Leadership Solutions

Leadership: Words You Can Forget

I think I found the problem.

While language was the critical invention that lifted humans above other animals, it also brought disabilities that make our lives more painful.

I discovered this by talking with Olivia Felini (a cat). It seems that some common words in our language are absent from a cat's vocabulary. This explains why cats live such powerful, peaceful lives.

Here are some nasty human words, with Olivia's comments when I tried to explain them to her. Be warned, cats have a tendency to be blunt.

Blame - "It's my fault if I'm hungry."

Pity - "Talk to a dog if you want to complain."

Failure - "By definition I'm a success."

Lies - "When I meow, I mean 'Meow!'"

Finite - "I live every moment as if it were an eternity."

Not - "All I know is what exists."

Death - "I'm too busy being alive."

Fear - "Is this some kind of a disease?"

Worry - "Even mice are too busy for this."

Shame - "Everything I do is perfect."

Rejection - "It's your problem that you misunderstood my request."

At this point Olivia walked out of the room, muttering, "Now I know why he takes more than a second to fall asleep."

Key Point: You are the thoughts that you allow in your mind.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

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Leadership: Micro Management Tune Up

Have you ever wondered what happened to a day?

You know how this goes, one moment you're opening your office, and then POOF! suddenly the day is gone.

So what happened to it?

Here is a simple project that will answer that question. Then you can use the answer to improve your use of time.

The project:

1) Get a pad of paper.

2) Each time that you start or stop something, jot down a brief note stating the time and what you did. For example, "8:14 AM, start reading e-mail" or "3:46 PM finish reading e-mail."

3) At the end of the day, review this log of how you spent your time.

4) Compare what happened with what you wanted to do. Ask yourself fierce questions such as:

Am I spending time on easy activities to avoid spending time on difficult tasks?

Am I in control of choosing how I spend my time? That is, how often do interruptions interfere with my work?

Am I making progress toward the achievements that truly matter?

Sometimes I'll use this process to audit how I set priorities. The results are always useful.

I encourage you to try it.

Key Point: You must know what you're doing in order to improve upon it.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

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Leadership: Final Score

Some day you will reach a time when you get the final score on your career.

This is very important because many people ignore long term financial planning. As a result, they may be living their way into a financial disaster.

Here's why.

Once you retire, your future income will be essentially fixed. There will be no more promotions or bonuses. If you receive any raises, they will be modest cost of living increases, based on decisions that are beyond your influence.

Your income will come from three sources.

1) Pension. This will depend upon many things, such as years of service, maximum income, and your company's pension plan. If you worked as an entrepreneur, this payment will depend upon whether you set up a pension plan for yourself.

2) Social Security. This will depend upon how much money you paid into the Social Security system. If you had a high paying job over a long career, your payments would be the maximum allowed. If you paid less, you will receive less. And if you didn't make payments for at least 40 quarters, you will receive nothing.

3) Income from Savings. Ideally, your savings should earn enough income to: a) increase the principal at a rate that matches inflation, and b) provide any needed supplemental income in addition to your pension and social security.

Certainly, your retirement income matters. It determines the quality of life for your final years. It provides security and support. It also buys any special care that may be needed.

So, what do you do?

Here are two recommendations:

1) Obviously, maximize your earnings during your career. Otherwise, prepare a business or career that you can continue beyond the "normal" retirement age.

2) Work with a financial planner to develop a savings plan. This, by the way, requires spending less you make.

Key Point: Every day you are investing in your financial future. Make sure it's a future that you can live with.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

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Leadership: Last Chapter

Imagine that it's many years from now.

And you're surrounded by children. They might be a class from a local grade school or they might be relatives.

Being children they bubble with questions.

They ask, "What did you do?"

What do you tell them?

That is: What did you do with your life? What did you create, build, or accomplish? What are you proud of? How much happiness did you create? How many people did you help? What legacy did you leave?

They're impressed with what you have done. So they ask, "How did you do it?"

What do you tell them?

That is: What steps did you take? What process did you apply? What obstacles did you overcome? What help did you seek? What systems did you use? What made you effective?

They're excited by the story of your achievements. Now they ask the big question that they came to ask, "What did you learn?"

What do you tell them?

