The End of The World 12/21/12?

What if the Mayans and Nostradamus were right? According to them, one year from today, whatever it is that we are doing, working on, playing with, or accomplishing on this planet will be over. The World as We Know It Ends.

For many of us, New Years is a time for resolutions and planning to stop doing all of the things that we know we shouldn’t have been doing this year anyway! So here’s my thought…what if you don’t make any New Year’s resolutions for 2012, because why waste 1/6 of your potential last year on the planet not doing something you know you may go back to doing anyway (research has shown that New Year’s resolutions rarely last more than 60 days)?

What if we spend 2012 doing all of the things that make us happy, make the people who we spend our time with happy, and doing the things that our soul was put here to do? I’m not saying to give away all of your worldly possessions, blow all of your money and eat every cookie and candy bar that crosses your path. What I’m suggesting is that you stop putting off any of the things that you have always wanted to see, have, do or be and spend 2012 making those happen!

And if per chance the Mayans and Nostradamus were wrong, I’ll start my diet with you on January 1, 2013!

Happy Holidays!

Do you have a "Tim Tebow" fourth quarter move?

As we are right in the middle of the fourth quarter of 2011, it seems most employees are skeptical.  They are skeptical about their jobs, their companies, their place in the organization and their leaders abilities to take their teams to a successful conclusion to 2011 and set them up for a "winning" 2012.

Great leaders have a skill set they can rely on, and a team that knows what those skills are and where the support is needed to surround the leader and bring the whole organization success.  However, many leaders are covert in letting the team know where they may need help.

Here's the thing:  No one knows everything, no one is good at everything, no one great has ever achieved success alone.

Take Tim Tebow, not only was/ is his team skeptical, the whole Colorado community has been skeptical of his ability to create wins.  We know what his skill set is (he is a fabulous running back who happens to play quarterback), and he can throw.. and will continue to get better.  His team knows this and is supporting him in doing what it is he does well and allowing him to grow in other areas.  And, as of late, he has been winning.

Does your team know where your brilliance lies?  Do they know where they can use their talents to help the organization succeed.  Do you?  And even more, do you have a fourth quarter move that if you shared that with your team now, it would take you over the top before the end of 2011?  It may be time to make your move, and trust your team to have your back to get it done.

Who is the "Drew Rosenhaus" of your world?

After watching 60 Minutes, with their piece on Drew Rosenhaus, the super agent of the NFL, I was thinking - Where is the super agent in your business?  I see these football players, all very talented athletes, and they don't have to tell people how good they are. They go out, do what they do, and someone else negotiates for them. Someone else has their back. Someone else understands the game they are playing and convinces the people who hire this talent, how much money they are worth.

Where is the Drew Rosenhaus in your industry? In my industry, the speaking industry, I know many speakers who are really good. I mean brilliantly talented and yet most off them/us are out negotiating our own fees. You don't see the top football players doing that. They have Drew.

Isn't time that each of us find that "super advocate/ agent" who can spot the best of the best in any industry and start becoming an advocate/agent/mouthpiece for the people who are the best of best in what they do?  I challenge someone to step up, get yourself on the cover of Ink Magazine, of Fortune Magazine, of the New York Times Sunday Parade Magazine as the super agent of what ever industry they are the expert in...  Any takers?  Also, if you do follow Drew's model, it seems quite lucrative.. he made over $18 Million last year. 

An HSN Birthday Poem

An HSN Poem to Celebrate the 34th Birthday:

34 years have come and gone, the changes have been drastic.  

As women we have grown a lot and the opportunities have been fantastic.  

To be moms and wives and colleagues and friends, we support everyone around us

Who come to us for advice and love and the mystery of life astounds us.  

So together we celebrate this birthday month with the selections that keep on popping.  

We're grateful for HSN in our lives and the convenience and joy of home shopping.

How your Front Line Affects your Bottom Line

In most business publications and media assessments, the focus on companies is put on the CEO, the President, and the executive team of the company.  But how important is it to your clients and customers what the CEO or executive team is thinking?

