Self Improvement

Be Inspired!

I believe that inspiration is all around us and it seems to hit us when we’re not even looking for it.

 How many times have you seen a sign at a restaurant, read an article in a magazine, or met a person who just made you stop in your tracks and think, “Wow! I’ve never thought of it that way before.”? I think we’ve all had those moments of clarity when we sort of re-evaluate our lives and walk away feeling a little taller, a little wiser, and a lot more inspired.

 Here’s a quote I ran across that might inspire you:

 ”The adventure of life is to learn. The purpose of life is to grow. The nature of life is to change. The challenge of life is to overcome. The essence of life is to care. The opportunity of life is to serve. The secret of life is to dare. The spice of life is to befriend. The beauty of life is to give.”

~ William Arthur Ward

 This quote just screams “Servant Leadership” to me: learning, growing, changing, overcoming challenges. Caring about, serving, and giving to others. That’s what it’s all about! I’m feeling inspired, how about you?

 Joe Kiedinger

 Action Plan: Take note of the new things you see and how they inspire you! Share them with others!

Well, spring is officially here!

 It doesn’t seem like it yet, but the average temperature is rising. And after a long winter of cold and way too much snow, I’m glad we will soon be seeing signs that the weather is warming up. It reminds me that winter isn’t permanent and before I know it I’ll be out boating, grilling, and taking trips up to the family cabin. Also, this time of year always seems to bring about an urge to do some spring cleaning.
You know, how every now and then it feels so good to purge some clutter from your desk? It’s almost like a burden is lifted and you can concentrate better. And in my case it feels like it allows more creativity to stream in.
Now, I’ll admit it, when I first sit down to clear things out of my space, it feels like a monumental task. I really don’t look forward to it. But I know the reward out-measures the few minutes of “ick”.
Similarly, it’s good to take the opportunity to do some spring cleaning in other areas of your life. Set aside at least ten to twenty minutes this week to just think, without distraction. What’s working for you as a leader right now? What’s not? What parts of Servant Leadership do you have down? In what areas are you lacking? Now is a great time to purge any bad habits and welcome in some new ones. And just like the feeling you get with a clean desk, your mind will be free from burdens and open to new possibilities!
Action Plan: Time to get cleaning!

Education is the food for success!

I just finished reading Rascal: Being a Person of Unique Character. The book describes “a rascal” as a trend setter, movement starter and decision maker who makes decisions based on the big picture and all available information, not public opinion. Near the end of the book, there is a Rascal Quiz. The quiz asks something like 135 questions. With each question, you rate yourself from “Never me” to “Always me” to “Discover your Rascal Score.” Through these questions, you are led to experiencing self-education.

Are you thirsty for knowledge? Do you crave it? Having an open and courageous mind can free you from life’s troubles that come your way. Self-taught people have the amazing ability to create, because they take the best and discard the worst of everything they read. It’s OK to begin a book, skim a few chapters and discard it if its contents are not relevant to you right now. We can’t learn unless we are ready, and sometimes we are seeking certain types of information. In these instances, it’s OK to set books aside while in search of specific content you are needing right now. Never throw a book away because you may need it later as your journey grows.

If you are on a journey of wanting to better understand your co-workers, boss or teenagers, keep reading. If this is not your journey at this time, my wisdom ends here. Bottom line is this: You are in control of your own destiny and the quickest way to grow is the old-fashioned way—slowly and deliberately through self-education and focus.

Joe

ACTION PLAN: Next week we have openings on March 21st (5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.) for Teen Bootcamp! Adults only. Get to know your teen all over again. The mind of a teenager is revealed and how to tap into it. March 24th – an Introduction to the About Me Card System for Business (7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.). These are short, free seminars on 21st century communications based on Servant Leadership. Click here to hold your spot!  Click here!

Not All People Are Created Equal!

