Combined imagery and quote is an ongoing, collaborative project between myself and Peggy A Thompson.
For more info on Stephen F. Kaufman, visit www.hanshi.com
How many times can you remember when success came from sticking with something for just a little longer. Each of us can remember at least one, or at least I hope so. Persistence is a proven part of the formula for success. By not giving up on a job, client, sales pitch, friend, or hobby we have seen where loyalty and persistence has paid big dividends.
The one thing to keep in mind is that after persistence has paid off, consistent action must take over. This failure happens most often in weight loss and sales. We work so hard to get to a certain goal and then reward ourselves by taking an “extended” break. This break leads to old habits creeping back into our lives. These old habits then return us back to where we began…or at least close to it. This can then lead to a negative outlook on being able to get back to a successful lifestyle again.
That is why persistence is so important. Even after reaching our goals, we must keep a persistent mindset everyday. Success will come, when day after day we take continual disciplined action…also known as Persistence
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
No one knows their last day. Will you or are you happy with where you are?
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
Positive Leadership: The Way Forward.
A return to what works, by Josh Lowry
Brad Rhame 