Intentional Bob’s Suggestions for having a GRReat Day!

If you are reading this, it is quite clear that there is not a chalk mark drawn around you. You are alive and you are breathing. Today Matters. Today is what you have as there are no guarantees and no blank checks.

I look forward to your thoughts and comments on these weekly suggestions.

 

Monday 9 June 2014

Are You still playing the game the same way?

 
I was recently reading an article that clearly asked the above question. So are you still playing the game the same way? It’s time to stop playing the game the way you always have and to change it! Face it, doing it the way you always have just does not cut it anymore. Things are different than 20 years ago, 10 years ago, 5 years ago, heck, last week!
You need to disrupt the game. You need to innovate. You need to be creative. There is no more status quo.
Here is an important question to address this…What would it take for me to be a game changer in my field?
 
There are 5 key areas that you need to focus on so as to hope to be a game changer:
1. Be solution driven. You need to show those you deal with that you care and you need to offer that which others care about. Add value, find the need and fix it.
2. How are you processing things? Times change, methods change. We are in a high tech world but never leave out high touch.
3. How are you communicating with people? Not only do things change but we must change the way we communicate. More importantly we must choose to connect. People only hear 7% of the spoken word. What modern methods are you using to connect. Build your Platform.
4. Is your Message getting across? Yes, your message is different from communication but intertwined for sure.
5. What technology are you and can you use? Are you grabbing new technology or waiting too long to get into technology?
In conclusion, it is best to change your game before it changes YOU! It’s best to self-disrupt if you want to stay in the game.

 

Monday 3 March 2014

Relationships are so important in Your Life. Do you know how to handle the Personality Types?

 
Relationships. Relationships. I can still hear my mentor Dexter Yager saying that word as it resonates in the back of my head. Yes, relationships! The greatest thing about Life is that we deal with People. The worst thing in life is that we deal with people. Now don’t get me wrong. I love dealing with people…Now!  I learned about 20 years ago that each person has a different personality type. In fact, they have several but one is usually more dominant. There are many models out there that you can use for this but I have found the one by Dr. Robert Rohm to be the best one to use and understand.
 
The first thing that is necessary is to determine your own personality so that you will understand You. Once you learn you you will be able to determine the personality traits of those you encounter. I cannot begin to explain how much better life has been once I found out who and what I am. In fact, I no longer, most of the time, come across as a hammer and treat everyone like a nail. 
 
The 4 Personality Types are D I S C.  D for Dominant  I for Inspiring  S for Supportive and C  for Cautious. I can actually reply 4 different ways to people having each of these personalities and get the response and action I am looking for. There is more to this which would take up too much space so I would encourage you to contact me and set up time to learn these traits so that YOU Too can deal with relationships.
 
Relationships! Relationships…make your encounters with people better.
 
Peace. BB

 

Monday 27 January 2014 

All too often we stumble when we lose our Focus…

I remember years ago one of my mentors teaching me that “People Fail because of Broken Focus”. As I ponder this today, I wish that I had paid a bit more attention when he was teaching me this. But alas, while I had dreams, goals and vision, my focus was not always what it needed to be.
Thinking back, we have had some many opportunities to ponder the use of focus. Those who are photographers must always take a few moments before they shoot the picture to ensure that everything is “in focus”. Those who shoot weapons for precision must always ensure that while aiming that they focus on the target. The sand that flows through the Hour Glass does so by flowing through the focus. And that classic white sheet of paper with a simple, single black dot by which we focus as we seek the light at the end of the tunnel.
So many things in life tend to pull us in so many directions and we lose sight of and track of “True North”. I love the part in the movie Lincoln where Lincoln describes that it is great to know True North but if you don’t prepare for the obstacles that will be along the path, then what good is it to just know True North?
So where to we go with all of this? What is my focus in this writing? Experience has taught me that I cannot be halfway committed to something and expect to get the real results that I am seeking. I must stay on course and I must know that when I stray from my course that my retro rockets are going to correct and get me back on course.
So my call to action for you this coming week is to work on your focus and re-gain your momentum on the way to success!

 

Thursday 21 November 2013

An Epidemic Still abounds “IFORGOTITTUS”…Do You Have it? 

We have all experienced the phrased universal answer to the question….”I forgot”! And not only have we experienced it…we have been and maybe still are guilty of continuing the process. For many, the use of “I forgot” is really no big deal as it is a quick cop out to hopefully let us off the hook. Or does it let us off the hook, really? 
 
I have a question. Did you plan your work? Now don’t get me wrong or take me the wrong way. But. The use of “I forgot” is a totally irresponsible way for anyone to live their lives. Yes, really. Clearly it is understood that no one on this great Planet of ours can remember everything. So the answer, the secret is to have a plan. That great line from the Movie “The American Tail”….”We gotta have a plan”.
 
So from now on, I encourage you to use the phrase “I failed to plan to succeed” and eliminate the words “I forgot” from you vocabulary. Eventually you will come to say and realize that you “plan to succeed”!
 
What are your thoughts on this? I would love to hear from you…don’t forget.

 

Tuesday 8 October 2013

 

As with the Deer caught in the headlights…Are you blinded or don’t you see?

