by Helena Escalante | Growth, Habits, Leadership, Mindset
Estimated reading time: 1 minute, 22 seconds.
TODAY’S IDEA: Staying in (leadership) shape
— From LEAD RIGHT by Steve Ventura
A friend of mine gave me LEAD RIGHT before she retired, and I have enjoyed reading it. It’s a very short read, it has some very practical and sensible advice on leadership, and some of it comes with a clever/fun twist, as is the case with today’s idea.
The author, Steve Ventura, says that if you are “looking to build or strengthen your leadership ‘muscles,’ here are some exercises… TO AVOID.” I’m adding the list of exercises below—verbatim—because I think the author did a great job with this compilation.
Jumping to conclusions.
Passing the buck.
Grabbing the credit.
Throwing your weight around.
Stretching the truth.
Bending the rules.
Breaking your promises.
Playing favorites.
Stepping on others.
Dodging your duty.
Running your mouth off.
Plugging your ears.
Side-stepping programs.
Shooting down the organization.
Pulling others into your funk.
Holding others back.
Pressing “my way or the highway.”
Just skating by.
Now you know what NOT to do to stay in top (leadership) shape!
ACTION
TODAY: Reflect as to whether you engage in any of these “exercises.” We all do on occasion. Create the intention of being aware when it happens: catch yourself as the first thought enters your mind and nix it. Substitute the thought with empathy: put yourself in the shoes of the others involved in the situation, and your entire leadership style will change for the better.
FUTURE: Make it a habit of examining your thoughts before you act. Knowing yourself and being aware is what it takes, create that intention in your mind. Avoid doing any of the “exercises” above and, instead, offer your help to those around you and lead from a place of empathy.
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by Helena Escalante | Accountability, Goals, Growth, Habits, Planning, Tools
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes, 45 seconds.
TODAY’S IDEA: 25 ways to complete your incompletes
— From The Success Principles™: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Jack Canfield
“Are there areas in your life where you’ve left uncompleted projects or failed to get closure with people? When you don’t complete the past, you can’t be free to fully embrace the future,” says Jack Canfield in The Success Principles. By devoting attention to these incompletes and unfinished tasks or projects, you are taking energy and focus away from the things you should be doing—or the things you want to do. Canfield says that we only have so many “attention units” and we should focus those units “to completing present tasks and bringing new opportunities and abundance into [our] life.”
Canfield suggests continually asking, “What does it take to actually get this task completed?” At that point you can move forward with the next steps that will lead you to completion: filing the completed paperwork, mailing in the forms, etc. “The truth is that 20 things completed have more power than 50 things half completed. One finished book, for instance, that can go out and influence the world is better than 13 books you’re in the process of writing.”
So, what to do about this?
In addition to the 4 Ds—Do it, Delegate it, Delay it or Dump it—Canfield suggests scheduling a completion weekend and devoting 2 full days to completing as many things as possible. He provides the following list of 25 categories as a starting point and suggests you add your particular items. He also recommends selecting just four items and completing them, then moving on to another four, and so on. “At a minimum,” says Canfield, “I encourage you to clean up one major incomplete every 3 months.”
Here’s the initial list for you, it contains both personal and professional suggestions. Happy completing!
1. Former business activities that need completion.
2. Promises not kept, not acknowledged, or not renegotiated.
3. Unpaid debts or financial commitments (money owed to others or to you).
4. Closets overflowing with clothing never worn.
5. A disorganized garage crowded with old discards.
6. Haphazard or disorganized tax records.
7. Checkbook not balanced or accounts that should be closed.
8. “Junk drawers” full of unusable items.
9. Missing or broken tools.
10. An attic filled with unused items.
11. A car trunk or backseat full of trash.
12. Incomplete car maintenance.
13. A disorganized basement filled with discarded items.
14. Credenza packed with unfiled or incomplete projects.
15. Filing left undone.
16. Computer files not backed up or data needing to be converted for storage.
17. Desk surface cluttered or disorganized.
18. Family pictures never put into an album.
19. Mending, ironing or other piles of items to repair or discard.
20. Deferred household maintenance.
21. Professional relationships with unstated requests, resentments, or appreciations.
22. People you need to forgive.
23. Time not spent with people you’ve been meaning to spend time with.
24. Incomplete projects or projects delivered without closure or feedback.
25. Acknowledgments that need to be given or asked for.
ACTION
TODAY: Check the list and add your own incompletes that come to mind. Determine if there is any task that you can complete today. If so, get it done — woohoo!
FUTURE: Pick a date in your calendar and schedule your first completion weekend. Make it a habit to schedule them at least once a quarter.
Know someone who could benefit from completing some incompletes? Please share this post via email, Facebook or Twitter, thanks!
by Helena Escalante | Creativity, Goals, Mindset, Planning, Tools
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes, 0 seconds.
