Missing Purpose Report

Are you fulfilling your purpose?  Do you know what your purpose is?  Some definitions of purpose include:

1. the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc. 
2. an intended or desired result; end; aim; goal.
3. determination; resoluteness.

Do you need to file a missing purpose report?  It is similar to a missing person report.  The answers to the following questions will help you locate your purpose.

1. When did you last see your purpose?  Think about a time when your effort increased your energy.  In other words, the more time you spent on something, your focus sharpened and you wanted to continue working on it.
2. Where did you last see your purpose?  Sometimes it is not missing, but exactly where you left it.  If you don't look in the right place, you won't see it.   
3. What was your purpose wearing?  Was it clothed in frustration or anticipation? Did it have on discipline or distraction? Dress your purpose in layers of confidence, opportunity, and resilience.
4. Do you have a recent picture of your purpose?  Find a role model or mentor that can show you what it looks like.
5. What is the name of your purpose? If you don't use the right name, it won't respond to you. Be specific about what your purpose is and how you plan to fulfill it. 

Do you need to file missing purpose report?  Leave a comment and share your answers to the questions asked in this week's post.

Matchmaking Profiles

Have you tried any of the online dating sites?  When you watch television, you see advertisements for eHarmony.com, Match.com, and many other sites that promise to help you find your ideal mate.  Often they provide testimonials from people that have used the site and found a match.  The matches are based on profiles built from  answers to questions about your preferences.  You can use a similar approach to other important decisions where you need to consider what is most compatible for you.  When you hear the word "mate", don't just think of a person.  One of the definitions of mate is "one of a matched pair".  Your socks, gloves, and earrings have mates.  Make sure that your chances, choices, and chases are mates for you.

• Chance = Opportunity
• You are presented with opportunities every day.  Each encounter and conversation provide chances for you to grow.  Find your match by assessing the timing, effort, and benefit associated with the opportunity.  Ask yourself the following questions - when do you want to do it, how much time do you want to devote to it, and what end result do you want to achieve.   
• Choice = Decision
• It is appropriate that the word choice rhymes with voice.  Your decisions speak for you.   Consider if the choice matches your needs for the past, present, or future.  This is an important distinction.  What was required last year may not fit with what is available right now.  What is available today may not work with what you will need next month.  Your decisions have an impact beyond the immediate moment. 
• Chase = Pursuit
• Be an active participant in your story.  From the Nike "just do it" campaign to the Verizon "can you hear me now" spots, advertisers are constantly nudging you to make a move toward your goal.  The man in the Verizon ad was in pursuit of a good signal and he kept moving until he found it.  It's wonderful to pursue excellence, but first you may need to pursue progress.  You need to be clear about your purpose, priorities and passion so you can pursue them.

Leave a comment and share what match you will make this week.

Baggage Claim

Do you check your bags when you fly?  Due to rising airline fees, some people choose to pack lighter so that they can carry their bags on the plane with them.  However, there will be times when that is not possible.  Some bags will need to be checked before you board and claimed after you reach your destination.  The flight attendant will usually make an announcement to tell passengers where to claim bags.  Also, the airport will have a display at baggage claim carousels listing the flights that will have bags come out at that location.  The point is that you will receive some direction on when and where to claim your physical bags on a flight. 

Unfortunately, there usually aren't instructions regarding some of the emotional baggage that people walk around with daily.  However, if you remember these three things, you may be able to handle your baggage with less stress, frustration, and anxiety.

1. Tags - Your physical baggage is tagged with your name.  When you claim it, you know it belongs to you.  Treat your figurative baggage the same way.  Only pick up what belongs to you.  While it is normal to be concerned about problems that family and friends experience, be careful not to take ownership of the issues. 
2. Weight - The more your baggage weighs, the more it costs you.  Only pack what is necessary.  Lighten your load.  You don't have to carry everything at once.  Regulate the flow of pressure, worry, and disappointment that influences you.  Consider it but don't be consumed by it.  Leave space for relief, peace, and opportunity.   
3. Destination - Your baggage is assigned a location based on your ticket.  If you're going to New York, you don't want your bags to end up in Los Angeles.  Use the same principle for your figurative baggage.  Don't bring your work stress home.  Don't take your relationship challenges to work . 

Leave a comment and share your thoughts on this week's post.
 

