Author Contributions

Quote
“No matter how appealing an opportunity may be, you must have the ability to capitalize on that opportunity.”
by Eric Erickson

Thought
Our success is determined by the skills, knowledge and experience that we have. Even though an opportunity is shining dollar signs in your eyes does not mean you are going to be an automatic success. I believe it was Steve Jobs that said you need to say no to a lot of things and say yes to the things that matter. The things that matter are the skills, knowledge and experience you have gathered. Why do they matter? They matter because you made the decision to do them. We all live busy lives. What happened in 2020 escalated it. A study conducted the middle of 2020 said 92% of small businesses had to reinvent themselves due to the pandemic. Here is the kicker, the study concluded that 22% of those businesses that needed to reinvent themselves lacked the skills to reinvent themselves.  Ask yourself, did they lack the skills or forget the skills they had? Get out some extra paper if needed and jot down the things that come to mind as you answer the questions below.

 

Question
1. What skills do you have? 2. What knowledge do you have? 3. What experience do you have. Once completed, take a look at your list and define any patterns you see. What did you write that you forgot you knew? What did you learn that can help you increase sales? What did you learn about yourself?

Quote
“Life is a series of lessons, either we’re learning them or we’re teaching them.”
by Maureen Scanlon

Thought
Every experience in life serves a purpose we need for growth and self-awareness. If it is a lesson we need to learn, we may ask for the experience several times until it is learned. Once we have learned the lesson, we contribute to co-creating with others by teaching what we have learned. Looking at our experiences with a positive mindset and point of view, no matter how difficult the situation, allows us to have a larger understanding of the purpose and eventually have gratitude for the growth it provided. I believe we are always exactly where we are supposed to be in each moment. We are simultaneously learning and teaching as we go through our life’s journey as we connect with others. Be at peace while setting your intentions for each day. Speak as if your desire has already happened. And finally, never believe that life happens TO you, Know that it happens FOR you.

 

Question
What is the most common belief or behavior you find yourself repeating over and over?

Quote
“The journey of 1,000 miles begins with the first step; make sure it’s not off a cliff, unless you can fly” 
by Keith Dorson

Thought
We may have heard of Confucius’s quote about get moving – take the first step, but I believe it is important to have a plan first. The plan may fail and that’s okay because the process of planning can help you soar. Each of us needs a mentor, coach, or advisory board. Our boards are rather unique. We call them ‘Dead or Alive’ because we use the best thoughts from both current leaders and those who may have passed away or be assessable to us. We all travel in different circles around life’s highway. Using the best wisdom of both now and from the ages, past can make a significate difference in your life. How might Ben Franklin list at least three pros and three cons to your current problem/opportunity? What exactly might Steve Jobs add to your current thoughts and conversations? How might a pilot help you create a checklist? Buy using the power of different points of view, valuable insights may be obtained. Books are another wonderful approach to tap into this potential. Readers are leaders.

Question
My question for you is “What exactly are you doing this year [now] that is outside your comfort zone? {O.C.Z.] both personally and professionally?