Thursday, January 12, 2012

BCS National Championship Monday Afternoon Thoughts on 'Your Service' 01/9/12

One week into 2012 and I can only say that if Week 1 is any indication of what the next 51 have in store I am more than ready! The first week of year is always a prelude to the exciting things coming my way. I am blessed to be here and so very blessed to see another year as I celebrated my 34th birthday on Thursday.

This wasn't a normal birthday for me as it was the first time in several years that I have actually worked on my birthday. After I got passed that little hurdle the day brought me more than I could have asked for. I can honestly say in some form or fashion I talked to or heard from via email, facebook, text, or twitter.

As the clock struck midnight on January 5 I was on the phone talking with one of my dear friends who wanted to be one of the first that wished me a Happy Birthday. Before I even knew it, we were talking about life and I was actually doing some Social Media consulting for him. Later on in the day I got the chance to receive birthday wishes from my big brother. Outside of the birthday wishes we did have an opportunity to have some life discussions amidst the celebration. We talked about Spencer Johnson's book Peaks and Valleys. I have read it in the past, but he suggested that I read it again as I move further into 2012 to figure out how to leave my valley.

Those two conversations had me thinking about more about life: where I am and what I am doing. I realized that even when it is supposed to be about me that I find myself doing things for others. So it made me think a little more and reflect on what it is I do here everyday. The older I get the more I understand how it feels to make a difference in the lives of others. I have learned that when I am in a valley and things just aren't how they should be I reach out to others to bring the joy back to my life.

What are you really here for? Are you helping others or just helping yourself? Are you someone that others seek out for help? How do you feel when help others? Do you feel that the world would change if people had a mind set of service?

These are questions that I have asked myself and it all makes perfect sense now. It even goes back to something that we all learned when we were younger. Treat others as you would have them treat you. I know that a lot of people can confidently say that they put their families first before anything else. That is where it all starts if you really think about it.

If you aren't already doing it, try to live a life of service as your deeds will not be done in vain. No matter what you choose to do from this point, Live Life, Be Amazing and remember #PositiveMovementsForward!

Thank you again for all the birthday love the last several days. Make it an amazing week!

Last thing I have for you today is if you happen to be watching any football this evening make sure that you are saying #RollTide!

“Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.”

-Buddha

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

Gandhi

“Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.”

H. Jackson Brown

“If you want happiness for a lifetime - help the next generation.”

-Chinese Proverbs

“Life's most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?”

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

“How can I be useful, of what service can I be? There is something inside me, what can it be?”

-Vincent van Gogh

“We cannot hold a torch to light another's path without brightening our own.”

-Ben Sweetland

“The thing that lies at the foundation of positive change, the way I see it, is service to a fellow human being.”

-Lee Iacocca

“The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own.”

-Benjamin Disraeli

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Tuesday Morning Thoughts on The Right Start 1/3/12

How fast does a year go by these days? I find that I am asking myself that as I think about how fast 2011 seemed to move by. A little over two days into 2012 and I am extremely excited about all this year appears to offer.

I am sure that like most people I enjoyed the fact that New Years Day fell on a Sunday which was a great way to start the week/year. I know a lot of people were excited about the opportunity to start fresh in a lot of different areas of their lives. While this is a great thing, I wonder how many times we are starting fresh in areas where we are not getting our desired results.

Why have we programmed ourselves to believe that we will change or start fresh in the New Year? Why couldn't we start at any point last year instead of waiting for January 1? Is it because with the new year, we know the world is watching and there are some people that may hold us accountable for the changes we vow to make? Maybe it is just easier to keep track of your progress that way, but who really knows why?

Regardless of what the reason is that we do it on January 1st, the thing to take note of is that most of us set goals or vow to make changes that we are putting in play in the New Year. Essentially the basis of this is that we would like to get somewhere. It could be a desired weight, a desired career position, a renewed mind, renewed spirit, etc. Bottom line is there is something out there that you want and you are putting together a road map to help you get there.

As you prepare to move forward in what ever changes that you are preparing, I want to share a few things that I have been thinking. I have realized a few things over the last couple of days while putting together my vision board.