Forgive and Remember

Have you ever been told to forgive and forget?  It's one of those common phrases that people use when giving advice to others.  However, when someone says those words to you, they often don't have all of the details regarding what they are telling you to forgive or what you need to forget.  It might be a better suggestion to tell someone to forgive and remember.  You're not telling them to remember the offense that was done to them.  You are asking them to remember more positive things.  These are some examples of forgive and remember.

• Forgive and remember the last time you apologized and the response you wanted. Show that grace and compassion to others.
• Forgive and remember the times you received a second, third, or fourth chance. Pay it forward.
• Forgive and remember the mistakes you made while trying to do the right thing.
• Forgive and remember the healed hurts of yesterday influence the potential possibilities of today that lead to the sustained success of tomorrow.
• Forgive and remember your peace is precious.  Don't let anyone or anything disturb it.
• Forgive and remember what makes you smile.  A smile not only transforms your face.  It influences your outlook.
• Forgive and remember when you open your mind and heart to let out what has hurt you, you open them to let in what will heal you.
• Forgive and remember your past victories, triumphs, and fresh starts. 

 Is there something that you need to forgive and remember?  Leave a comment and share your thoughts on this week's post.

Weak End

Do you look forward to the weekend?  Usually the term refers to Saturday and Sunday.  Those two days often provide a break from the regular work week and people may use the time for fun or relaxation. 

However, the term can mean something different if you modify the spelling.  While a weekend can be a good thing, a weak end also can have a positive effect.  The word "weak" is the opposite of strong.  If you think about weakness ending, then it follows that strength begins, or appears.  Are there things that you're dealing with that need a weak end?  What do you want to strengthen or improve?  Common things associated with the word "weak" include economy, link, and drink.

• A weak economy indicates financial instability.  Are there weaknesses in your personal economy? Do you need to earn more or save more?  Do you need to spend less or pay off debt? Maybe you need to do all of these things.  However, you probably can't do them all at the same time.  Focus on one weak end to help your economy right now.  Once that weak end is succeeds, move on to the next one.  There are numerous books and web sites to assist you. As simple as it sounds, a budget will help you track your spending and highlight areas for improvement.

• A weak link can lead to a broken connection.  There was a game show years ago called The Weakest Link.  The host was a petite, stern looking British lady.  When someone would get eliminated from the game, her standard line was "you are the weakest link, goodbye".  It was an abrupt dismissal that left no room for a response.  You don't need to use her exact words, but the principle can be used to strengthen your relationships. Some people and some things just need to be dismissed.

• A weak drink is considered one that does not have a lot of alcohol in it.  The term can be a metaphor for something unexpected.  You prepare to receive one thing, but you get something else.  Don't underestimate the significance of a person, challenge, or situation because the impact doesn't hit you right away.   Subtlety can often be the first layer before substance and opportunity.  

Leave a comment and share a weakness that you want to end.

 

Green Grass

Are you familiar with the saying "the grass is always greener on the other side"?  It refers to observing a different environment or someone else's situation and thinking it is better than yours.  The key thing to remember is that the grass on the other side may have started out just like your grass.  Work had to be done to get it to the beautiful color that you see now.  Don't think that others had an easy path to any success that you may admire.  There were sacrifices made and steps followed over a period of time.  There is no such thing as an overnight success.  Just because you didn't see the work doesn't mean it didn't happen.  Green grass requires planting, watering, fertilization, weeding, and mowing.  While these are lawn care terms, they can be applied to other areas. 

1. Plant - Your ideas and opinions are seeds.  What you sow will grow.  Seeds of doubt produce weeds of worry.  Seeds of confidence produce blades of belief.  Seeds of can't produce weeds of won't. Seeds of attention produce lawns without limits.
2. Water - A sprinkler system distributes water throughout the grass.  The water provides moisture so that the grass won't dry out and die. Similarly, your creativity needs to be watered on a regular basis.  Use it or lose it.  What you create may not be useful, make sense, or look good.  That's okay, sometimes the process is more important than the product.  Practice is not only necessary for medicine, law, athletics, and many other skills.  It is the only way to strengthen your creative abilities.
3. Fertilize - Your experience, environment, and curiosity serve as fertilizers for your progress. Failure is a powerful fertilizer.  When you are knocked down, you get up with an understanding of how to avoid that fall in the future.  Where you are impacts your development path .  When you interact with others that are focused and expect to grow, you benefit from the association.  Always ask questions.  It's the best way to get answers.  Never assume that you know everything about anything. 
4. Weed - Distractions are all around you.  It is key to recognize them so that they don't hinder your progress.  Just as weeds may be green like grass, your distractions may appear to be beneficial to you at first glance.  It is helpful to periodically review what you are doing and the reasons for it.  This will help you identify the weeds and eliminate them. 
5. Mow - Trim your list of "musts" to a reasonable number. It's called prioritization.  Everything is not critical.  Some things don't have to be done right now.  Learn how to divide your "haves".  There is a difference between a must have and a nice to have.  Continuous mowing (evaluation, prioritization, flexibility) is necessary so that you don't have an overgrown lawn, or overwhelmed you.  