Hard or easy, one of the things that we can get very good at is the ability to point out other’s faults before we are courageous enough to see our own (and point them out). Most people which includes our very selves, just really don’t want to hear about our faults but in most cases are prepared to hear How Great We Art! This can especially be a problem if our love language is “words of affirmation” and we seldom receive any.
There are many assessment programs out there and please feel free to choose one or more until you come to a consensus with yourself. But just as important as it is to be able to determine who you are and how you would like to be addressed and treated, it is just as important to know how to determine who others are and how they should be treated. I went through many years in the classroom dealing with my students (they were students and thus were all the same and when you are a hammer everything is a nail) working with them “ALL in the SAME” way. It was not until I got further training in personalities (starting with myself) that I came to the realization that each individual is just than an individual and has differing traits. What an eye opener and shock when those who were supposedly “not going to make it” began to work and achieve because “I” was dealing with them the way it was intended.
We all have blind spots to deal with when it comes to personalities. Blind spots are not called blind spots because we clearly see them. They are blind spots because you are blind to them. So the question must arise “How can I possibly see something I do not see?”
From a learning and Leadership point of view ask yourself a few questions:
1. Where are you continuously stumbling when it comes to interactions?
2. Ask others (this is a Danger Will Robinson for those that remember the show Lost in Space) what they see about you that could use improvement or has improved. Be willing to take the criticism/ advice.
3. Pray for guidance
4. Go out and find an assessment program and take it. I guess I can plug, the new Assessment Program that Dr. John C. Maxwell has just released. I am doing mine…are you willing to do yours?
Don’t know too many deer that have survived being caught in the headlights so stop being blinded by the light!
Let me hear from you here or send me an email at [email protected] with your thoughts and comments.

 

Monday 26 August 2013

Chicken Little warned that the “Sky Was Falling”. So It is time to Repent. Don’t Just Be Remorseful About It! 

 
The one thing that I know about things is that we all make mistakes. It is a natural part of life and what normally follows when we make a mistake is to apologize. Now don’t get me wrong, apologizing is important and absolutely proper. But here is the catch to this…after we apologized, did we go back out and do it again? Did we do it again to the same person or a different person?
The difference here is that they were remorseful but not repentant. To be repentant means that we turn and go in a different direction. To be repentant means that we don’t keep repeating that with which we were doing wrong. The classic quote “the highest form of insanity is to keep doing what you are doing but yet expect different results” is so true when it comes to Remorse.
So the leadership tip(s) is quite simple…Change for the sake of heading in the right direction. Don’t just apologize…be sorry for it and correct your course. The Law of Navigation is very applicable here. Anyone can steer a ship but it takes a leader to chart a course. Remember the story of the Phoenix that arose out of the ashes to have new life. It is not too late.
So do what you need to do and don’t take the course of Chicken Little and let your sky fall!
Your thoughts welcome…

 

Thursday 1 August 2013 (Been away on a much needed vacation but am back in the saddle and writing away)

There is a difference between being a “peacekeeper” and being a “peacemaker”…Ya know.

While these two words appear to be similar in nature and in fact there are indeed similarities between the two words the distinctions are what truly separate them into their respective places.
Peace Keeper:  You are a peacekeeper if you’re the diplomat in your family, the one who negotiates between feuding siblings or placates a cranky grandfather to ensure that everyone has a pleasant Thanksgiving dinner. The most common way to use the word peacekeeper, however, is to talk about troops that are sent into another country for non-military purposes.
Peace Maker: Someone who tries to bring peace by acceding to demands.A negotiator who acts as a link between parties.
Well if you are still trying to figure out the difference…I am sure you are like me in that while we were growing up we were taught that we should get along with everyone. That we should go out of our way to help other people get along with other people. The problem with this is that it does not always work. There would be times that we would expect people who were having challenges with others to simply get along with each other because YOU interceded and determined that they should. Clearly the UN Peacekeepers have a very hard time of keeping the Peace because someone has decreed that there should be peace and they end up stuck in the middle trying to keep it. I think of Jimmy Carter who in my opinion was a failed statesmen when it came to Peacekeeping and Ronald Reagan who had more success being a Peacemaker (although he held a Big Stick behind his back).
Ultimately, I think of both Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr.  I close out this article by asking you for your thoughts and opinions….were these 2 men Peacemakers or Peacekeepers? While you are trying to answer this question, determine how Leadership comes into play and that famous line from the Beatitudes…”Blessed are the Peacemakers for they….”
 
So my call to action for you is to come back to me with your thoughts on this today!
 
Peace. BB

Wednesday 3 July 2013

Remember to Be Grateful!

No it is not Thanksgiving but it is time to Give Thanks. It is the eve of the Celebration of Independence Day so it is time to be thankful for a lack of oppression. And we are at the halfway mark of the year so it is time to reassess where things are at. Where I am at…where you are at…etc.

There are so many things that we can complain about but in most cases that is because we are free to be able to complain in the first place. Reminds me of the story of the man who had no shoes until he came across the man who had no feet. I choose not to want to complain about anything. I especially don’t want to complain during my last breaths (what ever day that is) that I had wished I had done more with the “time” that was allotted to me.

There are so many things going on in the world today that make us stop and think but as I stop and think there appears to be throughout all of history so many things that have gone on that would make one stop and think. Hmm….that’s an interesting point.

So today, let’s be grateful for the small things that are great:

1. You were born

2. The time in history that you were born

3. That you had parents that with God’s help caused you to be born because you were indeed born for a purpose.

4. That you have health

5. And that you have the love of God

Now mind you there are many more reasons, but these will do for a start.

So, take a few moments and forget about complaining about whatever and instead Remember to Be Grateful!

