Calling Features

It's that time of year when the entertainment industry broadcasts their awards shows.  The Grammys, Golden Globes, and SAGs have already been presented.  The Academy Awards, or Oscars, will be given out on February 27th.  It must be so exciting to be nominated for any of these honors.  The heart may race with excitement when someone learns they have been nominated.  You wonder if the heart momentarily pauses as the person's category is announced and they wait to hear if their name will be called.  Finally, the heart might fill with joy for the winners and break with disappointment for the losers.  While you may never be nominated for any of the awards mentioned above, you do have a comparable experience.  Each time that your phone rings, the person on the other end is a presenter.  You have some tools at your disposal to help you determine your chances of feeling like a winner if you take the call.  Caller ID, Call Waiting, and Voice Mail help you decide if you will need an acceptance speech or concession speech.

Caller ID - When your phone rings, you probably check the display to see who is calling.  You can decide if you want to answer based on who is on the other end of the line.  This choice also applies to other interactions that are not on the phone.  Your email, text, and instant messages have sender fields.  The messenger always has an impact on the message.  Knowing who you are dealing with helps you get to the heart of the matter in a timely manner.

Call Waiting - You are probably familiar with the beep that you hear when you have another call waiting.  It interrupts the flow of your conversation and indicates that someone else wants your attention.  This is symbolic of the common trend of multi-tasking.  It is possible, and sometimes necessary, to do multiple things at the same time.  However, be careful that you don't drop the first call (task) while you are switching to the next one.  You need to prioritize your many responsibilities to make sure that others are getting what they need from you.  Your accountability and responsiveness to others will influence whether they click over to answer your call.  Treat people well so that they will have a soft spot in their heart for you.      

Voice Mail - How often do you check your messages? Do you listen to them with the expectation that you will hear something to push your buttons?  You have buttons for humor, duty, comfort, stress, and other reactions.  Make sure that you control the access to your buttons.  As you listen to the message, select the button that works best for you at the moment.  It may not align with what the messenger intended, but you are disciplined enough not to allow yourself to be provoked. Make sure that your response comes from your head (logic) as well as your heart (emotion).   

Which calling feature is the most useful to you?  Leave a comment and share your thoughts on the post.

Rise and Shine

Do you know people who do an impersonation of the sun?  They rise and shine daily to spread rays of light.   Even if you are not one of those eternal optimists, you can still do your part to display perseverance and warmth.  Think of your shoes as a tool to assist you with setting a good example.  A higher heel allows you to add inches to your height and see things at a different level.  When you polish your shoes, they shine and reflect your steps toward your desired destination. 

You can rise to, from, and above different situations.  When you are presented with challenges that seem intimidating, you can rise to them one step at a time.  The first step is to acknowledge the issue.  Next, do your homework.  Research will reveal strategies that have been used to solve similar problems to the one you are having.  Finally, ask for help.  Your heels may not be high enough.  You may need a few people to boost you up to where you need to be.  Sometimes a strong wind (problem) may knock you off of your feet.  You can rise from a fall, or setback, by shifting your position.  Literally, you can roll over on your side or flip onto your stomach in order to get leverage to stand.  Figuratively, you can consider different approaches, or points of view, to help you hit your target.  You may need to pull back and reassess your plan rather than pushing forward in the face of adversity.  You can rise above the chaos and pressure that is often associated with unexpected change.  There is a way that the new process, routine, or environment can benefit you.  Once you find the advantage, emphasize it by using it repeatedly.  This will lead to other connections that will work in your favor. 

You have spotlights that you can use to direct attention to the efforts, talents, and contributions of others.  Your voice causes those around you to shine when you speak well of them.  Words are like the wattage of light bulbs.  The more of them that you use, the brighter the glow is.  Another way that you cause events to shine is by showing up to them.  Your presence is an indication of support.  Your steps leave a trail for others to follow.  Think of Michael Jackson's Billie Jean video.   It is important to note that your absence may also allow someone else to shine.  You don't want to overshadow what you are trying to promote.  You can also share your cloth (preparation) with others that may need to polish their shoes (ideas).    

Leave a comment and share how you will rise and shine this week.

Playing Your Part

The Academy Award nominations were announced recently.  Recognition was given to actors and actresses who did their jobs well.  They played the roles, or parts, that were assigned to them.  What parts do you play on a regular basis?  Are you a parent, child, sibling, friend, cousin, employer, or employee?  Let's examine how the parts in your hair can be symbolic of some other "parts" you may encounter.  Do you part your hair on the right (impart), on the left (depart), or in the middle (partition)?  Maybe you have no part in your hair (partner). 

Impart - You have something unique to offer based on your experiences, personality, and skills.  As you encounter people or situations that have deficits in the areas where you have a surplus, be prepared to impart (share) what you have that may help them.  Think of it as helping them progress on the right path.

Depart - When you depart (leave) a room or conversation, you want to leave a good impression behind.  You want to be missed and remembered fondly.  Strive to be known as someone with sound judgement, a positive attitude, and good sense of humor. 

Partner -  You may join with a person or group to pursue certain goals.  In order for a partnership to work, there needs to be give and take.  To be effective, a partner should give their enthusiasm and support.  Let the others who are working with you know that you believe in the vision and are willing to work toward the identified objectives.  Partners must also take responsibility and risks.  Own your decisions and be prepared to be a trailblazer. 

Partition -  Once you see the big picture, it may be helpful to separate it into frames.  Partitions can be useful when you want to minimize distractions and maximize focus.  Divide your research into sections:  online, personal interview, and observation.  The different perspectives will highlight the common threads.  Put up an access wall to shield yourself from unwanted communication.  Let the call go to voice mail.  Leave your house and go to the library, bookstore, or coffee house for anonymity.  Do what you need to do to be productive.

How will you "part" your hair this week?  Leave a comment and share your thoughts on the post.

Candy and Flowers

As Valentine's Day approaches, advertisements are everywhere for gift ideas. Traditionally, candy and flowers are very popular choices.  Do you have a preference for what you like to give or receive to celebrate the occasion?  Florists will probably deliver a lot of roses and stores are likely to sell plenty of boxes of chocolates.  These items are symbolic of appreciation and affection.  What can you do to show these attributes when there is no date on the calendar to prompt you to do it? 

Candy - Often times a box of chocolates will have different fillings in their centers.  There may be a variety of sweet cream, caramel, and coconut selections.  You may eat your favorites and give the others away.  People also have different flavors, or desires, at their core. You demonstrate what others mean to you when you notice what is important to them.  Successful relationships, or interactions, require give and take.  Cook a friend's favorite dish or make a donation to a loved one's charity of choice. It doesn't have to be anything big.  It really is the thought that counts. 

Flowers - In the garden of possibilities, dreams and intentions need to be watered with actions.  Productivity blossoms when short term milestones are reached.  Actions definitely speak louder than words.  When others believe that you care how they feel, they are more receptive to your suggestions.  Treat your family to a dozen r.o.s.e.s. (rounds of special event sessions).  Once a month, let a different person choose an outing that will make them happy but requires willing participation from you and the other family members.  Your close friends may enjoy a bouquet of l.i.l.i.e.s. (lunch invitation labeling them important and extra special).  Of course, you have to follow through on the key words.  Pick them up to make them feel important.  Make reservations at a place you know that they love but may not go to on a regular basis.  Give them an extra special experience that they will remember.

Leave a comment and share how you will distribute candy and flowers this week.