TODAY’S IDEA: 7 Steps to making a Mind Map
— From Mind Map Handbook: The ultimate thinking tool by Tony Buzan
In psychology, there are two things that the brain needs in order for learning to take place: association and imagination. But this is nothing new according to Tony Buzan, author of over 100 books on learning and education. Centuries ago the Greeks devised helpful memory systems—based on association and imagination as well—that enabled them to recall hundreds, and even thousands, of facts.
And studying the Greeks, Leonardo Da Vinci, and other creatives, is exactly how Buzan came up with the idea of Mind Maps: a graphical representation of information—using imagination and association—to capture ideas and projects in a way that can be easily recalled, understood and explained.
“A Mind Map is the ultimate organizational thinking tool. [It’s] the easiest way to put information into your brain and to take information out of your brain—it’s a creative and effective means of note-taking that literally ‘maps out’ your thoughts.”
All Mind Maps begin at the center (of the page, the screen, etc.) and, from there, branches radiate out. Mind Maps are colorful, and filled with lines, symbols, words and images that help our brains organize information. Buzan says, “With a Mind Map, a long list of boring information can be turned into a colorful, memorable, highly organized diagram that works in line with your brain’s natural way of doing things.” If you’ve never seen a Mind Map, here’s a gallery of them in Buzan’s page, and here are the results of a Google search, so that you can see that you’re only limited by your imagination. Since Wimbledon just finished yesterday, here’s a Mind Map about Tennis.
Tennis Mindmap. By http://mindmapping.bg [CC BY-SA 2.5 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons
Mind Maps will help you to “be more creative, save time, solve problems, concentrate, organize and clarify your thinking, pass exams with good grades, remember better, study faster and more efficiently, make studying a breeze, see the ‘whole picture,’ plan, communicate,” and much more!
Buzan shares seven steps to making a Mind Map. I’m including them here verbatim and with the exact same format/emphasis for you. Since Buzan is from England, you will also notice the British spelling of some words (how fun!), so I’ve left them intact as that’s how they appear in the book.
1. Start in the CENTRE of a blank page turned sideways. Why? Because starting in the centre gives your Brain freedom to spread out in all directions and to express itself more freely and naturally.
2. Use an IMAGE or PICTURE for your central idea. Why? Because an image is worth a thousand words and helps you use your Imagination. A central image is more interesting, keeps you focused, helps you concentrate, and gives your Brain more of a buzz!
3. Use COLOURS throughout. Why? Because colours are as exciting to your Brain as are images. Colour adds extra vibrancy and life to your Mind Map, adds tremendous energy to your Creative Thinking, and is fun!
4. CONNECT your MAIN BRANCHES to the central image and connect your second- and third-level branches to the first and second levels, etc. Why? Because your Brain works by association. It likes to link two (or three, or four) things together. If you connect the branches, you will understand and remember a lot more easily.
5. Make your branches CURVED rather than straight-lined. Why? Because having nothing but straight lines is boring to your Brain.
6. Use ONE KEY WORD PER LINE. Why? Because single key words give your Mind Map more power and flexibility.
7. Use IMAGES throughout. Why? Because each image, like the central image, is also worth a thousand words. So if you have only 10 images in your Mind Map, it’s already the equal of 10,000 words of notes!
Happy Mind Mapping!
ACTION
TODAY: Think of a project or an idea with which you need to deal. Capture it on paper by doing a mind map. Enjoy the process and the ideas, clarity and new angles that will come to you by doing this exercise.
FUTURE: Keep mind mapping as a handy tool when you need to manage information or turn the complex into simple-to-see and understand. I’ve used mind mapping for many years now and the clarity and organization they bring to my jumbled thoughts always helps me figure out the structure of my projects better.
Know someone who could benefit from mind mapping? Please share this post! Email, Facebook, Twitter.
by Helena Escalante | Collaboration, Goals, Growth, Mindset, Networking, Opportunity, Planning, Resources, Tools
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes, 9 seconds.
TODAY’S IDEA: The MENTOR Model
— From One Minute Mentoring: How to Find and Work With a Mentor—and Why You’ll Benefit from Being One by Ken Blanchard and Claire Diaz-Ortiz
I really like the One Minute series of books by Ken Blanchard. In this particular instance, he co-wrote with Claire Diaz-Ortiz—his mentee—a fictional parable about mentorship filled with insights and helpful tips. The story shows both sides of the mentor/mentee equation, and what it takes to become or find one. It’s a short book, a quick read, and the story is very relatable, whether you’ve been a mentor, a mentee, or both. I won’t say more in case you’d like to read it!
What I want to highlight is the MENTOR Model that the authors created, drawing from the most important points and main lessons about mentoring. Since many of you have asked about mentorship, I thought I’d share this as a way to help you find or become a mentor.
