Free Leadership Seminar!

For all of my readers in the St. Cloud area, please join us for a free Leadership by Candlelight seminar on May 16 to celebrate the first year of Swift Success and Leadership.  Even if you’re not in the area, please read on so you can enjoy some of the great material I will be teaching that day.  The seminar will take place from noon to 1:00 p.m. at Liberty Savings Bank, 7th Avenue location downtown, in their community room.  Coffee, juice, and snacks will be provided.  Please register using the contact form below.

Here is one of the topics you’ll encounter in the motivational seminar:

I find this fact exciting:  every person is a leader (an influence) to someone else no matter what position they hold in their job or organization.   Something that’s a little scarier:  we can lead people in any direction so we have responsibility in our decisions, attitudes and actions.  Let’s assume that we wish to influence our children, co-workers, friends, and family in a positive direction.  What skills do we need to help us make a lasting impact in the lives of others?

The seminar will teach five practical skills that you can practice and apply to many areas of your life.   The first is to set the mood and tone for situations you’ll be in.  What is the mood like in your office?  Stressed?  Focused?  Laid back?   How about  your household?  Relaxed?  Tense?  Loving?  Over-scheduled?   Most people don’t realize how much they contribute to the positive or negative environment around them.

Here is an example you’ve probably experienced.  Imagine that you are throwing  a child’s birthday party.  What would you do to create the right atmosphere?  You would play some music, decorate, put some food and party favors out, have the cake ready, and so on.  You have just created the mood and tone!   You would go on to greet guests with a smile, start conversations, introduce parents that don’t know each other, lead activities and so on.  Because of your leadership, others will begin to relax and contribute to the fun and your child will remember that party fondly years later as they prepare for their own child’s birthday.   This is an example of leadership–  influencing the actions of others.

Of course we don’t throw birthday parties every day, but we can apply this idea to daily situations such as meetings, sales, networking groups, social activities, and your home.  You’ll learn more detail at the seminar and even do some interactive role-playing exercises with some of the topics!  I hope to see you at the seminar.  Space is limited, so please register below, or by calling (320) 339-0834.

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The A.R.T. of Trying

About three weeks ago, I decided to enter a singing competition.  The winner would be the opening act for a concert of two well known artists, so it was a big deal and I was in no way prepared for it.  But I thought it would be fun to try.  Throughout this blog I’ll share the results and tell you what I learned.

 Set the Goal and Go! 

Why try something when you aren’t “ready?’   My martial arts students often say things like “I won’t be testing for my next belt- I’m not ready.”  Or “I’m not ready to compete in a tournament.”   My typical response is to advise them to set the goal anyway and do their best to achieve it, even if the performance isn’t perfect.  Often “readiness” is just conquering some level of fear or anxiety which quickly dissipates as they prepare themselves.  More often than not they’re pleasantly surprised by the result and how much they enjoyed the effort to get there.

So I did what I would tell any of my students to do.  I set the goal, prepared, and did my best on the audition video.  I had to record it three times.  The first attempt, where I sang with some awesome  musicians, didn’t turn out so well.   I wasn’t warmed up, and was a little nervous.   I started over a few times. My pitch wavered, and my breath support was lacking on the high notes.  I also didn’t like how my outfit and hair looked.  (I’m a girl- give me a break!)

Oh well.  Try, try again!   I sat down at the piano the next day and set up the camcorder.  I warmed up my voice, and decided on a different approach.  I didn’t stop and start every time I messed up, like I did in the first recording.  I tried to capture the emotion of the song, and stay in the worship frame of mind no matter what.  It turned out great!  Except…the sound quality of the video.

I was going to send in the video anyway, but a friend offered to record me with better equipment.  So….try, try again!  I’ll tell you how it turned out later in the article.

A….Attempt

R….Re-evaluate

T…Try again

I have engaged in the A.R.T. of Trying so many times that even when I feel nervous about a new challenge, I know that victory is ahead.  Over the years I learned the process of taking on a challenge.  Having a process helps us overcome the fear of failure because process, by definition, involves breaking things into smaller steps.  It’s easier to succeed when taking a step than a huge leap, isn’t it?

My students’ road to Black Belt is a journey of steps.  They learn basic techniques, memorize curriculum based on those techniques, learn how to apply it, they test for a belt, and start again.  People with any kind of goal must break it into steps to make their progress possible.

Speaking of which, I bet you’re wondering how my third recording attempt turned out?  I had fun recording with real equipment, under the watchful eye and ear of someone who knows his stuff.  My voice was a little hoarse from teaching that night, but the song turned out OK.  I sent it in to the contest later that night.

The strange thing was, I didn’t feel as good about that recording as I did the previous one.  Looking back at the videos, my favorite wasn’t the larger production with the band or the one with great sound quality recorded on professional equipment.  I like the one in the middle, where I simply got lost in the music and

Stopped 

Trying

And 

Just

Sang.

So the last lesson in the A.R.T. of trying, is this.  At some point (it’s hard to know when) you’ll have to go beyond trying, trust in your preparation, and let go of the fear.   At some point, the martial artist has to test for a belt.  A singer or dancer has to perform. An architect has to build something.  You get the point.

