Brad Rhame

Motivational Thoughts on Success, Leadership and Martial Arts

Archive for the month “January, 2014”

25 Jan 2014
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A Man of Generosity – by Brad Rhame

My Uncle Jim, who recently passed away was a man of generosity.  There isn’t a person who knows the name Jim Pritchard, who doesn’t realize how successful he was.  I will never know how many people he helped…but I will know that I was one of them.  He not only gave to me financially, but through his wisdom and generosity too.

I can’t begin to thank him enough for the words of wisdom he gave me on business.  He also showed me what it meant to be generous to others.  There have been so many people tell of the stories of his kindness.  Those who knew him will remember him for years to come.  They will share memories and moments of his laughter and sincerity.

When others mention Jim Pritchard or “JP” as he was often called, they will remember a man who didn’t horde his financial success, but shared with all those around.  He taught us how to make others feel special.  And this all came from a man who had a “C” average in high school and never pursued a college degree.  A man who succeeded in ways that others will only dream about.

His success was not built on luck or family inheritance, but on the one thing that matters most…and that was people.  He taught us that it was about relationships and that is for what he will be remembered.  I will never be able to thank him enough for the acts of kindness and neither will those who knew him.

What I pass on to others from the lessons of his life are these:

  • Life is short
  • Give generously
  • Treat people well
  • Make people remember you
  • Love people
  • Cry with those you love
  • Meet new people
  • Share memories
  • Laugh often
  • Mean what you say
  • Go BIG or go home
  • True riches are in relationships

And if you never met Jim Pritchard, I know you would have liked him and probably even loved him.

Thank you Uncle Jim for being a man of generosity.

Love,

your nephew

Brad Rhame

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16 Jan 2014

How to Break the 7 Barriers of Leadership

How to Break the 7 Barriers of Leadership.

 

Each of these steps can turn around your slump.  Thank you to Dan Rockwell (The Leadership Freak) for writing this!

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16 Jan 2014

Leaders Learn to Follow – by Brad Rhame

Every great leader learns from someone else.  Whether it is a previous boss or parent, leaders learn from someone.  Many times you can trace a bad leader’s habits back to a prior boss.  They were taught to handle people a certain way and that is all they know.  Is that their fault?  To an extent, it is.

Everyone of us has the ability to go outside our current circle of influence and find other mentors.  This can be as easy as Youtube or a book, to going as far as finding an actual person with which to meet.  When we stop learning, then we stop growing and getting better.

I love leadership and everything that it entails, but I am not even close to knowing all the answers.  Society changes and so do trends.  What worked yesterday does not always work tomorrow.  We have to stay current and when possible ahead.

A simple first step that can be taken is to find a simple leadership blog.  Read one a day and apply it to that day’s activities.  See how people respond to your new found techniques.  You may be surprised at what you find.  Another simple step that can be taken is to see how those around you interact with each other.  After observing, try using the same basic skills others are using.

Being a leader doesn’t mean acting like those you manage, but there isn’t anything wrong with communicating the same way they do.  People tend to listen to those in which they can relate.  So, try looking for new people to follow and from which to take advice.  Remember that leaders follow and so be careful who you follow, in order to lead well.

Brad Rhame

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06 Jan 2014

Our One Shot At Greatness

Our One Shot At Greatness.

 

No one knows their last day.  Will you or are you happy with where you are?

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05 Jan 2014

What Makes Great Actors Great? – by Brad Rhame

How many actors/actresses would you consider great?  What is it that they do that makes them amazing?  There is a saying that goes, “Proper Preparation Produces Perfect Performance.”  I couldn’t agree more. BUT… What is  it that makes them exceptional?  Could it be that every time they do a scene they can go back behind the camera and watch how they did?  If you saw yourself everyday on video, would you change the way you walk, talk, stand, smile or even sit?  What about how you dress, approach someone or shake hands?  If you could see yourself as they see you, would you change yourself to be better?

What the camera, director and other co-stars do for those in acting; our friends, family, bosses, coworkers and yes even the camera can tell us how we are doing.  THE word I am thinking of is Accountability.  Whenever we are held accountable for our actions, we strive to meet and achieve those standards.  That is what makes writing down our goals so important and so hard. People don’t like to fail and we know that by not telling others about our goals, it leaves us a way out to quit, slack off or cheat.

If you want to have your best life going forward, then you need to realize that things need to change.  There needs to be accountability in your life.  The goal in accountability is to find those that will push you and not make fun of you.  Too many others, who are permanent failures, want company and will gladly pull you down to their level. Accountability is not about guilt, but rather motivation!  Seek out those leaders, friends and family members who are going to motivate and inspire you to achieve greatness.  Everyone has greatness inside of them, we just have to find a way of pulling, pushing and catapulting it out of us.

So, the next time you see a great movie think about all the accountability it took to make those actors/actresses that way.  And now you know what makes great actors great.  Go and do the same!

Brad Rhame

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