Working as a sales director, I am in constant “coach” mode.  And, in these challenging economic times the key is to motivate our front line employees to stay positive, keep pushing forward and set ourselves apart from the competition.  While on my soapbox, I am constantly “preaching” customer service.  Relationships, servicing all customers and truly caring about client’s businesses is what will set us apart from the competition. 

Think about your own experiences…do you constantly go back to the same dry cleaner because they know exactly how much starch to put in your shirts?  Or, dine in the same restaurant because your favorite server always take extra care of you?  Purchase a car from a specific auto dealership because they allow you to borrow a car for the day or will give you a lift to work when your car is in for an oil change?  These are examples of customer service winning customers…notice there are no indications of cost in these scenarios…it’s about the service you receive.  And, even in these tough economic times, people are willing to pay for service.

A colleague of mine shared this story with me knowing that I would love it. And, of course I do! Whatever you plant now…will eventually grow. Determining how to proceed in life and organizing a plan is essential to success. And, of course doing the right thing always wins out in the end…even when sometimes it looks like it won’t. So, be patient…let everything grow but be cautious of what your seed actually is…the fruit is very sweet. Enjoy this motivating story.

A successful businessman was growing old and knew it was time to choose a
successor to take over the business.  Instead of choosing one of his
directors or his children, he decided to do something different.  He called
all the young executives in his company together.  He said, ‘It is time for
me to step down and choose the next CEO.  I have decided to choose one of
you.’
The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued.  ‘I am going to
give each one of you a SEED today — one very special SEED.  I want you to
plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what
you have grown from the seed I have given you.  I will then judge the plants
that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO.’One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a
seed.  He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story.  She helped him
get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed.  Everyday, he would
water it and watch to see if it had grown.
After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about
their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow.  Jim kept checking
his seed, but nothing ever grew.  Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went
by, still nothing.
By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn’t have a plant
and he felt like a failure.
Six months went by–still nothing in Jim’s pot.  He just knew he had killed
his seed.  Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing.  Jim
didn’t say anything to his colleagues, however.  He just kept watering and
fertilizing the soil — he so wanted the seed to grow.

A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought
their plants to the CEO for inspection.Jim told his wife that he wasn’t going to take an empty pot.  But she asked
him to be honest about what happened.  Jim felt sick at his stomach, it was
going to be the most embarrassing moment of life, but he knew his wife was
right.  He took his empty pot to the board room.

When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other
executives.  They were beautiful–in all shapes and sizes.  Jim placed his
empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed.  A few felt sorry
for him!
When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives.
Jim just tried to hide in the back.
‘My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown,’ said the CEO.

‘Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!’

All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty
pot.  He ordered the financial director to bring him to the front.  Jim was
terrified.  He thought, ‘The CEO knows I’m a failure!  Maybe he will have me
fired!’
When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed.
Jim told him the story.  The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim.  He
looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, ‘Behold your next
Chief Executive!  His name is Jim!’
Jim couldn’t believe it.  Jim couldn’t even grow his seed.  How could he
be the new CEO the others said?

Then the CEO said, ‘One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed.
I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me
today.  But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead.  It was not possible
for them to grow.  All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants
and flowers.  When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted
another seed for the one I gave you.  Jim was the only one with the courage
and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it.  Therefore, he is the one
who will be the new Chief Executive!’      If you plant honesty, you will reap trust
      If you plant goodness, you will reap friends
      If you plant humility, you will reap greatness
      If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment
      If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective
      If you plant hard work, you will reap success
      If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation
      So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later.

“Spoiled. That’s all it’s about-can’t live without this, can’t live without that. You can live without anything you weren’t born with, and you can make it through on even half of that.” -Gloria Naylor

This video is pretty funny…I am one of the spoiled ones…but it does put into perspective how “spoiled” we are and how easy it is to take all we have for granted.

It seems to me that in this economic environment, we are getting back to the basics. The parks are overcrowded with families on the weekends-instead of the malls. Family game night with homemade pizza-instead of going out for dinner and a movie. Renting DVD’s from the library instead of being in line to be the first to purchase the movie on the release date. Clipping (or downloading on your phone) coupons…these aren’t such bad things to “have” to do!

These are just a few of the positive outcomes! In fact, I was reading the other day about during the depression and other recessions is when people start getting creative! Small businesses emerge and new products invented. In fact, my favorite dessert-the chocolate chip cookie is one of these inventions.

Time to be thankful for all we have and cherish it.

“Smile when it hurts most.” -anonymous

Recently, John Costigan, a motivational speaker and trainer visited our studios to engage our management team.  45 minutes with John and you can’t help to be motivated!  He exhibits energy and enthusiasm when delivering his messages  I have a few lessons that really hit home with me that day. I will write about them in upcoming entries but today it is all about attitude.