So you’re probably wondering whether or not I succeeded in this contest?  No, I didn’t make the Top Twelve, who got to perform for a live audience.  I did watch the performance.  There were some fantastic singers.  Most were average, and a few were shaky.  I would have been in the middle of the pack, I think.  I’m excited to see the talented Top Two perform before the concert next Sunday.

In the end, I really enjoyed the process of this contest like I do just about anything I attempt.  When you focus on the process more than the end result, you can feel happy and proud of yourself even if you don’t reach your goal the first time.  Will I try again next year?  No, but I will enter the contest!

 

Lead on, Dr. Seuss!

Like many of you, my shelves are packed with great leadership writers from Anthony Robbins to Zig Ziglar.  But in honor of a certain birthday today, I would like to honor one of my favorites:  Theodore Suess Geisel (a.k.a Dr. Seuss)* who would be 109 years old today!

Dr. Seuss’s beloved characters tackled Sneetch and turtle civil rights, saved the environment, rescued a tiny Who city, overcame objections in green food sales, and creatively re-envisioned some challenging businesses (zoo, circus).  What I really love is that our kids are learning wonderful leadership skills with so much enjoyment!

At age 40, I still have these lessons to learn, too.  “Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”  Simply, many of the famous Seuss characters refused to give up on what they knew was the right path even when no one else would help them, believe in them, or support them through the obstacles.  “I meant what I said and I said what I meant. An elephant’s faithful one-hundred percent!”  I have to do a little self-evaluation, here.  How many excuses have I made for not supporting a favorite cause, or not continuing a path that I started?

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

This quote is from my favorite childhood book, The Lorax.  I read it over and over again.  I can trace the drive in my personality to make my community and environment a better place to my early love of that story.  What inspires you to care?   If it’s an article, photo, statistic, etc, place it where you can see it regularly as the daily distractions of life move in.

Results start with passionately caring about a goal, whether it’s large or small.   There is probably something that you care about a “whole aweful lot:” the environment, saving a local historical building, raising money for certain medical research,  child safety in your neighborhood.  The list of possibilities is endless.  What do you desperately want to see changed?

“Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!” 

Whatever you are passionate about, that passion alone can help you persevere through many obstacles.  But you’ll need some help from another Seussian leadership trait:  imagination.  Dreamers are often seen as the opposite of “doers” but every solution first begins with creative thought.  Let’s start with the phrase,  “If I ran the…”  It helps us begin to understand the perspectives of other people involved, and also what could be done about the problem.  Imagination (which adults usually call “vision” or “creative problem solving”) is a key to seeing a better future and our role in it.

“Today I shall behave as if this is the day I will be remembered.”

So what follows thinking?  Action!  What if Dr. King only had a dream, but nothing else?  Or if Horton set down that clover because he was too busy?   It’s our behaviors and actions that will be remembered after we’re gone, not our good intentions.

“You’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So… get on your way!”

Perhaps your friends and family will remember today as the day you STARTED.  Started what?  That’s up to you.  Maybe you’ll go out to your garage right now and make a yard sign to support your cause.  Maybe you’ll go on facebook and create an event called “Fundraiser for ____”  (fill in the blank).  One of the best things about Dr. Seuss is the way he makes us feel like WE CAN!

“Will you succeed?  Yes you will indeed!  Ninety-eight and three quarters percent guaranteed!”

So is there a Seussian formula for success?   Passion for a cause + problem solving creativity + perseverance  no matter what….Or in some cases change occurs when we learn from mistakes and bad decisions and turn things around.  All I know is that these characters didn’t use magic to solve problems.   Ted Geisel himself was an example of that, writing and drawing about what he believed in even outside of the kids’ books he is most known for and influencing people long after his death.  There are people around the world celebrating Dr. Suess’s birthday with costumes and reading sessions, but he could also be honored if we each follow his example and help make the world a better place in our own way.

Here is Grinch’s lesson indeed, a warning for new Leaders to heed:  when you choose to give and start leading the charge…your heart might grow two sizes too large!

*All quotes in this article are attributed to Dr. Seuss

Goal Get ‘Em!

Happy New Year to all of my faithful readers!

Did you make a New Years Resolution?   In January, people are filled with optimism about getting a fresh start with the new year, while our procrastinated life changes are staring us in the face, daring us to ignore them for yet another year.

Goal setting, when done right, is a great catalyst for improving our lives.   It doesn’t have to be done on January 1st but most of us will attempt it anyway, so here is some advice for achieving good results:

1.  Start small. Trying to drastically change your life in one day rarely works. Pick something realistic that, once achieved, will lead to the next step toward a larger, long term goal.  Be sure to define your long term objective, and some other “baby steps” so you know there always be another goal to strive for.

For example, if losing 100 pounds is your long term goal, you can set a resolution  right now to change one meal per day to healthy, low-calorie foods. Once you’ve created this new healthy habit and start to see the result, your success will inspire you to make another change.  Smaller steps will be less overwhelming, but sometimes less motivating so be sure to keep the long-term goal in your vision.