If you find yourself listing the same things every time January 1st rolls around; are you focusing on the right things to help you get where you want to be? Do you have the right things around you to help you get from where you are to where you feel you need to be? Do you ever find yourself looking in the mirror appreciating where you are at? At the same time do you see things behind you while looking in the mirror? Your past successes, failures, or people?

There comes a time when we have to learn from whatever was in the past and look forward to start things the right way. Those experiences teach us but should not define us. This is an exciting time for all of us as we look to welcome some amazing things in 2012, but how prepared are you to start? You me be a great finisher, but how could things change as your start improves?

I asked myself these same questions as I know they are preparing me to receive what's coming to me. The best thing that I can tell you as you move forward with anything is to keep positive things around you. You know this, but I will tell you again that #PositiveMovementsForward need to be in every area of your life as it does make a difference. Go forward, live life, and be amazing. It is not that hard!

“When things go wrong, you'll find they usually go on getting worse for some time; but when things once start going right they often go on getting better and better.”

-C. S. Lewis

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”

-Maria Robinson

“Success is a state of mind. If you want success, start thinking of yourself as a success.”

-Dr. Joyce Brothers

“Remember today, for it is the beginning of always. Today marks the start of a brave new future filled with all your dreams can hold. Think truly to the future and make those dreams come true.”

“Start where you are. Distant fields always look greener, but opportunity lies right where you are. Take advantage of every opportunity of service.”

-Robert Collier

“Keep on beginning and failing. Each time you fail, start all over again, and you will grow stronger until you have accomplished a purpose - not the one you began with perhaps, but one you'll be glad to remember.”

-Anne Sullivan

“Other things may change us, but we start and end with family”

-Anthony Brandt

Thursday Morning Thoughts on Your Network 12/29/11

We have made it over the hump and staring the end of the week along with 2011 right in the face. For the last several days, my nights have been even more restless than normal. I have thoughts upon thoughts floating through my head right now with everything going on around me.

I think the simplicity of life really started to hit me last Saturday coincidentally while I was at work. Would you believe that while working with clients, people actually still build relationships and give people the opportunity to get to know who they are doing business with. On more than one occasion while I was telling my story, I was often asked why I attended Jackson State University in my hometown of Jackson, Ms after spending the majority of my life in Germany. It was pretty simple for me to answer and say that I wanted to re-connect and strengthen my relationships with my family and friends there.

Many years later, I still consider the decision to attend JSU was probably one the best I could have ever made. As you are reading this, you are probably thinking that it was primarily the school and my amazing network that was built, but it was something so much simpler. Believe it or not, I loved the opportunity to build a deeper relationship with my grandparents and great-grandparents. Who would think in the course of helping others, I would be able to reflect on how my values were shaped through the relationships with some of the most respected people ever in my life.

How many people can say this? I was privileged to enjoy both my grandfathers for 24 years, my great-grandmother for 25 years, and my great-grandfather for 30 years before the passed away. I bet you are wondering where I am going with all this, but you will see shortly.

There's nothing in the world I would ever trade for the many conversations I had with these amazing people in my life. A common theme that I always got from them in a round about way was treating people right. My great-grandfather often told me to always put yourself in a position to help the next man/woman without hesitation. He said that you would live longer and put yourself in a position to where people would gravitate toward you because they see you genuinely want to see them in a better position. The rest of the lesson about who to let in your network I had to learn through trial and error. Through the simplest means my great-grandfather was always teaching me lessons that I would be using to teach others.

It is no secret that my thoughts are revolving around networks at this very moment.

What kind of network have you built for yourself? Do you have a formal/informal network? Do your networks overlap? Do you just look at networking from a career perspective? Life perspective? What does your network say about you?

I am writing with a heavy heart because this is the easiest way for me to deal with anything. As I finish my thoughts, hopefully everything comes full circle. Earlier this week, my mother's oldest brother Morris(Uncle Mo) passed away and I am thankful for my network/support system of people that have prayed and attempted to help me and my family over the last several days. I actually can see my Uncle Mo looking down on me right now saying, "I'm proud of you Lil Nephew for all that you try to do!" I can honestly say that I wouldn't be strong enough to even try and support my mother through this if I didn't have the network that have.