Peace. BB

Do you know the difference between “Privacy and Secrecy”? There is a difference you know.

There is nothing wrong with privacy. It is something that all of us strive for and quite frankly are glad to have in many cases. Some of the things that we may take for granted when it comes  to privacy would include the use of a restroom and even the joy and knowledge that you can sit in the comfort of your home and not be disturbed. The Lives of some people due to their career choice unfortunately have caused privacy to take a back seat. Our privacy is something that is guaranteed to us. Privacy is not something that can cause harm or damage.

Secrecy on the other hand is another matter all together. Normally, secrecy is something that we tend to keep in the dark and hide from the light of day. Secrecy can ultimately cause anguish and problems. Heartache, deception, tears and downright humiliation. Lives can be destroyed as a result of secrecy and can take years of humility and embarrassment to regain the confidence of people. It may even cause us to have to move somewhere completely new so as to start over. Do we let Secrets hold power over us to destroy us?

We are living in crazy times where our privacy is being threatened by the secrecy of terrorist groups and the harm that they wish to bring to us. What is even worse is the fact that it seems that our very own governments are threatening our privacy by doing things in secret. What our governments are realizing is that once these secrets are exposed…. (Reminds me of an article I wrote on earlier about telling the truth from the beginning means not having to think of what it was you said in the first place).

As I conclude this posting, I ask and challenge you to comment on your thoughts regarding privacy and secrecy. If you are prior military like me you would have thoughts regarding secrets and classifications. What are your thoughts? What are your feelings?

Peace. BB

 

Reevaluate where you are and avoid the ruts. Monday 6 May 2013

Have you ever noticed just how easy it is to get stuck in a rut? I learned a while back that a rut is just a grave with the ends knocked off. Show me a man without a dream and I will show you a man who is dead. Sounds harsh I know but Ben Franklin said it best that most men die at the age of 25 and wait another 40 years for the body to catch up. So what does this all have to do with Reevaluation? Well Actually, Everything!

Reevaluation is so important in everything that you do. It is very rare that a goal that you are working on can be accomplished so quickly. The Dreams that you have are made up of goals and those goals contain tasks. You can either sit in the water luck a duck appearing to be on top of things and yet below the surface your feet a paddling like mad or you can choose to soar as an Eagle. With reevaluation you may need to move out and go or perhaps end and stop. You may at times need to simply stay still and wait. The main thing is to try very hard not to live in fear. You need to reevaluate where you are in life and work so that you don’t hinder your growth.

Reevaluate, reevaluate….When you think that you may be at the end of your current road just know that you are actually at the beginning of your next road. As the song goes “the road is long with many a winding turn…”. Reevaluation is part of a process. A process of life. I don’t know about you but I want to learn what I need to learn. I want to experience the adventure. What are your thoughts?

Peace. BB

Wherever you are, be all there…in other words…Wherever you are, there you are.  Thursday 17 April 2013

In today’s society so much is going on. Multi-tasking to say the least. The younger generation texting, emailing, watching tv and maybe even chewing gum at the same time. One of the challenges is that us “older” folk are trying so hard to emulate them so as to stay current with what is going on. To some degree it is very useful. The ability to use a “smart” phone to ensure that everything we do in life is kept up with and hopefully to make our lives that much easier. Society has become so, that on TV a problem is resolved and everyone lives happily ever after within 60 minutes and that includes the commercials!

But there is one thing that today’s younger society has seemed to get away from and that is the ability to actually speak and have a conversation. It is too bad that it is becoming too common that when people are speaking to one another they are doing so by texting when they are so close by. Now when the family sits around the living room (actually not all that common these days) you can see them communicating each on their own smart device with nary a spoken word coming forth.

Summing all this up, many times our mindsets cause us to be in one place physically but our minds our somewhere else mentally. Thus the phrase a penny for your thoughts. Just know that the present moment is happening for a reason. The past is gone and the future is not here. What we have is today and that is what is the gift. If you don’t learn what you need to know now, you will have to learn it all over again in the future. If you cannot learn to be happy where you are, you will not be happy where you are not.

Let life teach you what you need to know because wherever you are…There You Are!     What are your thoughts and experiences on this topic? PS…enjoy the video that brings this thought home.

From Space Balls, the Movie…when is now now?

 

Let’s face it, there are things that you don’t want to do but you do it…That’s called “Personal” Growth. Friday 5 April 2013
In my other writings today, I have been focusing on a statement from the Movie Star Wars by the famous good guy, Yoda. He said “Do or Do not…there is No Try”.

For those of you who have spent any amount of time in organizations like the military etc. you clearly know that there were a good many things that you did not or may not have wanted to do. But to maintain peace and harmony….you did it (or you paid dearly for it).

What I have learned is that by learning to do these things that I did not want to do that I was raising my level of awareness. It is learning how to stay focused. It is learning self-discipline. It is learning that there is more to life than drifting around. Now many of the things that I did not want to do, I do and much of the time it is because I want to do it.

What a turn of events that is! Oh and by the way, if there are things that I am not good at doing….I either learn to get good at it or hire someone who is better at it than me. But I do want to end on this note…if you help enough people get what they want then you will get enough of what you want and that can allow you to spend more time doing what you want because someone else is doing what you don’t want to do.

