Love And Be Loved (too lofty?)
Small plans are okay. As Mother Teresa said, “If you can’t do great things, do small things with great love.”
So then are big plans better?
Think back through your career. Where did you have the most success? The most reward? The most passion? The most determination?
If your goal isn’t impossible, you’re not reaching high enough. You can quote me on that.
If your goal isn’t impossible, you’re not reaching high enough.
Dream? Do? Both?
It Could Happen
You Never Succeed By Being A Follower.
There are probably exceptions to this rule, but let’s be real. The exceptions are just that, exceptions.
Please don’t get me wrong, following is good. And safe. And mostly predictable.
And then there are the questions of when, where, what, how and why?
Whatever it is that is important, should be visualized and evaluated.
Then, there is that simple choice: Follow or lead.
And in my case, this took a lifetime.
He Thinks I'm God
Do you have a dream? Of course you do. Who doesn’t?
Do you know the question behind the question?
No seriously, do you?
I mean, “Do you have a dream so big, everyone considers it impossible?”
Maybe you should.
Last year, after reading Robert Kiyosaki’s bestselling book, Rich Dad Poor Dad, dreams of a different kind began to form.
And this week, I’ll share a few more highlights. Meanwhile, there is a fairly comprehensive Rich Dad Poor Dad summary over on the right hand column. It’s been there for a year.
You can see a lot when you look around.
Blog? Are You Kidding Me?
How’s the health of your competitive advantage?
If it is anything less than excellent, then you may want to consider what I’m about to suggest, and here’s why:
That’s the key message today. Why would anyone avoid a low cost, incredibly flexible way to improve your edge.
You absolutely need an Internet presence. If you tune this out, you’re in big trouble. The same kind of trouble if you ignore a bad health report.
The easiest way to enhance your edge is to blog. If you don’t know how, there are tons of free online “how to” articles.
GoDaddy has 35 million domain names registered. GoDaddy has seven million customers.
I’m one of them.
Will you be?
Sense of Urgency?
Reading a book has the potential to alter the way we behave. This can be a gift. It can also be a curse.
The Last Lecture, by Randy Pausch, was a gift.
Randy’s book helped me see the same things I always see, in a completely different light.
It was in the contemplative moments, inspired by his news, “You have about six months to live”, that really helped me see a blind spot.
A blind spot that most humans share.
Putting important things off because they are not urgent.
Health. Family. Spirit. Life. Legacy.
What does this have to do with leadership?
Do I really have to explain it? Because if I do, it worries me that you still might not get it.
You will eventually, but what if someone disconnects your phone?
What will GREAT look like for you in 2010?
I can’t imagine being a professional and not being a LinkedIn member. But it’s not unreasonable at this point for many to still not be involved.
My wife is not on LinkedIn, however, I do believe it would benefit her to get started.
Anyway, through LinkedIn, which I read daily, I followed a link - “What Will Great Look Like For You In 2010?” A quote from that link sparked today’s blog post.
So there are two messages today:
A reader commented a few months ago, “You never ask for anything.”
It was, and still is, a question that leaves a funny feeling in my gut.
Why would anyone invest in five daily blogs, reveal secrets, success tips, insightful thinking, be vulnerable and transparent, and never ask for a nickel in return?
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” – Howard Thurman
Hey, business blogs and professional networking are occupying a big part of my dreaming capacity these days. How is it with you? The dreaming part.
To me, dreaming is synonymous with vision, in my opinion.
How important is vision? What is your vision each and every day. This can be challenging to answer.
Why?
Because we often don’t think about it. Why? Because we are so busy trying to accomplish what’s directly in front of us. Am I wrong?
Wanted to add a quick post to share a vision that business blogs and social networking will someday soon be an energizing force to help make the world a better place. I can feel it in my bones.
What are you passionate about? What do you dream about? Who needs to be involved? How long do you have?
When do you find time to think of questions like these, let alone answer them?
I’m challenging myself to work harder and smarter than ever. I hope you do what feels right for you, and for your organization.
To me, it feels like the clock is ticking faster. The competition, working harder. Carpe diem, jungle jeff noel 
What’s the first thing you do when you hear your alarm clock go off?
As I write this, it’s almost 5am. I’ve been up for an hour, reading, writing, thinking.
Actually, I didn’t think the alarm clock was ever going to go off. Just lying in bed, wondering, “When is that thing ever going to go off. Come on. Let’s go. Bring it (the day) on!”
Those who know me know I’m completely serious. Those who don’t – “crazy man”!
Part of the challenge is the thing we’re waiting on is called an “ALARM” clock. Yikes.
What if we called it an “OPPORTUNITY” clock. Wow!
Everyday is an opportunity to do something great. Everyday is a gift. To be able to get out of bed. To be alive. To have the privilege to serve and help others.
Have you noticed the tone, the language, of today’s post?
There a few key words and phrases that set the tone. Agree?
The same is true in business. That’s one of the most powerful secrets in business. Use words to nuture and grow a great culture.
I’ll explain more in another jungle jeff post. Right now, it’s off to the Orange County Convention Center for a GREAT day.
Make your day GREAT! Because if you don’t, who will?
Carpe diem, jungle jeff
What does EPCOT stand for?
Every Person Comes Out Tired!
What?
Just kidding. You can take the boy out of the Jungle Cruise, but you can’t take the Jungle Cruise out of the boy.
EPCOT stands for Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow.
That’s what Walt Disney called Walt Disney World, before it was officially named Walt Disney World. The entire 43-square mile piece of alligator, snake and mosquito infested swampland he called EPCOT.
He said it would never be completed. He added, “The sketches and plans you see here are simply a starting point. Our first overall thinking.” As he continued, “Our plans may change time and time again.” He gave us permission to take his crazy, “impossible” vision and find the best way to get to our destination – “that EPCOT will always be a showcase for American ingenuity.”
And so it is with me. And with you too. Who wouldn’t want to always be in a state of becoming. Always changing and growing -serving more people in more ways. Then those people go out and do the same. We know this as “the ripple effect”.
Who’s helping you? Who’s holding you accountable?
At last week’s National Speakers Association Winter Conference, prior to the opening Keynote speech from Roxanne Emmerich ( http://www.emmerichgroup.com/ ), author of “Thank God It’s Monday: Kicking Butt and Taking Names to Grow Your Business”, we were asked to find one or two accountability partners. It was great to establish this upfront.
Carpe diem, jungle jeff