When choosing a resolution, follow the S.M.A.R.T.E.R. Goals guideline:  Ask yourself if your goal is Specific, Motivating, Achievable, Relevant, Trackable, then Evaluate and Re-evaluate.

2.  Be accountable.  First, write down your resolution and sign the paper to seal the promise you’re making to yourself.  Your resolution then becomes real, instead of a wish or a dream!  If you like, choose a reward for reaching your goal and write that down as well.  That will help motivate you.  Then place your written goal somewhere where you will see it daily.

Tell others about your resolution.  They will help support you along the way, and hold you accountable.

3.   Never give up!  Most people give up their resolution within a few weeks.  I talked to a man today who gave up smoking, until this morning, on January 2nd.  He said maybe it wasn’t the year to quit.  I encouraged him not to give up the whole year because of this one set-back.  Remember that creating any new habit (or breaking an old one) is tough!  It will take time, determination, patience with yourself, and a large dose of perseverance.  Stay passionate about your goal by visualizing the results and celebrating small victories along the way.

Regularly tracking your progress will help you see how far you’ve come.  People often give up when it takes longer than they planned to achieve the desired results.  So give yourself some leeway and don’t adhere too strictly to a timeline.  It will take time to adjust to a change in your life.

4.  Find out what success really looks like.  If possible, find others who have achieved what you are striving for.  This could be people in your community, a book or article, or an inspiring You Tube video.  Find out how they were able to succeed, and use their stories for inspiration.

Whatever your resolution may be, I wish you the best success!   I encourage you to post your resolution in the comments, or on our Facebook page.  I’d love to see what your goals are.

Come back next week for more tips!

Center Stage

I was fortunate to attend Pure Worship Institute this summer in Minneapolis, an amazing, inspiring experience that made me push aside what I hope was a clever and witty blog about Dr. Seuss.  Sorry folks, we’ll try Dr. Seuss some other time.  Meanwhile, I am excited to share what I learned about leadership.

All good things are better when shared, right?  That’s one reason I enjoy leading worship at church, sharing my love of music to help bring the congregation into the presence of God and to prepare them for our pastor’s

Strength in Self

Some readers of this blog might not consider themselves leaders.  They’re average people living quietly away from the spotlight.   That description sounds familiar…it sounds like me!  Most people wouldn’t call me shy anymore, even though I still feel awkward around people, but I was severely shy even into my early 30s.   As I gained experience in martial arts and shifted from student to instructor I had to find a leadership style that worked for the quiet little wall flower I was.  Over the next couple of weeks, I will share how to find the leader in you based on who you already are.

Lesson 1:  Know your strengths.   

“What the lion cannot manage to do the fox can.“ – German Proverb

If leadership is about being an example for others, it is important to know and highlight your strengths.  Leaders know it’s also crucial for your happiness!  I think it’s a mistake to spend all your time “fixing” every weakness when you can find help from others who are strong in those areas (read The Power of Focus by Mark Victor Hansen).  The niche you fill and the positive influence you have on people will be based on your unique strengths.

It took me a while to figure that out.  At first I tried to copy the outgoing, charismatic Taekwondo instructors that I looked up to.   I didn’t find success or enjoyment until I learned to teach my own way which emphasized knowledge, encouragement, praise, and helping others find opportunities to grow.

Outside of my classes, I do the same things for my friends and family because that’s who I am.  I found a sincere way to teach, live, and be.  Others look up to that and in my own quiet way, I became a light for others to follow and have inspired many people to be their best selves.  Shine the spotlight on your best qualities, and you will ignite a flame in others by your example.  All it takes is some time thinking about who you really are.

“Start where you are, with what you have. Make something of it and never be satisfied. – George Washington Carver

Until my next post, God Bless!

A Beautiful Thought

What would happen if everyone lived with this philosophy:

“I am a leader, a candle that lights another candle; a ‘city on a hill’ that others can see and emulate*.  I live each day as a living example to others.”

The fact is, we do not live our lives completely alone.  Because others see and learn from us, we are leaders whether we define ourselves as such or not.   Anyone with toddlers can tell you- there will be people in your lives listening, watching, and repeating.   Parents, have you ever slipped up and swore in front of the 3-year-old and suddenly their sweet innocent voice has found a new favorite word?  Oops!

Don’t feel like you have to live every moment on guard, but sometimes we  forget that we can lead in more than one direction. A person can hold the door open for you and inspire more kindness in others.  Or pay their bills on time and help their children learn responsibility.  On the other hand, a person can quit and others will follow.  A person can sell drugs and teach others to become drug dealers.  Someone can live their life in mediocrity and pass that philosophy to their children.

Isn’t it exciting, though, to know that everyone is a leader?  Most of us think of leaders as people at the top, making the most money, bossing others around,  or having the most important role in an organization.  But even the most shy or humble of us can be a living example and inspire someone else, and that’s a beautiful thought!

To learn how, check back next week for the first in our series, “Leading by Candlelight.”

*I had in mind the verse Matthew 5:14