What's much more important to your client or customer is the attitude, outlook and service of the front line person that they deal with the first time or every time they do business with you.  I was recently in a grocery store and I heard one checkout person say to another, "Oh my God, if this day doesn't end soon, I'm going to kill myself."  Now, perhaps that had nothing to do with her job, but my guess is, if her job were some place that supported her in some way, other than just financially, she probably wouldn't feel that way.

I was also recently in a hotel and there was a gentleman restocking the towels on the housekeeping cart.  I smiled at him on my way downstairs and said, "How are you today?"  He said, "Ask me again at 4:30 and I'll let you know."  I'm assuming that he gets off work at 4:30.

One more example,  I called the customer service phone number of an online retailer and asked how to return an item without paying shipping and handling to send it back, as I had received the wrong item in the first place (this situation will have to appear in a different article!)  The person who represented that company did not apologize for the mix-up, did not have a solution for me, and was annoyed when I asked her if I could speak with someone else who could resolve this situation.  Whether or not the next person could or could not resolve my challenge, the damage had already been done and a negative association to that company now exists.

So here is my question, are the people who are coming in contact with your customers or clients happy?  Are they empowered to handle the challenges that will come up?  Do they know what the CEO would do if the situation ended up in their lap?

Does the attitude and vision and intention of the executive team translate throughout the organization and land successfully on the front line?  Remember, it is often ONLY your front line employees that your customers or clients see.  Are you SURE they are representing the message of the executive team?  With the amount of choice your customers have at their fingertips...literally, now,  we can lose customers very quickly, and sometimes not know why.

Think about it.  Does your company have a strategic communication plan that runs throughout your organization?  And I don't mean just a sign over the door telling employees "You're the best", "Our customers are the best", "We're #1".  Talking about appreciation and having your people feel they're genuinely appreciated, empowered and important can make all of the difference in the world.. to them and your bottom line.

Hotspot Technology gets Personal

I recently got a new android phone which has this very cool feature. When turned on, this phone can become a "universal hotspot" through which other people/phones can connect to me, and through me. This got me thinking, aren't we all "universal hotspots"?

When we are turned on, we send out a signal that other people pick up on and connect to or through to each other, and to us. I just saw a movie called I Am. This movie by Director, Tom Shadyac, takes a concept that I have always suspected, which is that we/ humans are all connected and picking up each other's vibrations.  In fact this movie goes beyond people, and shows the science behind how every living thing on the plan is connected.

So, my question to you is; What signal, what vibrations are you sending out? What type of universal "hot spot" are you?  You can choose to send out a signal of positivity and love and that will influence everyone in your realm.  Your being "tuned on", may turn on their "universal hotspot" of positivity, which will turn on other people's "hotspots" to put out a positive signal and so on, and so on....  If we do this positively and consistently, we could create a planet of "hotspots" that connect us all to our higher good and make the world a better place.  Now that's technology that makes the world go 'round.

But it's only a GAME.....

I discovered a new game this week, which by the way is not sold in the game area at a large retailer, it is actually sold in the puzzle area. That said, I found a new game. It's called Bananagrams.

Bananagrams is sold in a yellow banana shaped pouch. All you need to play is the yellow banana pouch and a table.  Simple.  You don't need dice. You don't need cards. You don't need to keep score. You don't need a pencil. All you need is the banana with the 144 letter tiles in it. It's a game where you make crosswords.  If you're a fan of Scrabble, you're really going to like Bananagrams, but here's the thing about Bananagrams that I learned, Bananagrams is not just a game. It is an exercise in flexibility. 

I was playing with my aunt, my uncle, my 94-year-old grandmother, my mother, and her friend.  We  were all playing together, and at one point, I took all of my letters; after forming all of the words I could and I had two letters left over.  Right in the middle of a round, I scrapped the whole thing, mixed them all up, and decided to start again.  My aunt looked at me and said "what are you doing?  How can you do that?"  I said, that it wasn't working so I decided I would just try it a whole different way.  She looked at me and said, "that would make me so nervous, but hey, I guess that's what you do in your life, isn't it?  When things aren't working, you try to fix it and then you just start again."