I challenge each and everyone of you to take even the smallest of steps this week to raise your level of awareness and enrich your Personal Growth.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you agree or disagree with my statements above.
Peace. BB

Sometimes it is better to remain quiet than to open up and confirm it. Sounds like a fish problem. Tuesday 19 March 2013

Today’s tip is actually quite simple, short and to the point. Just as in the case of a fish, sometimes we allow our mouths to be too wide open and can actually drown. Too many of us spend too much time thinking of what we are going to respond with that we don’t pay attention to what is actually being said to us in the first place. Hearing is not much good if we are not prepared to listen as well.

The old adage that it is better to be quiet and let people think what they are going to think as opposed to opening up and confirming it. Or to put it another way according to the wise Solomon in Proverbs 17:28, “Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent and discerning if he holds his tongue”. I put it simply as a businessman, try not to sell the client and then unsell him in a single bound.

So what are your thoughts on this? Would love to hear from you.

 

Suggestion or thought: Disappointment will not kill you! Friday 8 March 2013.

I am sure that many of you have experienced that somethings no matter how hard we try are just not going to happen. That they are beyond our control. In fact, the fact that they did not occur may have been a message from a higher authority. Was it better that your flight was delayed due to weather or even cancelled? We have all had instances so many, in fact, that I am sure your mind is racing on overtime right now thinking of them. The bottom line though is that you are here to be able to remember them.

Disappointments occur in your life for a reason. They can be and are an excellent teacher on how you can and should do things better in the future. And of course, the lesson that if you do things differently you will get different results. What do we say, that the highest form of insanity is to keep doing what you are doing but expect different results.
The main thing is not to start out by expecting to be disappointed to the point where we actually quit trying. That our worry and anxiety gets the best of us. You have all experienced that the worry was far worse than the actual outcome.
Today, starting right now, I want to ask you to get back into the game of life. Faith calls upon us to try and to try again. And if that occurs, to try some more. Don’t run from it…run towards it!
Stay the course, stay the Journey and as John Maxwell said recently….you need to be in the room!

Suggestion or thought: Here’s a great way to make a Statement….Show that you are Organized. Thursday 28 February 2013

I am sure that you will all agree with me that we live in a world that is fast paced with all sorts of activities both daily and during the evening taking place in our daily agendas. During the course of our day, our week our month are activities that both essential and that of routine. Did I mention that we all have the same 24 hours in a day and 168 hours in a week? But sometimes we get ourselves so busy being busy that some of the most essential things in our life go by the wayside. Things slide and the ability to stay on top of things becomes…well a lost art.
But all is not lost! There is a word out there in vocabulary land that can be not only very valuable to you but can also be very profitable as well. That word is “organized”. Yes, folk it is time to get organized again for the first time. In fact, if you plan your work and work your plan you will find those heavy weights that may be pressing down on your shoulders causing stress and strain.
There are any number of electronic and manual tools out there today to assist with this but the bottom line is that you need to take on the mantra that  “if it is to be it is up to me”. You will not be disappointed and rest assured that those you interact with will certainly notice and want to do more with you.

 

Suggestion or thought: It is more important to admit your mistakes than it is to keep people from thinking you were wrong. Wednesday February 13 2013

This topic deals with humility but also deals with common sense. It is not the fact that all of us make mistakes that really matters. What really matters is what people do about their mistakes once they realize that they have made a mistake. Why is it so hard for people (us) to admit when we have made a mistake or that we were wrong? Could it be that deep down our “pride” is in our way? Could it be that we do not want to be embarrassed or that we don’t want to slip in our popularity? I had actually gotten to the point in my life where I found it very difficult to admit same. In fact, many of us laugh at a phrase that I made up that I used to swear by. That phrase is “I am very seldom wrong when I am right”. Now isn’t that a mouth full?
Well, everyone, welcome to reality! Here are a few phrases that we can use:
1. I was wrong.
2. It was my fault
3. I’m sorry   or just plain….”whoops, my bad”
Actually admitting that we were wrong or made a mistake will gain us so many more brownie points with those around us. And then we grow from it and move forward. You know the biggest thing about admitting we made a mistake or that we were wrong is that everyone else knows and all it takes is for us to acknowledge that they know. Take a page out of Proverbs whereby Solomon states “He who conceals his sins does not proposer, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy”.
I don’t know about you but I have learned that if I make a mistake or am wrong, I work very hard to admit it and move forward. How about You?

 

Suggestion or thought: If you tell the truth, you never have to remember what you said! Wednesday February 6 2013

It’s always important to tell the truth so that you will not have to try to re-remember what you said in the first place.

 You may be wondering what this might have to do with Leadership. Well suffice to say that many of us if not all of us have told a “little white one” at some point in our lives. Well you out there in the business world will run into instances where by your telling it the way it is will end up being more beneficial than your having to do other wise. Surely, you will also run into those around you who may not always be on the up and up as they try to fix that which gets worse the more they try to fix it.
That was a mouthful, wasn’t it? When you tell the truth, you simply are telling it like it is from your perspective. Remember that where you are is where you are! The truth you tell today will be the same truth that you tell next week, next month etc. A non-truth is not like that. You would have interjected some non-truth and when you are asked again to recount what you said a week, a month etc. you will be hard pressed to remember exactly what you said and you will probably need to interject another non-truth of some kind. It will get to the point where you end up in over your head. John Maxwell always likes to say “that when you are in over your head, it does not matter how deep the water is”. How true this is!
Just remember that the TV shows are full of Law and Order and other types of stories that put people in front of lawyers and the courts and under cross examination people convict themselves because they could not get the story straight.
So in conclusion, Be the Leader that you are meant to be. Stay out from getting in the water above your head. For if you always tell it like it is, you won’t have to remember what it is that you said because it will always be what it is.
What are your thoughts on this topic? Would love your interjection.
Peace. BB

 

Suggestion or thought: You have to do your job and everyone else’s, too!  Wednesday January 30th 2013

 At first glance and reading of this statement, it would not surprise me, for you to immediately think that this is a cynical statement. Clearly one that would be easily misunderstood and negative by its reading. But rather than you take it that way, let me shed some light on its very connotation.