Yes, I know…I speak of attitude ALL THE TIME!!!  The reason is that it’s so vital to external and internal success.  John shared with us the recipe of success…Information, Intelligence, Skill and Attitude.  Then, asked us to determine a percentage of each of these ingredients needed for the final product.  As we all hem hawed around with percentages…we were all surprised at the right results.  Added up… Information, Intelligence and Skill totalled just 7%!!!  Attitude was 93%!!!! 

That was an eye opener!  I knew attitude was important but never imagined it that much so!  And, he’s right.  It’s all about “how” you approach life instead of what life has dealt you.  As long as  you stay positive-even when it feels like the world is against you and you have no power to fight back-you can make it through.   And, not just make it through…but make it through successfully.  The definition of success is different depending on the person…but you know when you have it.

So, he gave us these wristbands with 93% attitude written on them.  Mine is in my car to remind me as I “GET” to drive to work each day…next lesson “GET” vs “GOT”

Control what you can control.  I hear this alot in my professional workplace…although it’s a concept that is still foreign to a person like me.  I like to get this done. I like to address to what’s working/what’s not and find a solution immediately.  I want to see results-any hindrances need to be dealt with and removed. But, I am learning that sometimes you have to step back and let things fall into place.  Easy lesson?  No way!

In case you haven’t noticed…I am not a patient person.  And, have a hard time not correcting issues immediately.  But, I am working on only controlling the way I handle the circumstances instead of the circumstances.  Some are merely out of my control.

Here are some tips…

• Don’t take it personal
• Keep doing your best
• Know that you are doing your best
• Bring it to the proper people’s attention and then offer assistance. 
• If assistance is not embraced-allow them to handle it in their own manner
• Continue on with your focus
• Control your own thoughts

Not always easy but worth a shot.  Because, in the long run, you can get upset and run around trying to correct everything.  But, if you are the only one…you will stand alone.

On to the next step (if your read my last blog entry)…thankfulness.  We all have so much to be thankful for…so much we take for granted.  Our health, electricity, a hot dinner and the air we breathe-to name a few.  Until we acknowledge and express our gratitude for these things…we live in a world in which we are complacent.  If we are oblivious to all we have to grateful for…how can we receive more? 

This is minor but proves a point…our 2 year old Kenmore stainless steel dishwasher broke yesterday!  My husband fiddled  with it for 2 hours last night and finally gave up and called Sears.  They will arrive Friday to hopefully provide a quick fix. 

I can honestly say…I have never been grateful for my dishwasher…I never really though about it..until last night.  With 10 baby bottles, pans from dinner and cereal bowls staring at me in the face…I missed my dishwasher!  Luckily, my “human” dishwasher (my husband) rescued me and washed all the dirty dishes for the evening.  But, I dread the thought of them tonight!

We take so much for granted everyday…this dumb dishwasher really put things in perspective for me.  I had taken the luxury of a machine washing my dishes everyday…the luxury of knowing the baby bottles would be clean when I woke in the am.  Now, I am grateful for that dumb machine-it has saved me tons of work, time and manicures…I want it back!

In this time of economic insecurity, it is more important than ever to be thankful for all we have-instead of concentrating on what we don’t have.  How we can enjoy and appreciate what is ours now…if we are always living in the future of “wants.”  And, how can we be open for more if we aren’t thankful for all we have now.

It’s a challenge to stay tough in tough times…I know all of us struggle with this.  Especially when dealing with change, difficult people and a down economy.  I am experiencing it everyday…and if I am feeling it I am sure some of you are too.  So, I went searching online for some motivation and came across this speaker, Craig, from Australia that shared a list of 20 things to do to stay positive.  I found him to be very creative and helpful.  So, I am including them below…please go and check out his website…it will definately leave you thinking in a different direction and feeling good afterwards. 

1. I hang out with like-minded people who energize me and I avoid the energy vampires.

2. I learn from, and get inspired by, successful people.

3. I ask myself the right kind of questions - the “what can I learn from this experience” questions, rather than the “why does this happen to me” questions.

4. I regularly get excited about possibilities - sometimes too excited!5. I don’t focus on negatives - I invest my emotional energy where it will give me the best return.

6. I change the stuff I can and I let go of the stuff I have no control over.

7. I am constantly setting goals. Big and small.

8. I dedicate time every day to ’switching off’ and having fun for fun’s sake. Strategic silliness.

9. I express myself creatively. It makes me happy.10. I let myself dream. Sometimes my mind keeps me awake all night!

11. I invest time into others. People who are completely self-focused tend to have more downs than ups.

12. Whatever most people my age do, I try and avoid.

13. I regularly take stock of my life and consciously appreciate everything in it and about it. I am always acutely aware that my life is great and that I am blessed to be where I am.