Leave a comment and share your thoughts on this week's post.

DNA Test

DNA is the term used to describe your genetic foundation.  It is often used to verify family relationships or as evidence in trials.  Think about how the same concept can be used as the basis for your success.  Success means different things to different people.  Only you can define what your finish line looks like.  However, there are some common traits (DNA) that can help you create a plan to reach it.  Take a DNA test to determine if you have the right combination to be the best you.  These are 3 tests to consider.

• Decision, Networking, Accountability - Make decisions with consideration, confidence, and commitment.  Know that there will be consequences, good and bad.  Build an effective network of support to help you recognize the risks and benefits of your decisions.  Rarely will you be the first person to ever encounter a situation.  Someone has usually been there before you.  Your network should function like a library.  They are a resource for you.  They will also hold you accountable for your action and reactions, your means and ends, and your outlook and outcome. While the beginning and end are important to your network, they are also interested in the middle.  Decisions facilitate networking.  Networking establishes accountability.  Accountability influences decisions. 

• Development, Negotiation, Attitude - Develop your skills to meet your vision.  You are equipped to handle where you are right now.  You will need new tools to be effective at your next level.  Continuous learning leads to continuous progress.  Be an active participant in what happens to you.  You get what you request.  Negotiate the terms, circumstances, and expectations that are most beneficial for you.  Others will be more willing to compromise with you when you approach them respectfully and honestly.  Your attitude speaks louder than any words that you say.  When people hear your name, you want them to anticipate collaboration not dread combativeness.    

• Drive, Navigation, Awareness - Your inner drive is the trigger for your intensity, focus, and consistency.  If you don't have the ambition to pursue what you want despite obstacles and challenges, then it won't happen.  What you have on the inside determines what happens on the outside.  You always have options when things go differently than planned.  How you navigate your way through trouble and disappointment will make an impression on others.  Be aware of the message that you are sending.  Know that there are connections and relationships that are not obvious to you.  Read, listen, and comprehend between the lines. 

 Leave a comment and share which DNA test you will take this week.

The Voice

Do you watch the television show, The Voice?  It is a talent show to find the next great singer. While there are similar shows on the air, this one has a different selection method than the others.  The judges have their backs to the contestants and evaluate them only by what they hear.  They don't see their clothes, body language, hair color, height, weight, etc.  What they hear determines what they do next.  It takes incredible focus to block out distractions and listen for what matters most to you.  Do you know the key voices in your life?  If not, how can you identify them? Who are they and when do they speak?

• The Voice of Reason - When you feel angry, frightened, or insecure, ask yourself what happened to make you feel that way.  Listen to the voice of reason for the answer.  Your feelings may be justified.  Something or someone may have wronged, threatened, or offended you.  However, your response needs to come from a place of reason rather than emotion.  Calmness diffuses chaos.  Think before you act, while you are acting, and after you act.

• The Voice of Wisdom - It is common to seek advice from others that have succeeded at what you are trying to do.  While this is a smart tactic, don't discount the wisdom that can be gained from those that failed.  Knowing what went wrong is just as valuable as knowing what went right. Wisdom wears many faces.  Don't miss it because it looks different than what you expected.

• The Voice of Belief - There will always be doubters around you.  Some of them may even be in your inner circle.  Make sure their input is balanced by those who believe in you.  Belief is a powerful motivator and confidence booster.  When you hear that you can complete what you started, it helps you keep going when you are tempted to stop.  The faith of others feeds your will and determination to reach your goals.

• The Voice of Change - It may be hard to change your environment, approach, or team.  There is a comfort level associated with routine and familiarity that can be beneficial for you.  But you must be careful that you don't become so attached to what you know that you are unable or unwilling to explore what you don't know.  Change is essential for you to thrive mentally and physically. 

• Your Inner Voice - While external voices can serve as a guiding force for you, they are no substitute for your inner voice.  You are the ultimate voice of reason, wisdom, belief, and change for you.  When there is no one around to speak to you about a situation, you must be able to speak to yourself.  Develop your inner voice to support your needs by recognizing the consequences of your actions.  Trust yourself to make the right decisions.  You won't always be right, but you will gain experience to help you and your inner voice for the next time. 