The MENTOR Model is an acronym. Let’s look at each of the letters.
M = Mission. It’s important that both mentor and mentee share key values and key intentions. Once this has been done, then both (together preferably) can “create a vision and purpose for the future mentoring partnership.” Remember that mentoring adds value to both sides of the equation.
E = Engagement. Agree and set the parameters for engagement in a way that adapts to both persons’ activities, personalities, and schedules. Will there be face-to-face meetings? How often? Will there be scheduled calls? How about impromptu ones? Is text messaging ok? How about email? “Mentoring partnerships require both the flexibility to engage in digital communication and the power of in-person meetings when possible.” The authors recommend making a commitment to regular meetings, even if they have to be virtual.
N = Networking. “Cultivating productive relationships is a major key to success.” By virtue of the connection with your mentor/mentee, you can expand your network as well. However, tread carefully and very respectfully on the other’s networking contacts and always ask for permission to reach out or, even better, introductions.
T = Trust.. “Building trust takes time—and it can be destroyed in an instant. […] Build and maintain trust with your mentoring partner by telling the truth, staying connected, and being dependable.” As the relationship progresses, trust will deepen, yet always remember that honesty and clear communication are key to this (and any other) relationship.
O = Opportunity. “A mentoring partnership is a two-way street—both partners have opportunities to bring to the table. […] As a mentoring partner, you’ll have access to personal and business opportunities that simply aren’t available to non-mentors and non-mentees.” Being in a mentoring relationship brings wonderful opportunities for both to grow. Purposefully create opportunities for your mentor/mentee to further help out with the mission and purpose that you stated at the beginning.
R = Review and Renewal. “Schedule a regular time to review progress and renew your mentoring partnership.” Doing this, say, once a year (or perhaps more often) will keep both of you on track. Make sure to add them to your calendar when you create your mission statement. And also determine at the time what “success” for each review will look like. That way you will know whether you achieved your goal or you need to figure out other strategies to do so.
ACTION
TODAY: Are you looking for a mentor? Are you looking to mentor someone? Either way, reach out to your network and start looking! You will build a wonderful relationship and open up great opportunities for you and your mentoring partner in many ways.
FUTURE: Having a mentor or being one is a rich, rewarding, and enlightening experience. Remember to pay it forward.
Know someone who is looking for a mentor or who wants to become one? Please share this post! Email, Facebook, Twitter.
by Helena Escalante | Collaboration, Goals, Growth, Habits, Leadership, Mindset, Opportunity, Resources, Time, Tools
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes, 35 seconds.
TODAY’S IDEA: Become better today
— From Self-Improvement 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know by John C. Maxwell
Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States said, “By improving yourself, the world is made better. Be not afraid of growing too slowly. Be afraid only of standing still.”
So, how do we avoid standing still?
In his book Self-Improvement 101, leadership guru John C. Maxwell answers that question: “[We become better tomorrow] by becoming better today. The secret of your success can be found in your daily agenda.”
To keep growing and leading up, Maxwell suggests the following three steps:
1. Learn your craft today. “There is no time like the present to become an expert at your craft. Maybe you wish you had started earlier… or had found a better teacher or mentor years ago… Looking back and lamenting will not help you move forward.” Don’t dwell on the past and ignore any sunk costs. “You may not be where you’re supposed to be. You may not be what you want to be. You don’t have to be what you used to be. And you don’t have to ever arrive. You just need to learn to be the best person you can be right now.”
“The best time to plant a tree was 25 years ago. The second best time is today.” – Chinese proverb
2. Talk your craft today. “Once you reach a degree of proficiency in your craft, then one of the best things you can do for yourself is talk your craft with others on the same and higher levels than you. […] Talking to peers is wonderful, but if you don’t also make an effort to strategically talk your craft with those ahead of you in experience and skill, then you’re really missing learning opportunities.” Maxwell emphasizes the listening aspect of the dialogue, as he points out that it is the bridge that leads you to learn about them.
3. Practice your craft today. “The only way to improve is to practice your craft until you know it inside and out. At first, you do what you know to do. The more you practice your craft, the more you know. But as you do more, you will also discover more about what you ought to do differently… The only way you improve is to get out of your comfort zone and try new things.”
“You can’t change where you started, but you can change the direction you are going. It’s not what you are going to do, but it’s what you are doing now that counts.” – Napoleon Hill
ACTION
TODAY: Learn (more of) or talk or practice your craft—or preferably all!
FUTURE: Keep learning and talking and practicing your craft. Never stop growing. Sometimes it may not be easy and sometimes you’ll make mistakes. The corollary to Benjamin Franklin’s opening quote is “Forget your mistakes, but remember what they taught you.” That way you will have a valuable lesson that will make you wiser and let you move forward.
Help someone become better today by sharing this post that person! You can do so via email, Facebook or Twitter, thank you.