How many of us are stuck with circumstances being the way we think they have to be and the way that's been set up, and even if it doesn't fit, we stay and contort ourselves to the situation?  How many of us are comfortable scrapping everything we've done and starting again with an idea and a plan of how things could be better? 

I want to invite you to try the game, Bananagrams, and from there, take a look and see how flexible you're being in your real life.  Maybe taking risks and being flexible in a game where there is nothing to lose will help us all to realize that in life, there really isn't any losing.  There's just learning and possibly making things better by shaking them up.  I wish you lots of fun on game night.

Economic Optimism in Fashion

Did you know that fashion trends mirror the economy? The economy is showing signs of new life and an optimism that is reflected in spring fashions.  

The stock market is coming back to life, the Consumer Price Index rose by 0.4% during each of the past two months (the largest back to back gains in two years) and thanks to the Middle East, oil prices are rising, which drives up other prices but also increases wages, which is a goal of the US Federal Reserve (they want inflation of about 1.5-2.0% each year). US manufacturing is increasing for high value items, and American companies are hiring again.  US Unemployment fell below 9% for the first time in almost two years, across almost all sectors except state and local governments.

As a result and fingers crossed by retailers, consumers are spending.  Maybe people are just tired of bad news, but fashion spending is trending toward cheerful purchases of bright colors, happy patterns, and hopeful combinations. 

What is in for Spring? 

Fashion for spring 2011 displays a strong vibrancy.   We're seeing people feel confident as they make clothing purchases that reflect a more positive mood and uplift their spirits.

Colors get brighter when the economy improves.  We are seeing bright pinks, turqs, reds, greens, purples and even yellow.  Platform shoes are in. (Maybe we are finally standing on the platform of an economic recovery?)  Skirts are still all lengths, but many moved shorter, in hopeful confidence. 

Straight leg and wide leg pants are still very present as people are serious about functionality and ease of movement, paired with bright prints in vibrant enthusiasm. 

Enjoy spring fashion and hopefully the upward spiral we are all feeling and yearning for, with happy bright colors will continue.  Don't forget to wear yellow. It will stimulate your creativity.  And have some fun with prints… go ahead, pair a polka-dot scarf with a floral dress, and invest in yourself and others.  According to economists and fashionistas alike, this is the time to do so!

By Carolyn Strauss with Dr Mary C. Kelly 

www.carolynstrauss.com

www.productiveleaders.com

10 Ways to Create a Love-filled Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day (or as my friends in NY used to call it "Singles Awareness Day"), comes with all kinds of expectations and societally imposed ideas of how we should feel, what we should get and puts all kinds of pressure on us to have a Valentine.  If you remember, some of us in school brought Valentine cards for the kids in our class, everyone was supposed to get one.  That didn't always work, and if you didn't get one, it felt as if life were over.

Well, here are some ideas to help us grown-ups be in control of how we feel and what happens for us this Valentine's Day.

1.  Wake up happy.  Valentine's Day this year is on Monday.  Set yourself up this Sunday night and decide that you will be happy when you arise on Monday.  It's amazing how a decision like this works.
2.  Set aside a few minutes that morning to be grateful for what you have and more grateful for what you haven't got.
3.  Wear clothing that makes you feel great.  Set yourself up to feel good all day.  Today is the day to exude confidence, abundance and peace (or pick your favorite 3 adjectives and dress accordingly).
4.  Release endorphins for yourself.  (This is not to replace sex, but whether or not sex is available to you, it's always a good idea to take care of yourself first).  Do something for at least 20 minutes to move your body so that you are breathing hard, breaking a sweat, and get in touch with your body which is the vehicle which allows you to have your life.  
5.  Reach out to the people in your world.  Call a friend or family member who you really love and tell them.  Spend a few minutes connecting with someone who makes your life better just by being in it.
6.  Eat something that satisfies your body, your soul or a craving.  Chocolate is the food of the day as it releases endorphins and oxytocin, which are the same hormones that being in love releases.  Perhaps treat yourself to some very intense dark chocolate and enjoy the sensation.
7.  For each of the people in your immediate circle, remind yourself of their love language (words of appreciation, physical touch, gifts, acts of service, quality time) and take a few minutes to show each of them, in their way how they enhance your world.
8.  Get a need of yours met.  If there is something you need, big or small, take this day and ask for it.  You never know, you may not be getting it because someone may not know it is important to you.
9.  Schedule something to look forward to.  February and March, traditionally are the "darkest" months, so schedule something for yourself that will occur during the next 6 weeks that every time you think of it, it makes you happy and gives you energy.
10.  Whether you are happily married, engaged, single, in the middle of a transition, take Valentine's Day and BE LOVE.  What I mean by that, you can let go of judgement, self or other, and just look for the good/ or the spirit in everyone you encounter.  By doing that, you will guarantee yourself a love-filled Valentine's Day. 