Leave a comment and share what voice has helped you recently.

 

From Here to There

Have you ever been asked a question about where you want to be in 3 years?  Or 5 years? Or even 10 years?  Do you have an answer?  Do you have professional goals?  Are there personal objectives that you want to achieve?  How do you plan to get from here to there?  The letter "t" is the one difference between here and there.  These 8 "t" steps will help you make progress on your way from here to there.

1. Time - Some things cannot be rushed.  Allow a reasonable amount of time to meet any requirements for your end result.  Don't try to lose 20 pounds in 10 days.  Conversely, procrastination hinders purpose.  Don't continually delay the beginning of your next chapter.  You must turn the pages to reach the end of the book.
2. Training - Stop relying on your charm, personality, and natural ability. All of those things are very important to your success.  However, make sure you're qualified for what you are pursuing.  Sometimes your qualifications will be the key to open the first door. Then you use other things to remain in the room and get access to other doors.
3. Tenacity - You may fail and have setbacks along the way.  Don't give up and don't quit.  When someone tells you no, they are refusing that particular request or approach.  That doesn't mean you are being rejected.  Find a different way to get what you need.  
4. Trail - Take advantage of the path that others have established.  You may need to take detours along the way to accommodate your individuality.  But don't ignore the lessons learned from others.  They can save you valuable time.
5. Target - Be clear about what you are trying to do and where you are trying to go.  It's hard to hit a moving target.  It's okay to change your mind about how you will get what you want or even why you want it.  However, you should be consistent regarding what you want.
6. Thanks - Appreciate the small steps on your journey just as much as you appreciate the big steps.  Don't overlook the people, opportunities, and lessons that assisted you along the way.  Gratitude builds relationships.  Relationships are the foundation of success.
7. Turns - Rarely will there be a straight path from where you are to where you want to be.  There will be twists and turns along the way.  Each turn provides an opportunity to re-evaluate priorities and meet new people to help you.
8. Tolls - There is always a cost associated with growth, movement, or development.  Be prepared to spend time, energy, and money to reach your destination.  There is a familiar saying that there is no free ride.  Don't be discouraged by pauses and delays.  Pay the price and resume the progress toward the finish line.

Leave a comment and share what "t" will help you get from here to there.

Blank Check

How much are you willing to spend to achieve your dreams?  What is the budget for your goals?  What is the payment for your potential?  Do you know the value of your voice?  It is hard to put a price tag on your success if you measure it in dollars and cents.  You need to write yourself a blank check to pursue what will fulfill and motivate you to be and do your best.  The term "blank check" usually means unlimited funds.  However, think of it as a plan to overcome obstacles, maintain focus, and build your brand.  These 3 blank checks may help you.

1. Check In 
• Visit the places that represent where you want to be.  Make connections that will recognize that you belong on and add value to the team.  Get off the sidelines and join the game.
• Use your name with care.  It establishes your credibility.  Attach to it to people and things that represent stability, productivity, and excellence.  Fads fade and trends end, but legacy lasts. 
2. Check Out
• Do your homework, research, due diligence, etc.  Observation is a key tool that provides context to actions.  What you see contributes to your boundaries.  When you are able to watch something happening, it confirms that it can be done.  It is possible.  What you hear influences your confidence.  Words carry weight.  The right encouragement lightens your load and relieves stress.  The wrong criticism can cause you to anticipate failure.  
• Leave stagnant situations, unproductive environments, and endless excuses behind.  Doubt defeats development.  Gratitude guides growth.  Hesitancy hinders harvest.  Panic postpones progress.
3. Check Up
• Your vital signs will help you determine the best approach, or strategy, to get what you want.  Know your temperature. If you are cool, confront the challenges of the day with resolution and confidence.  When you are hot (frustrated), proceed with caution.  Anger and annoyance are natural emotions.  Use them as a mirror to examine what you can change to minimize their impact on you.  What is your pressure threshold?  Pressure magnifies everything.  Do you thrive in high pressure situations?  If so, use that to your advantage.  If not, that's okay.  Make sure you are connected to someone that excels in that area and can help you develop that talent.
•  You can't do everything yourself.  Delegate, but validate.  As others agree to help you reach your objectives, don't assume that you are their top priority.  Ask questions and confirm that your expectations are being met. 

Leave a  comment and share the blank check you will write this week.