Thank you for your prayers and support toward me and my family during this time. Time and time again I have proving that I have one of the most amazing networks that anyone could ever wish to have.

"The way of the world is meeting people through other people."

-Robert Kerrigan

"It's all about people. It's about networking and being nice to people and not burning any bridges. Your book is going to impress, but in the end it is people that are going to hire you."

-Mike Davidson

"Position yourself as a center of influence - the one who knows the movers and shakers. People will respond to that, and you'll soon become what you project."

-Bob Burg

"And so I think that if the person has the funds, the network, and the equipment to do this, and also the experience, which is the key factor, then they can be quite deadly."

-John Abizaid

“Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family: Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.”

-Jane Howard

“A system is a network of interdependent components that work together to try to accomplish the aim of the system. A system must have an aim. Without the aim, there is no system.”

-W. Edwards Deming

“People like me have to have the discipline only to work for clients, corporations, political people, products, services, networks that we believe in and we want to see succeed.”

-Francois de la Rochefoucauld

The successful networkers I know, the ones receiving tons of referrals and feeling truly happy about themselves, continually put the other person's needs ahead of their own.

Bob Burg

Sunday Evening Thoughts on Experiences 12/25/11

Relaxing day, relaxing day! I had to say that twice as I was so excited to actually wake up this morning and do something that I wanted to do. And that was absolutely nothing. You have no idea how good it felt to just wake up this morning knowing that there was really nothing that had to be accomplished today.

By the time I was cognizant enough to start enjoying the day, I could hear the pre-game commentary for today's NBA games. Like some people I missed the NBA during the lockout and I am pretty glad to have some more options on television. To me there's no better way to relax than being lazy and watching some great basketball games on tv.

I didn't think that I was going to be writing anything today, but you never know what may end up on the brain after you watch a little tv or talk to a few people. And I am notorious for letting a little thought manifest into more than a few paragraphs. So I figured I may as well see what's on the brain and try to make sense of it.

I am still trying to work on using all my experiences in life as teaching tools for myself or others. A friend was telling me last night about a saying that his grandmother always used to say, "You are going to experience everything that life has to offer." For awhile he always had to ask how and then she said, "You will, just keep living." I can honestly tell you that was exactly the message I needed to hear last night.

Believe it or not, I have not been in the holiday spirit and I am guilty of being a BAH HUMBUGGER the last couple of days. I don't think I am wired to be that way, but I think some experiences with some people recently have changed my mindset a little. For a moment I lost sight of who I was and what was important to me and wasn't using those experiences as learning/teaching opportunities.

So how did I get back on track? I was reminded by people close to me about all of our experiences in life and their purpose. Our experiences have shaped our character and later on test our character. I realized that if we aren't building the foundation strong enough when the time comes to be tested then we don't feel up to it and compromise on some things.

Are there any experiences you are proud of? Are you sharing your failures/successes? Are you still learning? Do you know the value of your experience(s)?

Every interaction, moment, and person gives you an experience that has some value to you. With maturity you learn to use these experiences to your advantage. You can make the choice to be merely defined by your experiences, but life begins when you build on them to make things happen for yourself or others.

The experiences that I have enjoyed with you over the years continue to bring me closer to being the man that I am striving to be. I can only thank you for the things that you have given me over time. I can't put a value on it, but you should know that I appreciate it all.

“If you will call your troubles experiences, and remember that every experience develops some latent force within you, you will grow vigorous and happy, however adverse your circumstances may seem to be.” John Heywood

“There are no failures - just experiences and your reactions to them.” Tom Krause

“Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward.”

“A man's errors are his portals of discovery.” James Joyce

“I think we all wish we could erase some dark times in our lives. But all of life's experiences, bad and good, make you who you are. Erasing any of life's experiences would be a great mistake.” Luis Miguel

“One of the most important lessons that experience teaches is that, on the whole, success depends more upon character than upon either intellect or fortune” William Edward Hartpole Lecky

“Experience tells you what to do; confidence allows you to do it.” Stan Smith

“Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want.” Dan Stanford