You Really Can Make a Difference!
April 30, 2009 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on You Really Can Make a Difference!
Governor’s Wall at the State Capitol
I have to tell you that being a mentor to my former foster youth is so rewarding to me. To watch them open up and blossom is just so incredible. Sade, is an inner city kid who I started mentoring in August, 2008. She was very skeptical and not real talkative on our first meeting. I had to pry information out of her. It’s kind of like peeling an onion, each time another layer comes off. And every time I see her she is more beautiful, inside and out.
I am sharing the email I received from Sade so you can see how much impact we have on these young people’s lives and how proud I am of her.
“I wanted to share with you all what I did this past weekend. I’m on a board called CCY (California Coalition for Youth) and we do a bunch of advocacy work for foster youth, former foster youth, and homeless youth. Every year we have a conference and this year we just had ours. Our Executive Director Heather Dearing asked me if I wanted to share my story and I said yes, but I had no idea how many people I would touch. I walked into the Capital and the pictures that I’ve attached for you all was right next to Arnold Schwarzenegger and people where reading the stories and asking me to take pictures with them. The point of this email isn’t to “show off,” it’s to thank you all. Somehow, some way, you all have played a part in my life that allowed me to get to this point and I wanted to thank you all for “molding” me into the person I am today. Almost everyone I’m sending this email to has seen me through the worst of the worst, you’ve seen me when everyone else gave up on me, and this display at the Governor’s wall is proof of how you can help someone if you JUST DON’T GIVE UP…”
Word Of the Week #59: Diligent
April 22, 2009 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on Word Of the Week #59: Diligent
Diligent: a steady, earnest, attentive, and energetic effort.
Can you remember the last time you were diligent about something? Was it with regard to work or was it with regard to a hobby or sport?
- Laurent, Mary, & Alexander
I love to play golf, however, if I am not diligent about practicing and playing, I don’t play very well. I have to set aside time for lessons and play at least once a week to see improvement.
There are a number of reasons why I don’t make that happen. The biggest one is the time commitment! A round of golf takes four to five hours, the way I play. I have also lost a couple of my golf buddies, as they’ve moved out of the area. It always helps when I have someone who calls me to play.
My niece Mary, the marathoner, says, “I see diligent as being aggressively consistent and sometimes pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone. I see being diligent as following through and staying focused on a specific goal or plan of action.”
I especially like the words attentive and energetic. When we put our attention on, and feel energetic about a project, it’s more enjoyable and fun.
This week focus on those areas in your life that you are diligent about. Are there other areas in your personal and/or professional life where you’d like to be more diligent? What would it take for you to be more energetic and more attentive in those areas?
Reader Responses
“Just wanted to let you know that I appreciate receiving these weekly editions and regularly forward them along to our team as timely reminders and for inspiration. I have been talking a lot lately with our team about “rigorous diligence”, so “attentive and energetic diligence” was quite timely. Keep ’em coming!” — Mark Porter
” When we are assigned a project, diligence is needed to do it right. Not half ways. If we don’t do the job energetically and with enthusiasm, it really shows. I think you and I have seen workers in restaurants who take their sweet time clearing tables or taking orders. I always find myself paying attention to those workers who have a smile on their face and are attentive to the customer. You know that they will do the job right the first time. It may not be the easiest job in the world or the best paying, but those are the employees who will usually get the biggest tips. I read somewhere that whatever job it is, no matter how menial, do it the very best that you can. As if you were the most important person in the position. Having that attitude shows up in how we go about our tasks. The one thing I have learned in life is that PEOPLE NOTICE! It all goes back to our actions speaking louder than our words.” — Joe Moran
Word Of the Week #58: Failure
April 22, 2009 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on Word Of the Week #58: Failure
Failure: lack of satisfactory performance.
So the question is, do you see yourself as a success or a failure? Are you performing satisfactorily? If so, do you still feel like your not a total success.
I think success is a journey, not a destination. The Dahli Lama says, “Without pain and sorrow, there can be no joy.”
I take that to mean, without failure, there can be no success. Virtually every kind of failure can be corrected and learned from. Thomas Edison failed 10,000 times before he invented a satisfactory light bulb.
In 1879, Edison was asked how it felt to fail so many times. “I have not failed,” he answered. “I just found 10,000 ways that didn’t work.”
That is a great example of focusing on the positive instead of focusing on the negative.
“Failure is the condiment that gives success it’s flavor.”
— Truman Capote
This week focus on savoring the journey on the road to success and knowing that failure is part of the recipe!
