Word-Of-the-Week #725: Impact
June 28, 2018 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on Word-Of-the-Week #725: Impact
Impact – having a strong effect on, influence.
Have you had an influence on anyone at work? Who have you had a strong effect on in your personal life? How important is it to you to leave a legacy?
This is part 3 of the Scott Mautz article, “Now That I’m 50, Here’s What I’ve Learned About Achieving Success That Escaped Me at 25. Hitting the big fifty requires reflection almost as a duty. So I focused mine on what I’ve learned about success since being half my current age.”
To recap he wrote, ““I like writing about timeless lessons for success or key behaviors that lead to success. I’ve even written about famous failures that will inspire you to success. But nothing has spurned a more introspective look at achieving success than my turning a half-century old. (Ugh, it hurts to even write those words). I now realize how much I’ve learned compared to when I was half my age.
- You own your career.
- Meaning starts with “me.”
- Seek authenticity, not approval.
- Know that your definition of success will change.
- Zap, don’t sap.
- Character reveals itself in times of crisis.
- Lift as you climb.
- The only comparison that matters is to who you were yesterday.
- The biggest risk you can take is not taking any risk.
The Navy’s first female Rear Admiral, Grace Murray Hopper, once said “Ships in port are safe. But that’s not what ships are made for.” I’ve so often seen that success depends on the willingness to take risks, learn from them, and keep moving forward.
- Actually, there is a substitute for hard work.
And that substitute is consistent, relentless, hard work (sorry I tricked you there). There’s no other way to success. Period. And when you throw in dashes of patience and resilience and cook it all in the oven of life, you get fresh-baked fortitude.
I’ll place my bet on someone with fortitude over a “quick-path-to-success-plan” every single time.
- Leave politics for the politicians.
Do your job to the best of your ability and leave the politics for those with less ability. Sometimes, yes, politics will pay off for someone else in their career. But not over the long run–karma is a you-know-what. And do you want to advance in that fashion anyway?
- Leave a legacy.
I’ve been successful in many roles in my career because I started with the mindset of, “How am I going to leave a legacy in my time during this role? What will be my immutable impact?” So before you dive in and start executing in your next role, ask this of yourself first.
- My hope is that each of these lessons looking back helps you moving forward.
Now, where did I put my vinyl of Pearl Jam’s Ten?”
This week’s focus is on impact. Are you willing to take a risk? Would you say you work hard and do your best every day? What immutable impact do you want to be remembered for?
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Word-Of-the-Week #724: Helpful
June 21, 2018 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on Word-Of-the-Week #724: Helpful
Helpful – giving & supportive.
Do you work for a company that is giving and supportive? How much emphasis is placed on learning and growing? How would your co-workers rate you on being helpful?
This is part 2 of the Scott Mautz article, “Now That I’m 50, Here’s What I’ve Learned About Achieving Success That Escaped Me at 25. Hitting the big fifty requires reflection almost as a duty. So I focused mine on what I’ve learned about success since being half my current age.”
To recap he wrote, ““I like writing about timeless lessons for success or key behaviors that lead to success. I’ve even written about famous failures that will inspire you to success. But nothing has spurned a more introspective look at achieving success than my turning a half-century old. (Ugh, it hurts to even write those words). I now realize how much I’ve learned compared to when I was half my age.
- Zap, don’t sap.
Success is drawn to those who zap energy into a workplace with their enthusiasm, passion, and optimism and repelled by those who sap energy with their pessimism, gossip, and negative attitude. Don’t get sucked into the vortex of energy-sucking vampires.
- Character reveals itself in times of crisis.
So use such times to show yours.
Success is forged in times of adversity and crisis. It’s easy to be awesome when things are going great. But when the chips are down, how will you show up? And people will remember how you acted in such times, one way or another. One of my greatest career regrets came from an impression I left during a time of crisis where I was lashing out and blaming co-workers. They didn’t forget my reaction, and I never will either.
- Lift as you climb.
Rising up the chain is nice. Lifting others up as you do so, with the intent to go beyond success to significance (for the impact you have on others), is better. The position you gain should be used not just to further your own, but to help others improve theirs.
And by the way, success comes back to you when you focus on helping others achieve it.
- The only comparison that matters is to who you were yesterday.
Constant comparison to others is the surest way to undermine your success (and make you miserable). Relatedly, will you go from being to becoming–becoming a better version of yourself–versus just living “as-is” in your life?
To do so, place learning and growth on a pedestal. I think back now to the times in my career when I was least happy and I can tell you with great clarity, it was when I wasn’t learning and growing.”
This week’s focus is on being giving and supportive. Do you zap energy into your workplace with enthusiasm, passion, and optimism? How willing are you to help others achieve success? How well do you deal with adversity or a crisis?
I LOVE feedback! Join my Facebook community on my FUN-damentals Fan Page.
FUN-video: Wild West Adventure Movie Trailer
June 20, 2018 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-video: Wild West Adventure Movie Trailer
FUN-photos: Wild West Adventure – Part 2
June 19, 2018 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-photos: Wild West Adventure – Part 2
- We cruised…8 Scenic Byways (AKA *Pearl Highways) …for 7 National Parks…3 National Monuments…2 State Parks & 2 UNESCO World Heritage sites.
And experienced amazing contrasts of color & landscapes…leftover winter’s white snow clinging to jagged gray-black granite mountain tops…hillsides covered with deep green Pines mixed with lime green Aspen leaves…orange sand surrounding deep red-brown rock formations.
- Our full moon at the end our trip…was another portentous sign…like our full rainbow in Jackson Hole.
FUN-fact – Navajo Sandstone creates Sahara-like deserts.
More FF – Chris says, “You’re always looking for a *pearl.” And winding along those sweet roads is a guarantee you’ll find one!
FUN-photos: Wild West Adventure – Part 1
June 19, 2018 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-photos: Wild West Adventure – Part 1
- The whole reason for the trip was Brayden’s graduation from NAU. We are so proud of him!
- We drove a total of 3675 miles…mostly on two lane highways…from the dry warm desert floor…to the cool snow capped Rocky Mountains…across the plains of Wyoming…to the Elk & San Juan Mountains…& ending back in the dry desert.
- After leaving Flagstaff we spent 5 days in Torrey, Moab & Vernal, UT before heading to Jackson Hole for our 4 day Grand Teton & Yellowstone Safari.
FUN-fact – Petrified sand dunes…like giant blobs of clay…look as if they belong on the moon.
