financial, personal) are needed to make your vision happen?
*The environmental viewpoint – what are the conditions in your business environment? What are you competing against and what will make you successful?

Structure & resources
What is the organizational and human resource structure of your business when the vision is achieved? Imagine the way it will be managed, the support team in place and the production processes all working smoothly. This is your ideal so go into all the detail necessary to cover every aspect.

The drivers of your vision
Drivers are the forces that power your vision. They are the intangible elements and values in place when your vision is complete. What skills will your ideal business possess? What will be the focus of your team? What will be the mission of your business? What will build spirit and morale in your ideal enterprise? What ethics will be in place?
Ideal outcomes
By working through the first four focus areas of the process you have built the foundations of your ideal business. You know the structure, the resources, the values and the market in some detail. The final step is to do a summary of everything you want to have and what you’ve learned as you worked through the process.

By working through these five focus areas, you have developed a picture of exactly how your business vision can be fulfilled. Your vision has been created using a process that also gives you the strategies to accomplish it.

What Are Some Ways To Follow Your Business Vision With-Out Conforming To Industry Stanards

1. Surround yourself with people who are competent and share your vision and have good work ethics.

2. Set the Standards. It's always better to be the one setting the standards and having everyone else play catch up.

3. Do business with those who allow you to follow your vision.



4. Keep thinking outside the box. make sure you have people around you that have weirder or stranger ideas than you do. That will keep fresh ideas coming in.

5. Never have "Yes Men" on your creative/research team. They are the ones that you want to hear new ideas from. You don't want them just agreeing with ideas you already had yourself.

6. If you feel that a business is causing you to conform....look for new ways around that business to do what you want to do. In Meal Assembly Industry for example....if every time you tried making a meal Mtv told you it had to be changed for them to air it...it might be a good idea to start looking for backers to start your own music channel where you can show the videos the way you want and also allow other artist/producers to do the same.

7. Never accept "well thats the way it always been done."

Vision With Action Can Change The World

Vision with out Action is Merely a Dream.



Action with out Vision Just Passes Time.



Vision With Action Can Change The World.

Ego vs. Heart

Only your heart can win this war and save your business.

Your heart is a much stronger attractor than your ego, and by letting go of big ego-dreams, your business actually has a better chance of arriving at that kind of bigness. Think of Martin Luther King, Jr, Nelson Mandela, or Mother Theresa. They all achieved global fame through heart-service, not ego-aggrandizement. However, does this mean you can never dream big? Of course not. Because your heart is actually much bigger than your ego, it is natural to dream big. So- how do you dream big without inflating your ego? I sum it up with in one paragraph:

Feeding your heart strengthens it to continue serving. You can feed your heart in any number of ways, including: rest and care, regular spiritual practice, giving and receiving love with friends and family, performing service without any expectation of receiving back.

Starving your ego clears the path for the heart to be bigger, and frees you from having to chase after things that do not nourish you. Some things that starve your ego are:

Delaying gratification of desires- such as not eating fast food, resisting impulse purchases; regular spiritual practice; undermining inflated pride and acknowledging your humility and need for help.

It is a funny thing, but starving your ego can sometimes seem as if you are losing your mind. However, if you feed your heart at the same time, you will find that what your ego wants is not as necessary or nourishing as you originally thought.

Do you have a Business Role Model?

At some point, all entrepreneurs are inspired — they get the spark that not only gets them started, but also keeps them going. That inspiration can be an idea, an opportunity, or a person.

Whether we have met them personally or read about their success and how they achieved it, many of us are fortunate enough to have business role models whom we admire or would like to emulate. Do you want to be another Bill Gates? Do you see yourself as a future Oprah Winfrey? Or do you look up to your uncle who ran his own store?

Making a list of your role models can help you clarify your own Vision Statement. Take a moment to think about who has inspired you and then write down their names, what you admire about them, and how you can incorporate those traits in your own Vision for your Company. When you are done, you will have a handy reference sheet to come back to whenever you need a reminder of why you choose the profession you are involved with. Take a moment, Share with us if You have a Business Role Model. Who would that person be? Has this helped with your Vision Statement?

Do you have a Vision Statement?

A vision statement provides direction or focus to a business or organization. It is a no nonsense statement of how your company is perceived in the minds of your guests. I bet you want your business to continue to grow, and if so, then creating and articulating a Vision for your business is one of the best things you can do to ensure that growth. I am not talking about profit here. Of course, profit is nice. We all love profit. However, in this context profit is a by-product of an exceptional vision, not vice-versa.