This great Wisdom on Wednesday comes from Vince Lombardi, who once said, “Not all people are created equal. Some have abundant talents and some have few. It’s not about the talents you were born with. It’s what you do with the talents you’ve been given that matters.” Have you ever heard of someone who has a beautiful voice but has no desire to sing? Or someone who is great at math but has no desire to be a mathematician? There is no mystery as to why these people are often frustrated: They can’t find their purpose in life.

Your purpose in life is directly tied to your God-given talents along with a current and relevant need. That need usually has a little pain inside you that you use to comfort those in need. We all have a purpose inside us. Find that purpose and learn what it is to be free!

Joe Kiedinger

ACTION PLAN: Take the time to reflect on your life talents and purpose!

The Heart of a Champion!

I don’t know how I could allow this Wisdom to go out without writing about my World Champion Green Bay Packers! Wow, Super Bowl championships don’t happen very often—it’s been some 14 years since our last one. After all, we had the world’s greatest quarterback in NFL history who was only able to come away with one Super Bowl victory. But hey, we’ll take it! The difference with this win is back in ‘97 we had dominating players who were strong and healthy. The Packers this year were hit with one injury after another.

But as you know, our team rose above them. What they showed the world was one thing: belief! They believed in the rookies. They believed in the practice squad players starting their first NFL games. It’s amazing how believing in people can raise their game. I know I need to work harder to show my kids and work family that I believe in them. I need to take a personal assessment of how I show or don’t show my pride and adoration for their unique abilities. I invite you to do the same with the people in your life.

I have an idea and would love some feedback. I would like to hold an event where parents, teens and business leaders can come together and learn how to support each other using an About Me Card. It would start by creating an About Me Card, and then I would hold a free event where people can come to learn how to use this card to support the unique and precious people in their care. Would you be interested? If so, please e-mail me at joek@prophitmarketing.com  We have created a new way of communicating and I want to share it with you. I guarantee it will enrich your relationships at home and at work.

Joe Kiedinger

ACTION PLAN: Please show me your interest in this important mission of enriching your relationships.

Are you appreciating your kids?

I had a powerful conversation with my 14-year-old teenager last night. He was clearly frustrated with mom and I, so I asked him, “What are three things we can do to be better parents?” He had a few more than three. Danica and I feel we always encourage our kids to be their best. We feel like we recognize each of our unique children’s achievements and help raise them up. Using our words and our optimistic style, we do encourage. However, Alex doesn’t like the way we praise him. He feels it’s insincere and not honest. Using his About Me Card, he was able to express how he interprets our praise in the manner that we choose to express it. He prefers us not to be overly enthusiastic when he’s having a bad day. It shuts him down and gets him upset.

While the details of this conversation are between our teenager and us, the lesson is clear. Many times you think you are showing appreciation when in fact you are doing the opposite. We all interpret words and actions differently. It’s important to have a sit down with your kids and at least ask the question: What are three things I can do differently to be a better parent? If they‘re not ready to provide that answer right away, ask them to think about it and get back to you.

Communication is never easy. However, by understanding what motivates your children, you can learn how to build them up and coach them to be better citizens in the future. How would you like to understand your teenager in 60 seconds for less than $15? Contact me and I’ll show you how!

Joe Kiedinger

ACTION PLAN: Ask the question!

Why Did He Do That?!

Ah, motivations make the world go around! Understand a person’s motivations and you can create permanent change. Have you ever worked with someone who did something that truly puzzled you? You saw it as weird, inconsistent or untrustworthy? The truth is we have a bundle of nerves in our brains that we inherited from our parents. With our most intimate relationships, these nerves can sometimes kick into gear when we are stressed out or tired. Have you ever seen your boyfriend, girlfriend or spouse freak out at times? Do something that just isn’t them? Creepy!