14. I set high standards for myself. I want to be exceptional and do exceptional things, and I will. Not because I’m particularly talented, but because I am prepared to work harder than most. I love to explore and push the boundaries of my potential.

15. I love swimming against the tide. I love doing what most people don’t or won’t. I love being unconventional and throwing ‘logic’ out the window (now and then). Sometimes logic is a synonym for fear and ignorance.

16. I look after myself physically. I don’t smoke, drink or use drugs and I never have. Ever. Being physically fit and healthy, helps me stay focused on a mental, emotional and creative level. It’s very hard to be ‘up’ when you’re physically unwell.

17. My self-talk is positive. I don’t beat myself up. I don’t feel sorry for myself and I don’t indulge in ‘pity parties’.

18. I get great feedback and support from lots of amazing people - like you. Thanks.

19. I keep stimulated and challenged by doing lots of different stuff! I thrive on variety and change - private coaching, corporate speaking, professional writing, TV, radio, blogging, business coaching and every so often, I make an appearance at my gyms. If I had to do the same thing day in, day out, I would be in trouble. I have made a career out of my passion. I get paid to do what I love.

20.I spend quiet time alone recharging my batteries. No phone, no internet, no TV, no people, no noise, no distractions. I connect with the fat eight year-old for a while and see what he has to tell me. Sometimes the only person we don’t listen to is ourselves.

See, that was short and sweet. I knew I could do it.

Mason watching his first superbowl!

It’s just that you’re never going to hear me say that somebody is tougher than me … Because I don’t believe somebody else could be tougher than me.”– James Harrison, Pittsburg Steelers

This entry is from a guest blogger-Courtney Smith who also writes sports blog “Off the Bench“. She is an avid sports fan and really gets the lessons sports in general can teach one.  Check out her commentary below-this was written BEFORE my husband’s Steelers won the Super Bowl.  And, check out the picture of our little Steeler/Giants fan watching his first Superbowl.  Thanks Courtney!  You are definitely tough enough!!!

Not too many folks are excited about the Super Bowl this year.  It’s not exactly the match up I was looking for but then again, I was done with football season before the play offs even started (don’t worry…Zorn will have the ‘Skins ready next year). One player that I will be watching on Sunday in particular is James Harrison.  Harrison, LB for the Steelers and Defensive MVP this season, is one of my favorite players.  If I had to use one word to describe the Linebacker I would say vicious.  He can destroy an O line and their QB.   I’m obviously not a Steelers fan, but his picture is on my screen saver for my computer and reminds me to stay dedicated and persevere.

Harrison walked on to Kent State’s team and was not drafted out of school in 2002.  He didn’t start at Kent State until his junior year.  Over his last two years in college Harrison improved to be voted third in the MAC for Defensive Player of the year.

Despite his development into a defensive force to be reckoned with in the MAC, Harrison was not drafted right away.  In fact, he was cut from the practice squads of the Steelers and the Ravens before he actually played for the Steelers.  The Steelers cut him and reassigned him to the practice squad three separate times.   And with his fourth try on the practice squad for the Steelers (fifth total) he didn’t really get signed or see playing time until Clark Haggans broke a few fingers and Joey Porter was ejected before a game that they finally called on Harrison.  Harrison stepped up and was tough enough for the Steelers’ D line.

This year Harrison broke the Steelers’ record with 16 sacks and was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

He was told ‘No’ four times by the NFL.  He persevered and worked harder.  Nobody could tell him that he was not tough enough, or that someone was tougher than he because he would not believe it.

What would you like to be MVP of down the road?  Do you believe you are tough enough?

I have been known to be a big smiler!  It’s not fake or intentional…it’s just who I am.  Recently, an old friend who I reconnected with on Facebooktold me my baby son has my smile.

Mason flashing his smile

It made me smile.  He doesn’t look like me at all-he is a splitting image of his Daddy.  But, for her to recognize that his smile is mine means the world to me.  I believe my greatest asset is my smile-even with my crooked teeth-because it is genuine and it has made many days much brighter.

Non-verbal communication is 95% of communication…what you say is not as important as how you say it.   People read your body language…it speaks louder than words.  And, a smile is worth a thousand words!

Here is what I think a smile is…

A gift from above

Possibly the only light in someones day

It can dismiss a frown

A smile is universal

Infectious

It’s exercise

Only takes 17 muscles to smile…a frown takes 43

Peace

Powerful tool

As you can see, I am a big believer on the power a smile holds.  In these tough times, try something that is recession-free…give someone a smile!  You just might get one back!