We must realize that in our everyday existence, no one can do everything. We have to and we must rely on others. These are not the days of the early pioneers whereby we grew everything, we hunted everything, we built everything etc. etc. We are living in an age where to get things done we must find and go to the people that are tasked with those tasks. As examples: I go to a mechanic to get the car serviced. I go to the restaurant to order a meal and be served and so on and so on. Thus, lies the challenge that if you really want something done absolutely correctly, shall we say exactly the way you want it, then you have to operate with the assumption that “I have to do my job and everyone else’s too”.

All too often we go out and buy something only to find that the clerk did not follow through with completely and correctly filling your order. Or that you asked for a large but you got a medium instead. And so on. I know while you are reading this that you are actually starting to nod your head in agreement as this has happened to ALL OF US at any given time. My question to you is “Why are you willing to let the immaturity, inefficiency and inexperience of someone else control the outcome of the event and that of your life”?  It is your transaction, your purchase, your money and YES your responsibility to ensure that it is and gets done right!

So in conclusion, if you want to grow, you need to begin to be aware of things and see things that others do not see or are not even aware of. It is that simple. This actually becomes a way of life with you. It becomes second nature to you. You will start thinking in terms of you being personally responsible as opposed to placing blame. You will become more productive and less reactive. You are now on the road to not letting anyone steal your dream!

Have great vision as to what lies ahead and there in is the positive about a statement that otherwise would seem negative. Peace BB.

Suggestion or thought: “Sometimes things are not as easy as they look”! Saturday 12 January 2013

Oh how easy it is in today’s busy hustle and bustle life to moan, groan, mumble under our breath, complain when something happens in our life that does not necessarily fit our ways. Have you ever been standing in line at the grocery store or been sitting in traffic or even been on an airplane during the boarding process and observed things that were totally driving you crazy? You know what I mean. You have all experienced it. And in some cases without realizing it, you may even have been what others may have been moaning and groaning about. I think back to an old TV Show called “Some Mothers do have them”. Now that your thoughts and imaginations are tuned into what I am talking about….

Let me encourage you today and this upcoming week to work to keep a positive attitude regardless of who and what are causing you a little bit of anguish. Remember that your attitude determines your altitude. No matter what is going on in your head, make sure that there is a smile on your face. Remember that you may be the person that someone else is shaking their head at or MOST importantly, YOUR whole demeanor may be the blessing to someone else who is WATCHING YOU and how you handle the situation.

 

Suggestion or thought: “Are you trying to win or are you trying Not to Lose”? Saturday 5 January 2013

Well first off, if you have not heard from me already….wishing you a very Happy and Healthy New Year.

I have seen this all too often in sports (especially with my beloved NY Jets) where by you have some sort of a lead against a team that is on paper superior to yours. You get yourself a lead and then the panic sets in. Oh, my gosh, we are ahead….now let us do what we have to to keep them from beating us. Well in reality, what is required is for you to keep on striving forward to WIN and not to suddenly become conservative and try hard not to lose.

Life is an adventure. Life beholds an important truth and that truth is that you must never be afraid to lose. You must always go out there and strive to Win!

My suggestion to you today be it in ministry, education,  business and even relationships is to go out there and give it your best shot. Put your heart into what you are doing today. Don’t look back on today or even on your life for that matter and wish you had taken more risks. Really…which feels better at the end of the day…knowing that you won or that you tried not to lose?

Peace. BB……your comments and feedback always welcome.

 

Suggestion or thought: “I think I am right, but I may be wrong”. Wednesday 19 December 2012

I don’t know about you, but I have run in to quite a few “know it alls” in my life. I will let you in on a secret…I have been labeled as one as well. In fact, it has gotten me in trouble on more than one occasion. In fact, I created a new phrase to help me with this syndrome/illness…”I am very seldom wrong when I am right”. Usually works to break the ice and then we all set out to find the right answer. See that is the problem with always trying to be right. We don’t usually take the time to study the situation and come up with the right solution. Accurate information is so important and there is a great deal of inaccurate info out there. No one has all the answers. Women ask for directions. All men need is a full tank of gas and they are good to go.

Today and moving forward, approach decisions with a new attitude: and that is “I think I am right, but I may be wrong”. Use that GPS on your phone. Google for some updated info. Think twice (measure twice cut once). And for gosh sakes, don’t be afraid to listen and not just hear. The resulting feeling of accomplishment will be refreshing and people will want to be around you more.

I invite as always your comments and thoughts on this topic. Peace. BB 

 

Suggestion: “Before you can be IN authority, you must learn to be UNDER authority”. Saturday 27 October 2012

No man is an Island and it gets very lonely trying to stand by ones self. From the very beginning of your time on this earth, you have been under someone’s authority. Even while you were nurtured by your parent(s) there was still their authority. As you grew older, though, you may have begun to take on the attitude of “I just obey myself”. Just know that there is not one person who has ever achieved greatness in this life both past or present, and who was also helpful to others that has not been under the authority of someone. My whole leadership being is that of “Servant Leadership”.

