Think Yourself Happy

What you think and what you think about yourself are the two most vital keys in determining your success.

My 2010 resolution moves along the lines of positivity and the building of self confidence.

How am I doing it?

1. Daily affirmations. One I am using at the moment is the affirmation card from Zig Ziglar.


2. Reading positive books.


3. Listening to positive and confidence building podcasts. Check out the "My Thought Coach" podcast on iTunes. It has some fantastic thoughts lessons for everyone to learn.


4. Not being so sensitive to the words of others. I am working through learning how to figure out which criticism's are valid, which aren't and then dealing with them correctly.


5. Self reflection. Not so much a diary but rather a critical reflection tool for reviewing events throughout the day - those that went well against those that didn't. Then creating a plan for moving forward the next day or finding a way to strengthen any areas that need it.


6. Talking positively. Being careful about what I say and trying to avoid words or statements that are negative, slanderous or just a waste of time saying.

It is going to be a good year - this year!

2010 - Whats Going To Happen?

Hi, I rust you had an excellent Christmas and New Years.

Now we ask the question what will happen over the course of 2010?

Nobody can honestly answer that question. There is no way of really knowing what will happen or when. There are no factors that allow us to really control the events of tomorrow.

However what we can do is manage our responses to those events and our methods of working through them.

Now is the time to start thinking and strategising about what you will do with the rest of the year. Making a New Years resolution is a good idea but now we need to start following through on those decisions.

Start planning now.

Grow Your Business

The quickest and most efficent method of marketing is to ensure the customes who use you now - come back again and tell their friends.

Yes, it is that simple.

Have a great Christmas

I want to wish everyone a great Christmas and a happy New Years.

I may post during the next week or two but most likely wll not.

The blog will restart properly beginning January 5th, 2010.

Thank you all, Jonathon.

<>

Managing Generation Y

One of the single biggest issues you will have to confront when dealing with Gen Y'ers is developing trust.

Here are some helpful hints for managing your Gen Y workers -

1. Set boundaries. Many Gen Y persons have had very little rules to conform to, therefore they are more likely to go ahead with a project without fully thinking out the implications.


2. Be flexible. Gen Y want to be able to dictate what they do with their time and when. The classic working day means far less now than it used to.


3. Creativity. Give your Gen Y people ongoing projects and assignments to work to keep them engaged with the companys mission.


4. Develop Credibility. Gen Y want to know you trust them and that they can trust you in return. Don't assume respect - earn it, test it and develop it. If you lose your credibility - you will have to work extra hard to regain it.


5. Cmmunicate. Gen Y are totally savvy with new technoogies and using them as a means to speak to each other. Tr using social media and electronic message boards as your primary method of communication.

There is also a great article here by Km Huggins (K HR Solutions).

Alternatively, you can watch this video on You Tube in which Sylvia Ann Hewlett is interviewed for Harvard video and discusses Generation Y.

Great Leaders

People who have passion and drive can achieve great things in their lifetime. Check out the video below of Marla Ruzicka.

You can click here to watch the video on Google.

What can we learn from this? If we apply ourselves to a selfless mission and use our passion for good - we too can begin to change the world.

Ms Ruzicka was only 28 when she was killed doing what she loved. That is very sobering.

Resume's

2010 Management Goals

Here are the top three resolutions I have for 2010 as far as my management goes -

1. Compliance: (a) the act or process of complying to a desire, demand, proposal, or regimen to coercion, (b) conformity in fulfilling official requirements.


2. Excellence: (a) the quality of being excellent, (b) an excellent or valuable quality.


3. Teamwork: cooperative work done by a team (especially when it is effective).

These are the three key section headings for 2010. My aim now is to break down these headings into specific sections and goals that are SMART.

• Specific;
• Manageable;
• Ambitious;
• Realistic;
• Time measurable.

Watch this space for ongoing updates!

Leadership Interviews - Number 3

Check out this short interview with Pete Peterson, alternatively there is another great longer video over here.


Here's my take on what Mr Peterson covers -

• Longevity rules. Mr Peterson has a proven track record over time which equals credibility. When you get to Mr Peterson's age and have grand kids - you care more and you aren't afraid to tell people what you really think.


• Honesty is everything. Be honest at the time when honesty is most required - not a long time after.
• History counts. The longer you are around or are able understand the past - the more effective your management becomes as you are able to quickly react to new scenarios and situations.


• Do what you enjoy and what you are good at. There is no more full proof strategy than that.


• When you've made 'it' reinvest your fortunes into those that either haven't made 'it' or are on their way.


• Never stop thinking about tomorrow or how you can do things better.

Editors note - you may not always agree with someone and their views, but that doesn't mean you can't mine a wealth of knowledge from them.

Scenarios for Strategy and Planning

"The tales we tell are just as important as the facts and figures we learn. Stories help us try on different possibilities to see how they fit!" (Brian Fies).

Having the ability and making the time to glimpse the future is an important part of the managers role. Here's how you can get started -

1. Imagine the future. Get wild! What does the future look like to you? How will you know when you have crossed your finish line?


2. Think backwards. What steps were taken that created the end picture. How did you get to the end result and who did you need to get there. What money was required? Did you need venture capital? How many employees will you need along the way?


3. Create practicable steps that you can implement today. Start with the smallest steps and then move on from there.


4. Keep reflecting and keep updating the end picture and stay flexible enough to get there.

Creating a vision for people to work towards is one part of management. Working out what steps are required to get there separates the dreamer from the visionary.