Here is an example of Hewlett and Packard Vision Statement: In 1939, Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard started a business in a garage they named Hewlett Packard. Over time, Hewlett and Packard created a way of doing business that would come to be known as "The HP Way.” Hewlett once said that the HP Way was "a core ideology . . . [that] includes a deep respect for the individual, a dedication to affordable quality and reliability, a commitment to community responsibility, and a view that the company exists to make technical contributions for the advancement and welfare of humanity."

Is there a mention of profit? No.

So why does your company exist, what is the vision? Think of a pyramid. If you want to create a vision for your small business, the answer to the question "why does my company exist" is the base of your pyramid, the foundation upon which everything else rests. Hewlett and Packard answered this question by talking about their core values. What are your core business values? What difference does your company make in the world? What value do you add to employees, and customers? Your deepest values are the base of your visionary pyramid. Next on our pyramid comes commitment, a commitment to your vision. Business is not easy. Is it fun, exciting and challenging, however, easy it is not. This is especially true if you want to create a visionary business, a business that can make a difference. The top of your vision pyramid is action. It is worthless— creating and articulating a vision for your business and forming a team of similarly committed individuals — unless you are all willing to act on your vision.

The best of the best small businesses, indeed all businesses, are visionary businesses. So go ahead and create a vision for your business. It should focus your energies and inspire everyone around you.

Here is an outline to help you Develop your Vision statement by following the steps below.

1. Write down who your business is.
2. Write down what business you are in.
3. Think about and write down whom your company serves. Who does your target market represent?
4. Brainstorm and write down what it is that your target market needs.
5. Make a list of your competitors.
6. Write down and explain what makes your business different from your competitors.

Keep in mind that a Vision Statement expresses how your guest perceives your business. In the end it should have created a message of clarity & consistency to your guest.

The Workplace- Learning to love your work and the contribution, you make to the workplace

Do you absolutely love your work and find it amazing that someone pays you to do it? Or do you dread getting up in the morning and count the months until you retire?

When most of us spend a large proportion of our lives working for others, it is important our whole well-being that the job fits us and we fit the job. Yet according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 87% of American workers don't enjoy their jobs. And if we go into business for ourselves, it is even more important that we be passionate about what we do, because it takes a tremendous amount of time and energy to create a successful business.

Experts in motivation, career development, and workplace dynamics can help you discover this sense of mission and purpose and offer practical ways in which you can turn adversity at work into greater personal satisfaction and achievement. Another great resource I have found is reading the book by Dr. Tim Irwin, Run with the Bulls Without Getting Trampled. On the left side of this blog, you will see a link to his website along with this great test that Dr. Irwin provides. I found this being on the greatest tools & resources yet! I would love to hear what you have to say- Please leave a message, and i will respond to you!

It Is That Time Of Year....Curl Up By A Fire & Grab A Good Book

It seems like this time of year I Crave Good Books to read. I love curling up on my couch or snuggling under a blanket in my car while I wait for the ferry to read a book.
This is what I have read in the last 15 days!
Five-Star Families: Moving Yours from Good to Great (Mothers of Preschoolers
Even though I do not have Preschoolers at home, I do have a family of Teenage Boys. Carol gives practical, easy tips; on moving your family from Good to Great, along with a great sense of humor that leaves you wanting more of HER. You can’t seem to glean enough of all the wisdom she relays thru each page. Go grab a copy for you and a girlfriend- your Friend will Thank you for years to come! http://www.amazon.com/Five-Star-Families-Moving-Mothers-Preschoolers/dp/0800730593

Another great book I read (In 2 Days)
I was driving into work Monday morning listening to Dr. James Dobson on the radio. His guest was Dr. Tim Irwin, featuring his new book called ‘Run with the Bulls with out Getting Trampled’ Over the weekend, I just happened to researching How to Get Along in the Workplace- Or better yet- How to Make a Company use me in what I do best…Sales & Marketing! When I came across the Book Title, ‘Run with Bulls with out Getting Trampled’ it did not capture my eye. Now, I am listening to an interview about this very book! Dr. Irwin’s voice is captivating. He is descriptive, Kind, and a solid speaker. His Career Highlights are with a number of America’s most well known and respected companies including SunTrust Banks, Chick-fil-A, Bank of America, Corning, Inc., IBM, Hoechst-Celanese, Gerber Products Company, The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company, and Turner Broadcasting Systems. He is a frequent speaker on leadership development and other topics related to organizational effectiveness. As soon as I got home from work, I raced to take the assessment test. I like that it is emailed to you in minutes with a detailed list of HOW to make the appropriate changes in your life and workplace. Anyone who works outside of the home needs to read this book and take the test. Leave your comments if you have read the book- I would love to hear what you think!