That is: What insights did you gain? What lessons can you share? What wisdom represents the sum of your life experiences?

Of course, right now, you're here.

You're living in today creating the answers to these questions. This leads to the question: What story do you want to tell the children of the future when you reach your last chapter?

Key Point: Plan the end of your story now. Then design a life that takes you toward it.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

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Leadership: Common Approach

This is amazing!

Have you noticed that all successful people are the same?

It's true.

That is, they all approach life (this includes their business, work, everything) the same way.

They start with a vision. They set goals. And they work hard.

They do this because it works. It's the proven path to achievement.

Meanwhile, the rest of the crowd is busy being different.

They're scattered all over anywhere trying to defy reality by seeking short cuts, pushing contrary ideas, and hiding in fantasy. The only thing they have in common is their lack of results.

So here is a friendly reality check. If you want better results, imitate the people who are obtaining them.

Key Point: All success is based on common sense.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300
 

PS: My workshop on Time Management shows the proven way to achieve success.
 

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

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Leadership: Yosemite

We spent two days being lost. And we had a fantastic time.

Here's the story.

In late September we took a brief trip to Yosemite National Park, traveling by Amtrak. This matters because we arrived after dark as passengers. So we lacked the awareness of the roads that someone would obtain by driving. Also, we were dependent upon walking (and riding the shuttle) for transportation.

We began our visit by being lost, while we spent fifteen minutes trying to find the lodge building with our room. In the dark. While pulling our luggage.

By the time we made it to the one restaurant that was still open at 8:45 P.M. we were very tired, frustrated, and hungry.

So what did we do the next day?

That is, did we stay in our room? Did we worry about getting lost? Did we complain about the many paths, trails, and roads that weren't shown on our maps?

No.

We went out exploring.

We walked. We rode the shuttle. And admittedly we spent most of the day being less than fully certain of where we were (as in lost).

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Then the next day we set out again. And we spent more time being lost. For example, it took three attempts to find Cook's Meadow.

But we found it. And we learned a lot about the shuttle system and the many paths in the park.

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Notice the parallel between this trip and life.

We arrive in the "dark" courtesy of someone else at a place that's new to us.

Then we encounter obstacles, incomplete maps, and unknowns. And through all of this, we cope with limited resources.

Yet, we achieve success by venturing out. By exploring. By taking risks.

So here's a friendly reminder to explore. To take risks. To allow yourself to be lost.

The last point is important. Allowing yourself to be lost is the key to finding your way.

By the way, I'm going back. I've bought reservations for another trip next year when the waterfalls will be flowing.

Key Point: Obstacles exist to test our commitment.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

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Leadership: Deliberate Poverty

Miserable poverty can be found in every income bracket.

True.

There are people who make huge incomes, and yet who are also very very poor.

How can you tell that they're poor?

1) They're broke

They have no money. Everything that they have is either mortgaged or on loan with debt. Their net worth is negative, which means their debt exceeds the value of what they own.

Better: Design your finances based on spending less than your income. Recognize that there are people who live very comfortably on less money than you do (regardless of your income).

2) They're unhappy

They have no peace. They worry, often about not having enough money. Or they subscribe to fears, which they attempt to cover by spending more money. Then fear causes anger, which compounds unhappiness.

Better: Find value in the human activities of connecting with others and adding value to humanity.

3) They're busy

They have no time. They're so consumed by making money or avoiding fears, that they have lost control over the one thing that matters: their time. Thus, they have no time to rest, to play, or to be human. Instead, they run like a machine operated by others.

Better: Slow down. Schedule time for yourself. Recognize that having time is the ultimate form of being wealthy.

Key Point: Everyone deserves to be wealthy. It's just a matter of choice.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300
 

PS: My workshop on Time Management shows people how to create a masterpiece of living well.
 

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

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Leadership: Where Have All the Crayons Gone?

Once upon a time, long ago, the adult world thought you were creative.

So they gave you a box of Crayons and a blank piece of paper.

And you drew.

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Original art work by Steve Kaye, age 65, going on 4

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It was the best time of your life. You were given the space to be a pure creative human being. And people admired your creativity, even if it looked like, well . . . , the drawing above.

Then one day something terrible happened. They took away your Crayons.

