Watch Your Step

When you are boarding or disembarking from commercial transportation, you may hear someone tell you to watch your step.  This is a common phrase that is synonymous with be careful, or proceed with caution.  It is not instructing you to stand still.  The assumption is that you will move.  As you take each step, be aware of the things that may cause you to lose your balance.  Watch your scale, thermometer, elevator, and posture.

Scales measure the weight of body mass, food, or other materials.  There is usually a limit that you do not want to exceed.  You have a target range that is acceptable for you.  Your brain acts as a scale for your words.  It assesses the impact (weight) associated with what you say.  When speaking, always consider that what you are trying to convey can be interpreted in a variety of ways. 

Thermometers function as a temperature gauge to let you know how warm the air, food, or your body is.  The reading is reported in degrees.  Know the acceptable standards and what you can tolerate.  The lessons learned from your successes and failures will help you evaluate when you are getting close to your targets.

Elevators can transport you up and down in a building.  There is usually a directory that lists who or what is on each floor.  Your relationships are like elevators.  They are the mechanism that allow you to access the different levels of opportunities that are available to you.  People on the ground floor provide a solid foundation for you.  They support and encourage you when you get discouraged.  Your contacts on the middle floors can connect you to the resources that you need to be productive.  Finally, it is good to know someone on the top floor.  The view from that vantage point lets you see what is possible for you.

Posture refers to how you present yourself.  As a child, your parents may have told you to sit or stand up straight.  Figuratively, you can use this same principle to make a good impression on the people that you meet.  Don't be a slouch when it comes to fulfilling your responsibilities.  Your outward stance is often a reflection of what you are thinking.  It's okay to sit back and ponder your next move.  When you have firm support behind you, it helps you look forward with a sense of comfort and confidence.

Leave a comment and share what steps you will watch this week.
       

Iron Supplement

What do you think of when you hear the word "iron"?  Do elite competitions like Iron Man Triathlon and Iron Chef come to mind?  Maybe you think of the tool used to get the wrinkles out of your clothes.  Iron is also an essential mineral that your body needs to function.  If you want to stay fit, you might pump iron. When you add the word "iron" to certain adjectives, they can be viewed as supplements to describe the use of tools.  You may use an iron daily to help you with your hair.  Flat irons and curling irons both apply heat but produce different results.  You can use them as symbols for how you approach stressful situations.   


A flat iron helps you to straighten your hair and eliminate tangles.  The process sometimes adds length as the strands are pulled and released.  Similarly, patience and attention to detail can function as flat irons when you need to be a problem solver.  Take your time to get an accurate assessment of the issue.  This will enable you to get to the root, or bottom, of the matter instead of dealing with surface symptoms.  When you focus on finding the common denominator of the different things hindering your progress, you can identify an effective strategy to help you move forward.

A curling iron helps you achieve the turns that can provide direction, or definition, to your hair.  You can flip it up, bend it under, or twist it into spirals. In other words, you can change the status quo by exploring viable alternatives.  When presented with a challenge, flip your internal switch to turn on that extra boost of confidence to meet it.  Remember that you have options on how to respond, or react, to situations.  Choose one that you can bend, or shape, to your personality and strengths.  You are at your best when you feel that your input is valued.  Finally, learn to anticipate when unexpected plot (plan) twists may occur.  Take a deep breath and let the curls (results) fall where they may.  You can adjust them to achieve the style (outcome) that you want. 

Leave a comment and share which type of iron you will use this week.

Sound Advice

Are you a good listener?  Most people will automatically respond yes.  That is not really a question that you can answer.  The people that talk to you are the ones that can rate your listening ability.  Let me rephrase the inquiry.  Do you get to the heart of the matter?  Do you hear the "T" of what is being communicated?   The "T" helps to clarify what is being heard or read.  Three key "T"s of any message are trigger, tilt, and terms.

• Hear (T)rigger - It helps to know the cause of a remark or an action in order to properly deal with the effect.  Sometimes if you are aware of the trigger that influenced a person, you can choose a suitable response.  Don't take everything personally.  The way someone deals with you may be due their environment or other external factors.  They could be hungry, tired, stressed, overwhelmed, or distracted by things beyond your control.  Instead of automatically assuming that a person is not receptive to what you have said or done because they have a problem with you, consider that there may be other reasons.

• Hear (T)ilt - When you are trying to convince someone of your point of view, know when to stop talking or change your approach.  Pay attention to the tilt (direction) of what they are saying to you.  If it appears that they are leaning towards agreeing with you, don't talk yourself out of the deal.  If hard, cold facts aren't swaying them, maybe you need to appeal to their emotions.  Ask questions and find out what is important to them.  Adjust your content or delivery to make it relevant to them.  

• Hear (T)erms - It is important for all parties in a conversation, or meeting, to be on the same page.  If you are able to set the terms, then do your best to stick to them.  When you ask someone for 15 minutes of their time, don't take 30 minutes.  People are more likely to deal with you when they feel that they can believe what you say.  If someone else sets the terms and you agree to them, make sure that you have a clear understanding of what you need to do.  Listen with the intent to comply with and contribute to the order that has been set.

Leave a comment and share which "T" will be your focus this week.

Shoe Boxes

Do you remember the line in Forrest Gump about the box of chocolates?  He shared that his Mama said life was like a box of chocolates because you never know what you will get.  The same sentiment could apply to other types of boxes. For example, shoe boxes can contain more than what is listed on the label.  Shoe boxes hold pairs of options for you.  You can choose comfort, style, or functionality.  The description associated with the shoe can influence how you approach your objectives. 

• Comfortable shoes allow you to stay on your feet longer.  They are built for endurance.  Experience and flexibility are a pair of traits that will enable you to find a way to finish what you start.  It will often be necessary to take risks and operate in areas where you don't have a great degree of familiarity.  However, make sure that you have honed your strengths to the point that they are able to work in your favor.

• Style is about getting attention.  You want people to appreciate what they see.  Acknowledgement and reliability are a pair of characteristics that are visible to others.  Recognize the people that help you.  Share credit for your achievements.  Let others know that they can count on you by honoring your commitments.  You are not always of aware of what people notice.  When you do what you say that you will do, you set an expectation.  Do your best not to give people a reason to doubt you.

• Functionality is associated with the environment.   It is important to select the appropriate shoes, or traits, for the situation.  Observation and humility will serve you well when there are unknown variables.  Pay attention to your surroundings and how the people around you interact with one another.  Ask questions to get a better understanding of how you can contribute to the team.  Don't feel like you need to have all of the answers right away. 

Leave a comment and share the type of shoes that you wear most often.  Do you go for comfort, style, or functionality?