Don’t fear … we all have our quirks. That’s the name society has given to explain these odd and unexpected behaviors. I call our key motivations “our kids.” We carry them with us wherever we go. We take them on vacation, to work and out to eat with friends. They never leave us. When others support these kids of ours, we like them. When someone violates or upsets one of our kids, we push away. I’ve discovered a way for all of us to show each other our kids. After all, just like you’re proud to show off your real children, wouldn’t it be cool to share with someone your motivational kids? That’s the About Me Card! I discovered it quite accidentally. Usually it takes several years to understand what motivates a person—now you can find out in 60 seconds! Check it out at www.aboutmecard.com

Are you a motivator? Do you want to be?

Joe Kiedinger

ACTION PLAN: Download our About Me Card white paper at www.aboutmecard.com! Chat soon.

You ARE in control!

I’ve realized that when you surrender to events and situations that are not necessarily in your control it actually puts you in control. The feeling of control is simply a control of your emotions. When you get frustrated, you feel out of control. When you feel relaxed and focused, you feel in control. It is strange that by surrendering to situations you actually feel more in control about them.

Let’s try something. Find a sheet of paper. On the left side, write five disappointments that you had in 2010. Then write down some of the achievements that you experienced on the right side. Take a look at each group and draw a line or connect the disappointments to the achievements. You should see direct correlations. For example, you may have noted something like “I’m disappointed that I was ignored for that home mortgage.” However, a positive was finding a gain in the market with the money you were going to use as a down payment for the home.

Write these down and see how your disappointments actually are a part of the journey for your successes.

Joe Kiedinger

ACTION PLAN: Pull out the paper!

Where do you relate?

Our new About Me Card system is up and running, and the feedback we’ve been given is fantastic. The About Me Card is powered by respect. It gives you, in 11 simple statements, the rules for how to treat a person. If you would like to be sent an About Me Card request, simply send an email to INFO@ABOUTMECARD.COM  The system has a feature that reveals information about what makes you great.

We all have talents that make us great. We also have rules of how we like to be treated when interacting with others. The About Me Card reveals these talents and rules. When we are supported with these motivations, we are empowered to do great things! There are four rules of thought on how we think. I will explain them, and I want you to consider how you might relate to them.

1 – The WHAT people. These are folks who drive initiatives and keep asking what’s next or “What are we going to accomplish?”

2 – The HOW people. These folks are wonderful at detail and they complement the WHAT people by being able to show how to do something.

3 – The WHY people. These people are wonderful at taking the HOW people’s plan and finding efficiencies to make it run more smoothly.

4 – The WHY NOT people. They are free spirited in throwing themselves into projects that many might think “can’t be done” and they respond with WHY NOT?

Have a great week and remember to focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses.

Joe Kiedinger

ACTION PLAN: Please reach out for a chance to try our new About Me Card program powered by RESPECT!

Traditions

I hope many of you fill your lives with rich traditions. Aside from our annual holiday traditions, we have small family rituals that have become very special. Cheese and crackers when daddy gets home, nighttime stories and regular “mystery trips” with the kids. My mom and dad introduced me to mystery trips. When you package an outing as a mystery trip, for some reason when you get there you realize that picking cherries, hunting for golf balls or some other random activity is kind of fun. If you simply tell kids where they are going, there is almost always a protester in the group.

Traditions are important for company employees as well. Our holiday party is coming up this Saturday. One tradition we’ve started is the annual Wassail. Wassail is a song that I used to sing at Madrigal Dinners during my college years. We have 14 Prophiteers who I celebrate in song. There are 14 verses to the song and each verse celebrates a Prophiteer. I will be writing this after I finish up this Wisdom.

Traditions help bring a culture along. I had the privilege recently of interviewing Matt Umentum, owner of Rol-Tec. Every day at 9:00 a.m. and again in the afternoon, his associates take 10 minutes to play Ping Pong. It’s a way to have a little competitive play, and by creating some fun to look forward to it helps build camaraderie.

What traditions will you start at your company? Remember, your people spend more waking hours with you than they do with their own family. Make it special and show you care.

Joe Kiedinger

ACTION PLAN: Start some simple traditions that are unique to your company or your department.