Life Cycle of a Business

Every relationship has a life cycle. When you are really lucky, that life cycle lasts forever.

However, some life cycle end before we are ready to let them go.

A business life cycle is like any other relationship in terms of supporting and enhancing those involved. When you pour your heart and soul into a business, like a personal relationship, it can be devastating when it ends. You spend years of time, money, and resources to create an entity that contributes to the well being of the lives of those around you and those you serve. It is hard to watch your life’s dream overtaken by external circumstances and a changing market. Imagine having all of your investments in 8 track tapes. Markets change.
Truth is, it is wise to know when it is time to close the doors and move on to new opportunities.

However, ending any business means shifting long-term relationships with customers, clients, suppliers, the network of buyers, as well as your trusted friends and partners. Change can be difficult and frightening for many people. But not evolving means certain stagnation. (And who wants that?)

Ending the business or losing a job means “not knowing” in your life. “Not knowing is a state of grace” according to Thich Nhat Hanh. A glass that is already full has no space for anything new.

When you end a personal relationship, people understand that you are lonely, in need of support, and in need of new opportunities to meet other people. Starting a new business or looking for a new job is much the same.

Here are our three suggestions for how to bungee jump to your next great opportunity:

1. Get clear about who you are, what gifts you bring to the table, and the causes that fuel your passion. This is a great time to focus on doing what you really want to do.

2. Engender support. Reach out to your network of friends, colleagues, and associates, and ask them how you can be of help to them and their passions.

3. Be open to exploring new ideas and business options. Think outside of traditional roles and functions. Stretch your competencies by learning a new skill or business application, or by joining groups that stimulate your creative thinking beyond the typical standard for your industry.
Just a note, remember, five years ago, there were no blogs.

By Carolyn Strauss with Mary Kelly, PhD (www.ProductiveLeaders.com)

Living Well for as Long as Possible, now THAT's a Resolution

Healthy, healthy, healthy, healthy dead.   Living long is not the game; to live well...That is the game I hope we're all playing in 2011 and beyond.

Before there was Bob and Jillian, before Gilad, before Jane Fonda and Richard Simmons, there was Jack LaLanne.  The man who beginning in the early 1950's hosted the first exercise "reality" work out show when televisions were in black and white and you physically had to get out of the chair to go change the channel, adjust the volume, or adjust the rabbit ears in order to pick up the signal.  For more than 35 years with his TV show and with his books and juicer, Jack LaLanne was an inspiration and a role model from the time he was a young man until his passing this past weekend.  To me, Jack LaLanne represented living well, living a clean, balanced, healthy life.

During his television program for more than three decades he gave people exercises to move their body, demonstrated each of them, and through the television he gave them the support of someone to do them with.  Jack also used each of his shows to promote the ideas of nutritional eating, being happy, being balanced, being supported and most importantly, being loved.

 I think in this time of January when many people set resolutions and many have already let them go, I think looking at an example like Jack LaLanne, of someone who did not set new years resolutions but every day chose to live a healthy, balanced, clean life.  It was a resolution that I believe he woke up with every morning and lived with until the day he passed.  Jack said, "The only way to hurt your body is by not using it."  As for me, I will smile every time I see someone either in an orange jumpsuit or getting themselves to the gym.    Wishing you all a healthy 2011.