Expand Your Network: Volunteer

No time for volunteering because you're busy networking to expand your business? Think again! Who better to include in your network than like-minded passionate yet diverse people. Most likely you will meet many people you would have never met. Remember everybody either knows someone or personally needs your services or product at some point.

Before you join yet another business referral network or a second Chamber of Commerce, consider donating that same commitment of time to a cause. It seldom, if ever, requires a monetary commitment. You can make a difference in the world and meet just as many people.

Tips when choosing a charity or special cause:

• Look for a group or organization that may have had an impact on your life or someone close to you.
• Choose an activity or role that you will enjoy. You want to shine. There are plenty to choose from so don't pick something you dread; it wont bring out the best in you.
• Ask about opportunities that fit your time schedule. Some are long term project commitments and others don't matter when you come or go.
• Pick an activity that exposes you to other volunteers.

Networking happens at all levels. I encourage you to diversify, create opportunities, and lastly go to sleep at night knowing you did something really cool for someone else.

Integrity as a Leadership Base

If I’ve said it once I’ve said it hundreds of times “Leadership is not any one method taught by an instructor. Leadership is developed from within with the support and guidance of an expert.” As a Leadership Coach I challenge people already in leadership roles, to reflect on integrity. That’s right; I want them to start with the core of what is most important.

Does it really surprise any of you that I wouldn’t sidestep the hard stuff? If you want to ruffle my feathers just question my integrity. When my client said, “Jake, Intention… Integrity… Ingenious!!! Thank you for listening & finding the “I’s” in me.” I opened an excellent Syrah and smiled. That’s how much I value integrity. It is the foundation for leadership – and we all have it in us!

”The glue that holds all relationships together -- including the relationship between the leader and the led is trust, and trust is based on integrity.” --Brian Tracy

Ahhh, well said Brian!

Here’s a quote you’ll want to read, wait, read again, ponder, re-read and then entirely agree:

”Achievement of your happiness is the only moral purpose of your life, and that happiness, not pain or mindless self-indulgence, is the proof of your moral integrity, since it is the proof and the result of your loyalty to the achievement of your values.” --Ayn Rand

See what I mean?

If you are struggling with work-life balance, use integrity as your starting point for your personal and professional development journey.

Life Leadership

When it comes to our daily lives I pose the question, "Who's leading you?" Could the answer be my clients, my kids, my finances, my staff, or even... my dog? When a client said, "my dog" I knew it was time to blog!

Laura has a lot going on her life. She is a mother of two children in elementary school. She is head of household with a husband that is 70% on the road. She is a school volunteer. She is an author. She is the owner of an adopted 5 year old dog. She believed she had some sort of balance in her life until the dog entered the picture.

Perception is reality and if you believe someone or something is running your life - then it is. If you believe that you have the authority to make your own decisions and control your perspective - you are the leader in your own life.

You decide to be active rather than passive. The busy mom decides on the compromises that often take place. The business owner decides to let a call go to voice mail while she completes the project on her desktop. The community volunteer decides just how much responsibility she will assume for a project. The wife decides how she will spend her time with her husband. The woman who is all of these decides if she will enlist the help of others. You decide to lead yourself enough to love yourself.

But what about the dog? Is the dog part of your family or a pest? It depends on your perception. How do you make decisions about your family, more specifically, your children? You plan meals, babysitters, playmates, doctor appointments and the like. You prioritize & compromise based on the needs of all those around you - including you. You decide if the "baby" is a burden or a blessing.

If the dog is a pest, do what you do with all other pests: get rid of it. Give someone else the opportunity to decide on the dog's behalf.

There are limits to how much we can do in a day. Knowing your limits allows you to actively make decision - to be a leader. Embrace the life leader in you, discover a life full of choices.

Quick fix for what gets under our skin

Every so often someone does something that is unsettling or annoying. I've been known to say something like, "Seriously?" That someone could be family, friend, client or coworker. Regardless they are still human. Here are some quick steps save your energy, recover, and move on to what's important to you.

Ask your self the following:

1. Can I let it go?
2. Will I let it go?
3. When will I let it go?

Act with intention and concentrate on what matters in your life.

Share

"Treasure the one who is thinking of you when all others are thinking of themselves."

James Gunn

"This is your time -- call out to others and they will come."

Jake Tuschinski

Today was an amazing day in history. No doubt you have heard or read the words of our 44th President. No doubt you feel the desire to be a part of this world in which we live. Support your network and let them know how they can support you.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/politics/2009/01/20/obama.inauguration.speech.cnn

I love Mondays!!!

I love Monday because it represents the beginning of my workweek and the kids' school week. It is my fresh start. It's a new week! For that matter I can say the first week in a new month is equally exciting. Who doesn't like new - rhetorical question of course.

Tips for creating newness for Monday:

1. Review your plans for this week and the events that will take place only this week.
2. Create a NEW call list on Friday to begin on Monday.
3. Observe that you have been away from the office for two days and the smell is different than last Friday's smell.
4. Wear your into your business attire even if you don't have an appointment. You'll feel confident and stylish no doubt.
5. You have 5 new days to accomplish something on your to-do, goals, or wish list. Decide what that will look like the prior Friday so you can jump right in and get started on Monday.
6. Observe the heightened and fresh energy of those around you. They may not be aware of it but you are and you can FEEL it. It feels great, new & refreshing. Enjoy!

I wish you a great new Monday!

A little something for you!

It's a given that women lack the ability to be selfish. Women want to pamper themselves and be pampered. Have you ever seen a woman's magazine that does not include "ways to treat yourself?" Editors know that we fantasize about doing nice things just for us. Most women don't actually act on it.

Recently a group of successful business owner were given the challenge of doing something nice form themselves each day for a week. Assuming their dedication to discipline as required by their business ethic you would think this an easy task. Shocker... only one woman met the challenge.

Here's the kicker, they are big thinkers and dreamers so they thought it was necessary to do something significant. Significant resulted in unachievable when expected to occur daily. The woman who succeeded scaled down her ideas and was quite happy. One of her simple pleasures was to quietly step outside of her world and shave her legs. She tuned out the world and tuned into herself. She stroked her smooth legs and smiled as she shared her simple pleasure.

Give yourself the gift of a guilt-free simple pleasure each day of the week.