Suddenly you were supposed to be a serious (as in sad) adult who spent all day sitting in a small room reading e-mail, or something awful like that.

In that moment they took away more than your Crayons. They took away the part of being human that makes life worth living. They took away your creative child.

Well, there's a happy ending to this tale, as there should be.

You can go out and buy a box of Crayons.

Then take your child to a quiet place where you can draw. Let your imagination go into a world of plaid rainbows, pink turtles, and whatever else that you want.

When you finish, sign your work and save it on the refrigerator. Ask your adult to find a special place because they enjoy helping with things like that. It makes them feel useful, probably because they remember what it was like to draw with Crayons.

Key Point: The best time in life is when you play.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

PS: Tell your adult that my workshop on Time Management helps grownups manage their time.

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

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Leadership: Depression

If you have ever experienced setbacks, rejections, and failures, you know that these things can be very painful.

I'll add that in an entrepreneurial business, such as mine, there can be more setbacks than successes. During the past month, for example, I've struggled with a blizzard of breakdowns and problems. So, I'd like to share what I've learned because it might help others.

Failure hurts. Enough failure can feel frustrating. And eventually, frustration leads to discouragement, which leads to depression.

Let's begin with some things to know.

1) Know that people care.

There is an entire world of people around you who care. They may be family members, friends, or colleagues. They will listen and offer support.

2) Know that others share your experience.

Everyone is haunted by fears, pains, and disappointments. Everyone has been hurt in some way or another.

3) Know that others can help.

In fact, others want to help. Some have worked through similar experiences, and thus they can show you how to recover.

So, what can you do?

1) Stay in touch with others.

Call or visit friends who support you. Of course, seek out those who will listen and encourage, rather than those who will try to show off by telling you what to do.

Send a brief note or an e-mail to those whom you know. The simple act of reaching out can give you a sense of connection.

Go out and meet new people. Seek out positive people who are doing something commendable. Use their success as an inspiration to lift your spirits.

2) Do something kind for others.

This will give you a sense of purpose. Start with small favors that are easy to do. Collect the good feelings that follow from knowing that you have done something special. And if you receive expressions of gratitude, collect these, too. You might even save them in a victory file.

This moves your focus from struggling with difficulties to helping others. That will always give you a lift.

3) Ask for help.

Rather than suffer in silence, ask for assistance. Recognize that asking for help is a commendable step toward being better. In some cases, this can involve seeking professional counseling from a coach, consultant, or counselor.

If you ask friends for help, start small, asking for things that people can offer easily. Note that the most valuable gifts will often be encouragement to keep going plus suggestions on ways to resolve your challenges.

Finally, realize that we are part of a worldwide community. Since starting my business I have developed a network of extraordinary people. I call them when I need support and ideas. In turn, others call me. I receive three or four calls every week from colleagues who want ideas.

Key Point: We are all connected in this project called Life. Stay in touch with those who can help.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

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Leadership: Danger Ahead

It's really a prison sentence.

And it's especially cruel because it's being given to the people who deserve our respect and gratitude.

This sentence is politely called "retirement."

For some it's worse than a prison sentence; it's a death sentence. Studies have shown that people who go home to do nothing have a life expectancy of only a few years.

So, what's the answer?

Escape retirement.

That is, keep working.

After all, realize that by the time you reach 65 (or such), you have acquired more wisdom, experience, and value than any youngster who just finished college.

At this point, there are people reading this who are thinking, "But, but, but . . . ."

And all the excuses are just that: excuses.

The point is this: Your life has to have a greater purpose than eating. Or watching TV. Or sitting in your car.

So, what do you do?

If you are at the beginning of your career, develop a career plan that positions you in the type of work where you can have the most influence. Seek jobs that you like and that match your natural abilities.

If you are in the middle of your "formal" career, now is the time to begin planning for the next step.

And if you have finished your career, begin a personal program to find that next career. It may be anything from part time work to volunteer assistance.

You may want to seek the guidance of a career strategist. These professionals help people identify a deliberate path toward professional enrichment and personal satisfaction.

Key Point: Your career is more than a paycheck. It's the path toward your future. Make sure it goes where you want it to go.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

PS: My workshop on Time Management shows personal planning techniques that help you build the future you want.

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

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