Reader Responses
“Things here are going along well, I am happy to see that you are doing well too. Thought for the day…………..What does it take to be the best? Everything. And everything is up to you… Success is often just an idea away.. A man’s greatest battles are the ones he fights within himself. People in the same boat should help each other.. Have a GREAT day” — John Beck
“Failure is just as big a part of life as success. What I see with people is a fear of failure. If the most successful people in life had been afraid of failing, they never would have accomplished what they did in their lives. That particular fear makes people tentative in their lives. They are afraid to take that next step or the road less traveled because of not only the fear of failure but the fear of the unknown. Unless we take that risk of possibly failing we will never know what we can accomplish or what road lies ahead for us. I always tell my three-year-old the four magic words: I CAN DO IT! And I continue to remind her that she can do anything. When I was trying to find a publisher for my first book, a friend asked: “Well, what happens if you don’t find a publisher?” My response: “I’ll publish it myself.” Since I did not have a publisher, all of my expenses – phone bills, travel, stationery, computer – all came out of my pocket. And, quite frankly, I was not making a lot of money back then. I did not have any health or dental insurance and did not get reimbursed for the use of my car at the job I worked. So, it was a big risk, but it was also a huge opportunity. I still get e-mails and phone calls from people about how important my first book was to them and how much they enjoyed it. It also earned my respect from people in the business. But if I decided that it was going to be too hard and too much expense, I never would have attempted to do the book in the first place. Obviously, when I started the book project there were no guarantees that it would ever be published. In fact, the subject of my book, former Marquette basketball coach Al McGuire, did not think it had a chance to be published. After 10 years, it did get published and sold 12,000 books in four printings. If people continue to live in fear of failure, they will never accomplish anything in their lives or even find out what talents lie within them. We don’t know what we CAN DO unless we take that leap of faith and that risk of failure. We are only here for a short while. If we don’t grasp the opportunities in front of us, then we will never know. Success and failure are two sides of the same coin. You can’t have one without the other. Abraham Lincoln had run for a number of offices and never was elected. He eventually became president. Your example of Thomas Edison is excellent. As Yogi Berra always said: “When you get to the fork in the road, pick it up.” Great word, Susan.” — Joe Moran
Word Of the Week #57: Success
April 22, 2009 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on Word Of the Week #57: Success
Success: the measure of obtaining a desired end.
How do you define success? I have a friend that considers herself successful. She has a job she loves, great friends, and a life that makes her happy. However, her husband doesn’t think she’s successful because she doesn’t make a lot of money.
Do you think that money is the only measure of success? I believe that it is part of the mix. Just making money and not enjoying what you do, does not sound like success to me.
I use this quote in my presentations from time to time.
“Success is going from failure to failure with enthusiasm.”
— Author Unknown
Just because you try something and it doesn’t work, doesn’t mean that it will never be a success. Positive people see failure as a set back. Negative people see failure as a no win situation.
Are there any areas in your personal or professional life where you have failed? Did you come up with another approach or did you give up? This week focus on being more receptive to trying different things. Like the old saying, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”
Word Of the Week 1st Anniversary
April 22, 2009 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on Word Of the Week 1st Anniversary
Reader Responses
“Your WOW messages have been real messages that can be used in every day life, including our busy schedules in our careers. I have found them extremely enjoyable and always look forward to reading them. Your messages are like “Chicken Soup” for those in Hospitality Management!
It is also “fun” to reply back when I have been touched by one of your messages or I when I identify with them, through a real life experience I have had. It is hard to believe a year has gone bye already……..WOW!” — Don Vance
“Thanks a lot for all of your positive thoughts. I enjoy getting them and often share them with my staff, using an example of something that has happened recently in our office or department.” — Mark T. Ingram
“Congratulations! Let’s have Champagne to celebrate a successful year of stimulation and motivation. Thanks for your support and encouragement. You are giving us Managers a handy tool to work with. It leads to discussions and sharing of viewpoints. We grow together!” — Kurt J. Bishofberger
“Keep up the WOW’s. I share them with my management team every Thursday at our weekly managers meetings.” — Ronald A. Banaszak
“I can’t wait for your WOW book to be published. I have alot of your WOW words displayed prominently all around my desk! They constantly help me be a better Cookie Lee consultant, as well as a better mom, friend, wife and person in general. Thank-you for all of the inspiration that you’ve brought into my life!” — Cindy Lowen
“I soooo enjoy your “WOW’s”!!! you are quite the WOW yourself!” — Carolyn Elliott
“I love your weekly letter – keep me on your list and put me first in line for your book. Thank you for your insights that are always profound and on target.” — Charles Vandenberg
“WOW! Congratulations! It’s been an uplifting experience for the mind and emotions. Now if you could just do the same for the body, life would be well balanced. Thinking positive and expecting miracles from you dear friend.” — Elaine Hall
“Happy Anniversary to you on your WOW project. I enjoy receiving them and pass them on to our Management on a regular basis. I am still pushing to have you do a Presentation for our Customer Service Specialists and think your CD Preview Presentation would be great to provide our Management Team. Please put me on the waiting list and I will be looking forward to seeing it soon. Thanks so much for all you do to make Customer Service a better experience in our lives!”
— Lee Sowers
“I have enjoyed you WOW they have been inspirational. Hope you are well and things are going well. I enjoyed visiting last summer. My life has been crazy since. I always think of you going south on the freeway in the BMW as I turned north.” — Ken Webster
“I look forward to your WOWs every week. By the way, you will notice the CCM (Certified Club Manager) initials after my name. That is one of the goals I said I wanted to accomplish many years ago when I saw you here in Pittsburgh. You sound like you are extremely busy. I hope you are still having fun.” — Joseph A. Papalia
“Congratulations on your One Year Anniversary for WOW. I am impressed with your follow-up and tenacity with regards to the program. I read every e-mail that comes to me and I appreciate the consistency of your presentation. Your enthusiasm and interest in our professional success is greatly appreciated and has helped both my Professional Staff and I develop better customer service principles. Keep up the great work, I look forward to the future editions of the “WOW Word of the Week.”
— Michael E. Weiler
“Congratulations! It seems just like yesterday I was getting my WOW! e-mails. Thank you for sending them. They were expecially important for me to look at during the work day. They were all great reminders to me of what is important in the HERE AND NOW! Continued success to you. You are a dynamo. Keep up the great work. All the best!” — Joe Moran.