Today, this week, focus and decide to set your mind not to resist or fight the authority under which you are serving. Remember I am not speaking of slavery here, I am speaking of Leadership. Be kind and respectful to those you encounter from your family to your colleagues. The key word is “respect”. Also remember that not everyone who IS in authority uses it correctly BUT YOU be the Leader and not be disobedient. Two rams butting heads is just a big headache. Let me close by saying that….Greatness is on the other side of submission.

I would love to hear back from you and your thoughts on this week’s topic and tip.Peace BB.

 

Suggestion: Have a read of this article from USA today. If ever there is a reason to use a coach or understand why Leadership sessions are important…. Wednesday 24 October 2012

Burnout up among employees
http://usat.ly/RSELdC

 

Suggestion: When working with others, be sure to include both the Big Idea and the details. Saturday 13 October 2012

Too many times we come up with what we consider to be a fantastic idea or concept only to find out that in the end it did not work out. It was not the fault of the idea or concept but more times than not it was the fault of not going through the details that were required to make that idea or concept work. I think of the Classic TV Show “Dragnet” when Detective Sgt. Friday would say…”just the facts, please…just the facts”. In today’s world, we had people like Steve Jobs who came up with some great ideas but he ensured and insisted that his team went out and worked out the details before launching. Then those items literally sold themselves and continue to do so.

So today, this week and moving forward, when you strike upon something that sounds good and that you would like to do, make sure that you use some backward planning and work through the tasks, conditions and standards that will help ensure success of the project.

Friday 5 October 2012

Suggestion: As stated yesterday, I am now including the 2nd picture of this “unscheduled event”.

Are you prepared? Are you ready for what lies ahead? A good leader tries to ensure that as many of his ducks are in order at any given time. But of course, we never know. And the moral of today’s story is that we should always be grateful and thankful. And that is today’s tip for having a GRReat Day!

Suggestion: Always approach each day as a “Special Day” and be prepared for any unscheduled event. Thursday 4 October 2012

Part of Leadership and being a Leader is preparation. As the Boy Scout Motto says “Be Prepared”. Sometimes, though, you have to hope that you have done everything you could do in advance and that it works when you need it. Sometimes, you just have to take a deep breath and give thanks and move on.

Special thanks to my friend, Tracy for sending me these pictures. Yes, Pictures. I will show you the 2nd one tomorrow and you will fully understand my words of today. Peace. BB

Look at the picture above and you can see where this driver
broke through the guardrail, on the right side of the culvert,
where the people are standing on the road, pointing….

The pick-up was traveling about 75 mph from right to left
when it crashed through the guardrail.

It flipped end-over-end bounced off and across the culvert outlet,
and landed right side up on the left side of the culvert,
facing the opposite direction from which the driver was traveling..

The 22-year-old driver and his 18-year-old passenger
were unhurt except for minor cuts and bruises.

Just outside Flagstaff , AZ , on U.S.. Hwy 100.

Suggestion: Do not live in regret. Saturday 29 September 2012.

I have to say that the word regret reminds me of some lyrics from the Classic Sinatra Song…”My Way”….regrets, I’ve had a few…but then to few to mention…I did what I had to do…..  The word regret also reminds me of the phrase “if only”..if only I had done this or  what if I had done that. In fact, if you break it down the word “if” in and of itself is a very hard word to live with. Life is a journey. Life is a process. I have heard John Maxwell say many times and now I say it and I hope you learn to say it that “yesterday, ended last night”. Now face it. We were put here on this earth for the time that we were put here for to do two things: To Learn and to Grow. Would you trade your life for that of someone else’s? Is the grass really that much greener over there? I am sure glad that I have the problems that I have and not the problems that someone else does.

So today, this week, and certainly moving forward…trade in your sadness and depression for joy and happiness. I am sure that there are those out there who would love to fill your shoes, if only for a day. Work at being Happy, Healthy and Terrific. Know that there are Dream Stealers out there and work hard to not let anyone steal your dream. And last, enjoy You. Enjoy being You and strive to keep a positive self image and change that “if” word to “when” and maybe even a little “I WILL”. Peace. BB

 

Suggestion: You cannot truly listen as long as you want to talk. Saturday 22 September 2012

I love this tip and I must remind myself of it each and every day! Do you realize that spoken communication accounts for only about 7-9% of total communication? Half the time (and I am being nice) we are so busy thinking about what we are going to say in reply and working hard to make that reply a hum dinger that we don’t really “listen” to what is actually being said to us. Talking in communication is not nearly as important as listening in communication! If you are so busy trying to talk in between the pauses of someone else you will soon realize that you really have no idea what the other person is trying to say to you.

This week, starting with TODAY, take the time while in conversation, to use the “pause” that refreshes. Wait a few seconds (which might feel like an eternity) before answering or responding. Your brain does work that fast! Respond by asking key questions. You will find that not only are you hearing but people will realize you are “listening”. I will bet that not only will your stress level go down but that you will actually come away with more information as well as a higher degree of respect from the people you are in communication with.

 

 

Suggestion: You don’t need to be a Marine to live Semper Fidelis. Saturday 15 September 2012. 

What does a Latin Phrase and the US Marine Motto have to do with having a GRReat Day? Well, actually….Everything! First let me translate the Latin if you have not already done so. Semper Fidelis…always ready/always faithful. I think if you know anything about the Marines is that they are ready 24/7 365 but one thing is for certain…they are always preparing and practicing. So now I add “there is a big difference between inspiration and preparation”. Many of us have gifts that allow us to show forth our talent(s) but those gifts are never fully realized without practice, practice and dare I say more practice.

This week, and I think of the famous part of the speech where President Ronald Reagan was speaking to the US athletes about to participate in the olympics “Perhaps more than anyone else, ladies and gentlemen, you understand that the will to win pales in comparison with the will to prepare to win!” So as I was saying…this week, buckle down and just do it! Semper Fi!

 

Suggestion: We learn everything by comparison or by contrast. Friday 31 August 2012

To often we assume too many things. When we learn by comparison, we learn what works and what is right and thus what is helpful to ourselves and to others. We tend to want to focus on those things. When we learn by contrast, we learn what is wrong and what does not work and thus what will hurt ourselves and others. Logically, we try to stay away or avoid these things. Think of the cat who jumped onto the hot stove. Now even though the stove is cold the cat will never ever again jump on the stove. While comparison is the norm contrast can actually be a good teacher.

This week, take a fresh look at your actions and behaviors. Keep doing what is right but most importantly, determine what is wrong and avoid same. See how many things you change in your life. Who knew that two simple words would show us two simple ways to live?

Look forward to your feedback either here on this site or email me directly at [email protected]

 

Suggestion: Learn that Life is a process and not an event (the word “if”). Friday 24 August 2012

I am not sure about you, but I grew up and actually even took into my adult life the heavy use of the word “if” (we’ll talk about “they” in another entry). If only I cleaned up my room when I was told to I would have been able to do…. If only I had studied more… If only I could get that great job that would set me up for life… If I could look like so and so…. etc etc etc…

What so many of us and yes even me, myself and I (all three of me) don’t always realize that life is a process and not an event. There is NO single event in our lives that qualifies to become the totality of our lives. Just as in building a house you would not want to leave out a brick or a piece of the foundation. Know that each event is part of the process. It is part of YOUR Journey. I even think of the song that Aerosmith sang “I don’t want to miss a thing”. So let me suggest that for this upcoming week and onwards, look at everything you do through a different lens. Stop wishing your life away. See life as a process and watch what it does to your maturity factor as well as your long-term vision.

Your comments are welcome and appreciated.

Suggestion: Remember to Stop and Halt and Regroup Yourself when it is called for. (Friday 3 August 2012)

In keeping with my statement and comment below from 20 and 27 July…Whenever you are Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired. Stop or Halt what you are doing, regroup and then and only then move forward. Too many times when you are in one of these modes, your decisions lack the thought and support that are required of you. You are more open and vulnerable to temptation and perhaps even trouble. Ensure that you stop or halt and address your needs so that the decisions you make and the actions you take will not be regrettable.

Suggestion: July 20 and 27. Was away on vacation and visiting with my awesome family. Of course I don’t need to tell you but…..You have always got to take some time to rest and rejuvenate so that you don’t “burn out”.

Suggestion: Life Boils down to Learning to Ride your Bicycle. (Friday 13 July, 2012)

Life is kinda like learning to ride a bicycle. Depending upon your personality and how much you choose to analyze the process, it does not take book learning or watching a video or listening to a podcast. To sum it up, we already have the knowledge inside of us and through trial and error we get it right. It might involve using training wheels but sooner or later we must brave it and go for it! No chickening out and just using the stationary bike at the gym here. Well life is like this too! There will be perceived FEARs, you may fall down a couple of times, you may even get a scratch or two or three…..And yes, there will be people along the way to help you. The main thing and here is where you can celebrate your victory and have a GRReat Day is to remember the line from the song “I get knocked down, but I get up again. Nothing’s ever gonnna keep me down”!

Comments are welcome….

 

Suggestion: If you focus on the problem, the problem increases. If, however, you focus on the solution, the solution increases. (Friday 6 July, 2012)

This suggestion for a grreat day goes hand in hand with my Leadership Tip for today. Don’t know about you, but the more I tended to focus on what could go wrong, the more things tended to go wrong. And yes, the more you focus on the things that can go right, the more things can and should go right. You see, the sub conscious does not know the difference between real and imagined. It’s sole mission is to prove you right. Thus, if you fill your head with negativities your sub conscious will work to fulfill those negativities. Ergo, if you work the positives, your sub conscious has but no choice to fulfill those positives. So what is it going to be? Work the positives and put less stress on your body and health or accentuate the negatives. Your choice. I know that I am healthier and better off today because of this. Look forward to your comments.

 

Suggestion: Learn to separate the Urgent from the Important! (Friday 29 June, 2012)


I am not sure about you but I have to remind myself often about who is in charge of ME. Why you may ask. Well during any given day, I interact with any number of people. Everyone has things that they need to accomplish and every one of those items is urgent to them or is that important? How often, I think of the Classic 1939 file “Gone With The Wind” where Scarlett O’Hara says a multitude of times about how she won’t think of that today, she will deal with it tomorrow. Well, thanks to technology today and certainly my Franklin Planner, I have come to better organize myself into what is “urgent” and what is “important” and prioritize accordingly. And when others come to me with their tasks that I need to interact with….I arrange them….you guessed it….into “urgent” and “important. If you are not doing this….try it….it will make your day and your week and your month and yes, your year so much better.

 

Suggestion: Smile! (Friday 22 June, 2012)

Years ago and actually not long ago someone asked me if I was happy. Of course, my response was yes. Their response was to let my face know it! I also remember hearing one of my teachers…probably the science teacher say that it took more muscles to frown than to smile. Well you can guess that my face is in really good shape. Well I thought because I was MR Army that I had to always keep a straight face no matter what. Then I became Mr. Referee and you guessed it…Mr. Straight Face. So let me share this poem I came across and remember that today is the day that we all smile. It is contagious ya know.

A smile a day keeps troubles at bay

It gladdens the heart of each morning you start

Let it light up your eyes, and you’ll be surprised,

At how easy it is to grin and dismiss,

To hope and believe, to build and achieve,

So for a moment a day let yourself say,

Behold…the power of a smile. (Rachael Mead)

 

Suggestion: Just do it afraid! (Friday 15 June, 2012)

Fear is such a strange phenomenon. There are times when fear is helpful, and there are times when it is not. Fear is great when you are being chased by a wild animal. Not sure how often that occurs in your life. Fear may show its face just as you are about to jump out of a perfectly good airplane (with parachute) but once you do you realize the exhilaration that occurs. Fear…hmm….stands for False Evidence Appearing Real. Are you allowing Fear to wear out your human engine? Are you allowing Fear to show you defeatism? You know if you really get down to it, your sub conscious really does not know the difference between real and not real. It is designed to give you what you think and if you are afraid….well you get the picture. So what do I suggest…GET OVER IT and ‘nike’ (Just Do It)! And each time you do it will get easier. Peace.

 

 

Suggestion: Love to serve. (Friday 8 June, 2012

I will further expand on this topic in my blog posting as this section of my site is dedicated to suggestions for you to have a GRReat Day! Take some time today to be a servant be you a man or a woman. There is nothing wrong with holding a door for someone or letting someone get ahead of you in line. If you are in business, there is nothing wrong with saying “how may I serve you today”. Try it. I will bet that you will feel good about it. I would even bet that you may even get a warm fuzzy in your heart.

Suggestion: Make it a practice of calling ahead. (Monday May 21st, 2012)

Most people have them, most people use them for a variety of reasons and tasks and some people are always on them even to the point of losing track of what is going on around them. It’s your cell phone/smart phone of course! Have you ever been in a situation where when you got where you were going that things had changed? Appointments cancelled? Flights late or not flying at all? Stores out of the product you were looking for…hey gas is expensive not to mention the cost of your time spent. You know they call it a smart phone for a reason. Take and make time in your day by using this technological tool and call ahead / call prior to and ensure that all is ok and running “on time”.

 

 

Suggestion: Every day is an opportunity to start fresh again. (Tuesday May 15th, 2012)

I am sure that you have had moments just as I have where it has felt really good to be able to just stop, pause, relax and then start over again. Sometimes we have to start from scratch and sometimes we just have to make a slight correction and that is what makes it refreshing. Those of you who play golf know what the “mulligan” rule is all about or when we were kids and did not like the outcome and we said…”do over”. Well today take that opportunity and start fresh and new. You will thank yourself for it and maybe others will too!

Suggestion: Take today to think of something that is going to benefit you today. Hold a daily think session for you. (Monday April 23rd, 2012)

 

Suggestion: Take a few moments TODAY to jot down a few thoughts as to what you want to accomplish. Then take a few moments for yourself and DREAM. Your subconscious does not know the difference between real and fantasy and will work overtime to make it reality if you put a date on it.

Friday April 13th 2012. In connection with my blog post today….take the next 24 hours(we are blessed 24 hours at a time) to rethink your eating habits. Make an effort to replace one of your meals with a very “healthy” meal and ensure that you only eat the correct portion. Drink enough water daily (1/2 your body weight in ozs.) The 2nd week increase to 2 healthy meals a day…….. If you do not belong to a gym try walking. There are plenty of beautiful places where you can spend 30-60 minutes to have a brisk walk. Better still, find a friend to walk with.  Leave me a comment on my blog page as to how you make out.

 

 

Friday March 23rd 2012. Suggestion:  Just for today… I will determine and act on important priorities. This is a great point. Do you regularly take the time to plan your time? Do you constantly find that your day gets away from you and you did not accomplish what you thought you needed to accomplish? Who controls YOUR Calendar? Do you encounter time thieves? Take some time today to plan your day and then determine what is “urgent” vs. “important”. You are the magic of what YOU get done. We all have the same 168 hours in a week.

3 thoughts on “Intentional Bob’s Suggestions for having a GRReat Day!

  1. I see both Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr as Peace Makers. They both had their own communication style, yet, they both had a powerful message that resonated with their followers.
    When Ghandi began his walk towards the ocean, there were a handful of people with him, yet, when they arrived, there were a million people that understood the peace that he wanted to bring to his country and they followed his lead as a great leader.

  2. I agree with your Chicken Little analogy.
    While in Corporate America, one of the questions that I posed to my associates after a mistake was made was: how can you make sure you do not make the same mistake again?
    The same goes for us as leaders and individuals. Ask: how can I prevent that same mistake and become a better leader and person?

  3. As parents, adults and teachers, we must set an example and provide an atmosphere that encourages the
    healthy development of our children within the community.
    ) scenes you will ever see, unless you see someone motorboating tentacles all the time that is.
    There are quite a few tactics in which a father or mother can instruct
    his small children selected items which are or else not taught at school.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.